Job Description
Job ID: 32743
Agency: Department of Transportation / Division of Finance & Management
Location: Pierre, SD
Salary: $29.57 - $34.79
Pay Grade: GJ
Closing Date: 09/18/2025
This is a full-time position with the Department of Transportation. For more information on the Department of Transportation, please visit
Introduction: Ready for a rewarding career that provides exciting and meaningful work? Looking for a place that values innovation and teamwork? In need of schedules and benefits that make it possible to both support and enjoy your family?
The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has a perfect opportunity for you as a
Job Description: We're looking for a Railroad Transportation Specialist to help us live out our mission of providing "Better Lives Through Better Transportation."
Our Railroad Office currently oversees over $192 million of railroad infrastructure grants. We're looking for a specialist who exemplifies our core values and is willing to develop skills in RR grant administration, RR tax credit inspections, RR ROW permitting, RR mapping, RR property management and more!
Railroad Transportation Specialist! You'll have opportunities to work both independently and in team settings, both in the office and in the field. Our team dynamics are supportive and goal-oriented, and we have mentoring opportunities for new employees to develop skills and abilities on the job. Team members at SDDOT are purpose-driven and know the difference their work makes.
Typical 40-hour workweek, Monday through Friday although hours may vary during construction activity. In State travel is required. Work assignments are sometimes performed outside in all weather conditions and around highway and train traffic.
What You Bring to the SDDOT: - positive attitude
- willingness to learn
- self-motivated and determined mindset
What the SDDOT Offers: - Health insurance (zero-cost premium plan, low and high deductible plans, and single and family plans
- Well-being program
- Employee assistance program
- Dental, Vision and Health Savings Account
- Free basic life insurance policy
- Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match
- Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
- Sick leave (14 days per year)
- Paid family leave (12 weeks for birth and adoption of child, equivalent to 40 hours per week)
- Military leave (15 days per year)
- 11 paid holidays
- Longevity pay
- Semimonthly pay periods
- Eligibility for meal per diems
- Paid overtime (if applicable)
What Ideal Candidate Will Have: - experience in working with railroad operators;
- background in railroad construction projects;
- background and/or experience with Federal railroad grants;
- be self-motivated, problem solving and a reliant individual.
Duties and Responsibilities: This position performs engineering support for railroad construction projects, processes various railroad permits, manages federal grant projects and certifies tax credit claims. Duties may include, but are not limited to planning railroad construction project needs and solutions; overseeing and evaluating contractor work on railroad construction and maintenance projects; reviewing and processing various Right-of-Way permits; conducting research of previous railroad plans, survey notes and plats, aerial photos, plats and deeds to collect and compile as much information as possible about original ownership, and other attachments to the land in question to determine right-of-way and property lines; creating an encroachment survey; coordinating multiple asset inventories (ties, steel, other track material); reviewing various grant documents for submittal, retaining records of grant processes; verify railroad projects to determine qualification for tax credits and other duties as assigned .
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge:
- railroad construction methods, materials, processes, sequences, and technology;
- railroad safety principles and practices;
- FRA regulations;
- operating a hi-rail vehicle;
- federal grant processes, funding agreements and related documentation;
- project management.
Skills: - operate computers, use Microsoft software, and other related software;
- communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing;
- utilize mapping software for management of railroad property;
- perform construction and maintenance inspections of railroads.
Abilities: - work cooperatively in a team atmosphere and promote a friendly work climate in order to achieve shared goals;
- create an environment that fosters high ethical standards;
- manage day-to-day responsibilities in a manner that instills public trust;
- use vision, creativity, reasoning, and experience to reach conclusions and make effective decisions;
- develop networks and use them to strengthen internal and external support;
- listen attentively to others and clearly convey information and ideas;
- treat customers courteously and be responsive to their needs;
- actively seek, collect, and evaluate information to learn more about issues or events;
- set priorities, schedule activities, acquire resources, and monitor progress to ensure the successful completion of projects and assignments;
- display a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments and goals;
- attend to all details of assignments and complete work properly, accurately, and thoroughly;
- interpret federal program policies and develop state policies and procedures from that interpretation;
- Use arms, legs and back to safely move;
- drag, lift 35 pounds occasionally, up to 60 pounds occasionally without assistance;
- walk, sit and stand for extended periods of time;
- routinely reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl on uneven surfaces and general office work.
Compensation: The total compensation of Hourly Wage + State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for entry level (classification) is approximately $83,439.00 annually.
This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.
The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
Must apply online:
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"
#LI-Onsite
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, For contractors, Work at office, Visa sponsorship, Work visa, Live out, Monday to Friday,