Transportation Specialist II - Integrate...

Job Description

Job ID: 36428
Agency: Department of Transportation / Division of Planning & Engineering
Location: Pierre, SD
Salary: $33.85 - $39.82 per hour, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: GK
Closing Date: 07/08/2026

This is a full-time position with the Department of Transportation. For more information on the Department of Transportation, please visit .

Introduction:
Ready for a rewarding career that provides exciting and meaningful work? Looking for a place that values innovation and teamwork? In need of schedules and benefits that make it possible to both support and enjoy your family?

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has a perfect opportunity for you as an Integrated Transportation Planning Coordinator!

Job Description:
This position performs advanced professional transportation planning work that integrates core statewide transportation planning functions of MPO coordination, freight planning, long-range statewide planning, and performance measurement. This position ensures compliance with federal and state planning requirements, helps align investments with performance targets and policy goals, and strengthens partnerships with MPOs, tribal governments, local jurisdictions, and the freight industry to deliver a safe, efficient, and resilient multimodal transportation system.

Typical office environment with monthly overnight travel.

This position has the option to be remote two days per week after successful completion of probation period (if new to SDDOT).

The work location for this position in Pierre, South Dakota only.

What You Bring to the SDDOT:

• Growth mindset
• Vision and creativity
• Team-oriented attitude
• Confident, action-oriented personality
• Attention to detail and a passion for organization
• Commitment to fostering high ethical standards

What the SDDOT Offers:

• Health insurance (zero-cost premium plan, low and high deductible plans, and single and family plans
• Well-being program
• Employee assistance program
• Dental, Vision and Health Savings Account
• Free basic life insurance policy
• Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match
• Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Paid family leave (12 weeks for birth and adoption of child, equivalent to 40 hours per week)
• Military leave (15 days per year)
• 11 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Semimonthly pay periods
• Eligibility for meal per diems
• Paid overtime (if applicable)

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. MPO Coordination (˜65%)

• Serve as SDDOT liaison to South Dakota MPOs (Rapid City, Sioux City, and Sioux Falls).
• Review and ensure compliance of MPO plans (UPWP, MTP, PPP, TIP) with federal/state requirements and STIP alignment.
• Manage MPO funding agreements and monitor MPO expenditures, invoices, and deliverables.
• Represent SDDOT at MPO technical advisory and executive committee meetings
• Align state performance targets with MPO target-setting; coordinate the submission and documentation for FHWA/FTA planning emphasis areas and performance-based planning requirements (23 CFR Part 450).
• Facilitate interagency coordination meetings (FHWA/FTA Planning Partners, MPO STIP/TIP coordination, etc.) and oversee annual MPO certification activities and risk assessments.

2. Freight Planning (˜15%)

• Lead development and updates of the State Freight Plan and ensure compliance with federal requirements (e.g., National Highway Freight Program).
• Maintain and update the National Highway Freight Network data and identify strategic corridors.
• Perform freight analytics and integrate freight considerations into project selection, corridor planning, STIP programming, and economic impact assessments.

3. Long-Range Statewide Planning (˜10%)

• Develop and update the Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan and ensure compliance with federal requirements (23 CFR Part 450).
• Integrate statewide planning strategy considerations into project selection, planning studies, STIP programming, and other planning documents.
• Conduct stakeholder engagement and implement performance-based planning frameworks to align investment decisions with outcomes.

4. Transportation Performance Measurement (˜5%)

• Upload federal performance data (safety, system performance, asset management performance measures) to FHWA.
• Coordinate target setting of the federal performance measures.
• Coordinate state targets with the MPO's targets and ensure compliance with FHWA/FTA performance-based planning requirements.

5. Cross-Cutting Functions (˜5%)

• Manage data governance, analytics, and visualization for planning metrics
• Oversee consultant contracts and deliverables.
• Drive continuous improvement through standardized processes, templates, and guidance.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge:

• Technical Concepts: Transportation planning principles, benefit-cost analysis, scenario planning, and basic statistics.
• Regulatory & Policy: FHWA/FTA planning processes (e.g., 23 CFR Part 450), performance management frameworks, funding eligibility rules, public involvement requirements, civil rights/Title VI considerations.

Skills:

• Project/Program Management: Scoping, scheduling, budgeting, contract oversight, and risk management.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Managing interagency coordination with MPOs, local governments, tribes, industry, and the public while fostering collaborative partnerships through facilitation and interpersonal skills.
• Technical Tools: Microsoft 365 software suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.); Conducting data analysis using Excel, GIS (ArcGIS), and transportation data sources (NPMRDS, Freight Analysis Framework, etc.).

Abilities:

• Communication: Produce concise, high-quality plans, memos, and presentations for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Interpret complex data, visualize trends, and apply insights to planning decisions.
• Collaboration: Work effectively across agencies and with stakeholders with diverse interests and organizational priorities to achieve planning objectives.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in transportation planning, urban/regional planning, civil engineering, public administration, geography, political science, economics, or related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal/state regulations, preferably the transportation planning regulations and performance-based planning (e.g., 23 CFR Part 450; 23 U.S.C. programs; FTA/FHWA planning processes).
• Experience managing complex stakeholder processes and delivering policy or technical documents.
• Valid driver's license.

Preference given for those with:

• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in transportation planning, MPO coordination, freight logistics/planning, and/or statewide planning.
• AICP, PTP or PE (civil/transportation) certification.
• Experience with freight analytics (commodity flows, TTTR, truck parking, rail/intermodal) and grant readiness.
• Experience with MPO travel demand modeling coordination and TIP/STIP programming.
• Familiarity with South Dakota's geography, urban & rural mobility needs, tribal coordination, and agricultural/energy supply chains.

Compensation:
The total compensation of Hourly Wage + State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for entry level (classification) is approximately $93,739.00 annually.

Salary will be set depending on qualifications.

We provide training and certification, transportation, safety gear, and [other provisions] to get you started and keep you updated on best practices. As a requirement for continued employment, you may need to secure further technical training and/or certifications related to this position and its responsibilities.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online:
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration
Telephone: View phone number on kelolandemployment.com Email: View email address on kelolandemployment.com

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

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