Systems Operations Division Director

Salary
$112,985.60 – $176,384.00 Annually
Location
Ames – 50010 – Story County, IA
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
26-00145
Agency
645 Iowa Department of Transportation
Opening Date
07/18/2025
Closing Date
8/3/2025 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag
#LI-DNP
Point of Contact
Brooke Knudten – Brooke.Knudten@iowadot.us
To Apply
Submit a copy of your resume, cover letter, and responses to the supplemental questions to Brooke Knudten, brooke.knudten@iowadot.us

Description
Benefits
Questions
Job Description
Job Title: Systems Operations Division Director

Reports To: Iowa DOT Chief Operating Officer

Position Type: Confidential, At-Will

Location: Ames, IA

Shift Requirements: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm with a flexible schedule available

Job Summary: The Systems Operations Division Director will lead the Systems Operations Division (SOD) and serve as part of the Department of Transportation’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT). This position is responsible for directing the activities of the SOD staff to ensure the safe, effective, and customer-driven operation of the state’s transportation system. The role requires fostering growth and support for the team through the department’s core values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception, while ensuring the Mission of Making Lives Better Through Transportation.

Key Responsibilities:

Division Leadership: Serve as the leader of the SOD, aligning activities, initiatives, and programs with the agency’s vision, mission, and business plan. Cultivate a culture that is innovative and customer-driven, focusing on strategies that advance transportation safety and foster open and honest communication, engaged staff, and continuous improvement.
People Management: Align efforts of four bureaus and the corresponding business units. Responsible for strategic human resources activities including hiring, employee retention, workforce planning, job responsibilities, corrective actions, performance evaluations, time management, absence management, employee guidance, and employee support.
Collaboration: Collaborate with other division directors to execute agency responsibilities and achieve stated goals. Maintain effective communications with the public, media, legislators, Governor’s office, contracting industry representatives, consulting engineers, local governments, federal agencies, other state agencies, and internal staff.
Strategic Planning: Participate in statewide, regional, and national organization activities relating to transportation programs. Identify, pursue, and implement emerging technology and administrative practices beneficial to the operation and management of Iowa’s transportation system.
Budget Management: Oversee the development and management of the SOD statewide budget and automation technology program. Monitor spending and staffing levels to ensure compliance with annual budget authorization.
Safety and Development: Direct and guide programs of training, education, safety, and development for all division staff. Ensure the development of transportation improvements resulting in a safer and more reliable transportation system with improved mobility and economic vitality.
External Relations: Meet periodically with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) officials to discuss and resolve issues relating to transportation safety. Coordinate and collaborate with transportation authorities from other states regarding shared and/or regional transportation improvements/projects/operations.
Core Values:

Safety First: Prioritize the safety of the transportation system and its users in all activities and decisions.
People Matter: Foster a supportive and inclusive work environment that values the contributions and well-being of all employees.
Customer Focused: Ensure that the needs and expectations of the public and other stakeholders are met with high-quality service and responsiveness.
Servant Leadership: Lead by example, demonstrating a commitment to serving others and empowering team members to achieve their best.
Integrity Without Exception: Uphold the highest standards of ethical behavior, transparency, and accountability in all actions and decisions.
Preferred Experience:

Proven experience in a leadership role within a transportation or related field.
Strong understanding of transportation systems and operations.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and strategic planning skills.
Ability to manage budgets and oversee complex projects.
What we offer YOU:

Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance.
Insurance benefits start first of the month following 30 days of employment. 2025 health and dental insurance premiums can be found here.
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 State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa – Apply today!

The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at: aa-eeo@iowadot.us

Reasonable accommodation includes an interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment/devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Department of Transportation. 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.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. (Download PDF reader)