Bridge Transportation Engineer Manager at State of Iowa – Ames, Iowa

Come be part of a dynamic team here at the Iowa DOT! The Bridges and Structures Bureau is looking to hire a Bridge Transportation Engineer Manager to lead their Final Design Unit to help prepare its approximately 200 design plans annually, with an estimated construction cost of approximately $300 million. The position supervises one bridge engineer specialist, two bridge engineers, two bridge engineer associates, and two design technician specialists in the Final Design 2 Unit.

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation. This position will foster growth and support for its reporting team through the five core values of the department: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.

Location: Central Complex, Ames, IA

Shift/Travel Requirements: Days M-F, flex available. Occasional travel to workshops, national conferences, field exams for inspection, and site exams.

As a Bridge Transportation Engineer Manager, your duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Manage, supervise, and direct the technical phase of detail plan production in a Final Design Unit of the Bridges and Structures Bureau.
• Provide technical engineering assistance to subordinate professional engineers in the design of detailed contract plans for the construction of all types of highway structures, from simple to complex.
• Manage the administrative phases of a Bridge Bureau Final Design Unit in planning, organizing, coordinating, and scheduling the assigned work on the primary and interstate road system so that the goals of the production schedule are met.
• Make or direct inspections and write reports containing recommendations and cost estimates on structures that must be repaired or reconstructed to maintain the serviceability of the highway system.
• Administer the personnel of the Bridge Final Design Unit to ensure that all personnel matters are effectively handled.
• Supervise and review plans that are submitted by outside sources for approval.
• Provide support to the Construction and Materials Bureau and the District Offices for timely solutions to construction problems involving structural concepts.
• Review and make recommendations to improve current bridge policy and procedures based on new design and construction specifications and feedback from the Construction and Materials Bureau.

Preferred Characteristics:

• Analyzes challenges, defines successful solution alternatives and proactively solves problems.
• Passion and commitment to excellence in our bridge design products.
• Effectively communicates with all levels of management and a wide variety of individuals involved in our development process.
• Ability to lead others and to objectively interact and discuss work related issues with employees to improve performance, counsel, or provide career enrichment for the individual involved.
• Motivated, friendly, inclusive and get-it-done attitude.
• Embraces and encourages a culture that thrives on innovative ideas and leading changes that result in effective process and project improvements.
• Brings a professional, positive attitude to our team every day.

Special Requirements:

• Must have an Iowa Professional Engineering license at the time of appointment
• Responsible for maintaining a professional engineer license by meeting continuing education requirements and all other professional obligations required by the State of Iowa.

What we offer YOU:

- Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance.

- Insurance benefits start first of the month following 30 days of employment. 2025 health and dental insurance premiums can be found here.

- Opportunities for professional growth and development.

- Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.

- Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match

- Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.

- Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling, legal, financial).

The Iowa Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Through this partnership, DOT engineers are granted membership at a largely discounted price, as well as discounts for conferences and continuing education through the ASCE. We are excited to offer this benefit and to have you join this partnership with us! If you're interested in learning more about this benefit, please visit https://www.asce.org/membership.

We encourage you to learn more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa – Apply today!

The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at: aa-eeo@iowadot.us

Reasonable accommodation includes an interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment/devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
1) All of the following (a and b):
a. Licensure as a professional engineer; and
b. Three years of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering, one year of which must have included project management or lead work responsibilities.
2) All of the following (a, b, and c):
a. Licensure as a professional engineer; and
b. Two years of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering, one year of which must have included project management or lead work responsibilities; and
c. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, structural, or transportation engineering; engineering management; or a field closely related to transportation engineering.
3) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes two years of full-time work as a Transportation Engineer.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.
Prior to appointment, applicants must possess active licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board.