Civil Engineering ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 2026

Abstract

A strong, resilient public workforce is necessary to keep the United States’ infrastructure system running smoothly. Across the public sector, hiring is lagging behind increasing retirement rates, leaving public agencies facing the loss of institutional knowledge at unprecedented levels. Combined with above-average retirement rates, low unemployment rates, and below-average salaries, workforce shortages are expected to become critical, putting the resilience of the public transportation workforce, and by extension, the United States public infrastructure and services at risk. The purpose of this research is to determine the best practices for recruiting and retaining employees at public transportation agencies, thereby positively influencing workforce resilience. These practices include those that take place both before employment - in the form of job advertisements and recruitment practices - and after employment - in the form of incentivization programs, such as bonuses, flexible work schedules, and educational opportunities.

Keywords

Workforce Resilience, Workforce Development, Rural Workforce Development, Public Transportation Agencies, Job Advertisements

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Civil Engineering

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Civil Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Dr. Susan Bogus Halter

Second Committee Member

Dr. Christofer Harper

Third Committee Member

Dr. Nicholas Ferenchak

Fourth Committee Member

Dr. Stephanie Bunt

Comments

Revision in response to comments

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