Transportation Planner

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and Selective Requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.

Make an Impact Where Water Meets the Road

Are you detail-oriented, organized, and skilled at navigating complex regulations? The Iowa DOT is looking for a Transportation Planner 1 (TP1) to join our Water Resources Section within the Location and Environment Bureau (LEB). In this role, you’ll play a key part in ensuring that transportation projects meet all applicable environmental and water-related regulatory requirements.

This isn’t just a desk job—you’ll split your time between the office and the field. Whether your reviewing plans, writing permit applications, or conducting on‑site assessments, your work will help ensure projects stay compliant with environmental regulations – while keeping schedules on track and budgets in check.

• Ensure compliance – Interpret and apply federal and state water resource regulations (e.g., Clean Water Act Sections 401/404) to transportation projects.
• Analyze and advise – Use desktop and field data to support “no net loss” of aquatic resources during transportation project delivery.
• Collaborate across disciplines – Work with engineers, planners, and environmental experts to align infrastructure with environmental goals.
• Navigate regulations – Support permitting, documentation, and compliance with state and federal water resource laws.

• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Initiative and motivation.
• A passion for public service.

• Experience with NEPA or the Clean Water Act (401/404).
• Familiarity with GIS and/or CAD.
• Experience with field data collection methods and GPS equipment.
• Relevant experience with environmental permitting.

Iowa Department of Transportation’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation. To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five CORE values:
Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.

Location
:
Ames – 50010 – Story County

Shift Requirements
: 40 hours, M-F, with flexible schedule options and telework arrangements available. Some travel and overnight stays are required.

• 762 – Water Resources

• Valid Driver’s license

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment, and costs can be reviewed here.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to learn more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa – Apply today!

The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal‑opportunity employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity Officer at: aa-eeo.

Reasonable accommodation, such as an interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment/devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

The State of Iowa participates in E‑Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required…