Director, Office of Rail Economic Development and Safety (Program Manager Senior III)

Maryland Department of Transportation•Anne Arundel County, MD

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Secretary’s Office (MDOT TSO), is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Director, Office of Rail Economic Development and Safety (Program Manager Senior III) within the Office of Planning, Programming, & Project Delivery (OPPPD) - Rail and Intermodal Freight (RIF) section. The OPPPD develops rail safety and economic development policy, manages MDOT owned freight rail assets, coordinates rail safety activities, and implements rail-focused economic developments. The Director, Office of Rail Economic Development and Safety, serves to provide the vision, strategy and office direction for advancing rail-oriented economic development, competitiveness and market share, and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and policy. The incumbent will manage the office’s staff, direct the MDOT Freight Rail Grant Program, and develop plans and programs that develop rail and freight economic impacts. This position may allow a hybrid work schedule, including telework and required on-site work hours.

Requirements

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Six (6) years of experience in professional work.
Two (2) years of this experience must have involved one or more of the following: The supervision of other employees, overseeing and coordinating the general operations of a unit, applying rules and regulations, or exercising responsibility for the development of policies or procedures.
Three (3) years of this experience must have included managing and developing rail, transportation, or environmental planning, regulations, policies, standards and guidelines.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in transportation engineering, business administration, public administration, urban planning, or related field
Project management certification
Knowledge of transit or freight rail policy, safety, planning, and engineering principles
Experience in managing capital programs or project grants, budgets, and schedules, solving technical problems, and working with railroad operators
Experience managing agreements and contracts
Self-motivated with the ability to work independently
Ability to handle sensitive issues with tact and integrity
Excellent internal/external customer service abilities and interpersonal skills including public outreach
Ability to handle multiple projects and meet tight deadlines
Ability to work under pressure and resolve situations in a timely manner
Good written and oral communication skills

Responsibilities

Directing and managing personnel, missions and operations.
Increasing competitiveness of rail goods movement by identifying and seeking federal and state investments.
Creating policies, sharing information, and working with shippers, local governments, state agencies, and rail operators.
Eliminating conflicts between local development and rail operations, including safety and operational conflicts.
Ensuring preservation of economic development opportunities by protecting MDOT assets against encroachment.
Working closely with MDOT MTA and MDOT SHA to communicate and coordinate the office’s programs, investments, policies, and vision with related activities within those modes.
Establishing and implementing an overall economic development plan for goods movement in the state increasing the proportion of goods shipped by rail.
Representing the agency before federal, state and local officials, legislative committees and senior managers and executives of other agencies concerning program activities.