Title: Engineering Program Manager - Materials

State Role Title: Architect/Engineering Mgr II

Hiring Range: $111,775 - $181,635

Pay Band: 6

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: Dept of Transportation

Agency Website: www.virginiadot.org/jobs

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

What drives you? Whether it's knowing the work you do makes a difference, having a great work/life balance, working on exciting and challenging projects, leading innovation, and championing change or simply working with a great group of people who are committed to professionalism. At the Virginia Department of Transportation, we have something for you.

Our Materials Division is seeking an Engineering Program Manager to join our team to manage and administer our Statewide Asphalt Program. As the Engineering Program Manager, the selected candidate will develop and update policies, procedures, contract specifications and guidelines for statewide implementation of the Materials Asphalt Program. The program manager will serve as the responsible charge engineer on behalf of the Materials Division, as assigned, in the execution of assigned duties.

Please note this position is located at our Central Office Materials Laboratory in Sandston, Virginia.

The selected candidate will be responsible for performing the following:

Strategic Planning: Develop short and long-range statewide strategic plans for our asphalt program to ensure VDOT programs align with VDOT's vision, mission and goals.

Research: Participate in Research Advisory Committees. Participate in identifying research needs, priorities and scope of needed research. Review research and implement outcomes. Participate on national research boards and activities as necessary.

Statewide Asphalt Materials Program Management Oversight: Establish and supervise uniform job acceptance, quality assurance monitoring, independent assurance sampling and testing, as well as inspection frequencies and procedures to be used in laboratories and on the road. Review quality control from contractors and suppliers and set guidelines for quality assurance acceptance programs.

Establish Priorities: Establish objectives and priorities for the team in support of overall goals, communicate objectives and priorities to employees, and update objectives as needs change. Establish priorities for the program's objectives to enhance achievement of division and VDOT goals. Modify objectives to reflect changes.

Staffing and Management: Proactively manage human and fiscal resources by recognizing future needs and taking appropriate actions to address those needs. Organize program area's assignments to best utilize available resources. Ensure production schedules and budgets continuously reflect current information.

Compliance: Provide oversight of the asphalt program within the Division and Districts to ensure compliance with VDOT, state, and federal policies, practices, guidelines and specifications. Review central office and district plans for compliance with established practices and procedures. Provide review and make recommendations on new and innovative procedures, specifications and products. Provide a written summary of findings and recommendations for division management.

Materials: Make recommendations for the use and treatment of all types of asphalt and related materials used in pavement maintenance and construction. Serve as a resource and expert consultant in production, placement and evaluation of applicable materials.  Review and comment on applicable designs submitted to District Materials Section. Prepare and present technical materials related information to highly political groups. Review, revise and keep up-to-date all information for assigned program areas.

Program Evaluation: Evaluate program and institute changes and procedures as required. Provide technical guidance to field offices and monitor adherence to approve standards and practices through field coordination, visitation and consultation. Ensure quality control reviews are completed and recommendations for program performance and improvement are implemented.

Technical Support: Serve as a technical expert in providing assistance in asphalt materials and asphalt construction. Provide research to solve problems and questions. Provide instruction and guidance with policies and procedures. Prepare new VDOT guidelines or memos to address changes or modifications.

Manage Technical Problem Resolution: Apply sound engineering practices and methods to satisfy customers, reduce complaints and resolve concerns. Provide leadership in technical areas of engineering. Proactively address issues that are identified within program area and raise appropriate issues to Division Management ensuring compliance with VDOT policies and procedures.

Statewide Program Oversight: Serves as responsible charge engineer for VDOT’s asphalt program. Develop and update policies, procedures and guidelines for statewide implementation and administration. Communicate changes in policies and procedures to staff and ensure consistent application statewide.

Materials Training: Provide instruction for designated materials school. Review and evaluate national training programs related to materials; modify programs for implementation in VA. Attend engineering and technical meetings and seminars; review current technical literature for materials technology.

Teamwork: Coordinate the flow of information both orally and in writing to and from others that contributes to project development. Organize and prioritize work effectively, keep multiple projects on schedule within section. Meet expectations and requirements of internal and external customers. Establish and maintain effective relationships with customers.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences.
  
• Experience applying current methods of materials science as applied to control and use in highway construction and maintenance of assets.
  
• Valid driver's license.
  
• Degree in Materials Engineering, Civil Engineering or related field.
  
• Ability to train others in a classroom setting.
  
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications.
  
• Valid Professional Engineer's license.
  
• Knowledge of policies, specifications and standards of current materials practices.
  
• Experience supervising staff, programs and budgets.
  
• Ability to conduct the administrative and technical operations of the designated materials program area.

Additional Considerations

• Experience in working with materials processes and programs, training and evaluation.
  
• Experience being a team leader, team member and working with consultants.
  
• Expertise in materials engineering.
  
• Experience working in a DOT Materials Division and making recommendations to field engineers on specifications, policies and standards.
  
• Experience executing independent evaluation studies.
  
• Experience in managing an AASHTO Resource accredited laboratory.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

This position requires a fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check, DMV Record Check and Work History Verification with references.

VDOT is an emergency operation agency. Positions physically working within Central Office locations may be designated upon request and coordination among the respective District Engineer or Administrator and Chief. Assignments are updated annually. Not all designated employees are provided an emergency operations assignment.

Once onboarded, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth telework policy.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application.

VDOT utilizes a market-based pay program, which has been approved by DHRM. Therefore, advertised rates of pay may or may not align with the Commonwealth pay bands.

Contact Information

Name: Shiron Haskins

Email: shiron.haskins@vdot.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.