PLANNING DATA ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN 4 - 08112026-79919

Tennessee Department of Transportation; Davidson (NC); Hybrid; USD 51,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Tennessee Department of Transportation in Davidson County is seeking a Planning Data Engineering Technician 4 to support the Planning Division by collecting, processing, and assuring the quality of roadway and traffic data used in statewide planning and HPMS reporting.

You will lead data quality efforts, coordinate with FHWA and TDOT divisions, maintain SOPs, and produce annual summaries while adapting to federal changes and promoting data integrity across TDOT operations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and four (4) years of relevant transportation operations experience and completion of the Engineering Technician Proficiency Program levels I-III.
• Or High school diploma and four (4) years of relevant transportation operations experience including at least one (1) year of leading crews or training employees, with effective communication.
• Substitution of Education for Experience: an associate degree may substitute for 2 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the Planning Data Team by ensuring datasets are received and quality controlled.
• Perform validations to ensure compliance with federal guidance and TDOT requirements; develop reports and communicate feedback.
• Prepare data for federal reporting (TMAS/HPMS) and communicate with data owners.
• Maintain SOPs and dashboards; produce annual summaries and maintain documentation.
• Participate in peer exchanges and stay updated with federal changes; collaborate with other State DOTs.
• Locate relevant publications and document findings from all sources.
• Assist with quality management procedures and deliverables; seek process improvements.
• Provide exceptional customer service to stakeholders and promote transparency and accountability.

Skills

MUTCD knowledge

Operations safety

Contract administration

Report writing

Tools handling

Equipment operation

Communication skills

Computers

Hazard awareness

Team leadership

Instruction methods

Process analysis

Analytical thinking

Document interpretation

Traffic control plans

Site safety plans

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree substitute for 2 years experience

Job description

Location: Davidson County, Nashville, TN

Contract type: Full-Time

Salary (Monthly): $4,562.00 - $5,694.00; Salary (Annually): $54,744.00 - $68,328.00

Department: Transportation; Division: Planning Division - Roadway Data - Planning Data Section

Position: Planning Data Engineering Technician 4

Hybrid Work Schedule: Three days in the office and two days working from home

Starting Salary: $4,969 monthly / $59,628 annually

Opening Date: 08/11/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date: 08/24/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Link: https://www.tdot.tn.gov/PublicDocuments/hr/Planning-Division-Roadway-Data-Section-Planning-Data-Engineering-Technician-4-V01-Final.pdf

Qualifications

Education equivalent to graduation from high school and four (4) years of relevant transportation operations experience and completion of the Engineering Technician Proficiency Program levels I through III

OR Education equivalent to graduation from high school and four (4) years of relevant transportation operations experience including at least one (1) year of experience with leading crews or teams on assignments and/or training employees, including effective communication through active listening, and providing verbal and written instructions

Substitution of Education for Experience: An associate degree in a related field of study may substitute for 2 years of experience in the related field as outlined in the position description.

Relevant transportation operations experience should be full-time work in a combination of the following areas:

• Transportation-related construction and quality control inspections
• Materials and testing
• Surveying
• Transportation project operations and documentation
• Transportation Systems Management and Operation (i.e., Freeway, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), EMS, Freight, TIMs, Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) systems, and Active Transportation and Demand Management)

Necessary Special Qualifications

• Possess and maintain a Class D driver's license valid to operate vehicles in the State of Tennessee
• Some positions within this classification may require candidates to possess and maintain, or obtain at their own expense and within 11 months of hire or promotion to this classification, a Class A Commercial Driver's License with an N endorsement without a Code O restriction (Code 52 restriction is allowable) that is valid in the State of Tennessee.

Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for commercial driver and safety impact positions. Commercial drivers and safety impact employees will be subject to additional drug and alcohol testing during employment.
• Incorporating overtime, weekends, and night shifts into their schedules as work schedules dictate, including on-call rotation
• Extended durations outdoors in extreme weather conditions
• Working in and around construction and vehicular traffic
• Walking on uneven terrain
• Climbing ladders and construction scaffolding
• Carrying equipment and samples in excess of 25 pounds
• Driving long distances are required as part of daily duties
• Performing work in which personal protective equipment will be required to be worn

Overview

The Planning Data Engineering Technician 4 supports the Planning Division by providing advanced technical expertise in collecting, processing, and assuring the quality of roadway and traffic data used to support TDOT's statewide transportation planning, programming, and asset management goals. This position plays a key role in the Planning Data Team by ensuring the accuracy and integrity of statewide traffic count data as well as preparing all roadway data for Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) reporting in compliance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirements.

Working under the direction of the Planning Data Team Lead, the Planning Data Engineering Technician 4 ensures compliance with federal and state guidance for Traffic Monitoring Analysis System (TMAS) and Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) reporting and provides technical leadership in maintaining high standards of data integrity, completeness, and timeliness. The position serves as a key liaison between TDOT Divisions, consultants, FHWA, and peer State DOTs to coordinate data integration, resolve quality issues, and strengthen planning data resources and processes.

Responsibilities

Support the Planning Data Team by ensuring that all datasets (e.g. traffic counts or HPMS items) are received from their respective offices and adequately quality controlled. Confirm that the received datasets provide full coverage across the network and communicate any gaps in data, quality, or equipment functionality to the data owners. Request recounts or reassessments wherever required.

Perform validations on datasets to ensure compliance with federal guidance and TDOT requirements. Develop reports to communicate validation errors and propose solutions. Prepare data using various applications and tools for federal reporting (e.g. TMAS or HPMS). Communicate all feedback from FHWA to the data owners.

Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to each respective task and manage internal dashboards to monitor data collection status and performance. Produce annual statistical summaries and reports and maintain detailed SOPs and program documentation.

Participate in peer exchange opportunities that foster collaboration internally and externally, sharing best practices and insights to strengthen planning data resources. Stay up to date with any federal changes and collaborate with other State DOTs.

Locate relevant publications and document findings from all sources.

Assist with the development and execution of quality management procedures for Planning Data activities and deliverables to ensure a high level of quality, accuracy, achievement, and implementation. Consistently seek opportunities to improve processes that support quality deliverables.

Provide exceptional customer service to project stakeholders by facilitating the sharing of information that is accurate, well-organized, and understandable to technical staff and the general public. Demonstrate effective listening skills, provide prompt responses, and communicate effectively with both technical staff and non-technical audiences. Promote transparency, responsiveness, accountability, and clarity by removing barriers to communication and maintaining complete and accurate documentation.

Competencies (KSA's)

• Knowledgeable of the Tennessee Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
• Knowledgeable in transportation operations safety procedures
• Knowledgeable in administering contracts
• Skilled in report and form writing
• Skilled in applicable hand and power tools, equipment, and mechanical devices of the trade
• Skilled in the use of light and heavy equipment
• Ability to communicate effectively using both verbal and written instructions
• Ability to use computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems
• Ability to recognize and take precaution for potential hazards
• Ability to lead teams - maintaining effective work relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
• Ability to provide tailored instruction and teaching methods that accommodate the differing learning styles of others
• Ability to analyze a process and offer actionable feedback on how to improve the process for effectiveness, quality, and efficiency
• Ability to use objective thinking, focus on relevant details, and weigh the outcomes of different options to make decisions in resolving issues.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply information from a variety of formats including statutes, policies, procedures, specifications, and construction drawings
• Knowledge and ability in reviewing and enforcing traffic control and work zone traffic safety plans
• Knowledge and ability in reviewing and enforcing compliance of work site safety plans for field and laboratory facilities