23903 - District Engineer Project Management

Program management position responsible for the oversight of District Project Management Office. Directs, oversees, and provides project/fiscal management and technical guidance on a wide range of transportation projects related to highways, structures, drainage and environmental issues. Plans, organizes, monitors, and directs all project development work activities and resources. Plans, coordinates, communicates and implements program delivery with internal and external customers. Builds partnerships with various levels of government, elected officials, private sector groups and employees. Provide management, leadership and direction for assigned District engineering section. Plan, organize and monitor project activities. Provide fiscal management and technical guidance on a wide variety of transportation projects. Train and develop team members. Provide technical advice, guidance and training regarding assigned engineering program areas. Prepare analyses, reports, and recommendations based on engineering determinations. Provide engineering support and consultation related to engineering program area. Effectively manage assigned projects to ensure timely and accurate completion. Communicate with internal VDOT staff, local government staff, consultants, citizens and FHWA regarding transportation projects and programs.

How you will contribute:

• Analysis and Technical Reporting: Analyze and interpret engineering data and information. Prepare complete, clear and concise reports and recommendations.
• Budgets: Budgets – Manage budgets to ensure expenditures do not exceed allocations by providing oversight and direction to the development and management of budgets for each functional area.
• Communication: Enhance current outreach efforts both internal and external to VDOT. Promote VDOT's mission to the community, business partners, and other stakeholder groups. Respond to inquiries from the public, DOT officials, CTB members, news media, and local, state, and federal agencies concerning district transportation activities, problems, projects, etc. Collaborate and communicate VDOT initiatives to other government entities. Strengthen relationships with legislators, local leaders, and other stakeholders. Maintain communication and outreach efforts with legislators, government and planning agencies, media, citizen groups, and a variety of special interest groups concerning project status, progress, successes and challenges.
• Communication: Establish an effective line of communication between VDOT, contractors, government agencies and the public. Investigate issues and resolve complaints.
• Engineering Process Management: Use established VDOT policies and procedures in the development and delivery of engineering projects. Engineering projects are completed in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Manage Assigned Activities: Plan, schedule and coordinate engineering program activities such that deliverables are met within the established scope and timeline.
• Program Management: Lead and deliver the district's Project Management activities. Monitor workload assignments such that development of transportation projects and design tasks are completed consistent with project scheduling.
• Program Management: Provide leadership and create an environment of high performance, commitment, partnership and support for the achievement of business goals. Organize work unit and assign workload ensuring effective use of human and fiscal resources. Monitor workload assignments such that projects and tasks are completed in support of VDOT programs. Manage time and adjust priorities of tasks. Provide on-going direction to project manager roles. Establish organizational structure supporting effective project management. Evaluate performance and make adjustments. Optimize resources across projects.
• Project Development: Oversee development of roadway designs for complex transportation projects. Provide technical direction and support to staff in the development of transportation projects. Oversee on-time advertisement dates for program projects. Ensure project schedule and cost estimate updates occur. Meet district goal for obligation of district's federal funds (PE, RFW and Construction). Provide oversight for management of consultant design and contract plan development for highway projects of substantial complexity in compliance with project scope. Provide direction for project activities. Integrate team member deliverables and budgets. Coordinate oversight with other divisions ensuring project segments remain on schedule.
• Project Engineering: Assist in the management of projects and tasks including development of and managing the scope, schedule, budget, deliverables, change management, quality, and status reports. Complete multiple concurrent tasks and assignments, and report updates on their status.
• Special Assignments: Manage special program initiatives and projects as assigned. Serve and represent VDOT or assigned program area on various committees and work groups.
• Strategic Management: Participate with other top departmental senior managers in implementing agency mission, goals and objectives. Engage fully as a member of the district’s senior leadership team by working with team members to support and promote achievement of district performance goals. Work on district-wide and special initiatives at DA request. Offer ideas and suggestions to team members supporting process improvements and program efficiencies. Ensure core functions and strategic initiatives are appropriately resourced and linked to the larger VDOT strategic plan.
• Teamwork and Customer Service: Demonstrates customer service and work habits that reflect the VDOT Values, and coordinates the flow of information both orally and in writing.
• Technical Guidance: Demonstrate considerable knowledge of sound engineering practices and project management procedures to address transportation related matters. Apply sound technical guidance to resolve problems and issues. Suggest modifications and changes to current technical policies and directives to improve effectiveness and efficiency. Attend meetings, facilitate actions and communicate. Correspond with appropriate officials in support of VDOT values, goals and objectives.

What will make you successful:

• Ability to apply engineering principles and practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences to include making technical presentations and conducting public meetings.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse groups.
• Ability to draw rational conclusions and develop solutions from analysis; make independent decisions; and manage multiple assignments.
• Ability to enforce and demonstrate safety behaviors, as well as advocate and practice safety in everyday work activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to interpret technical data and prepare and maintain detailed reports.
• Ability to manage administrative, financial, and technical functions of an engineering work unit.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities with competing deadlines and limited resources.
• Ability to manage staff, programs, and develop budgets.
• Ability to negotiate outcomes and work with diverse customer groups.
• Ability to present complex information to both internal and external individuals and groups.
• Ability to promptly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing objectives and focus individuals and teams on goal-oriented solutions.
• Ability to provide detailed reports on review findings.
• Ability to read and understand highway construction plans.
• Ability to research and analyze data and prepare and present technical reports.
• Advanced knowledge of transportation and highway engineering principles, laws and regulations.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of engineering design principles, practices and procedures and technical aspects for a range of roadway systems.
• Extensive knowledge of transportation project management, development, design, construction and integration on complex projects and associated regulatory, finance and legal constraints.
• Knowledge engineering specifications and standards.
• Knowledge of VDOT, state, and federal policies and procedures relating to transportation engineering.
• Knowledge of project management procedures and principles.
• Knowledge of strategic and operational principles, practices, and techniques.
• Knowledge of supervisory and human resources practices and principles to include hiring, discipline, performance management, and employee development.
• Knowledge of transportation project management and transportation project engineering.
• Project management skills on a variety of transportation projects.
• Skill in building networks and relationships with employees from other divisions, field personnel, contractors, manufacturers and FHWA representatives.
• Skill in effectively managing multiple, high value contracts within the transportation industry.
• Skill in effectively planning and scheduling work of diverse teams.
• Skill in leadership coaching, counseling, training, and development.
• Skill in managing the delivery of exemplary customer service by self and others.
• Skill in maneuvering through complex political situations effectively while demonstrating sensitivity to how people and organizations function.
• Skill in providing and promoting good customer service to internal and external customers.
• Skill in the development and management of project schedules.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications to include MS Office, project management and engineering software programs.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications to include engineering design and analysis software.
• Skill in working with all levels of management and elected and appointed officials.
• Substantial knowledge of transportation project engineering.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Experience applying construction engineering principles, practices, procedures and technical aspects for a range of roadway systems.
• Experience reflecting knowledge of supervisory principles and practices to include performance management and discipline.
• Extensive experience in transportation project management, development, design, construction and integration on complex projects and associated regulatory, finance and legal constraints.
• Progressively responsible engineering management experience applying roadway design criteria, construction engineering methods, standards, specifications and materials.
• Project management experience on a variety of complex transportation projects to include managing multiple, high value contracts within the transportation industry.
• Skill in building networks and relationships with employees, design teams, consultants, and FHWA representatives.
• Skill in the development and management of project development schedules.
• Valid Professional Engineer's license.

Additional Considerations:

• Certification as a Project Management Professional.
• Experience designing complex projects in transportation engineering.
• Experience working with public relations functions.
• Extensive experience managing the development of projects in the transportation engineering industry.
• Progressively responsible experience managing preliminary engineering activities, to include supervising administrative, professional and technical staff.

Click below to learn more about the Competency Model associated with this Position:

Competency Model

Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements

VDOT employees must abide by VDOTs Code of Ethics and the Commonwealths Standards of Conduct.

VDOT Code of Ethics

Standards of Conduct

Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements

VDOT utilizes a market based pay program, which has been approved by DHRM. Therefore, advertised rates of pay may or may not align with the Commonwealth pay bands.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please be aware all VDOT positions require pre-employment screenings. These screenings may include the following:

• Fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check
• DMV Record Check
• Work History Verification
• References
• Pre-employment physical
• Drug screen