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Erin Rakus

@erinrakus1

Transportation program specialist at Tennessee Department of Transportation, reviewing work orders and supporting projects through contract execution.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I'm seeking to bring my combination of regulatory precision and collaborative communication to a broader transportation or grants-management role.

At Tennessee Department of Transportation, I review work orders for completeness and apply process guides, statutes, regulations, contract language, and grant requirements. I also work with internal teams and external partners to address documentation gaps and keep projects moving.

As a Transportation Program Monitor in the State-Aid Office, I prepared risk assessments for contracts and amendments, coordinated contract checks with regional staff, and processed funding and payment entries. I also prepared statewide project closings.

Earlier at Tennessee Department of Transportation, I assisted local agencies in securing state and federal funding and helped them follow applicable policies and procedures. My background also includes marketing and communications work at Workforce Essentials and front-end management at Lowe's.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Senior Technical Specialist

Current

Tennessee Department of Transportation

Jan 2025 - Present (1 year 9 months)

Review and analyze work orders for completeness, ensuring required documentation is in place before processing. Serve as a liaison between internal teams and external partners, and interpret regulations and funding requirements to support project lifecycle from advertisement through invoicing.

Contract Compliance Grant Administration Documentation Review Stakeholder Communication project lifecycle management Email Management Regulatory Interpretation

Transportation Program Monitor, State-Aid Office

Tennessee Department of Transportation

Jan 2023 - Jan 2025 (2 years)

Set up and maintained new projects in electronic databases, prepared risk assessments for state and federal contracts, and coordinated with regional staff to ensure contract accuracy. Obligated funding and prepared statewide project closings.

Project Setup Risk Assessment Contract Management Grant Funding Edison Database Management Coordination

Transportation Program Monitor, Local Programs

Tennessee Department of Transportation

Jan 2020 - Jan 2023 (3 years)

Assisted local agencies in securing state and federal funding for locally managed projects and communicated daily to ensure adherence to policies and procedures.

Grant assistance Policy Compliance Communication Skills Stakeholder Support

Marketing Specialist

Workforce Essentials

Jan 2019 - Jan 2020 (1 year)

Designed and executed billboard advertising for military career opportunities and created marketing materials for multiple offices. Managed social media and website content.

Marketing Advertising Social Media Management Content Creation Event Promotion

Front End Manager

Lowe's

Jan 2016 - Jan 2019 (3 years)

Supervised a front-end team of 30+ cashiers, building and managing schedules and directing staff to ensure efficient operations and positive customer experience.

Team Supervision Scheduling Customer Service Operations Management