FREIGHT AND RAIL PLANNER- 55002244

Requisition No: 859087 

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: FREIGHT AND RAIL PLANNER- 55002244

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 55002244 

Salary:  $73,641.18 - $95,300.35 

Posting Closing Date: 09/20/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION

929 / Freight and Rail Office

*PENDING RECLASSIFICATION*

CAREER SERVICE

CONTACT PERSON:  Holly Cohen, Freight and Rail Planning Administrator

CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: (850) 414-4954

CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS:  holly.cohen@dot.state.fl.us

ANTICIPATED HIRING SALARY: $3,269.24 bi-weekly / $85,000.24 annually

Join FDOT and be part of the team that works as one to improve safety, enhance mobility and inspire innovation in the Florida transportation system.

Our Mission

The mission of the Florida Department of Transportation is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities.

Our Vision

As a OneFDOT team, we serve the people of Florida by providing a transportation network that is well planned, supports economic growth, and has the goal of being congestion and fatality free.

The Work You Will Do:

FREIGHT AND RAIL PLANNER, FDOT FREIGHT AND RAIL OFFICE

This position will coordinate all facets of statewide multimodal freight and supply chain planning, as well as freight and passenger rail planning. 

The Difference You Will Make:

Through cooperation, coordination and collaboration among the OneFDOT team, you will be contributing to a strong and empowering culture of TRREC: Trust, Relationships, Respect, Empowerment, and Communication. 

How You Will Grow:

FDOT encourages our team members to grow through engagement, empowerment, training, and professional development.  Through our agency’s learning management system, you have access to hundreds of computer-based training and instructor-led courses. 

Where You Will Work:

Freight and Rail Office

605 Suwannee Street

Tallahassee, FL 

Annual Salary Range: $73,641.18 - $95,300.35

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Coordinates all facets of statewide multimodal freight and supply chain planning, as well as freight and passenger rail planning. Supports updates to the Freight Mobility and Trade Plan in accordance with 334.044(33), F.S., the Rail System Plan in accordance with 341.302(3), F.S., and any other required plans and studies. Provides input for multimodal freight and supply chain planning and statistics. Provides input on modeling and engineering documents regarding potential capacity additions and service expansions of freight and passenger rail in Florida. Provides support to the development and implementation of the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Plan and the Florida Transportation Plan (FTP).

Facilitates the developing and supporting project prioritization and selection for rail and freight projects, including the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS), Florida Rail Enterprise (FRE), Intermodal Logistics Center (ILC) Infrastructure Support Program, National Highway Freight Program (NHFP), SIS Construction Aggregate Program, and rail safety or pilot projects. Provides analysis and technical assistance as needed on relevant freight and rail information needed for project prioritization and selection.

Manages professional services procurement, contract management, scope development, monitoring, invoicing, and quality assurance. Serves as task lead on freight and rail planning related task work orders and initiatives.

Maintains liaison with other FDOT offices, Districts, freight and rail companies, federal and local governmental agencies, and other stakeholders to educate and elevate awareness on freight and rail topics, disseminate information and identify data analysis, coordination, and management support needs. Maintains office files related to mapping, data, and analysis. Assists in periodic updates of the Freight & Rail Office (FRO) Handbook, forms, policies, and procedures.

The Successful Candidate will have the following required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of program management. Knowledge of transportation planning process. Knowledge of project scheduling and management. Knowledge of rail practices and laws. Knowledge of personal computers and applications. Knowledge of group facilitation and negotiation.

Skills in:

• Skill in contract management including monitoring of contract activities, schedule and budget. Skill in communication, writing, presentation, and organization. Skill in dealing with people, adaptability, and conflict resolution.

Ability to:

• Ability to lead and manage programs and initiatives. Ability to develop rules, policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines. Ability to conduct training. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to prepare correspondence and reports relative to work requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Three years of professional experience in rail planning and contract management.  Post-secondary education from an accredited college or university in engineering or transportation can substitute on a year-for-year basis.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS), unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES THE SERVICE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE GIVEN TO OUR COUNTRY AND SUPPORTS THE HIRING OF RETURNING SERVICE MEMBERS AND MILITARY SPOUSES.  If you are a preference-eligible applicant who receives notice of a hiring decision and believe that you were not afforded employment preference in accordance with applicable Florida law and regulation, you may file a written complaint within 60 calendar days from the date you receive the notice, requesting an investigation to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Division of Benefits and Assistance, 9500 Bay Pines Boulevard, Room 214, St. Petersburg, Florida 33708.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES AND SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.  QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.  In accordance with Section 110.112, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Department of Transportation’s Individuals with Disabilities Affirmative Action Plan, the agency is committed to ensuring affirmative action and equal employment opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities.  Upon request and as appropriate, reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities may be provided.  Please contact the Florida Department of Transportation’s Human Resources Office at (850) 414-5300 for assistance.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.