Trails Division Project Coordinator (Non-Engineer)

Job Description

The new Trails Division of the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is looking for a Trails Division Project Coordinator (Engineering Associate Manager I) who is passionate about active transportation and paved trails, and is self-motivated, collaborative, and organized.

The UDOT Trails Division is responsible for envisioning and constructing the Utah Trail Network (UTN), a network of premiere regional paved trails across the state of Utah to connect people to their destinations.

The person in this role will work with the Trails Division Program Manager, UDOT Regions, and various Consultant teams to prioritize and select trail projects to be a part of the UTN and move them through UDOT’s Concepting and Programming processes, ultimately seeing facilities through construction.

Seamless collaboration with the UDOT Regions and all stakeholders to deliver these projects will be critical to the success of the UTN program.

The UDOT Trails Division

Utah is one of the fastest growing states in the country for very good reason; there are unparalleled outdoor recreation opportunities, great job opportunities and vibrant communities.

In 2023 the Utah legislature allocated $45 million in one time funding and $45 million on-going funding to UDOT to build paved trails to support Utah’s growth and provide more transportation options.

The UDOT Trails Division was created to oversee the new funding and be responsible for building and operating the UTN. Since this is a new division there will be many exciting opportunities to imagine and create the best processes possible to deliver the UTN efficiently and effectively.

The Organization

UDOT operates across the entire state of Utah planning for, constructing, and maintaining state facilities while also helping to support countless local projects through funding mechanisms available at the state level.

Additionally, now more than ever, UDOT is in the business of planning and building for those on foot, wheels, or transit.

Utah’s Transportation Vision, or UVision, is the statewide strategic plan for transportation centered on the four pillars of Good Health, Strong Economy, Better Mobility, and Connected Communities.

UDOT is an important and trusted resource in statewide multi-modal transportation decision-making.

Principal Duties

The Trails Division Project Coordinator will be responsible for :

Assisting in screening potential future projects through UDOT’s TIF Active Capacity Model in order to prioritize and recommend work for upcoming programming efforts.

Using GIS software, google sheets, excel, and other applicable programs, to perform general data analysis tasks to support program development.

Preparing concept level Scope and Estimate Reports to support UTN project selection, and provide helpful background information to Region project management staff.

Assisting other Trails Division staff in acting as a liaison between UDOT and local communities / agencies that are actively involved in the development of the UTN.

This will include building and maintaining trusted relationships with UDOT divisions and external stakeholders.

Being familiar with other active transportation programs within UDOT (TIF Active, Transportation Alternatives Program, etc.

and helping to collaborate the efforts within these programs with those of the UTN.

Collaborating with partnering agencies in the active transportation space while working with, and improving, spatial data information and mapping tools.

These agencies include Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO’s), Association of Governments (AOG’s), Transit Authorities, and other similar organizations.

Helping to track and coordinate upcoming grant opportunities that could be leveraged to progress the goals of the UTN, and extend the spending power of the Trails Division.

Creating and managing a variety of consultant contracts.

Participating in asset management related activities and tasks.

Working with the other Trails Division staff to create a Statewide UTN Strategic Vision and Phase One plan.

Helping to stand up the new Trails Division and the UTN program by being actively engaged in ideation and creative problem solving as the Division grows.

Participating in site visits to existing and proposed trail networks either on bike or on foot.

Other Duties

As part of their duties, the Trails Division Project Coordinator will need to :

Develop effective working relationships with management, fellow employees, and interagency staff.

Meet deadlines.

Work independently and as part of a team.

Be self-motivated, proactive, and assertive.

Maintain professionalism, integrity, and a public-service attitude.

Qualifications :

• Have a Bachelor's degree, or higher, in urban planning, public administration, or related field (or equivalent experience - a combination of education and experience is also acceptable)
• Have at least six years of directly related experience.

Required Skills

The successful candidate for this position will possess the following skills :

Demonstrates an advanced level of experience using GIS software, being able to comfortably use these programs to complete a variety of tasks.

Analyze and filter large datasets.

Be able to effectively communicate to various stakeholders verbally or in writing.

Ability to create engaging and helpful graphics that can be used to convey project or program related information.

Be detail oriented.

Comfortable with effectively tracking and summarizing information in ways that are reliable / repeatable.

Preferences :

Preference may be given to applicants that meet the following criteria

Familiarity with active transportation concepts.

Have a Master’s Degree in a related field.

Supplemental Information

Here is some information you should be aware of :

There is only one position available, but there are two job postings to allow both engineers and non-engineers to apply.

You do not need to apply for both, but please make sure you apply for the correct one, based on if you are an engineer or not, as we can't transfer applications from one recruitment to another.

• Limited travel will be required.
• While normal working conditions are listed below, on occasion you will need to walk or bike along paved paths. You will need to be able to walk or bike for a few hours at a time.
• Working Conditions - Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.

g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.

Physical Requirements - Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking;

standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.

Employee may be reassigned to a different location as deemed necessary by the Region Director / Group Leader.

Why Should You Join Our Team?

The work we do matters. If you want to make a positive difference doing meaningful work, this is the right place for you.

Our mission statement is, Enhance quality of life through transportation. We define quality of life through a framework of Good Health, Connected Communities, Better Mobility, and Strong Economy.

We help the State of Utah and its traveling public to get to where they want, when they want, in the way they want and we make sure they can do it safely.

You will become part of a team with an internal culture of Trust, Teamwork, and Flexibility. Our organization lives by the values of Respect, Integrity, and Caring.

If these are your values too, you'll be a great fit.

Aside from working for a cause-driven, cutting edge agency that is leading all other transportation departments in the nation, you will receive great health and retirement benefits.

Working for the State of Utah provides a positive work-life balance. Click HERE to view a summary of the benefits we offer.

The Agency

UDOT is a strengths-based organization, which means its approach is based on identifying and developing individual and organizational strengths.

Our philosophy is to address challenges by bringing our strengths to each situation and create the best solutions. Candidates are encouraged to be familiar with their strengths and consider how they may potentially be of benefit to the roles for which they are applying.

UDOT uses the CliftonStrengths Assessment, but there are multiple strengths assessment tools available online, and no formal assessment is required.

For more information on the Utah Department of Transportation please click here.