Project Development Director (Engineer 9)

Nunez Community College; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development seeks an experienced Engineer 9 to direct statewide project development and preconstruction engineering across multiple disciplines, including road design and hydraulics. This senior role leads governance and standards, ensuring safety, compliance, and asset stewardship across the department.

The incumbent will supervise divisions, manage budgets, and provide strategic direction to elevate program delivery.

Qualifications

• Current Louisiana professional engineer license is required.
• Master's degree in engineering can substitute for one year of experience; a doctorate substitutes for up to two years.
• Eight years of professional engineering experience or four years of licensed experience with two years in supervision are required; licensure rules apply.

Responsibilities

• Provide department-wide leadership for the Project Development Division, overseeing Road Design, Bridge Design, Location & Surveys, Geotechnical, Hydraulics, and project advancement through the Project Delivery Network (PDN).
• Establish strategic direction, priorities, and performance expectations aligned with the Department’s mission, strategic plan, and executive directives.
• Advise executive leadership on strategic risks, trends, challenges, and opportunities affecting preconstruction engineering and project delivery.
• Oversee advancement of projects through Project Delivery Network (PDN) phases to ensure effective, compliant project development.
• Direct statewide preconstruction engineering, project scoping and design, surveying and mapping, geotechnical analysis, hydraulic modeling, structural design, and consultant services.

Education

Louisiana Professional Engineer license

Master's degree in engineering (substitutes for experience)

Doctorate in engineering (substitutes for up to 2 years of experience)

Job description

At the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), we plan, build, maintain, and protect the transportation systems that connect communities, support commerce, and keep Louisiana moving.

DOTD is seeking an experienced Engineer 9 to serve as the Project Development Director. This senior leadership position serves as the Department’s senior authority for statewide project development and preconstruction engineering activities across Road Design, Bridge Design, Location and Surveys, Geotechnical, and Hydraulics-Roads and Bridges.

The position will establish standards, governance frameworks, compliance methodologies, and performance expectations to advance safety, risk mitigation, system performance, and long-term asset stewardship across the Department.

Please visit our DOTD Career Center for more information about our agency: https://dotd.la.gov/about/office-of-management-and-finance/human-resources/career-center/

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice professional engineering plus one of the following, which must include two years of experience at the supervisory level or above: Four years of licensed engineering experience; or Eight years of professional engineering experience. EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTIONS: A master's degree in engineering will substitute for one year of professional engineering experience. A doctorate degree in engineering will substitute for two years of professional engineering experience. Advanced degrees will substitute for a maximum of two years of professional engineering experience. There is no substitution for licensed engineering experience. NOTES: Engineering experience gained while licensed as a professional engineer will be accepted as licensed engineering experience. Engineering experience gained after earning an ABET-accredited degree and prior to earning a professional engineer’s license (e.g., as an engineer intern applicant, engineer intern, or equivalent) will be accepted as professional level engineering experience. Applications will be accepted from persons licensed to practice professional engineering in states other than Louisiana. If one of those applicants is selected for the position, he/she will be required to obtain a Louisiana license prior to appointment. The hiring agency will verify that all licensing requirements are met. Louisiana Professional Engineer licenses are issued by the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board. Licensing requirements may be viewed at www.lapels.com.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

• Provide department-wide leadership for the Project Development Division, overseeing Road Design, Bridge Design, Location & Surveys, Geotechnical, Hydraulics, and project advancement through the Project Delivery Network (PDN).
• Establish strategic direction, priorities, and performance expectations aligned with the Department’s mission, strategic plan, and executive directives.
• Advise executive leadership on strategic risks, emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities affecting preconstruction engineering and project delivery.
• Oversee advancement of projects through Project Delivery Network (PDN) phases to ensure effective, efficient, and compliant project development.
• Direct and oversee statewide preconstruction engineering, project scoping and design, surveying and mapping, geotechnical analysis, hydraulic modeling, structural design, and consultant-delivered technical services.
• Implement and maintain standardized governance and quality management frameworks for engineering design, surveying, geotechnical, hydraulic, structural, and PDN processes.
• Drive accountability and quality across Division project development activities by establishing consistent standards, reviewing protocols, and setting milestone requirements.
• Direct Division budget planning and financial management for state and federal funding supporting preconstruction engineering, consultant services, and technical functions.
• Ensure responsible stewardship, allocation, and oversight of public funds in support of project development priorities.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: This position is open to only current DOTD employees; and may be filled by detail to special duty.

Compensation: The Special Entrance Rate (SER) for this position is $5,668.80 biweekly.

Additional compensation may be considered for applicants who possess extraordinary job-related qualifications or credentials in accordance with State Civil Service Rule 6.5(g) and DOTD policy. Any such consideration is subject to approval and applicable pay limitations.

Contact Information:

For further information about this vacancy, contact: Brian Owens, DOTD Chief Engineer, [phone], [e-mail]

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities. DOTD does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or pregnancy, and prohibits harassment of any type.

Information on the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available: https://www.laworks.net/workforcedev/lrs/lrs_rehabilitation.asp

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.