Transportation Engineer Specialist
State of Iowa
FreshPosted Feb 6
✓ Fresh Listing
Posted: February 6, 2026 (1 day ago)
This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.
Transportation Engineer Specialist
State of Iowa
645 Iowa Department of Transportation
Location
Iowa, 50319
Salary
$38.27 - $58.86
per hour
Type
Full Time
More Engineering jobs →Closes
March 2, 2026More State jobs →
Job Description
Summary
This job involves leading transportation projects in Northwest Iowa, from planning and design to managing construction of roads, bridges, and safety improvements, while serving as the main contact for communities and other agencies.
It's ideal for an experienced engineer who enjoys collaborating on infrastructure that improves local travel and safety.
A good fit would be someone detail-oriented with strong communication skills and a passion for public service.
Key Requirements
- Licensure as a Professional Engineer by the Iowa Board of Engineering Examiners
- Valid Iowa Class C Non-Commercial Driver's License
- Experience in transportation project design, development, and management
- Ability to collaborate with staff, consultants, and stakeholders on priorities and asset management
- Skills in reviewing plans, ensuring compliance with standards, and developing schedules and cost estimates
- Proficiency in leading multidisciplinary projects and providing engineering evaluations
- Comfort representing the department at public meetings and engaging with the community
Full Job Description
As the District 3 Staff Engineer (Transportation Engineer Specialist) with the Iowa Department of Transportation in Northwest Iowa, you will play a vital role in shaping safe and efficient transportation systems that serve your local communities.
This position offers you the opportunity to lead and influence meaningful infrastructure projects from concept to completion with both project and program management.
You will be the main point of contact for citizens, businesses, and staff from other government agencies as the technical expert and lead role of projects.
Iowa Department of Transportation’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation.
To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.
Location: District 3 – Northwest Iowa (Sioux City or Cherokee)
- You will need to report to the District 3 Office or Cherokee RCE Office at an agreed-upon frequency that meets business needs.
Shift Requirements: 7:45 am to 4:30 pm Monday – Friday, flex schedule and limited telework options available, some travel required.
As a Transportation Engineer Specialist, your duties will include, but are not limited to:
- Collaborate with district, central, and consultant staff to establish highway, bridge, structure, and safety priorities and projects, utilizing asset management to set project priorities.
- Design, develop, and deliver transportation projects, including reconstruction, rehabilitation, resurfacing, maintenance, safety improvements, and emergency repairs. Review plans, concepts, and permit applications to ensure compliance and quality.
- Lead the design of assigned transportation projects by coordinating with design technicians, ensuring adherence to design standards, and securing required permits and agreements. Develop project concepts, schedules, and cost estimates.
- Manage transportation projects as a project manager or assistant project manager and participate on project management teams for large, multidisciplinary projects.
- Provide engineering evaluations and recommendations to support staff, and contribute to technical committees and work groups to enhance departmental processes and policies.
- Represent the DOT at public meetings and engage with other agencies and the public to communicate project goals and updates.
Additional Requirements:
- This position requires licensure by the Iowa Board of Engineering Examiners as a professional engineer and must possess a valid Professional Engineers License.
- Must possess and maintain a valid Iowa Class C Non-Commercial Operators License.
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 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).
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 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.
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.
Qualifications
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. Two years of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering.
2) All of the following (a, b, and c):
a. Licensure as a professional engineer; and
b. One year of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering; 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 one year of full-time work as a Transportation Engineer.
For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.
Additional Information
Prior to appointment, applicants must possess active licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board.Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes