The former head of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, Gus Bickford, is taking a $162,896-a-year job at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the agency announced Wednesday afternoon.

Bickford, who served as chair of the party for over six years, plans to start as the chief of intergovernmental affairs at MassDOT on Jan. 22, where he will oversee the agency’s legislative office.

“I am deeply humbled as I join MassDOT and its incredible team. I look forward to working on opportunities that help to support our legislative agenda and advance the amazing work of MassDOT,” Bickford said in a brief statement provided by the agency.

Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt said Bickford brings “a wealth of expertise and experience of systems and legislation.”

“He brings his deep understanding of strategy, engagement and policy that will help us to better position MassDOT to advance our transportation vision,” she said in a statement.

Bickford announced he was stepping down from the party in February 2023 after fist winning election to the post in 2016 and reelection in 2020. He officially left the position in April 2023, when Steve Kerrigan was elected as the next chairperson of the party.