Salary: $35.28 - $52.61 Hourly
Location : Lansing, MI
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Job Number: 5901-26-PT-8-DM14-PTSI-JH
Department: Transportation
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/16/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: NON-EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE (NERE)

Job Description

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking an innovative, collaborative and forward-thinking leader to launch and lead the newly established Public Transportation Strategy and Innovation (PTSI) Unit within the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Office of Passenger Transportation (OPT).
This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of public transportation in Michigan.
The OPT partners with public transit agencies, local governments, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), regional organizations and federal partners to improve mobility, accessibility and transportation opportunities for communities throughout Michigan. Our work connects people to employment, health care, education and other essential destinations while supporting vibrant communities and economic growth.
As the inaugural supervisor of the PTSI Unit, you will have the opportunity to establish the vision, build a collaborative team culture, develop innovative business processes and lead statewide initiatives that will influence Michigan's public transportation system for years to come.
This position provides leadership for statewide public transportation planning, strategic initiatives, mobility innovation and development of the Statewide Public Transit Plan. The successful candidate will supervise professional staff, foster innovation, strengthen partnerships and work with executive leadership and stakeholders across Michigan to improve the effectiveness of public transportation programs.
We are seeking a leader who enjoys building organizations, developing people, solving complex challenges and creating lasting improvements. If you are energized by the opportunity to establish a new unit, influence statewide transportation strategy and make a meaningful impact on Michigan communities, we encourage you to apply.
Required Education and Experience
Education
Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major.

Experience
Four years of professional experience, including two years equivalent to the experienced (P11) level or one year equivalent to the advanced (12) level.

Additional Requirements and Information
To be considered for this position you must:

• Attach a detailed cover letter and resume.
• Attach a one-page writing sample describing a strategic initiative, organizational improvement, or significant project that you personally led. The writing sample will be evaluated to assess written communication skills, strategic thinking, leadership experience and the ability to clearly communicate complex information.

• Your writing sample should include:

• The situation or challenge
• Your leadership role
• How you collaborated with stakeholders
• The actions you took
• The measurable results achieved

View the classification specification at:
The department reserves the right to close this posting prior to its original end date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Your application for any position does not guarantee that you will be contacted by the Department for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) software of any kind is prohibited in all areas of the selection process including, but not limited to, responses to application questions and responses to interview questions or exercises.
If you have questions related to this posting, please contact
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need.
More details on benefits for our new hires are below:

Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.

Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.

Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.

Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.

Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.

Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.

Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.

Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.

Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.

Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.

Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.

Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.

Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.

Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.

Updated: 2/28/24
01

Your eligibility for this position is based solely upon the information provided in your application, resume, transcripts, cover letter, and other attachments. Provide accurate dates of employment and extensive detail of your job duties in your application.Responses to the questions below must match what is on your application and are used for screening purposes.Have you read and understand the process for submission and use of your application materials?

• Yes
• No

02

In accordance with federal law, all new employees must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States within three business days of beginning employment.Can you, after employment, submit proof of your legal right to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

03

DEPTMGR - Do you possess one of the following?A bachelor's degree or higher in any major. If so, please attach a copy of your official college transcripts.ORat least one year of professional level experience in the state classified service.

• Yes
• No

04

DEPTMGR2-4 - Do you possess at least four years of professional experience, including two years equivalent to the experienced (P11) level or one year equivalent to the advanced (12) level?

• Yes
• No

05

How many years of experience do you have supervising professional staff, including assigning work, evaluating performance, coaching employees, and managing workloads?? If you have this experience, please ensure it is documented in detail in the work experience and/or skills section of your application and/or resume otherwise your application may be screened out of this hiring process.

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5 or more years

06

How many years of experience do you have leading strategic planning, organizational planning, program development, or statewide initiatives? ? If you have this experience, please ensure it is documented in detail in the work experience and/or skills section of your application and/or resume otherwise your application may be screened out of this hiring process.

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5 or more years

07

How many years of experience do you have interpreting and applying federal or state laws, regulations, policies, or program requirements?? If you have this experience, please ensure it is documented in detail in the work experience and/or skills section of your application and/or resume otherwise your application may be screened out of this hiring process.

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1-3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5 or more years

08

Did you attach the required one-page writing sample as described in the job posting? Failure to attach the required documents could result in being screened out of this hiring process.

• Yes
• No

09

Did you attach a copy of your cover letter and resume? Failure to attach the requ