HIGHWAY SAFETY POLICY UNIT CHIEF (CIVIL ENGINEER VI)

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for directing the Highway Safety Policy Unit in the department’s efforts to develop, disseminate, and maintain policies, procedures, and initiatives that guide the safety engineering aspects of roadway design, roadway safety enhancements and work zone layout. This includes managing a cost-effective, multi-agency process to improve the attributes of roads, highway users, and vehicles to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries in Illinois through the implementation of the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), in addition to ensuring the personal safety of department employees. The incumbent coordinates public and other agency involvement in decisions made during the appropriate stages of project development and conducts research necessary to support the cost-effectiveness of highway safety policies.

Requirements

Current registration as a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois OR current registration as a Licensed Structural Engineer in the state of Illinois.
Six years of experience in civil engineering.
Requires a valid driver’s license.
Requires occasional statewide and out-of-state travel which may include overnight stays.
Requires successful completion of a background screening.

Nice To Haves

At least six years of civil engineering experience in the specific area of highway engineering, four years of which should include the planning and supervision of significant engineering work.
Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering with special emphasis on activities involving highway safety.
Extensive knowledge of the modern methods and procedures of public works construction and maintenance operations.
Extensive knowledge of the laws controlling highway safety engineering activities administered.
Extensive knowledge of the modern methods and techniques related to highway safety analysis utilizing the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Highway Safety Manual (HSM), engineering design practices following the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide (RDG), and other relevant guidance documents.
Familiarity with the use and application of other highway safety analysis tools including, but not limited to, Safety Analyst, Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM), and the Roadside Safety Analysis Program (RSAP).
Ability to develop and maintain cooperative relationships with staff and the public.
Ability to articulate and interpret departmental policies.

Responsibilities

Monitors, reviews, and makes recommendations regarding the latest developments in federal laws and regulations, national practices and policies, and crash trends relating to roadway safety on all classifications of roadways.
Directs the development and update of appropriate policies, procedures, and initiatives to improve the safety performance of all Illinois and public roadways. This includes representing the department at the state and national level as a subject matter expert.
Updates policies including, but not limited to, the highway safety improvement program; automated law enforcement systems; the work zone safety and mobility rule; the work zone safety and mobility policy for the positive protection of workers, drop-offs, and temporary concrete barriers; and the Illinois State Police hire-back program, to ensure that policies remain current with federal guidance and the Illinois Compiled Statutes. This also includes chairing pertinent subcommittees.
Updates the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) and maintains, updates and manages the Implementation Plan based on objectives and strategies contained within the SHSP.
Directs the development and update of appropriate educational materials on deployment and application of highway safety policies and initiatives.
Provides oversight and direction of technical review panels as part of the department’s research efforts through its partnership with the Illinois Center for Transportation.
Directs policy changes and initiatives based on research conclusions.
Maintains strong familiarity with, and provides guidance to, staff and district personnel on the appropriate use and application of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Highway Safety Manual (HSM), the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide (RDG), and other safety tools including, but not limited to, Safety Analyst, Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM), and Roadside Safety Analysis Program (RSAP) relative to highway/roadway safety initiatives.
Oversees the review and analysis of crash reports and selected crash sites to identify and recommend measures to reduce crashes, including the development of recommended policy, procedure, and standard changes.
Develops policies, as appropriate, to address approved roadside safety issues to ensure proper and uniform application and implementation to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules.
Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
Pension Plan
12 Weeks paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
12 paid Sick Days annually
10 paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to 25 paid Vacation Days annually
3 paid Personal Days annually
13-14 paid holidays annually (based on start date)
Tuition Reimbursement
Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources