PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TECHNICAL SPECIALIST - 03032026-75569

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This position is in the Professional Services Division - Consultant and Contract Services - Consultant Services Section.

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tdot.tn.gov/PublicDocuments/hr/Professional-Services-Division-Consultant-and-Contract-Services-Section-Professional-Services-Te.pdf

This position has a hybrid work schedule of three days in the office and two days working from home.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

TDOT Technical Specialist I

Bachelor's Degree in a related field of study as may be outlined in the position description

TDOT Technical Specialist II

Bachelor's Degree and 1 year of demonstrated competency in a related field as may be outlined in the position description

TDOT Technical Specialist III

Bachelor's Degree and 2 years of demonstrated competency in a related field as may be outlined in the position description

The Tennessee Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position based on the applicant's work experience, education, skill level, and all other appropriate factors, including business needs. Within 6 months of hire, employees must demonstrate successful mastery of corresponding work competencies and skill blocks of the Technical Specialist Competency Program for the level of worker for which they were hired. If skills and competencies are not met during that period, the employee can be demoted to the level of worker for which he/she is qualified.

Necessary Special Qualifications for TDOT Technical Specialist I, II, III

Some positions in these classifications may have additional requirements such as:

• Professional licenses and/or certifications
• Possess and maintain a Class D driver's license valid for use in operating vehicles in the State of Tennessee

Any necessary special qualifications will be denoted in the position description.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies

The required KSACs for TDOT Technical Specialist I, II and III include:

• Knowledge of transportation engineering principles
• Knowledge of transportation finance principles
• Knowledge of contract development principles and applications
• Knowledge of technical report writing
• Ability to communicate effectively, while interacting with internal and external stakeholders in a professional and courteous manner
• Ability to manage time to ensure assignments are completed
• Ability to use critical thinking to problem solve and make informed decisions
• Ability to learn technical concepts and apply those concepts to the position responsibilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to conduct work with precision and a high degree of accuracy
• Ability to read and interpret project plans

Additional KSACs for TDOT Technical Specialist II and III include:

• Skilled in the application of engineering principles
• Skilled in the application of transportation finance principles
• Skilled in the application of state and federal regulations to transportation projects
• Skilled in technical report writing
• Skilled in the development of contract principles and applications
• Ability to work in project teams
• Ability to maintain effective work relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
• Ability to manage time and prioritize work items to ensure project assignments are completed

Additional KSACs for the TDOT Technical Specialist III include:

• Ability to resolve conflicts, coach, and mentor others, and support a culture of accountability, collaboration, and accomplishment
• Ability to analyze a process and offer actionable feedback for use in improving the effectiveness, quality, and efficiency of the existing process

Conditions of Employment

• Incorporating overtime, weekends, and night shifts into their schedules as work schedules dictate
• Extended durations outdoors in extreme weather conditions
• Working in and around construction and vehicular traffic
• Walking on uneven terrain
• Climbing ladders and construction scaffolding
• Carrying equipment and samples in excess of 25 pounds
• Driving long distances as required to perform daily duties
• Performing work in which personal protective equipment will be required to be worn
• Sitting for extended periods while driving or working on computers
• Standing for extended periods while working outdoors or in a laboratory setting

Overview

The Professional Services Technical Specialist will support Contract Managers through consultant prequalification, invoicing, and performance evaluation activities. This position will assist with safeguarding the consistent and effective statewide administration of rules and procedures related to consultant and contract services.

This position is responsible for collaborating with internal stakeholders, including TDOT Finance, TDOT Legal, Regions, and TDOT Divisions, as part of a matrix organization to accomplish the consultant and contract services required to successfully deliver the Department's Work Program. This position must effectively articulate consultant and contract services concepts through training, mentoring, and collaborating as part of a matrix organization.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Duties of TDOT Technical Specialist I, II, and III include:

Assist with evaluating consultant prequalification applications, renewals, and modifications for completeness and provide detailed direction to consultants when additional information is required for determining if the minimum work type prequalification requirements have been met.

Assist with updates to the prequalification consultant database, including coordination with ROW prequalified consultants.

Provide exceptional customer service to both internal and external customers, exercising effective listening skills, providing prompt responses, maintaining complete and accurate documentation, and communicating effectively. Foster professional relationships with the Divisions and the Regions to promote accountability and consistency, further partnering relationships, and minimize impacts to program stability.

Assist with coordinating consultant invoices with Contract Managers to ensure invoices are formatted consistently, reviewed within the timeframe allotted to meet the Section's performance metrics, and coordinated for any concerns or questions. Create a transmittal document for TDOT Finance to indicate that an invoice has been reviewed and is approved for payment.

Ensure all deliverables are accomplished in alignment with the Consultant and Contract Services Quality Management Program for the purpose of reducing errors, ensuring consistently high levels of quality and achievement, mitigating risk to the Department, and establishing a track record of success.

Integrate all deliverables into the Consultant and Contract Services Section's applicable tracking mechanism that ensures all applicable workflow items are addressed within the performance metrics established for the Consultant and Contract Service's Section. Assist with implementing records retention policies in compliance with the Records Disposition Authorization (RDA) requirements.

Remain current on applicable federal and state laws pertinent to Consultant and Contract Services, TDOT performance measures, and Records Disposition Authorization (RDA) requirements.

Additional Job Duties for the TDOT Technical Specialist II and III include:

Assist in coordinating with TDOT Finance regarding their review of consultant prequalification applications with respect to administrative requirements, including the evaluation of consultant overhead rates.

Assist with generating qualification and renewal letters. Assist with preparing denial letters after coordinating with TDOT Legal and Finance.

Assist with contract closeouts by monitoring contract terms for Professional Services contracts and coordinating the required contract actions.

Assist in completing the contractual modifications associated with consultant mergers, acquisitions, and name changes. Determine the list of active contracts to be impacted by the merger in preparation of Assignment Agreements, including verification that consultant firms have transferred all professional licensure, professional liability insurance, registration requirements for interim/projected rates and provided signatures, effective dates, and all formal documentation.

Assist with consultant performance evaluations to ensure that both the consultant and TDOT contract managers are aware of the expectations and work performance standards associated with each consultant. Ensure those provisions established for consultant performance evaluations are being carried out, including mandatory feedback to consultants by the contract managers, monitoring consultant grades to determine if thresholds have been reached for which a firm would be placed on suspension from pursuing TDOT projects, implementing requirements for consultants to be re-instated, managing the process for use by consultants wanting to refute scores, and terminating contracts with consultants who are performing below the pre-established threshold.

Additional Job Duties for the TDOT Technical Specialist III include:

Assist in coordinating with the TDOT Technical Training Director and assist in the development and delivery of training and guidance that addresses prequalification requirements, consultant invoicing, performance evaluations, acquired knowledge, roles and responsibilities of evaluators, and emerging technologies for the purpose of improving team performance, creating a stronger understanding of the consultant and contract services processes, inspiring new ideas, and developing skills. Provide mentoring to TDOT staff, consultants, and local agencies with respect to consultant and contract services.