Salary : $115,252.80 - $171,787.20 Annually
Location : Ames - 50010 - Story County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 27-00597
Agency: 645 Iowa Department of Transportation
Opening Date: 08/27/2026
Closing Date: 9/7/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-DNP
Point of Contact:
To Apply: If you are interested in the position, please submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected] and cc: [email protected] no later than 11:59 PM on 09/07/2026.

Job Description
Job Title: Deputy Director of Planning and Programs

Reports To: Iowa DOT Transportation Development Division Director

Position Type: Confidential, At-Will

Location: Ames, Iowa
Shift Requirements: Day shift, Monday - Friday, 8 hours typical (may be flexed), mostly in-person but telework is available, some overnight travel is required.
This position serves as the Transportation Development Division (TDD) Deputy Director of Planning and Programs. This position has primary responsibility for providing leadership, oversight, and direction for the state long-range transportation plan, various modal plans and programs, local programs, research, and analytics.
As the Deputy Director of Planning and Programs, your duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Participating as a principal leader among the Transportation Development Division's Senior Leadership Team by assisting the Division Director in various division leadership capacities and activities, and at times representing the Division Director in his absence.
• Provide direct leadership, oversight, and direction for several bureaus in TDD, including Systems Planning, Modal Transportation, Local Systems, and Research and Analytics.
• Collaborate with staff in all six Districts and other DOT divisions to improve planning and programming processes to ensure that the Department's various plans and programs are effectively developed, delivered, and implemented.

Special requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's 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 the first month following 30 days of employment and costs can be reviewed
• 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).

You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa - Apply now!
This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Department of Transportation. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and experience equal to seven years of full-time management-level work in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation.

2) Eleven years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation.

3) All of the following (a and b):

a. Seven years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation; and

b. A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.

4) All of the following (a, b, and c):

a. Five years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, social work, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation; and

b. A combination of a total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and

c. A combination of a total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in a public-service-related area (e.g., public or business administration, social work, law, education, engineering) equals one year of full-time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full-time experience or education.

5) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Public Service Manager 1, Public Service Manager 2, or comparable specific management-level position.

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