What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Transportation position at City of Madison, WI?

Salary : $144,489.28 - $195,061.36 Annually

Location : Madison, WI

Job Type : PERMANENT FULL TIME

Job Number : 2025-00018

Department : Transportation

Opening Date : 01 / 10 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 17 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Central

Comp. Group / Range : 21 / 23

General Description

The City of Madison is seeking a visionary, strategic, collaborative, and empathetic leader to continue our efforts to move the city towards safe, sustainable, and equitable transportation options for all residents. Madison is a leader in providing sustainable and safe transportation choices. Over the past five years, Madison has made significant strides in transportation, launching Bus Rapid Transit and a Vision Zero project, conducting a transit network redesign, implementing Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and Transportation Demand Management (TDM), achieving designation as a Platinum Biking and Gold Walking City, and beginning work on curb management. We seek a leader who will build on and expand this work.

As head of the City of Madison's Department of Transportation, the Director will have a unique opportunity to shape transportation planning, policy and implementation for Madison, a growing mid-size City with a unique and high quality of life. The Department includes the Traffic Engineering Division, the Transit Division and the Parking Division. This work is characterized by considerable independent judgment and discretion in leading, managing, planning, coordinating and implementing diverse programs. Work is performed under the general direction of the Mayor, and within public policy parameters.

Employment will be subject to a five (5) year employment contract negotiated by the Mayor and approved by the Common Council and a term of the contract requires residency in the City of Madison.

IMPORTANT : THERE ARE TWO (2) SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY QUESTIONS ON THE JOB POSTING.

YOU MUST ATTACH YOUR ANSWERS IN THE ATTACHMENTS SECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION. YOU MUST ALSO ATTACH A COVER LETTER AND RESUME.

To view the questions, click on the supplemental question tab OR view the bottom section of the job bulletin)

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT ATTACHED ESSAY RESPONSES, COVER LETTER AND RESUME WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION.

Our Community

The City of Madison is regularly included in lists of top places to live. A thriving food scene, more than 200 miles of trails for hiking, biking and snowshoeing, excellent healthcare, and of course great transit work together to help meet Madison's vision to be inclusive, innovative, and thriving.

11 Best Places to Live in the Nation -

1 Best Places to Live -

1 Best Cities for Families -

2 ranked among top 30 mid-sized US cities for green commuting -

More Madison rankings and accolades can be found on

Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the

Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn't match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Director of the City's Department of Transportation.

This position leads the City's comprehensive transportation mobility and planning efforts in a way that will ensure that Madison's mobility and transportation systems are "best in class" in safety and sustainably, meeting the diverse needs of the City. This includes :

Supervise the Traffic Engineering, Parking, and Transit Divisions of the Department of Transportation.

Develop and administer the Department's annual budget, work plan and resources in an effective and efficient manner.

Build and maintain an effective team, and develop, mentor, and motivate staff members. Provide professional development opportunities for all staff to successfully innovate and implement best practices to serve the evolving needs of residents. Develop an inclusive, diverse, high performing, service-focused and team-oriented departmental culture.

Establish and monitor annual performance objectives with Division Directors and establish annual objectives for the Department with the Mayor.

Demonstrate commitment and leadership for the City's racial equity and social justice and sustainability initiatives.

Serve on the Mayor's Management Team and related interdepartmental committees. Serve as project manager for special projects at the direction of the Mayor.

Consult with the City Attorney on legal matters.

Lead manager for City's mobility and transportation system planning for all transportation modes.

Lead manager for the City's Cross Agency Transportation team.

Lead preparation of the City's cross agency multi-year work plan for mobility and transportation planning.

Manage policy development and planning for a balanced transportation system.

Work closely with the Department of Planning and Community and Economic Development to coordinate transportation planning with land use planning and economic development.

Use and make recommendations to policymakers for improvements to existing plans to increase the use of sustainable forms of transportation, including walking, biking and transit use in the city and region.

Coordinate the development of a transportation system that is safe, efficient, and sustainable.

Work to eliminate disparities that vulnerable communities and people in protected classes experience in transportation policies, programs and services.

Manage and recommend changes to City transportation policies and regulations.

Seek funding solutions and develop strategies for increased funding sources to support the City's and the region's transportation priorities. Make recommendations on state and federal legislation.

Lead manager for regional, state and federal transportation communication and planning including major state transportation studies.

Represent the City in contacts with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), suburban communities, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Dane County and others.

Develop strategies for increased funding sources to support City and regional transportation needs.

Coordinate transportation planning and promote positive relations with regional, state and federal transportation partners.

Advise and communicate with policymakers about policies, projects and results, and provide comprehensive information to the public.

Lead public decision processes in a manner that clearly presents and openly shares information about alternatives to enable officials to make informed decisions.

Use planning processes to share knowledge, identify and prioritize challenges and opportunities, and work towards and implement solutions.

Make recommendations on transportation studies, plans, and implementation.

Make recommendations regarding the Transportation Improvement Plan to the Transportation Commission.

Provide staff support for the Transportation Commission

Serve as chief administrative officer and executive secretary of the Transportation Commission.

Provide the necessary administrative and staff support services to the Transportation Commission.

Oversee transportation planning studies, plans, projects and related teams.

Serve as project sponsor, project manager or team leader for transportation planning studies and plans.

Serve as project manager for multi-modal projects.

Ensure that the City's transportation planning studies and plans include early consideration of racial equity and transportation needs of different neighborhoods and populations across the City regardless of their ability to participate in the process.

Collect and use data to inform decision-making and to reduce costs where feasible.

Perform related work as required.

The Department of Transportation Director's responsibilities include those in City of Madison General Ordinances regarding the Department of Transportation

Minimum Qualifications

Five (5) years of progressively responsible managerial experience in directing staff and programs for a local governmental unit, primarily engaged in complex urban transportation planning and studies, services, programs and / or implementation. AND

Bachelor's degree in Urban, Regional or Transportation Planning, Traffic or Civil Engineering, Public Administration or a related field.

Master's degree in Urban, Regional or Transportation Planning, Traffic or Civil Engineering, Public Administration or a related field may substitute for two (2) years of the above experience.

Preference for practical and current experience with emerging transportation principles, including but not limited to safe systems approaches, complete streets, carbon reduction strategies, all ages and abilities transportation, transit planning, and active transportation.

If an applicant does not possess the specific requirements outlined above, HR will review the application materials to determine if the applicant possesses the following equivalent experience :

Four (4) years of experience in applying the following :

Principles and practices of urban and regional transportation planning, transportation mobility and systems management, transportation engineering practices, strategic planning, and transit system planning and operations.

Public administration and financial management including Federal, state and local transportation funding sources.

Emerging transportation principles, including but not limited to safe systems approaches, complete streets, carbon reduction strategies, all ages and abilities transportation, transit planning, and active transportation.

Leadership and supervisory principles and practices.

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to work effectively with multicultural communities.

For a complete list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please see the

Special Requirements

Ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.

The employee of this position will be expected to attend frequent meetings including the Common Council, Finance Committee, the Transportation Commission, as well as project specific meetings as required. Such meetings generally take place outside the regular workday during evening hours.

Employment will be subject to a five-year employment contract negotiated by the Mayor and approved by the Common Council and a term of the contract requires residency in the City of Madison. Non-residents will be given time to establish residency if necessary.

Physical Requirements :

Work is mainly sedentary in nature. The employee will be expected to work at a desk frequently using a computer and monitor and review numerous documents in policy manuals and other formats. Work may involve occasional travel to various City facilities in order to attend various meetings, both during and after regular work hours.

The City of Madison offers excellent pay and benefits for employees. City Ordinances, handbooks, and labor contracts provide specifics; the description here is not to be considered a binding statement but offers an informal summary.

Compensation

The City of Madison strives to pay competitive wages. View the current for pay for all classifications.

Benefits

The City offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous leave package, a variety of insurance options, and non-traditional benefits such as optional pet insurance, a bus pass for all employees, and the possibility of flexible work schedules. A brief summary of benefits is listed below and more information can be found on our

Leave

Vacation is earned upon starting employment and can be used immediately. The vacation allotment for a Department / Division Head is negotiable.

Employees earn 3.5 personal days in addition to vacation.

Employees receive eight official paid holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day), as well as 3 paid leave days (the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve).

Employees also earn 13 sick days annually that may accrue to a total of 150 days.

Retirement

The City of Madison participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System through the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.

Insurance

The City of Madison offers a variety of optional insurance programs including :

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Pet Insurance

Life Insurance

Income Continuation Insurance (for short and long-term disability)

Long Term Care Insurance

Other Benefits

The City offers numerous other benefits and programs for employees, including :

457(b) deferred compensation plans

Employee Assistance Program

Bus Pass on Madison Metro

Flexible Work Schedules

Employer-paid Training

I understand a condition of employment for this position requires residency in the City of Madison.

Acknowledged

A resume is required to be attached in the Attachment section of your application, in order for you to be considered further for this position.

My resume is attached in the Attachment section of my application.

A cover letter is required to be attached in the Attachment section of your application, in order for you to be considered further for this position.

My cover letter is attached in the Attachment section of my application.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS AS PART OF YOUR APPLICATION. You can answer the questions using a word processing program and attach as a .docx or .pdf file. You must attach the document in the "Attachments" section of the application or you will not receive further consideration for this position. Your responses will be evaluated on your writing ability including : spelling, grammar and your ability to express your thoughts in a logical fashion. By checking this box, you acknowledge the above and understand that your response is required and failure to attach your essay response will immediately eliminate you from consideration.

AGREED

The City of Madison is seeking a visionary, strategic, collaborative, and empathetic leader to move the city towards safe, sustainable, and equitable transportation. Please explain how your education and experience relate and qualify you for this position. In your response, please highlight experience with sustainable transportation system planning / implementation and public decision-making processes.

My one (1) page essay response is attached in the Attachment section of my application.

This role will need to collaborate and actively engage various stakeholders such as transit dependent populations, community organizations, businesses, and policymakers to find equitable solutions. Describe a time when you successfully managed conflicting stakeholder interests in a complex project.

My one (1) page essay response is attached in the Attachment section of my application.

Required Question

Salary : $144,489 - $195,061

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