State of Iowa

Highway Safety Engineer

State of Iowa$81K — $124K *
Ames, IA 50010In-Person
Transportation
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Professional Engineering license in Iowa required
  • 2+ years of experience in transportation or civil engineering
  • Master's degree in relevant engineering preferred
  • Proficient in roadway and crash data analysis
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills essential

Responsibilities

  • Provide transportation safety engineering support to various agencies
  • Manage safety improvement programs and develop safety-focused projects
  • Administer grant applications and manage awards for safety projects
  • Oversee access management program and review access permits
  • Evaluate roadway safety through data analysis and safety studies
  • Offer expertise on specialized safety engineering techniques

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and life insurance starting after 30 days
  • Paid time off with rollover benefits and 9 paid holidays
  • Retirement plan with employer match through IPERS
  • Optional 401A plan with contributions from the employer
  • Employee discounts on various services and products
  • Professional growth opportunities and ASCE membership discounts
Full Job Description
Salary : $81,203.20 - $124,883.20 Annually
Location : Ames - 50010 - Story County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 27-00050
Agency: 645 Iowa Department of Transportation
Opening Date: 07/08/2026
Closing Date: 7/29/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-POST
Point of Contact:

Job Description
This role involves regular collaboration with DOT staff, local officials, the public, consulting engineers, university partners, federal agencies, and traffic safety peers across the country, so strong communication and teamwork skills are important. Come talk to us about this great career opportunity for a problem-solver who also loves working with people!

Position Responsibilities and Opportunities:

The primary responsibility of this position is providing transportation safety engineering support to DOT Bureaus and Districts, other state agencies, as well as to local units of government across the state.
The Highway Safety Engineer, as a member of the Safety Engineering & Planning Section, primarily focuses on implementing safety engineering principles and practices to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on Iowa's roadways.

Duties include:

Manage safety improvement programs

  • work with agency staff to develop projects addressing safety issues
  • administer grant applications and awards


Manage access management program

  • administer Access Management Manual use
  • review Traffic Impact Analyses & access permits with other DOT staff, along with local agencies


Assist in roadway and crash data analysis

  • evaluate effectiveness of safety-specific projects
  • review intersection alternatives
  • conduct safety studies screening roadway networks for issues
  • provide outreach at Public Information Meetings


Provide technical expertise on specialized areas which include rumble strips, pavement markings, shoulders, safety edge, intersection configurations, and others
License:

  • Candidates must possess a Professional Engineering license through the Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau Engineering and Land Surveying Examination Board
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license for travel statewide, operating a motor vehicle


Work Hours: Typically, 8:30am-5:00pm Monday through Friday; flexible scheduling is available
Travel: This position occasionally requires some overnight travel
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).


We encourage you to view more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the !

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.
Excited to pursue this career opportunity? You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa - Apply today!
Minimum Qualification Requirements

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 .
Additional Qualification Requirements

Prior to appointment, applicants must possess active licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board.

About State of Iowa

The State of Iowa is a government entity responsible for providing services and programs to the residents of Iowa. The state government is divided into three branches: the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. The executive branch is headed by the Governor of Iowa, who is responsible for implementing and enforcing state laws. The legislative branch is responsible for making laws, while the judicial branch is responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice. The State of Iowa was admitted to the Union on December 28, 1846, and has since become known for its agriculture, manufacturing, and renewable energy industries.
Learn more about State of Iowa
Size
18,000 employees
Industry

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