The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking a dynamic servant leader who exemplifies integrity, prioritizes safety, champions customer service, and puts people first. As the District Construction Engineer, you will serve as a key member of the Iowa DOT Leadership Team, guiding the district with vision and purpose while upholding our five CORE values: Safety First, Integrity Without Exception, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and People Matter.

In this pivotal role, you will empower your team to grow professionally, foster a positive and engaged workplace, and create an environment where employees feel supported and motivated to succeed. Your team will be your top priority! By advocating for them and providing clear direction, you will ensure they feel respected, valued, and confident in their role in advancing the Iowa DOT’s mission of “Making Lives Better Through Transportation.” Together, we will build a culture of excellence that drives innovation and delivers meaningful impact for the people of Iowa.

Location: District 6 Office in Cedar Rapids, IA, or Davenport, IA

Shift Requirements: 7:45 am to 4:30 pm Monday – Friday, flex schedule and telework options available. Some travel is required.

As a District Construction Engineer (Transportation Bureau Chief), your duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Provide strategic oversight of construction contract administration and inspection to ensure projects are delivered with excellence on time, within budget, and in full compliance with all requirements.

• Shape technical direction and policy by advising internal teams, local agencies, contractors, and industry partners to drive consistency and innovation.

• Lead a high-performing workforce of 50–70 professionals, including engineers, technicians, and support staff across 12 counties in east central Iowa, fostering accountability and operational excellence.

• Ensure design integrity through comprehensive reviews of plans, specifications, and traffic management strategies, aligning with Iowa DOT standards and best practices.

• Serve as a key liaison between District 6 and central Construction and Materials offices, strengthening collaboration and alignment across the organization.

• Authorize critical project milestones, including final materials audits, completion approvals, acceptance, and contractor payments, ensuring fiscal responsibility and compliance.

• Apply advanced engineering principles in highway design, structural analysis, hydrology, and traffic engineering to support complex decision-making.

• Contribute to district-wide leadership as an integral member of the management team, partnering with the District Engineer and senior leaders to drive strategic priorities.

Special Requirements:

• This position requires licensure by the Iowa Board of Engineering Examiners as a professional engineer and must possess and maintain a valid Professional Engineers License.

• Possess and maintain a valid Iowa Class C Non-Commercial Operator's License.

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

As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

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

• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment and costs can be reviewed 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).

We encourage you to view 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 now!

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 such as interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment/devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to six and one-half years of full-time management-level work in finance, human resources, engineering, law, data processing, or program research or evaluation.
2) Ten and one-half years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, data processing, or program research or evaluation.
3) All of the following (a and b): a. Six and one-half years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, data processing, or program research or evaluation; and b. A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.
4) All of the following (a, b, and c): a. Four and one-half years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation; and b. A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and c. A combination of a total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in a public-service-related area (e.g., public or business administration, social work, law, education, engineering) equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education. 5) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes two years of full-time work as a Public Service Manager 1.

For additional information, please click on this Job Class Description - 04251