FORECASTING TECHNICAL SPECIALIST - 06022026-77971

Job Information

LOCATION OF (2) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

These positions are in the Planning Division - Forecasting and Visualization - Forecasting Section.

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tdot.tn.gov/PublicDocuments/hr/PlanningDivisionForecasting-and-VisualizationSection-ForecastingTechnicalSpecialist.pdf

These positions have 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 Forecasting Technical Specialist supports the development, application, and maintenance of travel demand models and travel forecasting tools that inform project planning, environmental documentation, and transportation system investment decisions across the state. This position works collaboratively with internal TDOT teams and external stakeholders, including Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs), and other local, state, and federal partners, to deliver timely and accurate forecasting data for multimodal planning efforts.

This role is central to ensuring TDOT and its partners are equipped with the technical information needed to analyze current and future travel patterns, manage growth, and make informed, data-driven decisions that contribute to sustainable and resilient transportation networks.

Responsibilities

Assist in the application and maintenance of the Tennessee Statewide Travel Demand Model (TSM), including compiling and organizing socioeconomic and travel behavior data for modeling use.

Support the development of regional and MPO travel demand models, including TN-Town models, and ensure consistency with statewide modeling efforts.

Provide project-level travel forecasting, including current and future traffic volumes, levels of service, capacity analysis, and travel time data, to support environmental documentation and preliminary design phases.

Assist with the preparation of air quality modeling inputs and ensure compliance with federal and state air quality requirements.

Perform data analysis using modeling outputs, GIS tools, and analytics software such as Power BI to support corridor studies, long-range plans, and statewide strategic initiatives.

Support efforts to maintain and update modeling standards, procedures, and documentation, ensuring consistency and transparency in modeling practices statewide and assist with consultant coordination, data requests, and quality assurance for modeling and forecasting deliverables.

Participate in ongoing training and technical development activities, including training sessions for TDOT staff, local partners, and consultants and provide technical support and participate in collaboration with TDOT Regions, MPOs, and other stakeholders on travel forecasting-related questions and processes.

Contribute to the development of data visualizations and maps that communicate travel demand patterns and analysis results to technical and non-technical audiences.

Provide exceptional customer service to both internal and external customers by exercising effective listening skills and providing prompt responses.

Additional Job duties for the Technical Specialist II and III include:

Contribute to maintaining performance records for use in quarterly and annual consultant service evaluations.

Assist with RFP development and the development of consultant scoring criteria, participate in the consultant acquisition process, attend project-specific meetings and assist with project information sessions.

Additional Job Duties for the Technical Specialist III include:

Assist with facilitating the recruitment of future staff and provide incentives to learn and grow in the area of planning by developing and implementing a Work Force Development plan, including training for new hires and methods to promote employee retention.

Assist with utilizing the partnership with the Procurement Division to review the consultant services quarterly and annual performance evaluations to develop overall evaluations and rankings for continuous contracts and to determine qualifications for consultant applications.