Title: Planning Engineer

State Role Title: Architect Engineer I

Hiring Range: $72,738- $118,200

Pay Band: 5

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: Annex Building

Agency Website: https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) is excited to offer and announce a competitive opportunity to serve as a Planning Engineer in the Central Office – Richmond. This position will assist in the development, evaluation, and viability of conceptual solutions to congestion and safety issues.

Position specific responsibilities and duties will include, but not limited to:
• Transportation Planning Studies: Conduct, manage and/or participate in transportation planning studies including corridor studies, access management studies, crossover studies, interchange studies, etc. Collect and analyze data and provide recommendations for transportation deficiencies. Develop alternative solutions and provide solutions. Prepare public information gathering surveys and/or participate in public engagement meetings.
• 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.
• Applicants should demonstrate customer service and work habits that reflect the VDOT values, and coordinates the flow of information both orally and in writing.
• Analyze and interpret engineering data and information. Prepare complete, clear and concise reports and recommendations.
• Plan, schedule and coordinate engineering program activities such that deliverables are met within the established scope and timeline.
• Establish an effective line of communication between VDOT, contractors, government agencies and the public. Investigate issues and resolve complaints.
• Manage special program initiatives and projects as assigned.

VDOT employees serve the citizens of the Commonwealth and travelling public daily through our mission to plan, deliver, operate and maintain a transportation system that is safe, moves people and goods, enhances the economy, and improves quality of life. VDOT is the third largest state maintained highway system in the country, maintaining over 58,000 miles of roads, bridges, and tunnels, and employing over 7700 people through a diverse workforce. Our culture includes teamwork, transparency, nimble learning, creativity and collaboration that values differences.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDOT offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching.

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.

We have Shared Values and a Code of Ethics. Your success in our organization depends upon modelling these values, therefore visit http://www.virginiadot.org/about/missionandvalues.asp to review them and, if in agreement, we welcome you to apply.

Additional vacancies may be filled from this recruitment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of principles of roadway capacity analysis and safety analysis impacting roadway designs.
• Knowledge of civil engineering principles to include roadway design, survey, hydraulics, traffic design, roadway safety, estimating, and construction methods and materials, ensuring compliance.
• Knowledge of VDOT, state, and federal policies and procedures relating to transportation engineering.
• Ability to evaluate, develop and maintain innovative solutions for transportation planning and mobility initiatives.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences and to make presentations and conduct meetings.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate and complete multiple assignments within scheduled timeframes.
• Skill in the use of computers and web-based applications.
• Ability to interpret technical data and prepare and maintain detailed reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to read and understand highway construction plans.
• Ability to negotiate outcomes and work with diverse customer groups.
• Knowledge engineering specifications and standards.
• Knowledge of project management procedures and principles.
• Skill in providing and promoting good customer service to internal and external customers.

Additional Considerations

• Engineer in Training (EIT) license.
• Experience using traffic analysis software (Highway Capacity Software, Synchro) and microsimulation tools (VISSIM).
• Experience using Bentley MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer.
• Certified Planner with American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or Project Management Professional (PMP).
• A combination of training, experience and education in civil engineering or planning may substitute for degree.

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.
Once onboarded, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth telework policy.

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.

Additional positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days.

VDOT is an emergency operation agency. Positions physically working within Central Office locations may be designated upon request and coordination among the respective District Engineer or Administrator and Chief. Assignments are updated annually. Not all designated employees are provided an emergency operations assignment.

This position requires a fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check, DMV Record Check and Work History Verification with references.

Contact Information

Name: Audrey Phillips

Phone: 804-837-4748

Email: audrey.phillips@vdot.virginia.gov

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.