PRODUCTION SUPPORT SENIOR TECHNICAL SPECIALIST -05052026-77173

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This position is in the Traffic Design Division - Production Support Section.

This position has a starting salary of $6,267 monthly/$75,204 annually.

For more information, visit the link below:

https://www.tdot.tn.gov/PublicDocuments/HR/Traffic-Design-Division-Production-Support-Section-Production-Support-Senior-Technical-Specialis.pdf

This position has a hybrid work schedule of three days in the office and two days working from home.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelors degree and 3 years of demonstrated competency in a related field as may be outlined in the position description.

OR

Masters degree and 2 years of demonstrated competency in a related field as may be outlined in the position description.

Necessary Special Qualifications for Senior Technical Specialist

Some positions in these classifications may have additional requirements such as:

• Professional licenses and/or certifications
• Possess and maintain a Class D driver's license valid for use in operating vehicles in the State of Tennessee

Any necessary special qualifications will be denoted in the position description.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies

The required KSACs for TDOT Senior Technical Specialist include:

• Skilled in communicating effectively, while interacting with internal and external stakeholders in a professional and courteous manner
• Skilled in the application of engineering principles
• Skilled in the application of transportation finance principles
• Skilled in the application of state and federal regulations to transportation projects
• Skilled in technical report writing
• Skilled in the development of contract principles and applications
• Skilled in the ability to maintain effective work relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external in a professional and courteous manner
• Skilled in the ability to manage time and prioritize work items to ensure project assignments are completed
• Ability to manage time to ensure assignments are completed
• Ability to use critical thinking to problem solve and make informed decisions
• Ability to follow, provide, and support verbal and written instructions
• Ability to conduct work with precision and a high degree of accuracy
• Ability to work in project teams
• Ability to resolve conflicts, coach, and mentor others, and support a culture of accountability, collaboration, and accomplishment
• Ability to analyze a process and offer actionable feedback for use in improving the effectiveness, quality, and efficiency of the existing process

Conditions of Employment

• Incorporating overtime, weekends, and night shifts into their schedules as work schedules dictate
• Extended durations outdoors in extreme weather conditions
• Working in and around construction and vehicular traffic
• Walking on uneven terrain
• Climbing ladders and construction scaffolding
• Carrying equipment and samples in excess of 25 pounds
• Driving long distances as required to perform daily duties
• Performing work in which personal protective equipment will be required to be worn
• Sitting for extended periods while driving or working on computers
• Standing for extended periods while working outdoors or in a laboratory setting

Overview

The Production Support Senior Technical Specialist will work independently and in a team setting, providing support and expertise to the Production Support Section. This position will assist the Production Support Section with implementing statewide work plans, meeting the Section's strategic vision, and assuring compliance with Federal and State laws and requirements pertaining to Traffic Design. The Production Support Senior Technical Specialist will be involved with overseeing Quality Assurance and Quality Control on the Traffic Design programs and implementation of best practices at HQ and in the Regions. This position will also assist the Production Support Manager and Program Team Lead with the planning and implementation of the Production Support Section performance metrics and plans, schedules, and budgets, development of various technical reports, and assurance of continuity and consistency statewide.

The Production Support Senior Technical Specialist requires collaboration with TDOT Divisions, Project Teams, consultants, contractors, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and external stakeholders. This position must effectively articulate technical concepts through training, mentoring, and collaborating as part of a matrix organization. The Senior Technical Specialist will support the accessibility of all Production Support Section deliverables, ensuring that relevant documentation and data are collected and stored to facilitate timely and accurate invoicing, efficient decision-making, and effective project close-outs. This position requires critical thinking skills for problem-solving and making informed decisions that enhance the safety, reliability, performance, sustainability, and efficiency of the Department's transportation system.

Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coordinate resources and assist the Production Support Manager and Program Team Lead as the Production Support Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the management of external partners together with the Professional Services Division, including the negotiation of contracts, review of consultant invoicing, development of scopes, management of contract tasks, compliance monitoring, and completion of consultant grading. Take ownership of change, clarify the vision of TDOT Production Support Section's Program goals and metrics, communicate effectively, remain transparent, and hold yourself accountable to develop, maintain, and enhance TDOT's traffic design production and public service standards.

Coordinate with the Program Team Lead to assist the TDOT Technical Training Director in the development and delivery of Traffic Design Production Support and Program training and technical guidance that addresses acquired knowledge, risk management, technical design elements, workflow, and emerging technologies related to transportation to improve team performance, creating a stronger understanding of the transportation industry, inspiring new ideas, and developing skills. Provide mentoring to TDOT staff, consultants, and local agencies with respect to the Production Support Section initiatives. Prepare detailed reports and presentations on Production Support performance, project and financial progress within Traffic-specific programs, serve as a liaison between Program Operations and Project Management for program funding, and technical challenges for leadership and stakeholders. Administer and manage TDOT Production Support Section's database program, software, and assist with website updates.

Provide input with the development of a Consultant Acquisition Plan (CAP) and the oversight of external partners by serving as a resource on selection committees for professional production support and program services as part of the Brooks Act, including assisting with Request for Proposals (RFP) development, attending project-specific marketing meetings, assisting with determining scoring criteria, and information sessions, when applicable, serving as a scorer as part of the consultant acquisition process, and attending de-briefs for consultants where usable feedback must be provided.

Serve as a resource on Project Teams, as part of a matrix organization, in developing the project vision for those projects having the highest complexity; help define Production Support-related critical goals and intended outcomes for the scope, schedule, budget, and quality in coordination with the Project Manager. Support Traffic Design staff by assisting with writing the Production Support and Program Scope of Work in collaboration with other Traffic Design Division Teams, TDOT Roadway, Operations, Maintenance, and Construction. Assist with ensuring that Production Support and Program cost estimates data is accurate and current, proactively assess risk factors, and for Project Teams associated with Alternative Delivery Contracts, forecast the cause and effect of implementing Alternative Technical Concepts (ATCs) related to RFP's, project programming cost, and construction timing.

Provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers by exercising effective listening skills, providing prompt responses, maintaining complete and accurate documentation, and communicating effectively. Ensure successful strategic partnerships with FHWA and local agencies to implement TDOT's statewide vision.

Assist in ensuring TDOT Production Support deliverables are aligned with TDOT's Quality Management procedures to produce consistently high levels of quality and achievement, mitigate risk to the Department, and establish a track record of success. Integrate all deliverables into the Production Support Section's tracking mechanism to provide project continuity and efficient workflows for internal project stakeholders. Evaluate and approve materials and products for inclusion in the Quality Product List (QPL) to ensure compliance with TDOT standards, enhance traffic design quality, and support the consistent use of reliable and effective materials across statewide projects.

Assist the Production Support Manager, Program Team Lead, and other units within Traffic Design and Operations with developing and implementing revisions of statutes, specifications, standards, policies, procedures, and guidelines related to Traffic Design Production Support needs. Apply multi-modal context-sensitive traffic design production support strategies. May assist other units within TDOT to mitigate program planning, design, constructability, and maintenance concerns as part of the Functional Design Plans development per the Project Delivery Network (PDN); proactively assess risk factors; oversight and review of the Traffic Management Plans (TMPs). Perform investigations and research of Traffic Design Production and Program components. Conduct and/or review complex technical studies/analyses to identify communications needs, opportunities, priorities, and appropriate remedies. Drive innovation to generate safer transportation facilities through technologies and methodologies that enhance traffic design production capabilities. Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve quality. Assist with reviewing department guidelines and project deployments ensuring the integration of statutory and regulatory requirements into all Production Support elements and tasks.

Serve as the primary liaison between Production Support, Program teams, and regional offices to ensure effective communication and coordination. Collaborate with stakeholders to gather requirements, address challenges, and implement tailored solutions for traffic design production projects. Oversee the integration of production support systems with departmental standards, ensuring compatibility and data integrity. Incorporate stakeholder feedback into project workflows that improve safety and travel reliability. Assist in developing and maintaining stakeholder-driven, multi-jurisdictional plans to improve traffic design production concepts. Establish risk mitigation protocols to ensure network system resilience and reliability.

Remain current on national best practices related to TDOT Production Support and Program guidelines, current Safety Manual and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), FHWA, local and state officials, Intelligent Transportation Society (ITS) America, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), and other applicable Department standards and procedures. Evaluate and implement innovative production support program planning design trends, including alternative project program delivery methodologies, advancements with connected and automated vehicles, managed and choice lanes, complete streets, mobility-as-a-service (MaaS), mobility-on-demand (MOD), artificial intelligence, and drone technology as potential applications for Traffic Design Production Support and Program safety needs.