Job Description

The Iowa Department of Transportation is looking for a confident, people-focused leader who brings a safety-first approach to managing complex operations. Are you a values-driven leader who is passionate about developing people, ensuring Iowans experience safe and reliable transportation every day, and keeping large-scale operations running smoothly? The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking a Transportation Bureau Chief, serving as the District Maintenance Manager.

To accomplish our Mission, Making Lives Better Through Transportation, this role calls for someone who leads with purpose, models the behaviors that move our organization forward, and demonstrates actions guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception. This leader empowers employees to deliver operational excellence with the highest standards of professionalism and care. If you are energized by leading others, solving complex challenges, and creating meaningful impact across the state, this is an opportunity to do work that truly matters.

Location: Fairfield, Iowa

Shift Requirements: 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Some overnight travel is required. This position is also required to respond to emergency calls and situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

As a District Maintenance Manager, your duties will include, but are not limited to:

Provide Strategic Leadership for a Large, Complex Transportation District
Lead maintenance oversight for 4,028 lane miles, approximately 640 bridges and culverts, and all maintenance operations across 20 counties in Southeast Iowa.

Deliver People-First Leadership & Workforce Excellence
Guide and support a diverse team by driving hiring, workforce planning, coaching, performance management, and a culture grounded in the Iowa DOT’s core values.

Ensure High Quality, Consistent Maintenance Operations
Direct districtwide maintenance activities including roadway and bridge maintenance, snow and ice operations, drainage systems, traffic signing, hazardous materials response, detours, and emergency operations.

Steward Resources & Budget Effectively
Oversee and manage an annual maintenance budget of approximately $15 million to ensure efficient, equitable, and cost-effective service delivery.

Lead Collaboration, Communication & Emergency Readiness
Represent the district with internal and external partners, maintain strong stakeholder relationships, champion continuous improvement, and provide decisive leadership during emergent or high-pressure situations with 24/7 operational readiness.
Special Requirements:

Possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Required to respond to emergency calls and situations twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment and costs can be reviewed 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 now!

Iowa DOT complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the EEO & ADA Officer at 515-689-1009 or via email at[email protected].

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

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 with a degree in any field, and experience equal to six and one-half years of full-time management-level work in finance, human resources, engineering, law, data processing, or program research or evaluation.
2) Ten and one-half years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, data processing, or program research or evaluation.
3) All of the following (a and b): a. Six and one-half years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, 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. Four and one-half years of full-time management-level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, 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 two years of full-time work as a Public Service Manager 1.

For additional information, please click on this Job Class Description - 04251