Description

The Position
The Transportation Director provides executive leadership, vision, and administration for the Orange County Transportation Department, guiding the planning, coordination, and delivery of transportation and transit programs that connect residents to employment, education, medical care, and other essential destinations across the county and the broader region. The Director sets the operational and strategic direction for the department, translating the priorities approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the direction of the County Manager into effective, cost-efficient programs and seamless customer service.

Reporting to the County Manager, the Director develops, implements, and monitors transportation policies, programs, and budgets in alignment with county, state, and federal goals. The role carries full responsibility for the department's financial stewardship, including the development and administration of annual operating and capital budgets, the management of contracts with public and private agencies, and the appropriate programming of County funds toward multimodal transportation needs. The Director conducts and reviews research, statistical analysis, and special studies to develop, amend, and implement County transportation plans and improvement projects, and summarizes the potential effects of proposed policy initiatives for County leadership.

A central part of the role is regional effective collaboration and seamless coordination. The Director serves as the primary liaison between Orange County and local, regional, state, and federal partners, including US Department of Transportation, NC Department of Transportation, the Triangle West Transportation Planning Organization and Burlington-Graham Metropolitan Planning Organizations (BGMPO)s, Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization (TARPO) Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART), GoTriangle, and Chapel Hill Transit, as well as municipalities, County departments, and advisory boards. The Director manages the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) and the County's representation on the technical committees of regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Rural Planning Organizations, developing regional plans and implementation programs within federal and state guidelines and in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including SPOT/STIP, CTP, MTP, MTIP, UPWP, CMAQ, and STBG processes, while supporting the County Commissioner representatives.

The Director also serves as the primary point of contact with NCDOT for BOCC, staff, and citizen inquiries, providing information for project requests and delivery and keeping the Board informed on both STIP and non-STIP actions such as corridor studies, safety and mobility programs, and bridge replacement. The position oversees the maintenance of department facilities and vehicles, monitors fleet and insurance costs, and manages the County's portion of the UPWP, STIP, CTP, MTP, and SPOT prioritization processes, including elements of the Triangle Regional Model and Bus and Rail Investment Plan monitoring. The Director makes written and oral presentations to management, advisory boards, and the Board of Commissioners, and performs other related duties as assigned.

The Transportation Director reports directly to the Orange County Manager and serves as the County's senior transportation leader. The Director presents regularly to the Board of County Commissioners and provides staff support to Commissioner representatives on regional bodies. The Director supervises and manages department staff and manages the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard).

Compensation and Benefits
The expected hiring range is $125,000-$150,000, depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefits package. Learn more about our options and employee-based benefits here.

Benefits offered include the following: health insurance; dental insurance; participation in the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System; traditional and Roth 401(k) options and an optional 457 deferred compensation plan; paid leave; life insurance; longevity pay; tuition refund; flexible compensation; voluntary and supplemental coverage; Employee Assistance Program; paid Parental Leave (for FMLA-eligible employees); and wellness program.

How to Apply
Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis at raftelis.com. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning August 14, 2026.

Requirements

Qualifications
The position requires a bachelor's degree in public or business administration, or a related field of study, along with five (5) years of executive-level experience related to program evaluation, performance measurement, planning, engineering, or budget development and evaluation, including transit systems management, operations, and planning. Candidates must also possess, or be able to readily obtain, a driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.