Office Chief (Office of Federal Programs)

Job Description and Duties

Note: This is a re-advertisement. If you have already applied for this vacancy, your application is on file and you do not need to re-apply.

Under the general direction of the Deputy Division Chief for the Division of Local Assistance, a Principal Transportation Engineer, the incumbent is responsible for leading and managing the Office of Federal Programs. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing multiple functional branches and a large portfolio of projects implemented by local agencies statewide. This position provides leadership in program management, project delivery oversight, technical support including understanding and facilitating the resolution of a variety of complex engineering issues, and the development and implementation of strategic investment metrics. The incumbent ensures alignment with departmental goals, federal and state funding requirements, promotes operational efficiency, and supports data-driven decision-making. The incumbent is responsible for all aspects of programming and allocating funds, coordinating programming and funding recommendations, developing policy guidance for the Office of Federal Programs, and participating in high level policy and planning decisions. Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for implementing proactive oversight of local agencies to ensure the programs are utilized in the best interest of the public. 

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Special Requirements

Pursuant to California Code of Regulations § 549.90, this position will be filled via the California Department of Transportation Managerial Selection Program (MSP) process.

This process provides for examination and job-selection specific to each position and consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the classification.

Please read the entire job posting before applying for this position.

This is a Caltrans Open examination.

All applicants must meet the minimum qualifications by the final filing date to participate in the examination.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a civil engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers. and

Either I

Experience: One year of transportation engineering experience as a senior level engineer in the California state service.

Or II

One year of supervisory or managerial experience equivalent in level to a Senior Transportation Planner in the California state service. and

Two years of civil engineering work at the Associate Engineer level or higher in the California state service.

Or III

Broad and extensive (more than five years) transportation engineering experience, two years of which are equivalent in responsibility to the senior level engineer in the California state service.

Examination Information:

This examination will utilize an evaluation of each candidate’s experience and education (E&E) compared to a standard developed from the Class Specification. For this reason, it is especially important that each candidate take special care in accurately and completely filling out his or her State application (STD. 678). List all experience relevant to the “Minimum Qualifications”.

This examination will not establish a civil service list; therefore, candidates will not have the ability to transfer their eligibility to other departments. Candidates will be notified of their examination results.

Note: If using Out of Class (OOC) experience , you must submit a copy of your signed and approved OOC documentation. Failure to do so may result in your OOC experience not being considered during the evaluation process of this examination.

Benefits

Statement of Qualifications

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted along with your State application. The SOQ is a discussion of how an applicant’s education and experience meet the evaluation criteria below and qualify them for the position.

Responses to the SOQ must be submitted on the Department of Transportation's MSP Statement of Qualifications Form (PM-0504). Any SOQ responses that are not submitted on the PM-0504 will not be scored. Each box provided for your response has been limited to 2000 characters .

Each question will be scored individually, therefore, candidates must provide detailed and specific examples , from their professional experience, education, and training, that directly answer each of the SOQ questions. The SOQ will be utilized as screening criteria for the hiring interview only and will not be used for the purposes of examination. Additional documents to supplement the PM-0504 will not be reviewed during the SOQ scoring. To learn about the Statement of Qualifications form (PM-0504) and screening process, click here: 

The PM-0504 SOQ Form can be found in the Required Application Package Documents section of this advertisement. If you have difficulty opening the form, please try using Mozilla Firefox. Please make sure the number of SOQs on the Form are the same as the number of SOQs below.

The Statement of Qualifications must address the applicant’s qualifications relative to the following:

1. Provide examples from your previous work experience that demonstrate your ability to manage large, complex programs; develop policies; and lead cross-functional teams at the statewide or national level. Highlight your experience coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and engaging with diverse stakeholders.

2. Provide examples from your previous work experience that demonstrate your ability to build key collaborative relationships and successfully resolve conflicts.

3. Provide examples from your previous work experience that demonstrate your ability to facilitate strategic planning, establish and track performance measures, and align initiatives with organizational goals.

4. Provide examples from your previous project delivery and project management experiences that demonstrate your ability to foster innovative thinking and accountability through a risk-based portfolio management process.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  Candidates must provide detailed and specific examples from their professional education, experience, and training that directly answer each of the SOQ questions. Each question will be scored individually, therefore, candidates must provide specific examples to each question. Responses to the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted on the Department of Transportation's MSP Statement of Qualifications Form (PM-0504).

  Submit your competed PM-0504 in the “Additional Documents” section. Select “Other” from the drop-down menu for Type of Document and enter SOQ for the Description. Upload your completed PM-0504, then Save & Review Application .

  - 26MSP010 PM-0504 (Locked)