Deputy Chief Planning Division

at Illinois Tollway in Downers Grove, Illinois, United States

Job Description

The Illinois Tollway is dedicated to providing and promoting a safe and efficient system of highways while ensuring the highest possible level of service to our customers. Whether it's I-PASS, the Move Illinois Program, open road tolling or keeping you safe with our H.E.L.P. trucks, we are committed to delivering great benefits and services to customers

The Tollway is a user-fee system – no state or federal tax dollars are used to support maintenance and operations. Operations are funded by toll and concession revenues.

Under the leadership of the Board of Directors and Executive Staff, the Tollway is committed to achieving the following goals: increase collaboration with regional transportation and planning agencies, promote the regional economy, maintain financial integrity, foster environmental responsibility and sustainability, maintain the safety and efficiency of the Tollway system, further transparency and accountability, enhance customer service, and maintain public trust.

In support of this vision, the Deputy Chief – Planning Division position oversees and directs long-term capital planning and programming for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.  This position advises senior staff as it relates to long-term capital investment strategies, systems planning and related public policy.  This position also coordinates long-term agency plans with other government agencies.

The Deputy Chief – Planning Division reports directly to the Chief of Planning. Reporting to this position are the Environmental Policy and Program Manager, the GIS Program Manager, the Senior Project Manager, the Geometrics Engineer, the Transportation Planner and the Traffic and Revenue Analyst.

Responsible for leading and coordinating activities associated with the development of annual and multi-year capital infrastructure programs.

Directs the prioritizing of the various types of improvements that are required to maintain and improve the Tollway infrastructure and to improve Tollway traffic operations.  Directs and coordinates staff overseeing the various planning studies undertaken by the Tollway, including studies of new transportation corridors and interchanges. Evaluations of traffic and revenue trends to assess how actual traffic is functioning when comparing to forecasts. Research industry best practices and emerging trends, especially as it relates to (Intelligent Transportation Systems) ITS technology. Coordinate with various internal departments to recommend policy and legislative changes to enhance the Tollway operating and business functions. All activities associated with the planning and programming functions must conform to established policies and procedures of the Tollway.

The Deputy Chief – Planning Division assists with identifying the group of projects and project implementation schedules to address the annual and multi-year needs of the Tollway system and the Tollway’s goals and objectives. This function is performed in close coordination with various Departments and with the Tollway's General and Traffic Consultants.

A priority for this position is the development, scheduling, monitoring, and implementation of the Tollway’s long-range program that addresses capital infrastructure needs. This requires close coordination with various governmental agencies and elected officials, as well as with community groups and concerned citizens. The incumbent provides guidance to subordinates in evaluating project priorities and initiates meetings with elected officials, local agency representatives, private developers, and others as necessary. Internally, this requires extensive coordination with various Divisions with the Engineering Department and with other Departments, as needed, to develop, schedule, finance and track project scope of work and costs.

A key responsibility of this position is to monitor traffic and toll revenue to evaluate how actual numbers compare to projected traffic and revenue forecasts. This effort involves working with various data sets prepared by Tollway staff, traffic engineer or electronic toll collection vendor. Regular reporting of trends and operational concerns to executive staff.

Another key responsibility of the incumbent is to manage and direct various planning studies along planned transportation corridors, as well as recommend policy and legislation to advance Tollway initiatives. This includes providing direction to Planning staff to ensure that studies comply with appropriate policies, procedures and regulations. Also required, identifying industry trends and best practices to enhance operations and revenues.

The incumbent manages the programming aspects of the Planning Department and manages and tracks the day-to-day aspects of Tollway's Traffic Consultant to ensure timely commencement of work activities; manages and directs the development of scope of work descriptions for the recommended projects.

The effectiveness of this position is measured by the Department's ability to meet deadlines and maintain an effective project management and tracking system.

Responsibilities also include: 

• Coordinates the implementation of the annual and multi-year program to sustain the Tollway’s infrastructure needs and operational needs. This is done in close coordination with other Divisions and Departments, including the Engineering and Finance Departments.
• Coordinates and manages realistic scopes of work, schedules and costs for recommended projects with other Divisions and Departments to enhance efficient development of project plans and timely project implementation.
• Monitors the development and implementation of an effective traffic and revenue management and tracking system.
• Responsible for developing and monitoring activities of the Tollway's Traffic Consultants, including, but not limited to, traffic and revenue projections, is responsible for setting work priorities and resolving conflicts, as required.
• Directs staff overseeing planning studies and legislative/policy development undertaken by the Tollway ensures that the studies are effectively coordinated with other transportation agencies, local governmental agencies, regulatory agencies and the public.
• Ensures that close coordination is maintained with Property Management, Engineering Department’s Design and Construction Divisions and other Departments, as required. Also, ensures continuous coordination with the Department of Finance in the development, implementation and tracking of the program cash flows.
• Assist with coordinating the Tollway's annual and multi-year programs with other agencies.