Salary: $78,900.00 – $106,152.00 Annually
Location: Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Job Number: 22DOT-HQ-TPS5Pool
Closing: 9/18/2022 @ 11:59 PM Pacific

Learn more about this position and apply today at WSDOT’s Government Jobs page.

Job Description:

About WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure people and goods move safely and efficiently throughout the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT operates the largest ferry system in the nation, manages the world’s longest floating bridge, and recently completed the world’s widest tunneling project.

The Opportunity

WSDOT is seeking experienced planners with multimodal expertise and passion for equitable, sustainable transportation to fill Transportation Planning Specialist 5 positions in several locations across the state. The leaders in these new positions will play a key role in advancing Complete Streets and environmental justice at WSDOT. The Principal Multimodal Planners will promote system approaches to tackle challenging transportation problems and help shape agency plans and projects, with a focus on delivering project pre-design and corridor and network plans. The incumbents work as part of a region planning office and serve on agency-wide teams. The individuals in these roles will implement innovative planning methods, lead multidisciplinary teams, and promote inclusive community engagement. Sharing expertise to advise internal and external decision-makers, guide colleagues and shape agency best practice is a key responsibility of the position. Our ideal candidates recognize that a transportation system that doesn’t work for everyone just doesn’t work, and they bring that perspective to their day-to-day responsibilities.

What to Expect

The addition of these seven new positions represents a tremendous opportunity for seasoned planners to join WSDOT to advance their career. You’ll apply and grow your knowledge and expertise at an agency where executive leaders emphasize workforce development, resilience, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. You’ll join a talented and committed multidisciplinary community working to navigate change and implement new programs.

As a member of a region planning team reporting to the Region Planning Manager, the Principal Multimodal Planner will: 

  • Provide subject matter expertise to a WSDOT Region on methods and best practices related to critical active transportation and multimodal planning and design elements, including Complete Streets requirements. 
  • Lead multidisciplinary teams across organizational lines to determine Complete Streets options to inform pre-design and preliminary engineering. 
  • Produce reports and presentations that link planning, scoping, and design. 
  • Serve on an agency-wide team charged with developing community engagement best practice for WSDOT reflecting environmental justice principles.
  • Serve on an agency-wide team charged with developing Complete Streets best practice for WSDOT.
  • Represent WSDOT in planning efforts led by external partners including long range planning, land use planning, multimodal planning, and other relative planning efforts.
  • Some positions include responsibility for supervising one or more subordinate planning staff.

Qualifications:

Experience for both required and preferred qualifications can be gained through formal professional employment, volunteer experience, or lived experience. Applicants are encouraged to explain how their combination of education and experience meets the requirements of the position.

To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

  • Two (2) years of experience as Associate Planner/Transportation Planning Specialist 3 or an equivalent role at public agency, non-governmental organization, or private consulting firm; OR seven (7) years transportation planning experience involving community engagement plus analysis and evaluation of multimodal transportation issues and problems. An advanced degree in transportation planning or related field may substitute for one year of experience.
  • Planning professional with practical, hands-on experience in one or more of the following areas in transportation planning: corridor studies, local comprehensive planning, regional transportation plans, project plans. 
  • Ability to provide consulting expertise and contribute to policy and process development in multimodal transportation, including active transportation-focused data collection and analysis in planning, such as performance measures, network connectivity, and level of traffic stress. 
  • Ability to provide consulting expertise and contribute to policy and process development in community engagement experience with environmental justice focus. 
  • Ability to apply organizational influence by gaining the support of others, leading cross-organizational teams, building positive relationships and communicating effectively. 

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

  • Ability to speak or write a second language or ASL.  
  • Experience with meeting facilitation.
  • Experience in organizational change/development and multidisciplinary teambuilding.
  • Experience working in community organization, local government and/or a metropolitan or regional transportation planning organization.
  • Experience with quantitative data analysis using sources as tools such as, ArcGIS, StreetLight Data, Inrix, Cube Access, Tableau, Power BI, and/or other geographic and data analytic tools.

Important Notes:

  • This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
  • This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
  • Incumbent must have ability to attend meetings on short notice in-person in the geographic area covered by the assigned region. 
  • Some overnight and even multi-day travel within Washington State is anticipated. 
  • The recruiting efforts for this position may be extended beyond the displayed closing date for as long and until a sufficient candidate pool has been established. However, the first review of applications will be conducted September 19, 2022. The Appointing Authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time thereafter. It is to your benefit to submit your application as soon as possible.
  • By issuance of proclamation, the Governor of Washington State mandates that all employees who work for executive cabinet agencies (which includes the Department of Transportation) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This is a condition of employment with WSDOT. Exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes; however, accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.   
  • WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system.

Why WSDOT

  • Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including occasional telework for eligible positions.  
  • Paid Leave – In addition to 11 paid holidays, full-time employees earn a minimum 14 paid vacation days per year!
  • Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.  
  • Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more.

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

How to Apply:

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible. 

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application: 

  • An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
  • An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
  • Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. NOTE: This information may be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment. 

Please click the “APPLY” button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.

Contact WSDOT:

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Robyn Lovely at LovelyR@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 22DOT-HQ-TPS5Pool in the subject line.