Regional Transportation Director - Grand Junction

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is hiring a Regional Transportation Director for Region 3, based in Grand Junction. The director is a member of CDOT’s Senior Management Team, reports to the Executive Director, and serves as the region’s principal strategist and steward of resources. The position calls for visionary, practical leadership, trust-building, and open communication to deliver sustainable public service while maintaining quality. Region 3 is a multimodal engineering, planning, roadway maintenance, and operations organization covering 14 counties in northwestern Colorado. Its specialty units include Business Office, Civil Rights, Environmental and Planning, and Safety. Four Transportation Planning Regions—Grand Valley, Gunnison Valley, Intermountain, and Northwest—meet with CDOT nearly monthly to develop and carry out regional transportation plans. The director leads the regional management team and, through subordinate managers, directs more than 600 positions across transportation planning, environmental clearances and coordination, engineering design and construction, highway maintenance, and business administration. The role oversees annual maintenance operations and construction projects totaling more than $70 million, contributes to CDOT’s strategic planning and policy development, and coordinates with the Chief Engineer through a matrix structure to support consistent program and project delivery. The director also advances continuous improvement and represents CDOT with internal and external stakeholders at local, state, and national levels. The position is likely to follow a hybrid schedule combining office and remote work. It requires travel, including overnight trips to Denver and other locations statewide, attendance at some evening and weekend meetings, and operation of state vehicles. Overnight travel throughout Colorado is expected 6–12 times per year. The position is at will and is not part of the State Personnel System.

Requirements

At least 10 years of progressively responsible leadership or senior management experience in transportation engineering, transportation planning or maintenance, or transportation management; alternatively, a combination of relevant education and experience totaling at least 10 years.
At least two years managing a large professional staff in diverse, complex program areas, with public or business administration experience in a transportation-related organization that includes setting high-level goals, strategic plans and objectives, aligning and managing resources such as budgets and staff, and developing policy.
Career history must demonstrate facilitating and directing teams toward shared goals; planning and coordinating with public and private organizations, interest groups, and elected and appointed officials; operating in a politically sensitive environment; and working in a fast-paced, changing, highly stressful environment.
For the education-and-experience qualification route, relevant coursework must be from an accredited college or university and relate to highway or transportation engineering, transportation planning, business administration, or public administration.
A current valid driver’s license is required for positions that require operating a state or personal motor vehicle to perform essential functions.
Must pass pre-employment screening, which may include social security number trace, criminal and public court records checks, educational records checks, and driving records checks.
If using education to qualify, submit transcripts or an official foreign credential evaluation report meeting the announcement’s stated requirements.
Submit a complete application, supplemental questionnaire, cover letter, and detailed chronological resume; resumes are not accepted in place of a completed application.

Nice To Haves

Executive or high-level management experience with demonstrated success performing the duties described for the position.
High standards of professional and personal ethics and integrity.
Comprehensive knowledge and experience managing a multimillion-dollar program or organization in the public or private sector.
Comprehensive knowledge and experience in transportation engineering or maintenance, public transportation planning, or transportation management.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations in a transportation context.
Strategic and creative ability to address complex issues and develop solutions that meet regional needs and advance CDOT’s mission.
Knowledge of CDOT or comparable dispute resolution and construction claims processes.
Experience streamlining business processes, planning and implementing large complex programs, strategic planning, and aligning financial resources and operations with organizational requirements.
Experience developing, implementing, promoting, and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement.
Leadership skills in developing and implementing change and vision across multidisciplinary groups.
Strong program management and project controls background.
Commitment to safety.
Ability to partner with public and private organizations, special interest groups, and elected and appointed officials in politically sensitive situations.
Ability to work with the public, professionals, consultants, and staff with sensitivity to their needs, priorities, promises, and commitments.
Negotiation skills and ability to build consensus and find mutually acceptable solutions.
Effective interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Facilitation, presentation, and written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Time and project management skills.
Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite and SAP, and ability to learn other software systems quickly.

Responsibilities

Lead the regional management team in delivering maintenance operations and construction projects totaling more than $70 million annually.
Direct, through subordinate managers, the activities of more than 600 positions across transportation planning, environmental coordination and clearances, engineering design and construction, highway maintenance, and business administration.
Collaborate as a member of CDOT’s Senior Management Team to develop and deliver the department’s strategic plan and formulate short- and long-range policy.
Work with CDOT’s Chief Engineer through a matrix structure to support standardized program and project delivery in accordance with CDOT policies, procedures, regulations, and professional standards.
Promote a vision of ongoing process improvement among stakeholders across Region 3 and CDOT.
Represent CDOT with employees and governmental and business leaders at local, state, and national levels.
Perform other appropriate duties to support the safe, effective, and efficient operation of CDOT.
Attend evening meetings and some weekend meetings, travel statewide and to Denver, including overnight travel, and operate state vehicles.