STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Connecticut Careers Trainee (Engineering And Related)

Target: Transportation Planner 1-Research

Recruitment #240130-1993FS-001

Introduction



Are you ready to gain skills, knowledge, and experience that will help you develop an exciting and successful career? 
If so, we are looking for you to join our team!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (DOT), is recruiting for an exciting entry level Connecticut Career Trainee position, with a target class of Transportation Planner 1, to assist in the Research unit. This position is located at our Headquarters in Newington and is within the Office of Strategic Planning in the Bureau of Policy and Planning.  
If you're a team player who is passionate about innovation, research and analyses, this could be the role for you!  

Students who will obtain their Bachelor's degree in May 2024 are strongly encouraged to apply!

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
  • Competitive starting salary
  • NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform an article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • Generous aid time off including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Learn more about what sets us apart as an employer with our Employer Value Proposition.
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • Ample free parking with easy access from major highways or by public transportation
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Work for a Forbes top company: State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information.
  • Join an award winning agency! CT DOT has been recently awarded the Employer of the Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE)!

ABOUT US
As one of Connecticut’s largest State agencies, DOT employs approximately 3,300 individuals statewide in five distinct bureaus. It is our mission to provide a safe, accessible and efficient multimodal transportation network that improves the quality of life and promotes economic vitality for the State and the region. We have a significant transportation infrastructure system that is essential to maintaining mobility for Connecticut residents and businesses and supporting economic and community development while preserving environmental and cultural resources. The Department of Transportation is committed to cultivating a diverse staff that is representative of the communities we serve. Applications from individuals having diverse backgrounds and life experiences are strongly encouraged.
THE ROLE
We are seeking a dynamic motivated candidate for this opportunity to advance research and innovation in the DOT. The Research unit conducts, supports, and promotes research and development activities that employ new ideas and innovative technology to address research needs and serve our mission.

The Research unit collaborates with other research affiliates, Universities, and various units within DOT to develop new implementable products or processes that may improve our transportation system. This unit currently oversees the Research portion of the State Planning and Research (SPR) program. This position will aid in various unit-led initiatives such as: solicitation for research needs, staying abreast of industry trends, aiding in the development and administration of the Research program, as well as overseeing research projects as a technical expert or administrator of individual research projects. Additionally, this position will represent the agency in research related conferences, webinars, consortiums and partnerships.
The selected candidate will be responsible for developing effective, efficient communication and working relationships, internally, as well as with other State and Federal agencies and other external stakeholders.




Eligibility for promotion to the target classification of Transportation Planner 1 is earned upon successful completion of your training program.

Connecticut Careers Trainee (Target Class: Transportation Planner 1)

  • Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree will serve a 2-year training program.
First year of training: Bachelor's degree and/or qualifying experience: FS 15 Step 1 ($53,978/year) Master's degree: FS 15 Step 2 ($55,921/year)
Second year of training: General rate:  FS 15 Step 5 ($61,761/year)  

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • Permanent full-time position working 40 hours per week
  • Monday through Friday schedule
  • First shift
  • Our office is located in Newington, CT 
  • Part of the P-4 (Engineering and Scientific) bargaining unit
  • Reports to a Transportation Supervising Planner or employee of a higher level. 
  • This position is eligible to apply for telework after successful completion of the working test period, and thereafter, in accordance with the Telework Policy. The Policy can be found here. Employees in their initial working test period must work on site in the office.
Please watch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of CT employee!

Selection Plan

For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e. Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 

To Apply:


  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
  • In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.

  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

  • Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

Important Information After You Apply:

  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Connect With Us:

  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jasmyn.Raymond@ct.gov

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for mastering the skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the training program for a professional position.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Provide project support including preparation, analysis and review of project accounting materials and planning documents including proposals, reports and/or studies, prepared by universities and other staff.  Assist in administering State Planning and Research (SPR) program, including review and analysis of supporting materials. Perform technical reviews of engineering project plans and reports, and create and maintain data related to programs and projects.  Assist in coordination of activities or projects with Colleges, Universities, state, and federal agencies, consultants and stakeholders as required; may make presentations or participate on technical panels or committees; performs related duties as required. Field work may be required and travel may be necessary.
The duties of this position include but are not limited to assisting with:
  • Administration of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Correlation Service;
  • Preparation of research problem statements, proposals, invoices, quarterly reports and work plans for proposed projects or studies; 
  • Monitoring of individual studies being completed by State technical coordinators, Technical Advisory Committees and Expert Task Groups; 
  • Review and preparation of proposals and work plans;
  • Reporting of Research-in-Progress to TRB Transportation Research Information Service and International Database (TRIS/TRID);
  • Updating research Internet Web pages; 
  • Holding periodic research peer exchanges;
  • In a department or institution receives training in introductory governmental work for development of skills and knowledge in field of public administration in order to qualify for advancement into agency professional positions;
  • Performs a variety of increasingly difficult duties as skills are acquired during course of training period
  • Performs related duties as required.
  • More information can be found here

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Oral and written communication skills; 
  • Ability to
    • acquire knowledge and skills required for the target classification;
    • understand, evaluate and solve problems by exercising judgement and logic;
    • read, interpret and understand written material;
    • perform basic arithmetical computations;
    • interpret charts, graphs and tables;
    • learn and reason;
    • establish and maintain cooperative relations with superiors, associates and general public;
    • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated job class at the completion of the development program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Transportation / Regional / Urban Planning or Studies, Civil Engineering, Geography, Mathematics, Material Science and Engineering or closely related degree.
  • Experience with research studies or projects, reviewing narratives and statistical reports, and project administration through course work, work experience or internships.
  • Experience in reading, interpreting and analyzing plans, studies, maps, and data through course work, work experience, or internships.
  • Experience with reading and interpreting technical state and federal guidance documents or, regulations through course work, work experience, or internships.
  • Experience working independently and as part of a team through course work, work experience, or internships.
  • Experience summarizing and presenting data effectively to groups through course work, work experience, or internships.
  • Experience using organizational skills including the ability to efficiently prioritize and manage multiple tasks, and create and maintain data and databases.
  • Experience using software such as Microsoft Office 365 including Excel and SharePoint, Access, Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam, ArcGIS, and MicroStation or AutoCAD. 

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.