TxDOT is looking for its next Rail Division Director following promotion of Jeff Davis
August 15, 2025 - TRA Newswire -
Following the promotion of Jeff Davis to an executive level position, the Texas Department of Transportation announced that it is accepting applications for the position of Rail Division Director.
The details of the position can be found through this link on the TxDOT Careers website: https://www.txdot.gov/content/txdotreimagine/us/en/home/about/careers/jobs.html?jobtitle=rail&location=
The position of Rail Division Director has a salary range of $164,048 to $277,446 annually. The job ID # is 2502234. There is no end date on the posting and the listing will remain open until the position is filled.
According to the TxDOT posting, the next office holder will direct and lead one of the nation's largest and most complex rail oversight programs, managing Texas's 10,500-mile rail network and 15,000 grade crossings. The Director will oversees statewide implementation of federal and state-funded programs, public-private partnerships, and rail planning, safety, compliance, construction, and grant execution.
Responsibilities will include directing operations of state-owned rail facilities, right of way, and joint rail initiatives, serving as TxDOT's primary liaison to federal rail agencies, ensuring compliance with FRA and FTA regulations.
Other duties include responsibility for the State Safety Oversight Program, champion safety initiatives such as the Rail Trespasser Mitigation Program and manage state-sponsored Amtrak services and a 400-mile short-line railroad with an international crossing.
The position reports to the Director Planning & Modal Programs.
The Rail Division Director will provide strategic leadership to professional, technical and administrative employees. Work requires extensive contact with high-level executives, government officials, special interest groups, railroad companies, governmental transportation entities, and private entities. Employees at this level perform work at the highest level of discretion and independent judgment and are responsible for final outcomes.
Essential Duties:
- Administers and implements the state and federal freight and passenger rail programs.
- Develops Statewide Transportation Plan for railroad mode and the State Rail Plan.
- Directs development and monitoring of the division's operating budget and preparation of the Division’s legislative appropriation request.
- Establishes policies and directs the statewide research, development, and education programs.
- Oversees federal/state rail programs and activities for highway/rail grade crossings.
- Oversees planning, development, and coordination of rail construction projects with federal, state, county, municipal, and governmental transportation entities.
- Oversees the department's rail safety inspection program and the state safety oversight program.
- Oversees the development and implementation of the rail safety infrastructure program and rail/intermodal projects.
- Provides direction and technical support in the implementation, administration, and enforcement of laws and regulations relating to transportation in Texas.
- Serves as liaison to state and federal agencies and organizations with interests and responsibilities pertaining to rail projects, operations, systems, or facilities.
Photo credit: TxDOT Railroad Map