Traffic Engineer King County (WMS Band 3)

About WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence! Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking a skilled professional to serve as a Traffic Engineer in the Seattle area. The King Area Traffic Engineer is a licensed professional engineering position reporting to the Assistant Region Traffic Engineer for King County. The King Area Traffic Engineer leads a staff of technical experts and licensed engineers supporting traffic engineering decisions and functions related to planning, projects, performance monitoring, and inquiries from the public, the media, or elected officials in King County.

This position helps support WSDOTs mission by leading a group of trained engineers to provide expert and strategic traffic analysis, design guidance and quality assurance for all roadway projects falling under WSDOT jurisdiction and approval, including projects both internal and external to WSDOT in the NWR portions of King County (King Area). This position ensures consistency with all applicable federal, state and local policies and standards for projects within King Area. The work products created by this position are used as part of project documentation, freeway access revision reports, intersection control evaluations, channelization development, WSDOT Operations and Maintenance planning, community outreach, benefit-cost analyses, traffic and safety analyses, legislative, media and community inquiries, as well as tort liability claims.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the King Area Traffic Engineer will:

• Serve as an expert Traffic Engineer responsible for a wide range of traffic engineering work on all highway projects within King County, directing the work of several technical experts, directly accountable for decisions, directions, and outcomes.
• Apply engineering knowledge and experience to exercise independent judgement to provide traffic engineering analysis and implement design and operations decisions for the most complex transportation projects in the state.
• Review and concurrences of traffic consultant analysis, reports and plans for all WSDOT, Sound Transit and local agency projects on and impacting state highways in King County.
• Independently providing guidance and oversight for analysis methodology, safety and operations for the projects impacting state highways in King County.
• Providing traffic engineering recommendations to senior WSDOT managers.
• Manage the King Area Q funds allocated for low-cost enhancements at each biennium.

Qualifications

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

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or related degree Please note: Four (4) years of relevant work experience will substitute for the Bachelor's degree.
• Washington State Professional Engineer License or licensed as a Professional Engineer in another state and with the ability to obtain a PE license in Washington State within six (6) months of employment.
• Experience managing/leading traffic engineering, traffic operations, traffic safety management and/or highway maintenance staff
• Seven (7) years of practical experience in traffic design, traffic operations, freeway operations, construction traffic control, and/or highway safety management
• Three (3) years of practical experience in the development of complex freeway/highway channelization.
• Possess valid Drivers License

Expert Knowledge of:

• Traffic engineering principles, practices, and policies in the areas of traffic operations, freeway operations, traffic safety management, and performance monitoring.
• Current national and state standards in traffic engineering, channelization design, multi-modal considerations and best practices.
• Traffic data collection, analysis, and presentation in support of construction traffic planning.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Master of Science in Civil Engineering. (Traffic emphasis desirable)
• Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE) certification

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• 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.
• The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions 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 . Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in 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 .

Why WSDOT

• Work-Life Balance We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
• 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 a choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to for more information.

Check out this video to learn more:

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. 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 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 recruiter listed.

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Amanda Strebeck, at ... . Please be sure to reference Traffic Engineer #1W088 in the subject line.