Northern Region Director

State of Alaska • Fairbanks, AK, United States • $200k - $250k / year • 4d ago

Shape the Future of Alaska’s Northern Region — Join Our Leadership Team!

This is a Range 27 partially exempt position, with a negotiable salary based on experience.The salary schedule can be found here:

Unit Designation XE - Partially Exempt and Exempt Executive Branch Employees - Range XE-N03(Download PDF reader)

Are you ready to take on a leadership role that will shape the future of Alaska’s transportation system? Join the DOT&PF as a Division Director, where you will play a pivotal role in delivering services to Alaskans across diverse and challenging environments—from rural areas with no road access to urban centers driving the state’s economy. This is an opportunity to lead transformative projects and make a lasting impact on our National Highway System, connecting communities and ensuring sustainable growth.

Why Join Us?

At DOT&PF, we believe in organizational excellence. We are more than just a team—we are a statewide network of 3,000+ professionals working together to overcome challenges, innovate, and deliver reliable transportation solutions for Alaskans. By joining our leadership team, you will collaborate with dedicated individuals from diverse disciplines, working to strengthen Alaska’s infrastructure.

Here, your work matters. You’ll help ensure safe and efficient transportation systems that connect our airports, ports, and communities to each other and to economic opportunities. As the Northern Region Director, you will be the driving force behind advancing our transportation systems to meet modern demands—whether that’s on land, by air, or across the sea.

What You'll Do:

As a key leader within DOT&PF, you’ll guide the Northern Region Division, overseeing all aspects of planning, design, construction, and maintenance while ensuring regulatory compliance. Your role will involve managing budgets, personnel, and resources to enhance operational efficiency and achieve impactful results. You’ll lead transportation initiatives across Alaska’s diverse landscape, from rural hubs to urban centers, and act as the main liaison for federal and state agencies, local governments, and community groups. Additionally, you’ll represent the Division on the FAST Planning policy board, influencing policy and project direction, and take on critical roles in emergency preparedness and incident response to maintain a secure and responsive transportation network. Through your leadership, you’ll shape the strategic vision of the Northern Region in alignment with DOT&PF’s goals of innovation, collaboration, and transparency.

What Makes This Role Exciting:

In this position, you’ll make a tangible impact by leading high-profile projects that shape Alaska’s transportation infrastructure and services. You’ll be part of a culture of innovation, implementing resilient and sustainable practices. This role also fosters community engagement, empowering local stakeholders to contribute to projects that matter to them, creating shared success across the region. With abundant professional development and mentorship opportunities, you’ll grow as a leader while working on advanced infrastructure projects. And, based in Fairbanks, you’ll enjoy Alaska’s unique lifestyle, rich cultural heritage, and access to unparalleled outdoor activities.

Our Organization, Mission & Culture: Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.

The State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities’ mission is to Keep Alaska Moving. We are working toward a modern, adaptable, flexible transportation system that will be resilient as we tackle our challenges. We believe collaboration, communication, and coordination increase our ability to succeed. Creating teams that are focused on results, working together, and leveraging resources across our department, with community and private sector partnerships, increases our ability to accomplish our mission and serve Alaskans.

Help us build a transportation system that serves Alaskans today and well into the future. If you’re a visionary leader with a passion for public service and a drive to innovate, we encourage you to apply!

What We’re Looking For:

We are looking for a Collaborative Leader who thrives in a team environment, uniting individuals to solve complex problems and drive innovation. As a Strategic Visionary, you bring a forward-thinking approach to navigate Alaska’s unique geographic and regulatory challenges effectively. You lead with Ethical and Transparent principles, demonstrating high integrity and fostering a culture of trust and accountability within your team and community. Finally, you are Resilient and Adaptable, embracing change with enthusiasm and guiding your team through challenges with creativity and determination.

Minimum Qualifications

Positions in this job class are in the Partially Exempt Service under AS 39.25.120(c)(2).

Additional Required Information

**NOTE: PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY**

At time of interview, please provide:

Resume
Three Professional References

COVER LETTER

Your cover letter is an essential part of your application and should demonstrate your qualifications and enthusiasm for the Northern Region Director position at DOT&PF. Please follow the guidance below to create a strong and effective cover letter:

Introduce Yourself: Begin with a professional greeting, mention the position you are applying for, and briefly state your current role and experience relevant to the position.
Highlight Key Experience: Emphasize your leadership experience in transportation, project management, or related fields, focusing on your skills in overseeing operations, managing resources, and driving strategic goals.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: Discuss your collaborative and strategic leadership abilities, providing examples of how you've successfully navigated challenges and worked with diverse teams.
Align with DOT&PF's Mission: Reflect on how your experience aligns with the mission of "Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure" and how you can contribute to advancing the region's transportation system.
Close Professionally: End with a brief closing statement, express your enthusiasm for the opportunity, and mention your availability for an interview. Thank the hiring team for considering your application.

EDUCATION
If post-secondary education is required or is used as a substitution to meet the minimum qualifications, it is required to complete the Education section of your Profile. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of credit hours earned in the Units Completed field. Copies of transcripts will be required at time of interview but may also be attached to the application.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

WORK EXPERIENCE

If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer’s name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported, and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

EEO STATEMENT

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.