Principal Transportation Planner

Principal Transportation Planner

Date Posted: Aug 24, 2026

Requisition ID: 482895

Location:

Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Indiana Department of Transportation:

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) provides a dynamic workplace that serves Indiana citizens, improves our state’s quality of life, and enhances its economic opportunity. INDOT has a number of innovative programs and projects, including Public-Private Partnerships, Green Initiatives, and cutting-edge uses of materials and assets. As part of the State of Indiana, INDOT offers a competitive total compensation package, as well as outstanding work/life balance. Whether you are an established professional in the transportation field or just starting your career, INDOT has exciting and challenging opportunities for you.

Role Overview:

This position is a Principal Transportation Planner posistion, which is the highest-level transportation planning position at INDOT. The incumbent oversees the agency’s planning office, directly managing planning staff, performance, programs, initiatives, address administrative needs, and serves as the lead expert on environmental, sustainability, and planning products.

Job Requirements:

• Advanced knowledge of transportation planning concepts, principles, techniques, federal/state regulations, land use, multi-modal planning, travel demand model theory, economic development, transportation funding, market analysis, historic preservation, and basic traffic/transit operations.

• Ability to research/analyze transportation planning issues/trends, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports and presentations.

• Ability to execute all programmatic aspects of planning related public involvement meetings, community outreach/advisory committees; civic leadership engagement, conferences/workshops; educational training; focus groups; special interest/advocacy groups and similar events as it related to transportation planning.

Key Duties

• Provide direct and indirect administrative oversight of federally required transportation planning activities and agreements: e.g., development/review of regional plans, thoroughfare plans, transportation improvement programs, congestion mitigation analysis, air quality conformity analysis, public outreach, unified work programs, ADA transition plans, agreements, and certification reviews.

• Supports and works directly with Outreach Manager in executing all programmatic aspects of planning related public involvement meetings, community outreach/advisory committees; civic leadership engagement, conferences/workshops; educational training; focus groups; special interest/advocacy groups and similar events as it related to transportation planning.

• Manage and perform complex, large-scale, interdisciplinary, and sensitive professional planning projects/studies, research, planning studies, programs, initiatives, analysis, and activities.

Candidate routinely deviates from the regular working hours for public meetings, events, training, and working on critical projects.

Location:

This position is with INDOT's Central Office in Indianapolis.

Salary:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $75,010.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator ( to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Review and evaluate organizational effectiveness, goal determination, and strategic planning, etc., makes recommendations for improvement.

• Assist the Director with developing and coordinating plans and policies, resources, and mission as well as goals, vision and expectations of agency or program.

• Provide guidance to agencies and the public regarding applicable laws and rules.

• Supervise subordinate personnel including hiring, determining workload, and authorizing assignments, training, monitoring, and evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary action.

• Assist with monitoring agency or program budget including revenues, expenditures, and budget projections.

• Communicate with news and other media and respond to media questions or requests in an appropriate public relations manner.

• Coordinate with other government officials on planning issues.

• Recruit, select, onboard, and train employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development.

• Set expectation, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees. Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Extensive knowledge of agency and/or organizational program(s) and business practices.

• Extensive knowledge of State programs and resources, public policy, and program evaluation.

• Ability to develop and/or measure program outcomes.

• Ability to create and maintain strong working relationships with key public and private government and business leaders.

• Ability to identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, and use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations.

• Ability to work with internal and external customers to assess needs, provide assistance, resolve problems, and satisfy expectations.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, establish credibility, and influence leaders at all levels.

• Make logical, well-informed, and objective decisions. Ability to perceive the impact and implications of decisions.

• Ability to identify problems. Determine accuracy and relevance of information. Implement sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations.

• Ability to assign work, set clear direction, and manage workflow.

• Ability to effectively provide feedback, guidance or corrective action to coach and develop employee skillsets.

A degree is not required.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans

• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards

• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution

• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match

• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options

• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:

• 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers

• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave

• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off

• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years

• Education Reimbursement Program

• Group life insurance

• Referral Bonus program

• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits

• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

• Free Parking for most positions

• Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at View email address on click.appcast.io.

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