Traffic Safety Director

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package, and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is the State planning agency for criminal justice, juvenile justice, traffic safety, and victim services. The institute develops long-range strategies for the effective administration of Indiana's criminal and juvenile justice systems and administers state and federal funds to carry out these strategies.

Further, ICJI is responsible for coordinating and collaborating with local, state, and federal entities to identify, assess, plan, resource, and evaluate new and emerging issues facing the criminal justice and public safety spectrum.

The Traffic Safety Director will lead the Traffic Safety Division, overseeing the strategic management of federally funded programs designed to protect life and property on Indiana’s roadways. This position is responsible for ensuring the submission, execution, and compliance of the State’s federally required three-year Highway Safety Plan, which serves as the foundation for all traffic safety programming. The Director will administer programs funded through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), ensuring compliance with federal guidelines, funding rules, and match requirements, while exercising a high degree of judgment in discussions with federal funders, state leaders, and other entities.

The role requires strong leadership and managerial skills to direct staff and contractors, as well as the ability to collaborate effectively with state agencies such as INDOT and BMV, community organizations, and diverse stakeholders ranging from federal partners to local groups. The Director will represent the division in public forums, interviews, and community outreach events, requiring excellent communication and public speaking skills.

In addition, the position demands long‑range planning experience, the ability to multitask and adapt quickly, and independence in managing complex priorities. A bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred, along with experience in federal grants, state contracting processes, and compliance with funding guidelines. A background in law enforcement or prosecutorial work is beneficial but not required.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $75,010.00, but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Plan, organize, direct, monitor, and participate in ongoing comprehensive development and implementation of specialized programs designed to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities on Indiana's roadways.
• Advise, reccomend and consult with other professionals concerning traffic safety, accident prevention, and traffic facilitation. Coordinate programming and activities around the state to support positive outcomes for Indiana drivers.
• Determine, analyze, identify, and implement long-range objectives and specify the strategies, KPIs, and actions to achieve them.
• Analyze operations to evaluate the performance of the specific program or its staff in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.
• Interpret and explain in-depth and complex policies, rules, regulations, or laws to organizations, government or corporate officials, or individuals.
• Develop and implement corrective action plans to solve departmental problems.
• Prepare and present reports for approval, including those for funding or implementation of services to executive leadership.
• The study proposed revisions and amendments to laws concerning traffic safety and made recommendations relative to those laws.
• Develop and oversee program financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments,…