Assistant Project Engineer (WMS2) Tacoma

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the worlds widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity

WSDOT has a unique and exciting opportunity for an experienced engineer in the Tacoma Project Engineering Office to assist in the delivery of projects that will provide significant benefits to the local community and environment. In this role, you will assist in providing leadership, management, and engineering oversight. The Assistant Principal Engineer will ensure, through effective management controls and adherence to WSDOT policies, that appropriate standards and practical solutions are incorporated into projects and that construction contracts are administered to the expected quality, safety, and stewardship standards. This position will provide staff a balanced workplace, which promotes training and development for professional growth and upward mobility, employee safety, workforce diversity, and pride in ownership. This position will also serve as a local WSDOT representative to legislators, local agencies, Industry, and the public.

What to Expect

The Olympic Region Construction and Project Development Offices lead, direct, and manage delivery of the region's highway construction program. This position reports directly to the Tacoma Project Engineer who reports to the Olympic Region Construction Office, and to the Region Project Development Office for matters related to pre-construction activities. This position assists the Project Engineer in leading and managing an engineering field office of approximately 25 engineers and technicians responsible for the delivery of assigned design and construction projects, which requires close coordination and cooperation with region staff and support groups, HQ, and project stakeholders to accomplish organizational goals and expectations. See attached Table of Organization.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Project Engineer will:

• Assist the Project Engineer to provide leadership, management, and oversight to and engineering field office.
• Apply policy and standards to highway design and construction projects.
• Be responsible for deliverables pertaining to design documents and contract documentation, materials certifications, environmental compliance, change order management, EEO/COA compliance, final records, and contract reporting.
• Initiate personnel and staffing actions necessary to carry out program delivery.
• Ensure appropriate and optimum use of the organizations resources and enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisal and professional development opportunities.
• Be responsible for participating in planning actions and completing training requirements to fulfill the assigned responsibilities in the event of the mobilization of the WSDOT Olympic Region Emergency Operations Center.
• Promote a safety focused work environment; actively engage in the Safety Offices Leading Indicators program.

Qualifications

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

• Licensed by the State of Washington as a Professional Engineer or be licensed as a Professional Engineer in another state with the ability to obtain licensure in Washington State within six (6) months of employment.
• Strong engineering background with experience managing significant design and construction contracts.
• Supervisory experience.
• A valid drivers license with the ability to legally operate vehicles in Washington State.
• Experience managing significant design and construction contracts.
• Strong working knowledge of principles of management with strategic leadership abilities to build and maintain effective teams; and demonstrated interpersonal skills to a diverse interdisciplinary workforce in developing and delivering multiple projects.
• Working knowledge of the state and federal departments design and construction principles and practices, contracting methods and procedures, and program (budget, schedule, environmental, quality, etc.) accountability.
• Strong skills in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall program strategy/results; monitoring, measuring performance, and making necessary course corrections to the same.
• Excellent skills in effective communication with employees, peers, superiors, and the public; written, verbal, and presentation skills to communicate information effectively and professionally to a diverse audience, including those with non-technical backgrounds, using a variety of electronic media.
• Skills to make responsible, timely, and effective decisions in the best interest of the department, based on an array of complex and competing issues.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience as a licensed professional engineer in construction or design of highways, bridges, and related structures.
• Four (4) years of demonstrated and progressively responsible managerial/supervisory experience in managing a diverse workforce.
• Experience supervising public sector employees in a union environment.
• Excellent knowledge of the department's design and construction principles and practices, contracting methods and procedures, stewardship agreement, and program (budget, schedule, environmental, quality, etc.) accountability.

*To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting.

Important Notes

• This position requires a Professional Engineers License issued by the State of Washington. License holders from other states will be expected to obtain a WA State PE license within six (6) months of appointment.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• The salary range listed includes the legislative approved general wage increase of 3%, effective on July 1, 2025.
• This role requires periodic visits to heavy civil construction sites; site visits may be performed in inclement weather in daytime or nighttime and require traversing rough, steep, and uneven terrain. Periodic weekend and evening work required as needed for delivery or emergency response.
• Travel is an expectation of the position and may be required on a regular, sporadic, or as needed basis. Travel (of less than 70 miles round trip) is primarily to perform site/field visits, attend off-site meetings, meet with stakeholders, or attend training. Overnight travel may be required.
• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• 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.
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov .

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 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may 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 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. 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. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, 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 Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, at ... . Please be sure to reference 25DOT-OR-3W087 in the subject line.