Introduction
The State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (DOT), is recruiting for Transportation Assistant Planning Directors within the Bureau of Planning, Office of Environmental Planning and Office of Program Development and Forecasting. The positions are located at our headquarters located in Newington Connecticut. The positions offer the opportunity to shape statewide transportation planning in Connecticut during an unprecedented time of investment in infrastructure. We are seeking candidates who excel in team development, communication and relationship building to lead us into the future.
Position Details:
This position is full time, 40 hours per week and will report to a Transportation Planning Director. 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.
The Role:
The specific positions will oversee the Office of Program Development and Forecasting or the Office of Environmental Planning. The Offices are responsible for leading teams that guide projects and programs through numerous federal and State laws, regulations and requirements, ensuring compliance, proper implementation and documentation.
The Office of Program Development and Forecasting is comprised of Travel Demand and Air Quality, Sustainability and Resiliency, NEPA, and Cultural Resources. The Travel Demand and Air Quality Modeling Unit develops and maintains the statewide travel demand model, prepares demographic and socio-economic forecasts, and conducts project and regional level transportation air quality conformity for transportation projects across our state. The Sustainability & Resiliency Unit oversees three programs authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA); the Carbon Reduction Program, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program, and the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program. The NEPA Unit ensures projects are reviewed, assessed and documented in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the corresponding Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). The Cultural Resources Unit conducts archaeological and historical investigations for projects to identify their heritage and cultural significance under Section 106 and §4(f) guidelines.
The Office of Environmental Planning is comprised of Natural Resource Planning, Environmental Permitting and Environmental Resource Compliance. The Natural Resource Planning Unit performs early screening of CTDOT's projects for natural resource concerns, and coordinates projects with State and Federal resource agencies such as National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), and CTDEEP Fisheries and Wildlife Divisions. Additionally, the unit performs wetland delineations and initiates wetland mitigation concepts. The Environmental Permitting Unit identifies permitting needs for Department projects and acquires permit approvals for projects that impact wetland and water resources. The unit prepares environmental permit applications for in-house design projects and oversees and reviews consultant prepared permit applications. The Environmental Resource Compliance Unit performs surveillance of construction activities to ensure compliance with environmental permits, oversees the CTDOT Noise Program and is responsible for the planning and mapping aspects of the CTDOT MS4 Permit.
The Assistant Transportation Planning Director is essential to aid the Transportation Planning Director in directing and coordinating the activities of the various units; assisting in building and maintaining relationships internally to the Department as well as with local, regional, state and federal agencies and stakeholders, and ensuring that all state and federal requirements are met on time and in a fiscally responsible manner. The selected candidate(s) therefore will be responsible for ensuring strong and effective communication and working relationships internally and externally.
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 the State’s 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.
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
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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.
- 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.
- This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
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- 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.
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 Hayley Newhouse at hayley.newhouse@ct.gov.
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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 direction of staff and operations of a Transportation planning office;
- Coordinates, plans and manages unit activities;
- Formulates program goals and objectives;
- Develops or assists in development of related policy;
- Interprets and administers pertinent laws and regulations;
- Evaluates staff;
- Prepares or assists in preparation of office budget;
- Maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside office who might impact on program activities;
- Directs preparation of recommendations for modes of travel or systems of transportation;
- Directs preparation and analysis of transportation and transportation related data;
- Directs preparation of technical studies and reports concerning various modes and systems of transportation including analysis of all appropriate alternatives;
- Directs participation with federal, state, regional and local officials and agencies as well as general public and special interest groups;
- Directs reviews of transportation and transportation related plans and projects to determine consistency with department goals, objectives, policies, programs, plans and projects;
- May direct/plan specific transportation operations (e.g., ride sharing, commuter parking);
- Performs related duties as required.
The duties of this position include:
- Oversee and manage one office within the Bureau of Planning, Technology and Innovation
- Ensuring that all federal and state environmental requirements are met for Department projects
- Staying up to date regarding environmental policies, procedures, laws, and regulations on the state and federal levels,
- Building and maintaining relationships with regulatory and other state and federal agencies,
- Reviewing legislation, and proposed policies and guidance for impact to Department programs and projects and providing comments on such items
- Acting as the liaison between other Department Bureaus and offices
- Representing the Department at meetings and conferences
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 multi-disciplinary professional teams to deliver large projects or programs;
- Experience interpreting and applying environmental policies, guidance, regulations, and laws to projects and programs
- Experience in reviewing and commenting on proposed legislation
- Experience coordinating among and with federal and State agencies, local elected officials, and stakeholders
- Experience in process improvements, problem solving and managing teams through change
- Experience in environmental planning and emerging transportation issues
- Experience evaluating, coaching and developing staff
- Experience presenting and engaging with stakeholders and the public
- Experience with negotiations
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.