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Freight Rail Program Specialist

Represent the Department of Transportation on freight railroad issues and railroad assistance programs as a Freight Rail Program Specialist (Program and Policy Analyst Advanced)!

This position offers a hybridized work schedule. The position will be headquartered at and required to work from the Hill Farms State Office Building in Madison, WI at least 2 days per week. All employees working a hybrid work schedule are generally expected to telework from within the State of Wisconsin. This topic will be discussed more at the time of the interview.

WisDOT is a great place to work! In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, we offer a competitive benefits package featuring:

Substantial leave time including at least 3.5 weeks of paid leave time to start, 9 paid holidays, and 130 hours of sick time that roll over each year.
Excellent and affordable health, vision, and dental benefits (health plan options start at just $42/month for single plans and $104/month for family plans after two months of employment)
A casual office atmosphere, flexible work schedules, and telework options depending on the position’s requirements
An exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment, plus an optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan
Well Wisconsin Wellness Program
A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being
Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see the total value of our competitive benefits package!

In addition to our generous employee benefits, we strive for inclusivity and celebrate different religious holidays and cultural observances and provide flexibility for utilizing paid time off for such celebrations. For more information on WisDOT you can visit our website by clicking here.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is an organization dedicated to creating transportation solutions through innovation and exceptional service. We are committed to fostering an environment rooted in Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, and Accountability. Click here to learn more about how we apply these values in our work.

The WisDOT Division of Transportation Investment Management (DTIM) conducts long-range, multimodal transportation planning; guides the use of state and federal transportation dollars based upon research and data analysis of the state's transportation systems; manages the project selection process for the state highway rehabilitation and the major highway programs; and administers various local transportation, transit, airport, rail, harbor and other specialized aids programs. The Division of Transportation Investment Management includes the Bureau of Aeronautics (BOA), Bureau of Planning and Economic Development (BPED), the Bureau of State Highway Programs (BSHP), and the Bureau of Transit, Local Roads, Railroads and Harbors (BTLRRH).

This position represents the Department on freight railroad issues and railroad assistance programs. This position will develop and implement and/or lead policy analysis, planning, program management, performance measures and evaluations to define program objectives. This position will also support the development of biennial budget issue papers related to railroads, including the state’s ongoing support of the Freight Rail Preservation Program (FRPP) and Freight Rail Infrastructure Investment Program (FRIIP), both important capital improvement tools that help improve Wisconsin’s freight infrastructure. Responsibilities will also include participations in task forces and studies related to freight rail, initiated by federal or state agencies. This position, when requested, will provide assistance on public involvement and outreach activities for planning, as well as project development activities.

This position is responsible for the Department’s FRPP, which is a grant program that has averaged over $21 million per biennium since 2000 to increase the efficiency and reliability of the 625 miles of state-owned railroad corridors and other industrial railroad tracks owned by local communities, and provides expertise in railroad-related issues throughout the Department. There are typically at least 15 projects underway at any one time and this position is responsible for all aspects of project management and administration.

To view the complete position description, email Benjamin Harwell at BenjaminK.Harwell@Wisconsin.gov

This position is in schedule-range (07-03) with an annual salary of $68,640-$87,360, plus excellent benefits. A twelve month probationary period is required. Pay for current state employees will be set in accordance with the Wisconsin State Compensation Plan.

WisDOT does not sponsor work visas. Any appointment made will be contingent on the applicant being able to prove valid status to work in the United States. WisDOT is not an E-verify employer.

Prior to any appointments for position(s) filled from this announcement, candidates may be subject to a comprehensive criminal background check which may include FBI fingerprinting.

Qualified applicants will have experience with all the following:

Managing multiple programs or projects concurrently
Managing budgets and reviewing invoices
Communicating complex or technical information to non-technical audience

In addition to having all the above, well qualified applicants will have one or more of the following:

Experience with freight shipping logistics
Experience with grant management
Experience with railroad projects

Apply online! To apply, click “Apply for Job” to start the application process. Then, you will access your existing account or to create a new account if you don’t have an account. Once you are logged in, click “Apply for Job.” Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit your application.

Your application materials are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on how to develop and what should be included in these materials, click here. For more information on the basics of the selection process and how the State of WI ensures fair and equitable treatment of all applicants, click here. The vast majority of applicants are able to outline their background and experience in their resume in 1-3 pages. Any resumes submitted with more than 3 pages will not be considered after page 3. If this job posting requires a letter of qualifications, the same limit applies.

Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer or voluntary demotion) should complete the application process as described above by the stated deadline.

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment https://wisc.jobs/Pages/Veterans.aspx page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program.

Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Questions related to the job and how to apply can be directed to Benjamin Harwell at 608-266-8665 or BenjaminK.Harwell@Wisconsin.gov. For general wisc.jobs user information and technical assistance, please see the wisc.jobs Frequently Asked Questions page.

The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM on Tuesday, August 12th, 2025.