Transportation Planner 2

Transportation Planner 2

Salary

$66,830.40 - $103,500.80 Annually

Location

Ames - 50010 - Story County, IA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

26-03433

Agency

645 Iowa Department of Transportation

Opening Date

06/19/2026

Closing Date

7/5/2026 11:59 PM Central

LinkedIn Tag

#LI-POST

Point of Contact

Garrett Pedersen, Garrett.Pedersen@Iowadot.us

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), Systems Planning Bureau, is seeking a Transportation Planner 2 who will serve on the Traffic Modeling, Forecasting, and Telemetrics Team. You will also provide critical transportation planning technical support to Iowa's local agencies, including the nine metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and perform a variety of long-range transportation planning activities for the Iowa DOT.

The Iowa Department of Transportation's Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation. To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation's five core values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.

Location: Ames, Iowa

Shift: Days, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm with flextime and telework available. Occasional travel; overnights are not regularly required.

This position will play a critical role in strengthening and improving the department's GIS-based travel demand modeling and traffic forecasting processes. Responsibilities include performing long-range planning activities for highways, including capacity analyses, asset management system integration, condition analyses, Census data analysis, etc. Other responsibilities include representing the department and making presentations to MPO Technical committees and policy boards.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Investigates and uses a wide range of software programs, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and other transportation planning-related software
• Analyzes and interprets various types of transportation planning data (e.g., Census, Survey, Inventory, Highway Performance and Monitoring System, Pavement, Traffic Count) for forecasting, travel analysis, and long-range transportation plan development
• Prepares background research and gathers information to support travel demand modeling, traffic forecasting, project analysis, interchange justification, and long-range plan development
• Provides professional written and verbal communication to coworkers, internal and external customers for traffic forecasting, travel analysis, travel demand modeling, interchange justification, and long-range plan development on a regular basis
• Conduct on-site visits to Iowa's nine metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and 18 Regional Planning Affiliations (RPAs), and other Iowa DOT partners and affiliates

In this position, we are seeking an individual with:

• Strong analytical skills
• Strong technical writing and oral communication skills

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 learn 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!

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

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:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to four years of full-time work in professional transportation planning*/engineering.
• Licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes three years of full-time work as a Transportation Planner 1.
• "Transportation planning" includes preparing planning contracts and grants; managing planning grant application submittals and project development; preparing functional classification appeals; developing travel demand models and traffic forecasts; creating cartographic representations and data collection applications; analyzing transportation data, project plans, and reports to identify problems; developing portions of statewide transportation plans; or conducting/coordinating transportation research projects.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Why Choose the State of Iowa?

At the heart of our commitment to excellence is a dedication to our most valuable asset - our employees. Discover the outstanding benefits that set us apart as an employer of choice.

Our Robust Benefits Package Includes:

Competitive Compensation:

Enjoy a competitive salary that reflects directly on your skills and expertise.

Keep in mind, your wage is just one part of your total compensation. Unlock the complete value of your employment with the State of Iowa by using our user-friendly Total Compensation Calculator. Gain insights into your comprehensive annual compensation, including salary and State-provided benefits.

Health and Wellness:

Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that the State of Iowa covers 90% of the premiums, providing you and your loved ones with excellent coverage at a remarkably low cost.

Retirement Planning:

We are proud to offer the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). A defined benefit plan, IPERS benefits are guaranteed for life, meaning once you retire, you will receive the same monthly benefit for the remainder of your life (once vested). We invest in your long-term financial well-being, so you can retire with peace of mind. Click here to learn more about IPERS.

Paid Time Off:

Life is unpredictable, and at the State of Iowa, we understand the importance of work-life balance. Our leave policies, including paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with unlimited accrual, ensure you have the flexibility you need for personal and family matters.

Professional Development:

Elevate your career with continuous learning opportunities. We support your growth through training programs, workshops, and tuition reimbursement.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

We care about your well-being beyond the workplace. Access confidential counseling, resources, and support through our Employee Assistance Program.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces all backgrounds and perspectives. We believe diversity is a strength that drives innovation.

Join Us - Elevate Your Career:

Ready to elevate your career with the State of Iowa? Click here to explore more about our unparalleled benefits and discover what makes us unique. Your success is our priority!

01

Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

• Yes - I understand and agree.
• No

02

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?

• No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
• Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

03

Have you graduated from an accredited college or university with a degree in any field? IF YES - How many years do you have of full-time professional work in transportation planning*/engineering? "Transportation planning" includes preparing planning contracts and grants; managing planning grant application submittals and project development; preparing functional classification appeals; developing travel demand models and traffic forecasts; creating cartographic representations and data collection applications; analyzing transportation data, project plans, and reports to identify problems; developing portions of statewide transportation plans; or conducting/coordinating transportation research projects.

• I have not graduated from an accredited college or university
• Less than four years of full-time professional work in transportation planning*/engineering
• Four years or more of full-time professional work in transportation planning*/engineering

04

Do you possess a licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you a current State of Iowa employee - executive branch? IF YES - How many years of experience do you have in the classifications of Transportation Planner 1 for the State of Iowa?

• I am not a current State of Iowa employee
• I do not have any experience in the classifications of Transportation Planner 1 or Transportation Assistant for the State of Iowa
• Less than three years of experience in the classifications of Transportation Planner 1 or Transportation Assistant for the State of Iowa
• Three years or more of experience in the classifications of Transportation Planner 1 or Transportation Assistant for the State of Iowa

Required Question

Employer State of Iowa

Agency 645 Iowa Department of Transportation Address 800 Lincoln Way

Ames, Iowa, 50010

Website https://iowadot.gov/careers/