Office Chief, Strategic Safety and Implementation

Caltrans: California Department of Transportation; California (MO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A state transportation agency in California is hiring an Office Chief, Strategic Safety and Implementation. This role involves overseeing the implementation of safety policies and managing engineering teams. Candidates must have experience in transportation engineering and possess a valid civil engineer registration. The position is essential for enhancing statewide transportation safety and reliability.

Qualifications

• Must have experience in transportation engineering.
• Candidates should demonstrate experience in supervisory roles.
• Experience with implementing safety policies is required.

Responsibilities

• Establish statewide policies for multimodal transportation.
• Support the implementation of the Safe System Approach.
• Manage traffic investigations and safety projects.

Skills

Supervising engineering teams

Developing transportation policies

Managing safety programs

Education

Valid civil engineer registration

Tools

Safety management tools

Job description

Overview

Office Chief, Strategic Safety and Implementation – Department of Transportation. Under the general direction of the Deputy Division Chief of the Division of Safety Programs, the incumbent serves as the Chief of the Office of Strategic Safety and Implementation.

The incumbent establishes statewide policies, practices, and guidelines to provide a safe and reliable multimodal transportation network, works with internal and external partners to implement tools and technologies for operations and safety and implements new innovations and technologies. The incumbent facilitates safe and reliable transportation system operations throughout the State. Activities focus on traffic investigations, Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT), pedestrian and bicycle safety, Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), and the Road Safety Infrastructure Plan (RSIP). The incumbent also elects and advocates for safety projects in the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP).

As the Office Chief, the incumbent supports the Division of Safety Programs and all districts in implementing the Safe System Approach on the State Highway System and provides uniform standards for local roads to help California meet its Strategic Highway Safety Plan and Highway Safety Improvement Program goals.

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

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. 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.

• SUPERVISING TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER, CALTRANS

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-494883

Position #: 913-355-3155-002

Working Title: Office Chief, Strategic Safety and Implementation

Classification: SUPERVISING TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER, CALTRANS

# of Positions: 1

Department Information

Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.

Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.

Caltrans Director’s EEO Policy and EEO Policy Statement: EEO policy information is available on the Caltrans website.

Email will be the primary form of communication for this position. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.

Special Requirements

Pursuant to California Code of Regulations § 549.90, this position will be filled via the California Department of Transportation Managerial Selection Program (MSP) process.

Please read the entire job posting before applying for this position.

This is a Caltrans Promotional Examination.

Applicants must have a permanent civil service appointment with the Department of Transportation and meet the minimum qualifications by the final filing date to participate in the examination.

Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a civil engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Either I – Experience: One year of transportation engineering experience as a senior level engineer in the California state service.
• Or II – One year of supervisory or managerial experience equivalent in level to a Senior Transportation Planner in the California state service.
• Two years of civil engineering work at the Associate Engineer level or higher in the California state service.
• Or III – Broad and extensive (more than five years) transportation engineering experience, two years of which are equivalent in responsibility to the senior level engineer in the California state service.

Examination Information: This examination will utilize an evaluation of each candidate’s experience and education (E&E) compared to a standard developed from the class specification. Candidates must list all experience relevant to the “Minimum Qualifications” that are listed in the Class Specifications.

All applicants must meet the minimum requirement for this examination by the final filing date.

This examination will not establish a civil service list; therefore, candidates will not have the ability to transfer their eligibility to other departments. Candidates will be notified in writing of their examination results.

Out of Class (OOC) Experience: If using Out of Class experience, you must submit a copy of your signed and approved Out of Class documentation.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 10/22/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

Department of Transportation

MSP

Attn: Gwen Ling (25MSP078)

Managerial Selection Process (MSP) MS-86

1727 30th Street, 6th Floor

Sacramento, CA 95816-8036

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

Department of Transportation

MSP

Attn: Gwen Ling (25MSP078)

Managerial Selection Process (MSP) MS-86

1727 30th Street, 6th Floor

Sacramento, CA 95816-8036

Please place in examination unit drop box in the lobby

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications – Candidates must provide detailed and specific examples from their professional education, experience, and training that directly answer each of the SOQ questions. Responses to the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted on the Department of Transportation's MSP Statement of Qualifications Form (PM-0504). Submit your completed PM-0504 in the “Additional Documents” section. Select “Other” from the drop‑down menu for Type of Document and enter SOQ for the Description. Upload your completed PM-0504, then Save & Review Application. Locked PM0504 for 25MSP078

Contact Information

Human Resources Contact: Gwen Ling, [phone], [e-mail]

EEO Contact: Caltrans EEO Office, [phone], [e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)

Statement of Qualifications

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted along with your State application. The SOQ is a discussion of how an applicant’s education and experience meet the evaluation criteria below and qualify them for the position.

Responses to the SOQ must be submitted on the Department of Transportation's MSP Statement of Qualifications Form (PM-0504). Any SOQ responses that are not submitted on the PM-0504 will not be scored. Each box provided on the form for your response has been limited to 2000 characters.

Each question will be scored individually, therefore, candidates must provide detailed and specific examples from their professional experience, education, and training that directly answer each of the SOQ questions. The SOQ will be utilized as screening criteria for the hiring interview only and will not be used for the purposes of examination. Additional documents to supplement the PM-0504 will not be reviewed during the SOQ scoring. To learn about the Statement of Qualifications form (PM-0504) and screening process, click here: https://youtu.be/Wi1RbhBY0Ao

The Statement of Qualifications must address the applicant’s qualifications relative to the following:

• Demonstrated experience in supervising, managing, and leading teams consisting of senior staff and professional engineers to collectively achieve successful outcomes to accomplish Caltrans’ mission and goals of road safety.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and leading engineering functions and programs to develop and/or implement policies, standards, guidance, and/or organizational improvements to enhance state highway system safety.
• Demonstrated experience in the management and supervisory practices to promote equal opportunity in staffing, hiring, onboarding, professional staff development, promotion, retention, and succession planning.
• Demonstrated experience in leading multi‑disciplinary teams to manage risks and implement effective solutions for projects and programs to improve state highway system safety.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and fostering strong internal and external partnerships, effectively communicating with Caltrans partners to resolve conflicts and implement mutually agreeable solutions related to highway design/operations/safety/maintenance.

Additional Information

Please include MSP# 25MSP078 and the title of the position you are applying for on the STD. 678 application form.

Please take this 1‑minute Caltrans Recruitment Survey to tell us how you found out about this job! survey link

Effective January 1, 2009, Government Code Section 18991 was enacted which permits persons retired from the United States military, honorably discharged from active military duty with a service‑connected disability, or honorably discharged from active duty, shall be eligible to apply for promotional civil service examinations, for which he/she meets the minimum qualifications as prescribed by the class specification. Persons applying who qualify as a Veteran under Government Code Section 18991 must submit a copy of their DD214 with the Examination Application (STD. 678).

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 work place. 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.