We are looking for a highly motivated, decisive leader to serve as the Deputy Director of our Maritime Division

Reporting directly to the Director of the Maritime Division, you will be the operational engine of our leadership team. You will have direct authority over a diverse and critical portfolio: from day to day operational oversite of the ferry system at Galveston and Port Aransas and terminal operations to multi-million-dollar grant management and emergency response readiness. This role isn't for micro-managers; it’s for a self-driven executive ready to forge powerful alliances with federal entities, private stakeholders, and the US Coast Guard to elevate our maritime infrastructure.

At TxDOT, people are our greatest asset and most valuable resource. With a diverse workforce of more than 13,000 employees across the state, we are committed to building a culture centered on collaboration, strong relationships, exceptional customer service, and meaningful partnerships. If you want to build an exciting career with us let us talk.

This position is based at our state-of-the-art headquarters in South Austin on Stassney Lane.

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans

• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules

• Paid Leave and Holidays

• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees

• On-the-Job Training

• Tuition Assistance Program

• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives

• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities

• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our Total Compensation Package website

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Serves as the Deputy Director of the Maritime Division, reporting directly to the Director of the Maritime Division. Serves as a
part of the Maritime Division’s leadership team by directing and managing the Maritime Division’s daily operations to include
vessel operations, personnel management, vessel maintenance, terminal operations, regulatory compliance with the United State
Coast Guard, grant and funding management and emergency response readiness. Develops and implements policies, programs, and
strategies consistent with Federal and State law and directives issued by the Commission. Plans, assigns, and supervises the work
of others. Work requires extensive contact with high-level executives, governmental officials and private entities, internal
agency audiences, and the public. Employees at this level are virtually self-supervising and assume direct responsibility for the
work product.

Essential Duties:

• Reviews, develops, and implements ferry operating procedures and emergency management planning and protocols.
• Plans, directs, and manages employees’ activities and monitors and evaluates employee performance.
• Develops and implements professional development pathways for personnel.
• Oversees and directs the development of strategic short to long-range reports and plans for waterway, seaport and ferry
  operations.
• Oversees the implementation of software, performance metrics, and reports that support efficient and safe ferry service
  delivery.
• Coordinates and integrates maritime programs across divisions, districts, and external partners to guarantee consistent
  delivery of maritime priorities.
• Oversees the development, coordination and monitoring of capital and operating budgets and grant funding.
• Develops staffing and funding recommendations for ferry operations, to include monitoring the Maritime Division’s budget
  as related to ferry operations.
• Directs planning, development, implementation and evaluation of policies and procedures for Department activities;
  monitors compliance; initiates adjustments as needed.
• Reviews proposed legislation and directs the implementation of legislation affecting ferry operations and maritime
  activities.
• Directs the operations of the Department’s ferry systems and establishing high performance standards, operational
  benchmarks, and long-term improvement strategies.
• Develops and implements vessel life cycle management systems including condition assessment, dry-docking, scheduling, and
  replacement planning.
• Oversees the development of contracts and agreements for vessel construction, vessel retrofitting, dry-docking, repairs,
  fuel supply, infrastructure construction and related ferry operations services.
• Oversees the coordination of emergency response and continuity of operations planning for ferry service during
  hurricanes, severe weather, and other disruptions.
• Oversees compliance with the United States Coast Guard, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Highway Administration
  and other federal and state regulations applicable to inspected vehicle and passenger vessels, including Certificates of
• Inspection and vessel security plans
• Oversees credentialing and training requirements for ferry operations personnel consistent with United States Coast Guard
  and Department standards.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in related discipline (Marine Transportation, Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Engineering). Relevant work experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Experience:

• 5 years of marine transportation, maritime transit management, vessel operations planning, or related experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent) Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis.
• Must have three (3) years managerial/supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

Mandatory: Safety Impact Certificate

Competencies:

Extensive knowledge of

• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations relevant to program areas and of the principles and practices of public
  administration and management
• Maintenance concepts, methods, policies and requirements
• Methods, procedures, equipment, and materials used in intermodal transportation and ferry engineering construction and
  maintenance work
• Maritime operations, ferry operations, and United States Coast Guard regulatory frameworks applicable to inspected
  passenger vessels
• Developing, implementing, and monitoring budgets and resources

Considerable knowledge of

• Communication strategies, policies and methods
• Contract development and oversight
• Applicable laws, rules, and regulations
• Legislative process

Expert skill in

• Establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall business strategy/results; anticipating and
  adjusting for problems/roadblocks
• Directing and establishing objectives; clarifying roles and responsibilities through individual performance plans;
  monitoring and measuring performance against goals; evaluating results and making necessary adjustments to meet deadlines
• Persuasion, negotiation, and communication of critical issues
  Interpreting and analyzing legislation, rules, and regulations

Proficient skill in

• Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
• Administering applicable programs
• Directing the development and implementation of policy and operating procedures
• Analyzing, organizing, and communicating business and technical data
• Communicating complex ideas and information clearly, concisely, and effectively
• Developing and giving presentations
• Board and disembark vessels at fixed piers, ascend and descend vessel stairs under varying weather and tide conditions
  during inspections and operational visits

Other Attributes

• Manages financial and personnel resources to achieve individual and organizational goals
  
• Collaborates and cooperates with others and builds effective working relationships with internal and external members to
  accomplish organizational goals

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs
• Climbing - ascending/descending ladders, stairs, scaffoldings, ramps, etc
• Standing-prolonged periods of time
• Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading

Conditions of Employment:

Please read the Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT) for all positions.

• This is a Safety Impact position and you will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test and will be subject to random drug
  testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) –
    does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an
    employee in this position.

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

Click on the appropriate occupational category to view the MOS codes

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Additional Applicant Information