Transportation Planning Director
Recruitment # 260106-8894MP-001
Location Newington, CT
Date Opened 1/17/2026 12:00:00 AM
Salary $129,888 - $177,096/year
Job Type Open to the Public
Close Date 2/2/2026 11:59:00 PM
Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)
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Introduction
The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Department of Transportation (DOT (https://portal.ct.gov/dot?language=en_US) ) is recruiting for a Transportation Planning Director (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=8894MP&R1=&R3=) in the Bureau of Policy and Planning. This position offers the opportunity to shape statewide transportation planning in Connecticut.
W HAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) page!
Professional growth and development opportunities
A healthy work/life balance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6n9M1Qd5fo) to all employees
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
Full Time, 40 hours per week
Monday - Friday
Location: DOT Headquarters in Newington.
Travel both within and out of state may be required for this position.
Applicants may be considered for other Transportation Planning Director roles in the future to support reorganization and implementation of CTDOT's Strategic Plan.
THE ROLE
The Bureau of Policy and Planning plays a critical role in supporting the movement of people and goods across all modes of transportation. It collects essential data, conducts planning studies, and performs related activities to ensure efficient and safe transportation systems. The Bureau is responsible for meeting numerous federal and state mandates, ensuring compliance, and managing documentation, analyses, and approvals for all proposed projects that support Department project delivery. The Bureau works extensively with USDOT funding agencies, state and federal regulatory and cooperating agencies, Regional Councils of Government, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and nationally recognized transportation organizations. The Bureau consists of multiple offices, including:
Roadway Information Systems
Environmental Planning
Strategic Planning and Projects
Program Development and Forecasting
Highway Safety Office
Research
Enterprise GIS, Analytics, and Data Management
The Transportation Planning Director is a key leadership position that supports the Bureau Chief in:
Setting goals and objectives for various programs.
Directing and coordinating activities across offices.
Managing State Planning and Research funds.
Building and maintaining relationships with local, regional, state, and federal agencies and stakeholders.
Ensuring timely and fiscally responsible compliance with all state and federal requirements.
This specific position will oversee the Roadway Information Systems Office and the Program Development and Forecasting Office. Additional responsibilities include serving as a technical advisor to the Chief of Policy & Planning on matters involving Department plans and policies, interpreting and adhering to relevant laws and regulations, preparing and monitoring office budgets, and overseeing the development of plans in alignment with Bureau, Department, state, and federal policies. Roadway Information Systems Office This office includes the Systems Inventory, Photolog, and Traffic Monitoring Units. It manages data collection, processing, storage, and distribution for roadway inventory features across nearly 22,000 log miles of state and local public roadways (as defined by 23 CFR 460.2). It also oversees the management and dissemination of Model Inventory of Roadway Elements (MIRE) data required by federal law. The office fulfills federally mandated reporting and analysis, state statute requirements, and program apportionments. Its systems produce critical data used to:
Understand current conditions.
Estimate future travel demands.
Identify capacity deficiencies.
Complete transportation studies and designs.
Increase access and transparency of data for decision-making.
Program Development and Forecasting Office This office includes the Travel Demand and Air Quality, MPO Coordination, Trip and Traffic Analysis, and STIP (Statewide Transportation Improvement Program) units. These units are integral to federally required planning processes and work collaboratively with multiple bureaus and agencies.
All offices within the Bureau directly support the agency's mission to provide safe, accessible transportation and maintain compliance with state and federal laws-ensuring continued availability of federal funding for the Department.
ABOUT US
As one of Connecticut's largest State agencies, DOT employs approximately 3,300 individuals statewide in five distinct bureaus. It is our mission to provide a safe, accessible, and efficient multimodal transportation network that improves the quality of life and promotes economic vitality for the State and the region. We have a significant transportation infrastructure system that is essential to maintaining mobility for Connecticut residents and businesses and supporting economic and community development while preserving the State's resources. The Department of Transportation is committed to cultivating a diverse staff that is representative of the communities we serve. Applications from individuals having diverse backgrounds and life experiences are strongly encouraged.
Watch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of Connecticut employee!
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8sOb10qYXQ) ! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit (https://jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=KIT) for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/pa/pdf/2021PA-00069-R00SB-00056-PA.pdf) , resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=IT&preview=1) to make the best impression!
Stay Connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics (https://portal.ct.gov/ethics) .
QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Brittney Woodley at brittney.woodley@ct.gov. Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning this class is accountable for directing the administration and operation of one of the Bureau offices.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Within a Transportation office, this position will oversee two of the offices in the Bureau of Policy and Planning and will provide direction to the Assistant Director and staff in each office. The Director's role is to assist in the management and operations of the offices and assure that deliverables reflect the requirements of state and federal programs, that critical office functions are maintained, and that program and project schedules are achieved. The Transportation Planning Director will formulate program goals and objectives; develop related policy; interpret and administer pertinent laws and regulations; evaluate and mentor staff; prepare office budgets; and build and maintain relationships both internally and externally with State, regional and federal agencies and key stakeholders. Most importantly, the Transportation Director will evaluate changing State and federal requirements, evolving industry practices, and aid in developing strategic direction for the agency to ensure that the offices are responding and adapting to meet future needs and adopting best practices to allow The Department to be a leader in the industry. It is critically important that these offices develop and maintain the capability to meet the various demands of the new infrastructure bill.
Duties include:
Oversee and manage two of the offices within the Bureau of Policy & Planning
Aid the Department in adapting to evolving state and federal priorities relative to future multimodal transportation needs, issues, and best practices.
Ensure fulfillment of all planning, data collection, and reporting requirements as called for in state and federal laws and regulations.
Help shape the Bureau's long-term vision, strategy, and programs for serving the mobility and accessibility needs of Connecticut's residents and businesses while supporting economic growth, strong communities, and a healthy sustainable environment.
Focus on innovation to improve processes.
Build the capacity of teams through staff development, coaching, mentoring and team building opportunities.
Lead and coordinate the implementation of the agency's Strategic Plan and to launch Business Intelligence and Continuous Improvement initiatives responsible for advancing our move to institutionalizing performance measures and utilizing lean initiatives, dashboarding, and executing organizational change
Drive cross-functional alignment, tracking progress on strategic initiatives, assisting bureaus and units in identifying appropriate performance measures, creating visual tools and dashboards to assist with decision making, and ensuring timely execution of key priorities that support the Department's mission, vision, and long-term goals.
Performs related duties as required. (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=8894MP&R1=&R3=)
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Considerable knowledge of
and ability to apply management principles and practices;
relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
techniques of professional management as applied to transportation planning and related activities;
state and federal transportation funding programs;
contemporary techniques, concepts and procedures employed in field of transportation planning;
Considerable
interpersonal skills;
oral and written communication skills.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Ten (10) years of professional experience in transportation, urban, regional, or environmental planning or engineering project management.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial capacity in transportation, urban, regional or environmental planning or engineering project management.
NOTE:
Managerial capacity is defined as full time managerial responsibility for major programs. Position will have supervisory responsibilities, but the emphasis should be on management activities: planning, organizing, directing and controlling resources of a major subdivision of an agency or organization.
For State employees, this experience is interpreted at the level of a Transportation
Assistant Planning Director
Transit Manager
Division Chief
Assistant District Engineer
Or an Executive Director of State Traffic Commission.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience as a leader in the transportation planning sector.
Experience with transportation planning and emerging issues.
Experience as a senior manager.
Experience leading a multi-disciplinary team to deliver projects or programs.
Experience with organizational and staff development.
Experience with legislative and government budgeting processes.
Experience collaborating with stakeholders across various levels of government.
Experience establishing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders.
Experienced interpersonal skills including written and oral communication.
Experience with complex negotiations.
Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.
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