TDOT Technical Specialist III

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 Quality Assurance Technical Specialist will support the Procurement and Contracts Division (PCD) through a process-oriented approach to ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance in procurement activities from contract usage to Financial Supply Chain Management across the Department of Transportation. This position performs high-level quality assurance (QA) reviews and monitors procurement documentation for adherence to applicable state and federal regulations, TDOT and Central Procurement Office (CPO) policies, and statewide procurement procedures. The Technical Specialist conducts data analysis across the procurement lifecycle including contracts, requisitions, purchase orders, receipts, and vouchers to ensure procurements are accurate and timely. The specialist captures data trends and identifies procurement infractions through detailed Final Findings Reports and facilitates out-briefs with business units to drive quality improvement and compliance. This position is a mobile position that includes statewide travel to support Procurement compliance standards meeting the needs of internal stakeholders across TDOT Headquarters, Regions, and District Offices and reports to the Quality Assurance and Training Team Lead

The Quality Assurance Technical Specialist supports statewide quality assurance efforts by collaborating with the Team Lead and the Quality Assurance Senior Technical Specialist throughout the seven (7) week inspection cycle. This position contributes to procurement file consistency and compliance by applying technical review standards, documenting quality observations, and supporting the refinement of QA processes. The Technical Specialist shares feedback with peers, helps identify performance trends, and promotes uniform QA practices across TDOT’s Headquarters and Region procurement teams.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Duties of the TDOT Technical Specialist I, II, and III include:

Review procurement documentation using established checklists, QA tools, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to verify completeness, accuracy, and adherence to state and federal regulations, TDOT and Central Procurement Office (CPO) policies, and other applicable guidelines. Document observations in TDOT systems to support consistency, readiness, and informed decision-making. Conducts data analysis across the full procurement lifecycle from requisition to voucher to verify that proper procurement methods are utilized, including Small and Informal Purchase, Local Purchase Authority, Emergency Purchases, Statewide Contracts (SWC), and Agency Term Contracts (ATC). Evaluates procurement activity to identify errors, deter fraud, waste, and abuse, and ensure methods are applied in accordance with TDOT and state requirements.

Maintain accurate records within TDOT’s file repositories and procurement management systems to ensure accountability and accessibility of procurement documentation.

Communicate quality review observations to Region and Headquarters staff, recommend corrective actions when appropriate, and coordinate with senior QA staff or the Team Lead to address unresolved or high-impact issues.

Ensure collaboration with the Quality Assurance and Training Team by communicating effectively, remaining transparent, and upholding individual and team accountability.

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

Collaborate with Region and Headquarters staff to promote consistent implementation of QA processes, providing clarification, technical feedback, and follow-up support to ensure timely and effective corrective actions.

Monitor procurement activities and QA data using dashboards and reporting tools to identify performance trends and flag areas for improvement, contributing to procedural refinement and documentation standardization.

Additional Job Duties for the TDOT Technical Specialist III include:

Develop and refine QA tools, templates, and sampling methodologies to support risk-based reviews and ensure alignment with established quality standards and documentation expectations.

Conduct in-depth reviews of complex, high-value, or high-risk procurement files to identify systemic quality concerns; prepare performance summaries and provide subject matter expertise to support division-wide continuous improvement initiatives.

Share technical expertise with Technical Specialists I and II by modeling QA standards, offering feedback, and supporting skill development to promote consistency and team effectiveness. Collaborates with the Quality Assurance Senior Technical Specialist to prioritize quality improvement opportunities that enhance documentation practices and reinforce statewide quality objectives.

Collaborate with the Quality Assurance and Training Team to communicate procurement trends, identify knowledge gaps, and support the integration of quality review insights into training resources, reference materials, and procedural documentation to strengthen workforce capability across the procurement function.

TDOT Technical Specialist I

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field of study as may be outlined in the position description

TDOT Technical Specialist II

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

TDOT Technical Specialist III

Bachelor’s 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, * 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, Coaching, Communication Skills, Construction, Continuous Improvement, Contract Creation, Corrective Action, Data Analysis, Data Collection, Documentation, Documentation Standards, Driver’s License, Establish Priorities, Federal Laws and Regulations, Finance, Finance Software, Mentoring, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Procedure Development, Process Analysis, Process Improvement, Procurement Management, Professional License, Project Planning, Purchase Orders, Purchasing/Procurement, Quality Assurance, Quality Assurance Methodology, Quality Management, Quality Metrics, Record Keeping, Regulatory Compliance, Reporting Dashboards, Reporting Skills, Risk, Staff Corrective Action, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), State Laws and Regulations, Supply Chain Management, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Technical Support, Technical Writing, Time Management, Transportation Engineering, Transportation Regulations, Trend Analysis, Willing to Travel, Writing Skills