Introduction
Are you a current Connecticut Department of Transportation employee looking to advance your career within the agency? Do you want to continue to help make commuting and traveling throughout CT safe? If so, read below and apply today!
The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) invites its eligible agency employees to apply for the position of Transportation Assistant Planning Director to assist in leading the Office of Enterprise GIS, Analytics, and Data Management in the Bureau of Planning, Technology and Innovation at our headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. Reporting to the Department's Chief Data Officer, this position offers the opportunity to shape the direction of enterprise geospatial and transportation data services during a period of significant investment in infrastructure, technology, and data modernization. We are seeking candidates who excel in team development, strategic planning, communication, relationship building, and the delivery of coordinated technical programs.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
As a state employee, you would continue to have access to the following:
- Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
- Professional growth and development opportunities.
- A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
- Remain with an award winning agency! CTDOT has been recently awarded the Employer of the Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE) and named the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) CT Employer of the Year for 2024!
THE ROLE
The Bureau of Planning, Technology and Innovation collects and shares critical data and conducts planning studies and associated activities to support the movement of people and goods for all modes of transportation. The Bureau is responsible for numerous federal and state mandates and compliance and is responsible for documentation, analyses, as well as acquiring necessary approvals for all proposed projects in support of Department project delivery. The Bureau interacts extensively with USDOT funding agencies, State and federal regulatory and cooperating agencies, Regional Councils of Government, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, as well as nationally recognized transportation organizations.
The Bureau is comprised of multiple offices, including; Roadway Information Systems, Environmental Planning, Strategic Planning and Projects, Program Development and Forecasting, the Highway Safety Office, Research, and Enterprise GIS, Analytics and Data Management and Information Technology.
This Transportation Assistant Planning Director position is responsible for directly overseeing and coordinating three enterprise units: Enterprise GIS (EGIS), Data Management and Integration, and Linear Referencing Systems. Candidates may also be considered for Transportation Assistant Planning Director positions of other Offices in the Bureau of Planning, Technology and Innovation related to data and technology, hence applications for this position may be utilized to fill other Transportation Assistant Planning Director positions in the future to support re-organization and implementation of CTDOT’s Strategic Plan.
The selected candidate will provide direction to the supervisors and staff within each unit, translate the Chief Data Officer's (CDO) enterprise data strategy into actionable work plans, establish priorities, align resources, and ensure that the units operate as coordinated enterprise services rather than independent technical functions.
A central responsibility of the position is to advance the availability of trusted, authoritative, well-documented, and reusable geospatial and transportation data across CTDOT. The Assistant Planning Director will lead the continued development of enterprise geospatial information, data integration services, shared data platforms, metadata and documentation practices, and implementation of processes that make data discoverable and usable for planning, engineering, operations, maintenance, safety, asset management, project delivery, performance management, public transparency, and executive decision making.
The position will provide executive oversight of the Department's Transportation Enterprise Data (TED) GIS program, including enterprise mapping, spatial analysis, geospatial application development, authoritative spatial data, GIS platform administration and coordination, and technical support and training. The selected candidate will guide the growth and modernization of EGIS services, promote consistent enterprise standards, reduce duplication of effort, and ensure geospatial capabilities are aligned with business needs across all Department bureaus.
The position will also oversee the Data Management and Integration function, including coordinated data development, acquisition, integration, quality improvement, documentation, and delivery. Working with business owners, data stewards, the Department's Data Governance Manager, and Technology Services staff, the Assistant Planning Director will help define requirements, resolve cross-functional issues, establish repeatable processes, and support the implementation of data architecture and integration solutions that improve enterprise access to authoritative information.
In addition, the position will oversee the Department's Linear Referencing System (LRS), which serves as the authoritative framework for locating and integrating roadway inventory, asset, safety, traffic, maintenance, and capital project information. The selected candidate will ensure the LRS remains accurate, reliable, and coordinated with the many Department systems and reporting processes that depend on consistent roadway location and route information, including federal highway performance, asset management, roadway inventory, and safety reporting requirements. Continued expansion of the utilization of the LRS management system into managing multi-modal networks (e.g. Trail, Bus, Rail) to meet Department needs is a critical component of the Department’s overall data strategy.
The Assistant Planning Director will work closely with the CDO to advance the Department's data governance framework and roadmap. Responsibilities will include supporting data stewardship, defining roles and accountability, promoting common standards and metadata, improving data quality, escalating enterprise data issues, supporting open data and data-sharing practices, and ensuring that technology and data investments are coordinated, sustainable, and aligned with Department priorities.
The position will build and maintain strong working relationships across CTDOT and with federal, state, regional, local, academic, and private-sector partners as appropriate.
The Transportation Assistant Planning Director is essential to directing and coordinating these enterprise programs; supporting professional development for supervisors and staff; managing competing priorities; anticipating emerging data and technology needs; and ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal requirements. The selected candidate will be expected to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences, provide clear status and risk information to agency leadership, and foster an environment of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Monday - Friday
- Full-time (40 hours per week)
- First shift
- Location: Newington, CT
- This position is eligible to apply for telework after successful completion of the working test period, and thereafter, in accordance with the applicable Telework Policy.
- Supervisors and middle managers can expect to spend roughly half of their working hours, if not more, in the office in order to execute their job functions and supervise their teams. Time in the office may fluctuate based on circumstances and the needs of the teams being supervised. The ability to apply for telework continues to be available, and the agency continues to provide reasonable accommodations for those who need them.
- This position may involve travel within and outside the State.
- This position is in the P-5 (Administrative and Residual) bargaining unit
- The position will report to the Chief Data Officer, a Transportation Planning Director, or an employee of a higher level.
OUR MISSION
As one of Connecticut’s largest State agencies, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) employs roughly 3,300 individuals across five bureaus. CTDOT is guided by its mission to improve lives through transportation. Our infrastructure and transit systems are essential to the safety and mobility of Connecticut residents, and our work strengthens both economic and community development. CTDOT is committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, and individuals with broad-ranging backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply.
Learn more about our mission, vision, and values!
Selection Plan
In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
- Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, 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 contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
- Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
- Preferred Shift/Location: 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.
- Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov (Opens in a New Window).
- Salary Calculations: 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.
- Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
- Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
- For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
- Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
- Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
- Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
- This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Frank DeCusati at frank.decusati@ct.gov (Opens in a New Window).
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning this class is accountable for assisting a Transportation Director of Planning, Technology and Innovation in the administration and operation of one of the Bureau offices.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Directs or assists in the direction of staff and operations of a transportation planning office;
- Coordinates, plans, and manages unit activities and personnel, including performance evaluations;
- Formulates program goals and objectives;
- Develops or assists in the development of related policy;
- Interprets and administers pertinent laws and regulations in consultation with CTDOT legal representatives and the CDO;
- Prepares or assists in preparation of the office budget;
- Directs preparation and analysis of transportation and transportation-related data;
- Coordinates participation with federal, state, regional, and local officials and agencies;
- Performs related duties as required.
The selected candidate will also be responsible for:
- Providing leadership, direction, supervision, coaching, and performance management for the Enterprise GIS, Data Management and Integration, and Linear Referencing units;
- Establishing coordinated annual and multi-year priorities, work plans, performance expectations, and resource strategies that align with the Chief Data Officer's enterprise data vision;
- Institutionalizing guidance, direction, and oversight for geospatial data development, acquisition, integration, management, documentation, and delivery across organizational units;
- Developing and applying standards and best practices that enable enterprise data to be discovered, retrieved, shared, and consumed for mapping, visualization, analytics, operational systems, and decision making;
- Managing the continued development of authoritative enterprise geospatial and linearly referenced data sets and ensuring that data products meet established quality, documentation, and service standards;
- Convening business units, data owners, data stewards, technical staff, and leadership partners to identify requirements, coordinate solutions, resolve priorities, and communicate project activities, risks, and anticipated outcomes for proposed solutions;
- Working with the Chief Data Officer and Data Governance Manager to implement agency data governance policies, stewardship practices, standards, metrics, issue-escalation processes, and roadmap activities;
- Serving as a point of escalation for enterprise geospatial, linear referencing, integration, data quality, data availability, and cross-system consistency issues;
- Coordinating with Technology Services and Business Applications staff on data architecture, databases, system integration, security, software, cloud and on-premises platforms, and other infrastructure required to support enterprise data services;
- Providing support to ensure that relevant CTDOT programs make consistent progress toward USDOT and other state and federal data standards and reporting requirements supporting infrastructure, safety, asset management, roadway inventory, planning, and federal funding eligibility;
- Creating processes and requirements that support the orderly maturation of transportation asset and operational data while improving consistency and reducing unnecessary duplication;
- Guiding the assessment and adoption of GIS, data integration, automation, analytics, and business intelligence tools in coordination with the Chief Data Officer, Technology Services, and applicable business units;
- Coordinating technical and business documentation, metadata, system inventories, operating procedures, continuity materials, and knowledge-transfer practices for enterprise platforms and data services;
- Developing and supporting training, outreach, and technical assistance programs that expand GIS, data management, data literacy, and analytical capabilities throughout the Department;
- Managing consultants, contracts, project schedules, budgets, procurements, licenses, and other resources associated with enterprise GIS, data management, and linear referencing initiatives;
- Preparing and presenting project updates, program recommendations, technical reports, briefings, dashboards, maps, StoryMaps, and other work products for agency executives and technical and non-technical stakeholders;
- Anticipating emerging transportation data and technology needs and proactively implementing sustainable solutions that improve operational efficiency, reduce technical debt, and support long-term agency objectives.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Considerable knowledge of
- relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
- contemporary techniques, concepts and procedures employed in field of transportation;
- Knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and practices;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Nine (9) years of professional experience in transportation engineering or transportation, urban, regional or environmental planning.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity involving transportation planning, urban planning, regional planning or transportation environmental planning.
NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Transportation Supervising Planner.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
- College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
- A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one additional year of the General Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary professional and technical teams to deliver complex enterprise data programs and services
- Experience establishing strategic priorities, work plans, performance measures, and resource allocations for enterprise GIS, data management, data integration, analytics, or related technology programs
- Experience directing enterprise GIS services and working with the Esri ArcGIS platform, enterprise geodatabases, web mapping, spatial analysis, application development, and authoritative geospatial data
- Experience with enterprise data governance, including data stewardship, standards, metadata, data quality, issue resolution, documentation, data sharing, and accountability for authoritative information assets
- Experience translating complex business needs into coordinated technical solutions and collaborating with information technology, cybersecurity, database management, application development, and infrastructure professionals
- Experience managing time-sensitive projects, consultants, contracts, budgets, procurements, licenses, risks, schedules, and competing priorities
- Experience communicating with agency executives, technical staff, business users, government partners, and other stakeholders through presentations, reports, maps, dashboards, StoryMaps, and other technical or policy work products
- Experience assessing, coaching, and developing staff; managing organizational change; building collaborative relationships; and resolving complex cross-functional problems
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.