Introduction

The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT), is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Transit Technology Program Lead (Transportation Planner 2) to join the Office of Transit & Ridesharing, Transit Technology and Infrastructure Unit, located at CTDOT Headquarters in Newington, CT. This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of public transportation by advancing innovative transit technologies, modernizing statewide transit systems, and supporting major transit initiatives that improve lives through transportation.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Monday - Friday
• Full Time, 40 hours per week
• First Shift, 7:30 am to 4 pm
• Location: Newington
• P-4 (Engineering and Scientific) bargaining unit
• This position is eligible to apply for telework after successful completion of the working test period, and thereafter, in accordance with the Telework Policy. Employees in their working test period must work on site in the office. Learn more about the Telework Policy.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Transit Technology Program Lead will lead CTDOT's statewide transit technology programs and projects from strategic planning through implementation and ongoing operation. Working under a Transportation Supervising Planner, the position will collaborate with internal teams, transit service providers, municipalities, state and federal agencies, consultants, technology vendors, and other stakeholders.
The position will identify needs, evaluate emerging technologies, develop implementation strategies, and deliver solutions that improve transit safety, reliability, efficiency, accessibility, and customer experience. This is a broad, multidisciplinary position that spans strategic planning, technology evaluation, project and program management, systems engineering, procurement, contract and vendor management, stakeholder coordination, and implementation leadership.

THE ROLE

The Transit Technology Program Lead serves as a program and project leader, technology planner, and technical advisor supporting CTDOT's statewide transit technology initiatives. The role requires the ability to translate strategic priorities and operational needs into actionable programs and projects and guide them through planning, technology evaluation, procurement, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and continuous improvement.

The Transit Technology Program Lead works independently across disciplines and organizational levels, serving as a connector between CTDOT leadership, transit operators, technical staff, consultants, technology vendors, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will be comfortable navigating dynamic environments, taking ownership of initiatives, managing multiple priorities, translating complex or ambiguous challenges into practical strategies and actionable solutions, resolving issues, and exercising sound judgment to move projects and programs forward.

If you're a curious problem-solver who enjoys understanding how technology works, exploring new ideas, and finding innovative and efficient ways to enhance the transit experience, this could be the role for you!

Key Responsibilities include:

Strategic Technology Leadership

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous refinement of CTDOT's statewide transit technology strategies, plans, programs, and initiatives, translating agency priorities and transit needs into actionable technology initiatives, implementation roadmaps, and measurable outcomes.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and subject-matter resource to CTDOT leadership on transit technology trends, opportunities, risks, and implementation strategies, while identifying opportunities to improve transit safety, reliability, efficiency, accessibility, operational performance, and customer experience.
• Coordinate technology initiatives across transit operations, service planning, maintenance, communications, information technology, and other CTDOT and transit functions to ensure solutions are operationally feasible, scalable, interoperable, and sustainable.

Project & Program Management

• Lead transit technology projects, programs, and initiatives, including implementation of the CTDOT Transit Technology Plan and Program, statewide transit ITS modernization, lifecycle management of transit ITS equipment and systems, transit signal priority, fare collection modernization, CTtransit and CTfastrak technology improvements, MOVE New Haven Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and other major transit technology initiatives.
• Lead projects from concept through planning, requirements development, procurement, design, implementation, testing, acceptance, deployment, and ongoing operational support, while managing project scopes, schedules, budgets, milestones, deliverables, risks, and outcomes.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary project teams, proactively identify and resolve technical, operational, financial, procurement, and implementation issues, and monitor project and program performance to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Technology Planning, Evaluation & Innovation

• Plan, evaluate, and support the deployment of emerging transit technologies and innovative mobility solutions, including battery electric buses, driving automation systems, connected vehicle systems, better bus initiatives, and other technologies that improve safety, transit operations, and customer experience.
• Conduct technology needs assessments; research emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices; and identify and evaluate alternatives based on functionality, operational suitability, interoperability, scalability, cybersecurity, lifecycle costs, maintainability, sustainability, and implementation risk.
• Develop strategic technology plans, implementation roadmaps, business cases, technical recommendations, and other materials to support investment and implementation decisions, including assessment of impacts on transit operations, workforce practices, infrastructure, data, maintenance, and customer experience.

Systems Engineering & Technical Leadership

• Apply systems engineering principles and practices to the planning, design, procurement, integration, testing, and deployment, and lifecycle management of transit technology systems, including development and review of system requirements, functional and technical specifications, architecture concepts, interface requirements, test plans, and acceptance criteria.
• Evaluate system interoperability and integration requirements across existing and planned transit technology platforms, equipment, communications networks, data systems, and operational environments.
• Review consultant, contractor, and technology vendor designs, technical documentation, proposals, test procedures, and other deliverables; coordinate system integration, testing, acceptance, and deployment activities; and provide technical guidance and recommendations.

Grant, Contract, Procurement & Vendor Management

• Collaborate with internal teams to develop and manage federal discretionary and competitive grants, contracts, agreements, procurements, and other funding mechanisms supporting transit technology programs and projects, including scopes of work, technical requirements, procurement documents, and evaluation criteria.
• Coordinate with consultants, contractors, technology vendors, transit operators, funding agencies, and other partners throughout the procurement and project lifecycle, managing scope, schedules, budgets, deliverables, milestones, risks, performance, and contractual requirements.
• Evaluate vendor and consultant proposals and ensure projects and procurements comply with applicable state and federal requirements and funding conditions.

Stakeholder Coordination & Implementation

• Work closely with CTtransit service providers, transit districts, municipalities, state and federal agencies, consultants, technology vendors, and other stakeholders to coordinate project development, implementation, and ongoing program activities.
• Serve as a connector between CTDOT leadership, technical staff, transit operators, frontline personnel, external partners, and technology providers; facilitate stakeholder engagement, working groups, project meetings, technical discussions, and decision-making processes.
• Coordinate implementation activities, identify and address organizational, operational, technical, and institutional barriers, and support training, communications, operational procedures, transition plans, technology adoption, and post-implementation improvements.

Data, Performance & Technical Guidance

• Analyze transit technology and operational data to assess system performance, identify trends and deficiencies, establish and evaluate performance measures, and develop actionable recommendations.
• Prepare and review technical studies, plans, reports, presentations, briefing materials, procurement documents, dashboards, performance assessments, and other project and program deliverables.
• Provide technical guidance and recommendations to CTDOT leadership and stakeholders; research and synthesize industry trends and best practices; and support development of policies, standards, procedures, and program frameworks governing transit technology.

YOUR CAREER WITH US

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Selection Plan

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing [email protected].
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the b