Division Director of Planning

This position is Exempt from the State of Delaware Merit System

Recruitment #012120-MUPA05-550300

Summary Statement

The Delaware Department of Transportation is seeking a Director for its Division of Planning.  The successful candidate will lead a staff of more than 50 employees in the administration of the Department’s comprehensive transportation planning, development coordination, performance management, and project prioritization which include, but are not limited to Regional Federal Policy Coordination, Scenic Byways, ADA Planning, Bicycle/Pedestrian programs, and the overall Pipeline process. The position is responsible for the development and implementation of long-range planning programs; the management of subdivision access to the transportation network; regulatory enforcement of permit access requirements; and annexation decisions.  The position has daily interactions with residents, state agencies, legal entities, federal government officials, and the media.

The Division of Planning, through the Development Coordination section is responsible for the timely review and approval of all development plans, entrances and traffic impact and/or operational studies.  The Section reviews approximately 1,500 plans annually.  The Director is responsible for finding innovative ways to streamline approval processes. The incumbent will report directly to the Cabinet Secretary and is a member of the Department’s policy-setting Executive Management and Strategic Leadership Teams.

Preferred Qualification

Applicants who do not possess the preferred qualification will still be eligible to compete for this position if job requirements are met.

  1. Master’s degree in Planning, Geography, or Business Administration.

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

  • Analyze and assess data, problems, and issues and their impact on programs, plans or the current environment.
     
  • Collect and evaluate land use, housing, population, employment, and natural resources data.
     
  • Determine long-range planning issues and policies, and develop alternatives.
     
  • Define and evaluate alternative uses of resources, viable options/approaches and anticipated costs and benefits, consequences and outcomes using current and projected information.
     
  • Develop recommended course of action for public and private decisions in formal plans and policies including policy statements, budget allocations, regulations and/or legislation to affect and facilitate change and reach objectives.
     
  • Formulate plans and policies to meet the social, economic, and physical needs of communities.
     
  • Build consensus with community leaders, customers, advocates, and other affected parties via negotiations, mediation and facilitation
     
  • Involve and educate special interest groups, customers, and public officials via a variety of forums, e.g., seminars, workshops, conferences, newsletters, assessments, and analytical reports.
     
  • Coordinate planning activities and policies across state, regional, county and local levels; integrate with other entities outside the state.
     
  • Systematically evaluate the impact of plan implementation and incorporate findings with the ongoing planning process.  
     
  • Interpret, explain and apply applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
     
  • Provide representation at meetings, hearings, contract negotiations, presentations, proceedings and committees.
     
  • Compile, analyze and prepare a variety of statements and reports for state, special, private or federally-funded programs for use in financial, budget and personnel management.
     
  • Interface with agency officials, federal government representatives, fiscal and budget personnel, program representatives and employees in order to compile and analyze data and recommend improvements or solutions.
     
  • Analyze pertinent legislation and state/federal regulations to anticipate the effect on the agency's operations.
     
  • Provide strategic and tactical management of enforcement of transportation code and regulations relating to network access.

Job Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Director of Planning

Please attach a resume with your online application or use the resume tab in DEL to provide a detailed description of how your education, training and/or experience meets each job requirement including employer, experience/responsibilities and dates (month/year) of employment/training. Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

  1. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Planning, Geography, Business Administration, Engineering or related fields.
  2. Experience in professional planning program administration, such as overseeing and directing the development, implementation and evaluation of professional planning programs and services; planning and establishing short and long-range program goals and objectives. Providing advice to other agency organizational units through consultation.
  3. Experience in public policy administration, which includes overseeing and directing the development, implementation and evaluation of public policies.
  4. Experience in operations management, which includes planning, directing, coordinating, controlling, and evaluating operations typically through subordinate supervisors.
  5. Experience in writing and defending proposed legislation and regulations.

Conditions of Hire

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.  DelDOT does not provide employment-based sponsorship.

Pre-employment Drug Testing:  Upon a conditional offer, you must undergo pre-employment drug testing as part of the hiring process.

Criminal background check:  A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire.  The recruiting agency may require the applicant to pay for the criminal background check as part of the conditional offer of hire.

Benefits

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

Selection Process

The application and resume are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position.  It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the resume to include dates of employment, job title and job duties.  For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content.  

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email.  Please keep your contact information current.  You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at www.delawarestatejobs.com.

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.  The State of Delaware – An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.