RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SECTION CHIEF - (TECHNICAL MANAGER VII)
Springfield, IL, US, 62704
Job Requisition ID: 53818 IPR#25-00929
Closing Date: 03/17/2026
Agency: Department of Transportation
Position Title: Technical Manager VII
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary is $10,000-$12,000 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit: Non-Union
****A RESUME IS REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING****
Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV), a copy of your transcripts or diploma for all degrees earned, and a copy of any applicable professional licensures to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. Please note that the Department of Transportation must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) before any offer can be extended. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMSl00, CMSl00b or any other document in lieu of a Resume or CV.
Why Work for Illinois?
Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home. No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.
Position Overview
This position is accountable for directing the department’s contract and national research programs through development, implementation, and technology transfer efforts to provide the department with effective solutionsto technically complex operational problems. In addition, this position develops and implements confidentiality policies for the research program, as well as policies regarding patents and software generated by research activities. This position oversees a widely accessible, useable, technologically up-to-date Information Resource Center with historical and archival capabilities that meets the information needs of the department, as well as develops and manages the annual budget for procuring department memberships, subscriptions, and technical publications. This position directs knowledge management activities within the department to prevent loss of functional efficiencies and ensures continuous organizational improvement.
Essential Functions
- Directs and administers the activities of the Research and Innovation Section.
- Considers and prioritizes the research needs of all departmental offices within available funding constraints.
- Ensures research projects address the department’s complex operational needs and are effectively implemented, shared, and documented.
- Promotes the use of a taxonomy to guarantee that universally understood terminology is used throughout the department.
- Confirms information and departmental knowledge, current and historical, is uniformly shared and readily available through the Information Resource Center and that diverse informational needs are met.
- Administers succession management program to prevent a loss of institutional knowledge and functional efficiencies.
- Collaborates with the Pavement Programs Section to ensure pavement-related research needs are considered and determines the benefits and potential of in-house versus external pavement-related research.
- Serves as the Secretary for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)-Illinois Center for Transportation (ICT) Executive Committee, develops budgets for the contract research program, and conducts final review of all contract and in-house research reports.
- Responds to requests for information, research, knowledge capture, knowledge management, and succession planning and provides timely and workable solutions to the requesting entity.
- Trains, motivates, and evaluates subordinate personnel to ensure their effectiveness.
- Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules. Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree majoring in business, public administration, public policy, management, project management, library science, or communications PLUS six years of progressively responsible managerial experience in public transportation, public administration, program management, grant administration, policy analysis, community outreach, or a combination thereof; OR fourteen years of experience in public transportation, public administration, program management, grant administration, policy analysis, community outreach, or a combination thereof.
- Three years of supervisory experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Proven ability to lead, direct, and manage staff.
- Experience in managing performance measures and monitoring project task performance.
- Proven ability to identify, plan, adapt, and adjust priorities.
- Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational leadership.
- Effective self-motivational skills.
- Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships between diverse groups of professional and technical personnel.
- Ability to plan and adapt as the needs and funding availability change.
- Working knowledge of intergovernmental relations.
Conditions of Employment
- Valid driver’s license.
- Occasional statewide and out-of-state travel with overnight stays.
- Completion of a background screening.
- Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
- This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
- The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.
About the Agency
The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking to hire a Research and Innovation Section Chief.
The IDOT team works diligently to provide safe, cost-effective transportation for Illinois in ways that enhance quality of life, promote economic prosperity and protect our environment. We are problem solvers and leaders, constantly searching for innovations and improvements in support of our commitment to providing the best multimodal transportation system for Illinois. Our team fosters a culture of inclusivity. We value diversity and hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards as we work together for a common purpose. Team members frequently collaborate with colleagues and others outside the department to best meet customer needs.
The department offers extensive training and career advancement opportunities. Employees also receive a robust benefit package including:
- Monday-Friday work schedule
- Flexible work schedules in several program areas (flexible time, hybrid scheduling)
- Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
- Pension Plan
- (12) Weeks paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
- Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually
- New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually
- Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually
- (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources
We invite qualified applicants to apply to become part of our team. We are confident that you will take pride in serving Illinois and its residents and visitors.
Work Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday - Friday
Work Location: 126 E Ash St, Springfield, Illinois, 62704
Work Office: Office of Planning and Programming, Bureau of Research
Agency Contact: DOT.CONTACTHR@ILLINOIS.GOV
Posting Group: Transportation; Leadership & Management; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this
position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State
employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior
to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector
General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.
If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid
Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.
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Nearest Major Market: Springfield