Project Manager & Senior Project Manager (Transportation)

Posting Type: Open-competitive
Department: Transportation
Hours: Full-time
Location: Western Service Center, Apple Valley
Union: None
Posting Close Date: 4:30 on Monday, March 3, 2025
Full Salary Range: The position level at which the offers are extended is based on the candidate's ability to meet the minimum qualifications and relevant years of experience. *** Project Manager $70,518 - $110,185 *** Senior Project Manager $78,981 - $123,408 ***

What You'll Do
The Dakota County Transportation Department is currently seeking candidates to fill a Project Manager or Senior Project Manager position in the Project Management unit. Project Managers at Dakota County communicate and act as the project spokesperson to internal staff, external stakeholders, partner agencies, and the County Board on issues related to the project including design, right of way, environmental approvals, and public engagement. Incumbent must balance project needs, scope, time, cost, risk, and quality while maintaining a positive project environment to lead and manage diverse customer and stakeholder expectations. Incumbent represents County interests in plans and projects for Trunk Highway, transit and multi-modal planning and operations led by state, regional, and local agencies. Provides general work direction, assists in project planning, budget preparation, work plan development, and project monitoring throughout the entire project lifecycle.

Who We Are
Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More" and we strive every day to achieve excellence public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Current Dakota County employees are eligible for a $500 referral bonus for this position. To be considered employees must submit the referral form prior to the close date of the posting. Staff can find the referral form online and under policy 3101.

The minimum qualifications listed below are written at the Project Manager level. You must meet these minimum requirements in order to continue in the recruitment and selection process.

* Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Planning or a closely related field AND One year of Transportation project work experience.
OR
* An equivalent combination of education and experience to total 5 years. Experience should be directly related to transportation project management.
AND
* Possession of a Valid Driver's License.

PREFERRED EDUCATION BEYOND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
* Direct work experience related to: project management, multi-modal, planning, or design.
* An advanced degree in related fields is desirable.

Minimum qualifications and duties vary based on position level; the full descriptions and salary ranges for each position are listed under the links below. Responses to the supplemental questions and a complete application will assist the department in accurately rating, selecting, and hiring candidates. It will be at the discretion of the Project Management Supervisor at which level the position is filled.

Click here to view the Project Manager position description.
Click here to view the Senior Project Manager position description.

The duties and responsibilities listed below are for the Project Manager position in both units. These do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. To see the Senior Project Manager duties and responsibilities view the position description linked above.

1. Represents the County during the study phase, preliminary design or final design process for construction projects by reviewing proposed layouts, plans and specifications.
2. Manage consultant design progress and professional service expenditures and regularly reviews design elements and budget compliance.
3. Coordinate internal review of studies and plans by transportation functional areas, collate review comments and participate in the value engineering, cost estimating and cost adjustment process.
4. Negotiates and in timely manner processes requests for change orders or contract amendments for professional design services.
5. Coordinates with local, regional, State, and Federal agencies and utility companies to obtain required approvals, permits, and agreements.
6. Facilitate environmental studies and documentation in accordance with accepted NEPA and MEQB procedures and practices.
7. Communicates current project information to internal Transportation staff and to external stakeholders through a variety of forums. Conduct regular project meetings with Project teams.
8. Coordinate and lead Public Involvement Program for the project. Act as County spokesperson on design and right of way issues.
9. Participates in professional service contract selection process and coordinates the preparation and execution of contracts.
10. Coordinates the County's efforts in obtaining State/Federal funding for the project and provides status reports to administering authority on regular basis.

Essential Functions: 1-10

* Knowledge of transportation and engineering principles and practices and their application in the public sector.
* Knowledge of Federal and State highway preliminary design and final design standards, rules, and environmental regulations and specifications.
* Ability to analyze and interpret construction plans and specifications.
* Ability to communicate and present ideas orally and in writing.
* Ability to coordinate and address multiple priorities and issues.
* Effective interpersonal skills with emphasis on communication of ideas and technical information to all levels of organization verbally and in writing.
* Proven ability to complete projects under budget and within schedule.
* Strong problem solving skills.
* Considerable knowledge of multi-modal transportation elements including best practices for improving mobility and safety for all modes including bicycling, walking, driving, and transit.
* Experience in preparation of written, visual, and graphic materials, and the presentation of materials to public groups, committees and general public.
* Direct experience in effectively leading discussions and facilitating meetings.
* Ability to lead and manage multiple tasks and priorities of varying complexity ranging from preparing agendas, creating materials for formal resolutions and/or board actions, and organizing meetings to manage daily elements of project grants or contracts with consultant and other governmental entities.
* Strong knowledge of computer programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and a general understanding of land use mapping and transportation modeling programs.

Work Environment
Work is performed in a County office building. Some travel is required. Lifting requirement of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Occasional outside work below 0F and above 100F. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, laptop, printer, calculator, telephone, and copy machines.

Location & Schedule
This is a hybrid position that offers a mix of telework and in-person work at our Western Service Center in Apple Valley, MN. Work is performed Monday through Friday during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct background and reference checks before hiring