BUDGET AND FORECASTING TECHNICAL SPECIALIST - 04282026-76967

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This position is in the Finance Division - Financial Management - Budget & Forecasting Section.

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tdot.tn.gov/PublicDocuments/hr/Finance-Division-Financial-Management-Section-Budget-and-Forecasting-Technical-Specialist-V01Fi.pdf

This position has a hybrid work schedule of three days in the office and two days working from home.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

TDOT Technical Specialist I

Bachelors Degree in a related field of study as may be outlined in the position description

TDOT Technical Specialist II

Bachelors Degree and 1 year of demonstrated competency in a related field as may be outlined in the position description

TDOT Technical Specialist III

Bachelors Degree and 2 years of demonstrated competency in a related field as may be outlined in the position description

The Tennessee Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position based on the applicant's work experience, education, skill level, and all other appropriate factors, including business needs. Within 6 months of hire, employees must demonstrate successful mastery of corresponding work competencies and skill blocks of the Technical Specialist Competency Program for the level of worker for which they were hired. If skills and competencies are not met during that period, the employee can be demoted to the level of worker for which he/she is qualified.

Necessary Special Qualifications for TDOT Technical Specialist I, II, III

Some positions in these classifications may have additional requirements such as:

• Professional licenses and/or certifications
• Possess and maintain a Class D driver's license valid for use in operating vehicles in the State of Tennessee

Any necessary special qualifications will be denoted in the position description.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies

The required KSACs for TDOT Technical Specialist I, II and III include:

• Knowledge of transportation engineering principles
• Knowledge of transportation finance principles
• Knowledge of contract development principles and applications
• Knowledge of technical report writing
• Ability to communicate effectively, while interacting with internal and external stakeholders in a professional and courteous manner
• Ability to manage time to ensure assignments are completed
• Ability to use critical thinking to problem solve and make informed decisions
• Ability to learn technical concepts and apply those concepts to the position responsibilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to conduct work with precision and a high degree of accuracy
• Ability to read and interpret project plans

Additional KSACs for TDOT Technical Specialist II and III include:

• Skilled in the application of engineering principles
• Skilled in the application of transportation finance principles
• Skilled in the application of state and federal regulations to transportation projects
• Skilled in technical report writing
• Skilled in the development of contract principles and applications
• Ability to work in project teams
• Ability to maintain effective work relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
• Ability to manage time and prioritize work items to ensure project assignments are completed

Additional KSACs for the TDOT Technical Specialist III include:

• Ability to resolve conflicts, coach, and mentor others, and support a culture of accountability, collaboration, and accomplishment
• Ability to analyze a process and offer actionable feedback for use in improving the effectiveness, quality, and efficiency of the existing process

Conditions of Employment

• Incorporating overtime, weekends, and night shifts into their schedules as work schedules dictate
• Extended durations outdoors in extreme weather conditions
• Working in and around construction and vehicular traffic
• Walking on uneven terrain
• Climbing ladders and construction scaffolding
• Carrying equipment and samples in excess of 25 pounds
• Driving long distances as required to perform daily duties
• Performing work in which personal protective equipment will be required to be worn
• Sitting for extended periods while driving or working on computers
• Standing for extended periods while working outdoors or in a laboratory setting

Overview

The Budget and Forecasting Technical Specialist plays a key role in supporting the Tennessee Department of Transportation's financial planning efforts by contributing to the development, execution, and monitoring of the Department's annual budget and long-range financial forecasts. This position helps ensure fiscal integrity and alignment with TDOT's multi-year work programs and strategic objectives.

Working under the Finance Division, the Technical Specialist assists with financial system operations, promotes process consistency, and collaborates across Divisions and Regions to support effective budget management. The role advances data-driven decision-making through financial analysis, system utilization, and process improvements that uphold state and federal compliance standards.

Responsibilities

Conduct basic reconciliations of budgeted and actual expenditures to ensure accurate financial reporting, support fiscal discipline, and enable timely budget adjustments.

Enter and update financial data in Edison following standardized procedures to ensure correct coding and documentation, supporting the integrity of budget execution and compliance with state and federal financial controls.

Provide technical and administrative assistance in assembling budget documents, tables, and charts, ensuring TDOT leadership and program managers have clear, accessible information for internal and external budget communications.

Respond to common internal financial inquiries by locating relevant data and applying standard procedures.

Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of budget allocations, funding approvals, in compliance with documentation standards to ensure audit readiness and promote transparency in TDOT's use of public funds.

Additional Job duties for the TDOT Technical Specialist II and III include:

Prepare initial financial forecasts and scenario models based on historical trends and projection methods to inform early-stage planning decisions and support proactive resource alignment with TDOT's strategic goals.

Assist in drafting budget justifications, tracking amendment submissions, and processing allocation adjustments, supporting the Department's ability to adapt to changing program needs while remaining compliant with funding requirements.

Coordinate with Region and Division staff to clarify financial data and resolve routine issues, improving the accuracy and efficiency of TDOT's financial workflows across the state.

Troubleshoot and resolve common system issues related to budget coding, transaction tracking, or reporting to reduce day-to-day operational disruptions and improve the reliability of financial data.

Contribute to project and team meetings by providing accurate budget information and technical support, promoting financial awareness among multidisciplinary teams and supporting coordinated project delivery.

Additional Job Duties for the TDOT Technical Specialist III include:

Develop and maintain advanced financial forecasting tools and models that incorporate multi-year trends, funding constraints, and strategic priorities to align TDOT's 3-year and 10-year Work Programs with available resources, enabling leadership to make timely, informed investment decisions that optimize public benefit and infrastructure outcomes.

Analyze budget performance and expenditure trends to proactively identify financial risks and cost-saving opportunities, and present actionable insights to leadership that strengthen fiscal responsibility, safeguard project delivery, and ensure public funds are deployed efficiently and transparently.

Guide the development of training content and fiscal guidance that foster cross-divisional consistency in budgeting and forecasting, and deliver mentoring that builds financial literacy, strengthens decision-making at all organizational levels, and promotes a culture of accountable resource stewardship.

Draft and coordinate complex budget amendments and allocation strategies involving diverse funding sources to enable TDOT to respond dynamically to evolving program needs while maintaining compliance and preserving funding eligibility across state and federal programs.

Collaborate with IT and Finance teams to lead enhancements to financial systems and workflows by leveraging automation and system improvements that reduce errors, enhance data integrity, and ensure timely, accurate reporting, thereby increasing operational efficiency and supporting TDOT's goal of a high-performing finance infrastructure.

Participate in peer reviews and benchmarking efforts to identify and adopt best practices in public sector budgeting and forecasting, strengthening TDOT's national reputation for sound financial management and future-proofing budgeting processes against changing regulatory and economic environments.