8/5/2011

Employees
Questionnaire first step in study of positions
ITD employees have an opportunity to help refine their jobs and define their ITD future by completing the Position Description Questionnaire. The questionnaire is fundamental to a 6-7- month process to evaluate current positions and begin discussions about career paths and advancement opportunities.
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ITD outreach
“Ta-dah” turns to “uh-oh” for groups of teachers
About 50 teachers participated in the ITD education outreach activity on Wednesday (Aug. 3) at Stevens-Henager College in Nampa where each leaning tower of pasta strained under the punishing weight of a single 0.2-ounce marshmallow.
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Diversity
Tribal member explains native culture during brown bag lunch
If Ronald Sam didn’t have the attention of his audience before, he certainly had it after striking the center of a buffalo hide drum. Skilled blows to the traditional Native American instrument rattled light fixtures and hungry stomachs Friday (July 29) during the first installment of a brown bag diversity series at Headquarters.
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Efficiency
Idaho Power rewards D-5 for energy conservation
Idaho Power recognized ITD’s District 5 for its commitment to energy efficiency with a sizable check Friday (July 29). The $29,446 incentive was for the district’s energy efficient lighting project at its District 5 Headquarters in Pocatello. ITD earned the incentive through Idaho Power’s Easy Upgrades program
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Highways
New maintenance shed scheduled for Murphy
ITD will build a new maintenance shed in Murphy next year. The state recently acquired a 10-acre parcel for the new facility. Well drilling and excavation for a septic system is planned on the property this fall. The new shed, which will look very similar to the new Emmett shed, will be built next summer
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Employees
Do you have a retirement plan?
How often do you sit with your family and friends and discuss your savings plan for retirement? How often do you go over your retirement strategy? If you’re like most people, you don’t have a retirement plan and you aren’t sure how much you really need in retirement to feel financially secure.
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Aviation
Our little-known aeronautics sector is taking off
Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter There are a few industries in Idaho that get most of the limelight. We talk a lot about agriculture, technology, and lately renewable energy. But we’re fortunate to have a more diverse base these days, which is a big change from where we were two decades ago. Over time, diversity stabilizes our economy, making us less likely to have disruptive booms and busts.
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Preparedness
Be aware, be vigilant, be part of the solution
Ada City-County Emergency Management Saturday nights around New York City’s Times Square are busy. Locals and tourists alike fill the sidewalks; streets are congested as vehicles jockey for a lane or a parking space. It is a very active environment in which something could go unnoticed. Fortunately, on May 1, 2010, the street vendors in this area were very aware of their surroundings.
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Realignment
Encore (7-29-11): Director's streamlining effort captures national attention
In a new Two-Minute State DOT Update video, ITD Director Brian Ness, says that since taking office in January 2010, he initiated a plan to improve customer service, efficiency, and accountability and save $3.5 million in personnel costs.
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Safe driving
Encore (7-29-11): ITD introduces new website for teen drivers, parents
ITD’s Office of Highway Safety offers young drivers and their parents an online resource promoting safe driving among young adults and provides a way for them to learn more about responsible driving. The website, at www.idahoteendriving.org, provides resources and articles about safe driving for teenage drivers, young adult drivers, parents and even children, who may one day become drivers.
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Outreach
Encore (7-29-11): ITD schedules fall tour to meet with legislators
ITD will conduct legislative outreach meetings in each of its districts this fall to introduce the department’s new structure and outline issues that might surface during the 2012 Legislature. Although the meetings provide an opportunity to familiarize legislators with the department, the primary intent is to allow Legislators to determine the discussion topics and to ask questions of attending ITD representatives.
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Aeronautics
Encore (7-29-11): ITD helps with research on Friedman airport
It’s a small airport, tucked in the shadows of the Sawtooth Mountains. But it attracts a lot of attention from skiers and winter vacationers. With the assistance of ITD Aeronautics staff, Friedman Memorial Airport near Hailey hit the world tarmac this month.
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Bridges
Encore (7-29-11): Magazine article looks at Idaho's concrete bridges, past and future
State Bridge Engineer Matt Farrar provided an extensive overview of Idaho’s use of concrete bridges for the spring edition of Aspires – The concrete Bridge Magazine. The three-page article, “Spanning the Past and Future” and six accompanying photos were included in the “State” section of the professional publication.
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Employees
Encore (7-29-11): Supplemental life insurance rates to change Aug. 5
A change in monthly premiums for employees taking advantage of the State Supplemental Life policy will go into effect on the Aug. 5 paycheck. Rates are based on an employee’s age as of July 1, 2011. Employees whose age falls into a new category will notice the premium change.
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