Salary: $98,620.00 – $126,504.00 Annually
Location: King County – Seattle – Belltown, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Job Number: 2022-WSF-9W114r
Closing: 1/20/2023 at 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 Washington State Ferry (WSF) system is an essential part of Washington’s transportation network with more than 1,800 employees working together to safely and efficiently carry nearly 24 million passengers a year! There are over 400 sailings each day on 9 ferry routes across Puget Sound and through the San Juan Islands, including an international route to Sidney, British Columbia.

The Opportunity:

WSDOT is currently seeking a Planning Manager to serve as the lead for the WSF’s service and long-range planning through a practical solutions approach to maintaining equitable, safe, and reliable travel options.

As the Planning Manager, you will directly manage two staff positions and be responsible for managing more on a project basis. This will also include leveraging technical planning and engineering staff from other departments in a matrix-management reporting structure. This position works with key stakeholders, to strategically collaborate on identifying innovative technologies, practices, and protocols to achieve safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation systems.

In this position, you will be responsible for the coordination and planning of integrated long-range multimodal, equitable transportation programs and projects through WSF-served communities. Additionally, the planning manager is responsible for ensuring state and local transportation networks are coordinated with WSF’s service. The Planning Manager coordinates closely with the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, PSRC, RTPO’s cities, counties, regional transit partners, the Office of Urban Mobility & Access/Mega Programs, Northwest and Olympic Region, and other WSDOT offices that support the development and delivery of integrated transportation programs and projects.

Internally, this position will serve as a clearinghouse for WSDOT communications on sensitive policy issues around planning to deliver a consistent message to external partners.

What to Expect?

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the Planning Manager will:

  • Leads service planning, both short and long-term, including updating route schedules.
  • Monitors route scheduling and its effect/impact on operations, vessel availability, and unique terminal needs.
  • Develops and leads the division’s efforts on long-range transportation planning. 
  • Coordinates planning activities internally with headquarters and regional offices, and externally with local and regional partners.
  • Develops and manages corridor planning and targeted studies in close coordination with headquarters, PSRC and RTPO’s, cities, counties, and transit operators.
  • Ensures that transportation system management and operations are considered in close coordination with partner agencies.
  • Leads partnerships both internal and external to the agency, focused on developing new multimodal strategies and applications to improve equity, mobility, and safety on WSF routes. 

Qualifications:

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

  • Five (5) years of progressive experience successfully managing transportation planning and public policy-focused teams and programs, with an understanding of local, regional, state, and federal transportation planning processes and demonstrated accountability for supervision, management, and tactical decision-making as well as success in developing strategies for the successful completion of studies. 
  • Knowledge of urban planning and public policy, as well as a strong understanding of planning principles, and associated State and Federal laws, policies, procedures, and practices related to transportation system planning.
  • A comprehensive understanding of transportation planning methods and policy, and/or experience and demonstrated competency in current or long-range planning under the Growth Management Act, ideally at the local or regional level as well as the state.
  • Working knowledge of the communication protocols and practices, innovative operations technologies, and methodologies used by multiple disciplines lead by and reporting to this position, including various demand management as well as an understanding of multimodal and land use planning.
  • Exceptional interpersonal communication skills. Customers: Executives and staff throughout WSDOT, incident response teams, the public, transit agencies, local jurisdictions, MPO/RTPOs, freight community, multimodal groups, federal agencies, and transportation-related non-profit and for-profit organizations. Project teams: support is via email, phone, online, and in-person discussion. 

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

  • A bachelor’s/Master’s Degree in planning, engineering, public policy, or a related field.
  • Experience in managing transportation multi-modal planning teams at a local, regional, or state level may substitute for the required education.

Important Notes:

  • This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
  • Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 357-16-197 mandates that all employees who work for executive cabinet agencies (which includes the Department of Transportation) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Compliance with this mandate is a condition of employment with WSDOT. An 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. 
  • The salary listed for this position includes a legislative-approved 5% premium for workers in King County.
  • In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.

Why WSDOT?

  • Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensuring that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual’s lifestyle. 
  • Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees earn up to 25 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. Go to State Benefits for more information. 

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 your 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 of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can 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 for 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.

WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.