Federal Planning Manager

Caltrans: California Department of Transportation; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental transportation agency in Missouri is seeking a Supervising Transportation Planner to assist with federal program engagement, manage grant applications, and ensure compliance with federal funding requirements. The ideal candidate will have experience in public outreach and understanding of federal policies. This role requires strong communication and collaboration skills, along with the ability to lead outreach efforts and provide technical assistance. Telework and travel may be involved depending on operational needs.

Qualifications

• Experience working on federal or state transportation policy or legislation.
• Experience conducting public outreach on complex transportation issues.
• Experience with federal or state transportation funding programs.

Responsibilities

• Assist in strategic engagement and vision for federal priorities.
• Lead outreach efforts and coordinate federal grant applications.
• Provide technical assistance to teams seeking federal funding.

Skills

Public outreach and engagement

Understanding of federal appropriations

Multi-disciplinary project management

Interpersonal skills

Presentation skills

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Job description

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the Assistant Federal Liaison, a Supervising Transportation Planner, in the Director’s Office, Office of the Federal Liaison, the incumbent will assist the Office in strategic engagement, strategy, and vision for advancing our federal priorities and short‑term and long‑term strategic direction for the State transportation system for federal programs as well as ensure California receives its share of federal funding and competes effectively for directionally grant programs and federal earmarks. This position will lead enhanced outreach efforts, strategy and coordinate on federal discretionary grant applications and management processes. This position will support the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act’s (MAP‑21) transportation performance management and development of our federal policy positions, coordinate implementation of current and future federal transportation legislation, and provide enhanced outreach and technical assistance to Headquarters Programs/Divisions and Districts seeking federal funding for their projects. This work requires extensive coordination and communication with our transportation partners, the public, as well as cross‑organizational and cross‑agency collaboration. Effective working relationships with internal and external agencies/partners is critical.

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Senior Transportation Planner exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here to search by typing in the classification title.

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

PARF# 85-6-010 / JC-496104

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

The incumbent will work in an office environment (in‑office and home office) but will be required to travel in state. Significant interaction and travel requirements exist within multiple districts and Congressional offices throughout the state, based on operational need and selected candidates’ home location. Out‑of‑state travel may also be required to attend meetings, conferences, and trainings. This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s current telework policy. While Caltrans supports telework, in‑person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises. Candidates may be required to commute to the headquartered location and conduct business travel on behalf of the Department or other locations. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Special Requirements

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a discussion of how an applicant's education, training, experience, and skills meet the criteria in the duty statement and qualify the applicant for the position. The SOQ must be in narrative form (no bulleted content and not a resume) and tailored to the specific position rather than a general summary of your good qualities. The SOQ should be no longer than two pages, single spaced, and written in 12-point font. In addition to the above instructions, you must include “Statement of Qualifications”, your name, and the job control number centered and in bold in the header.

Failure to include and complete the SOQ may result in disqualification for interview.

• 1. Provide one specific example that demonstrates your experience working on federal or state transportation policy or legislation.
• 2. Provide one specific example that demonstrates your experience conducting public outreach and engagement on a complex transportation issue or policy.
• 3. Provide one specific example that demonstrates your experience working on federal or state transportation funding programs or discretionary grant programs.

Desirable Qualifications

Public outreach and engagement experience; understanding of federal appropriations and budget processes; federal transportation policy and legislation experience; grant writing experience; multi-disciplinary project management experience; strong interpersonal and presentation skills; experience in graphics such as Adobe In‑Design; ability to develop innovative and effective solutions for transportation problems and effectively implement them.

Benefits

View the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.

Contact Information

Human Resources Contact: Karlee Wootan (279) 234‑2438 [e-mail]

Hiring Unit Contact: Ryan Greenway (916) 698‑8386 [e-mail]

EEO Contact: Caltrans EEO Office (844) 368‑3367 [e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1‑800‑735‑2929 (TTY), 1‑800‑735‑2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug‑free workplace. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.