Assistant Director Transportation

Assistant Director, Transportation Services

Purpose

Under the direction of the Transportation Senior Director, this is a highly responsible position consisting of managerial, administrative, and professional engineering work. This position is responsible for overseeing programs within the Transportation Department including Transportation Capital Improvement Projects management, Private Development Review, right-of-way work permitting, construction inspections, traffic improvement/safety projects, special event traffic management, and GIS.

Are you ready to shape the future of Savannah’s transportation infrastructure? The Assistant Senior Director of Transportation plays a pivotal role in leading and managing the city’s dynamic transportation programs, from capital improvement projects and traffic safety initiatives to private development reviews and special event traffic management. This position combines strategic leadership, technical expertise, and community engagement, providing the opportunity to oversee high-impact projects, guide talented staff, and ensure Savannah’s streets and transit systems are safe, efficient, and forward-looking. If you thrive on solving complex challenges, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, and making a tangible difference in a growing city, this role is your chance to drive meaningful change and help Savannah move smarter, safer, and stronger.

Essential Job Functions

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals; recruits, appoints, and trains staff.
• Coordinates, assigns, and reviews work and establishes work schedules; maintains standards; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work assignments; answers questions; gives advice and direction as needed.
• Functions as the Department Head in her/his absence. 
• Oversees work programs including Transportation Capital Improvement Projects, Private Development Review, right-of-way work permitting, construction inspections, traffic improvement/safety projects, special event traffic management, and GIS.
• Responds to petitions and open record requests.
• Reviews and approves plans and specifications for capital improvement and private development projects.
• Administers and manages construction; conducts pre-proposal and pre-construction meetings.
• Reviews and approves consultants and contractors' progress payments, final payments, and close-out documents.
• Updates and maintains the computerized project management tracking system.
• Provides guidance and technical assistance to developers, engineers, architects, contractors, citizens, and staff; identifies and solves problems.
• Assists in preparing and managing the budget for the department and assigned work programs.
• Identifies and implements process efficiency measures and customer service improvements.  
• Establishes short and long-term goals and priorities for the assigned work programs.  Analyzes performance; develops workload management strategies.
• Prepares technical reports, cost estimates, specifications, and construction details.
• Prepares consultant requests for proposals, department standard operating procedures, and policies.
• Prepares and presents department reports to the community, executive management, and City officials.
• Arranges, conducts, and participates in meetings with contractors and local and state agencies; evaluates consultant proposals.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, with six or more years of traffic engineering management experience, including personnel management and administration experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Requires a Georgia Professional Engineer’s license. 

Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.

Additional Requirements: 
Background investigation, including supervised drug screen, post offer/pre-employment medical screen, and verification of education, certifications, and licenses required prior to employment.

Additional Information

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Knowledge of civil engineering and traffic engineering principles and standard practices.

Knowledge of city budgetary and purchasing procedures.   

Knowledge of city personnel policy.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal public works operations.   

Knowledge of ADA regulations and guidelines.

Knowledge of computers and other modern office equipment.   

Skill in developing short- and long-range plans.

Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.   

Skill in the training and supervision of personnel.

Skill in the operation of computers and other modern office equipment.   

Skill in public and interpersonal relations.

Skill in oral and written communication.

MINIMUM STANDARDS:

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: Work is performed under the general direction of the Transportation Senior Director. The work is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of department activities.

GUIDELINES: Guidelines include the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices; Georgia Department of Transportation driveway regulations; city standard construction details; City of Savannah CIP manual guidelines; AASHTO Geometric and Roadside Design Guides; and the Americans with Disabilities Act regulations. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application. 

COMPLEXITY: The work consists of varied civil engineering, project administration, and varied management duties. Considerable analytical ability is needed to select, evaluate, and interpret data from several sources; interpretation of guidelines, policies, and procedures is required. Strict regulations and the competing interests of stakeholders contribute to the complexity of the position.

SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to assist in the direction of the operations of the Transportation Department. Successful performance in this position ensures adequate planning and preparation for the management and growth of the City’s transportation infrastructure.

PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically with co-workers, department heads, other city employees, elected and appointed officials, state and federal agency representatives, engineers, consultants, architects, business owners, developers, vendors, and members of the general public.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, motivate personnel, provide services, resolve problems, justify decisions, and negotiate and settle matters.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light objects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed in an office and outdoors, occasionally in cold or inclement weather.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: Supervision is exercised over all department personnel. This position has direct supervision over Transportation Capital Improvement Projects, Private Development Review, traffic improvement/safety projects, and GIS.