Title: Federal Programs Section Manager

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist III

Hiring Range: $87,841 - $142,741

Pay Band: 6

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: Annex Building

Agency Website: www.virginiadot.org/jobs

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Join our team and make a difference! The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Local Assistance Division is looking for a Federal Programs Section Manager to provide leadership and direction for the development and implementation of federal and state transportation infrastructure funding programs. These programs include, but are not limited to Transportation Alternatives, Federal Lands Access, Appalachian Regional Commission Local Access Roads, and the Virginia Byways designation program.

The successful candidate will provide assistance, support, and guidance to VDOT staff, local governments, state/federal agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, planning districts, non-profit organizations, executive VDOT staff, as well as elected and appointed governmental officials and other stakeholders with an interest in these programs. The position develops and/or directs staff in the development of policies, procedures, guidance, and training, and develops and monitors program performance.

The position will coordinate with other state and federal stakeholder agencies implementing these programs, oversee funding application processes, manage a technical assistance grant program, provide regulatory and program policy guidance, monitor, evaluate and report on project and program status and financial data, and provide training on program requirements. The qualified candidate must demonstrate sensitivity for varying opinions and suggestions and deal with customers, employees, and managers in a constructive and cooperative manner. This candidate will project a positive image of VDOT in personal actions and behaviors according to VDOT values.

This challenging and rewarding position’s specific responsibilities and duties will include, but are not limited to:

Program Implementation and Oversight:
Provide supervision and guidance for the team implementing federal funding and other programs as assigned. Oversee the Transportation Alternatives Program project selection process, including developing and testing application questions and reviewing submitted applications for funding. Oversee application scoring based on established criteria. Review reports on program statistics and recommend actions based on statistics. Oversee project monitoring against established policy, regulation, and code to ensure compliance; conduct performance management as required. Oversee processes to develop and update program guidance, manuals, and website information. Prepare materials for CTB coordination. Establish and maintain programmatic funding agreements for active projects.

Guidance:
Provide technical assistance and guidance to VDOT District staff who administer Transportation Alternatives (including Safe Routes to School), Federal Lands Access, ARC Local Access Roads, and Scenic Byways projects. Provide oversight and training, guidance on eligibility issues.

Technical Assistance:
Provide technical assistance and guidance to local governments, state and federal agencies, and other eligible applicant types to develop recommendations to alleviate a safety or accessibility need, and develop potential project ideas toward future funding applications.

External Coordination and Collaboration:
Schedule and lead workshops, seminars, and presentations, as directed. Represent VDOT at meetings with local governments, FHWA, VDOT staff, and representatives of other organizations, as directed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of engineering, planning, project development and management principles, practices and procedures;
• Must have experience and knowledge of federal and state statutes and regulations, particularly those promulgated by the Department of Transportation, and will have experience implementing their requirements through the development of guidance, policy, and regulations, and/or training.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, plan, coordinate and prioritize multiple assignments.
• The ability to plan, organize and oversee implementation of complex programs and to interpret federal and state transportation laws and develop regulations, guidelines and policies is required.
• Substantial progressive experience with a variety of issues/situations that demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of project management principles; application/use of current technology.
• The selected candidate will have the ability to provide strategic leadership and direction to a diverse group of professional peers and communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with stakeholders of varying levels of program understanding, including elected public officials, political appointees, and the general public.
• The successful candidate should excel in conflict management, problem solving, creative and innovative solutions to complex issues.
• Skilled in use of software for project identification/evaluation/prioritization functions and database management.

Additional Considerations

• A combination of training, experience, or education in transportation planning, civil engineering, urban and regional planning, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of project lifecycle, phases, and milestones.
• Experience with transportation funding application processes.
• Knowledge of VDOT project development and delivery.
• Understanding of the Six Year Improvement Program (SYIP).
• Knowledge of GIS tools and spatial analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of Power BI, Power Apps/Power Automate, and related software.
• Knowledge of urban planning principles and techniques or engineering.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application. 

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.

This position is designated as essential, employees may be required to work in emergencies, including weekends, holidays, and after normal business hours; assignments may vary based on business needs to include working in severe weather.

Contact Information

Name: Audrey Phillips

Phone: 804-837-4748

Email: [email protected]

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 AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.