Transportation Engineer 2

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Respect. Professionalism. Integrity. Accountability.

Transportation Engineer 2

Help protect the consumers of Washington state!

Salary Consideration: Range 61, Step A ($71,472) Step L ($93,804) annually.

The starting employment offer will be determined based on the successful candidates qualifications. Typically Step M of the pay range is a longevity step.

This recruitment is open until August 24, 2025 at 11:59pm.

The Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) reserves the right to render a hiring decision and/or choose to close or extend this recruitment at any given time. Applications for this recruitment could be used to fill comparable positions that open within the next 60 days.

The Opportunity:
The Washington UTC is seeking to fill one (1) Transportation Engineer 2 position within the Rail Safety Field Operations Section of the Transportation Safety Division . This position provides overall technical and professional expertise in areas of statewide enforcement pertaining to state railroad safety laws, rules, regulations, policies, and standards.

Hybrid :

Although these are hybrid opportunities, the successful incumbents must reside within Washington state and must be available to report to the Lacey, Washington headquarters building when needed.

Travel :

The incumbent will spend about 75% of work time traveling during and outside normal work hours throughout the state, including overnight stays. They will also occasionally travel throughout the U.S., which involves overnight stays to attend training, conferences, and/or meetings.

Who We Are:
Our mission is to protect the people of Washington by ensuring that investor-owned utility and transportation services are safe, equitable, reliable, and fairly priced.

We protect consumers by regulating the rates, services, and practices of private or investor-owned utilities and transportation companies to ensure they are safe, equitable, reliable, and affordable.

The UTC is continually recognized for its excellence and integrity as a regulatory agency, as we challenge the status quo and ourselves to ensure equitable outcomes for our customers and the people of Washington state.

We recognize that our employees are the key to the agencys success. We are committed to our work but value balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth, and offers continuing learning opportunities, meaningful work, and a comprehensive benefits package. For more information about our benefits or working at UTC, please visit our website .

What We Offer Our Employees:

• UTC fosters an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging , while striving to hire and retain a workforce from the communities we serve.
• We place importance on a healthy balance between personal and professional lives; offering flexible work schedules, wellness programs, and mobile/telework opportunities.
• Through the state, our employees (and their families) are offered options for medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance.
• We offer enrollment into the state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan.
• Throughout a calendar year, employees receive a minimum of 14 days of vacation leave per year and 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday in addition to accruing sick leave.

Our Values:

• Respect - We treat every person and interaction with consideration and goodwill.
• Professionalism - We are committed to excellence in our work and conduct.
• Integrity - We do the right things for the right reasons - trusting others to do the same.

Our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Competencies:

1. EDI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment.
2. Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth.
3. Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships.
4. Inclusive Excellence & Allyship.

The Position:

This Transportation Engineer 2 position provides overall technical and professional expertise focusing on statewide enforcement of state railroad safety laws, rules, regulations, policies, and standards. If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact in rail safety and possess the required skills and qualifications, we encourage you to apply.

What youll do:

Reporting to a Transportation Engineer 4, the successful candidate will independently plan, prepare, analyze, and coordinate investigations and inspections relating to rail safety. Additionally, this role is dedicated to improving safety in pedestrian trespass areas, contributing significantly to enhancing public safety.

Additional duties include, but arent limited to the following:

• Independently verify compliance with Washington Administrative Codes (WAC) and Revised Codes of Washington (RCW) and, when appropriate, issues defect notices that may result in enforcement action.

• Follows established procedures, conducts routine and other inspections related to complaints on walkways, sanitation, restricted clearances, minimum train crew, highway-railroad grade crossings, trespassing, and any other assigned areas.

• Provides technical assistance to railroads or other impacted parties at the time of, or in the context of, any type of inspection by ensuring understanding of current safety standards, rules, laws, regulations, and policies.
• Provides technical assistance to railroads, division and commission leadership, and other interested parties as necessary.
• Investigates railroad accidents, including reportable collisions, derailments, and other accidents, to determine if the railroad violated state rules, laws, regulations, policies, or safety standards.
• Independently investigates safety complaints, related to railroad incidents or accidents, filed against a railroad by company employees, union officials, or the public regarding unsafe or hazardous conditions.
• Prepares reports of the results of inspections and investigations, including the causes of accidents, and works to bring the impacted entities together to discuss prevention strategies and prevention measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
• Brings the impacted entities together to discuss possible trespass prevention strategies, deterrents, and countermeasures. Guides the impacted entities to available rail safety grant funding sources which helps fund the implementation of any possible trespass prevention countermeasures to improve rail safety in those areas.
• Assesses areas of pedestrian trespassing near railroad tracks, facilities and railroad crossings and identify strategies to improve safety in those areas. Prepares reports of findings with recommendations for the repair or replacement of existing trespass deterrents or recommends and coordinates trespass abatement meetings with the impacted entities to discuss possible trespass prevention measures.
• Assesses areas of pedestrian trespassing near railroad tracks, facilities and railroad crossings and identify strategies to improve safety in those areas. Prepare reports of findings with recommendations for the repair or replacement of existing trespass deterrents or recommend and coordinate trespass abatement meetings with the impacted entities to discuss possible trespass prevention measures.
• Educates the public and promotes awareness on the dangers of trains and railroad tracks through participation in Washington Operation Lifesaver and other information channels.
• Educates interested parties on the availability of the UTCs Grade Crossing Protective Fund for safety improvements.
• Stays informed about rail safety developments, events, technical updates, and rule changes by attending training, workshops, and other events.

Required Qualifications:

The ability to demonstrate proficient expertise in the following competencies. This may be gained through education, experience, or a combination of both.

Railroad Knowledge

• The ability to demonstrate professional understanding of railroad practices, rules, and general railroad nomenclature.

Inspection and Investigation:

• Use critical observation skills to inspect and investigate equipment, facilities, programs, records, and operations of railroad companies.
• Recognize rail safety issues, trends, and hazards.
• Use analytical skills to identify factors affecting or contributing to issues of noncompliance.
• Understand which safety improvements or corrective action measures to recommend for a given situation.
• Determine what rail safety improvements can be implemented, within UTCs jurisdiction, to improve rail safety and resolve issues of noncompliance.
• Record inspection and investigation findings clearly and concisely and respond appropriately to their significance.
• Track rail safety issues and pursue resolution of non-compliance areas

• Obtain information regarding technical, regulatory and policy development related to railroad safety.
• Organize information when presenting it to others in an effective manner.
• Analyze information and present sound, reasoned evaluations, and recommendations.

Communications Skills:

• Ability to present inspections, investigations, conclusions, and recommendations in writing in a clear, concise, and organized manner.
• Use of proper document structure, punctuation, grammar, and plain talk skills in writing assignments.
• Verbal communications skills to work effectively with railroads, FRA, commission staff, leadership, and other stakeholders.

Personal Safety:

• Understand agency requirements for personal safety in and around railroad equipment and facilities.
• Use of PPE as required by the agency.

Software and Data Management:

• Computer software, such as Microsoft Word and Excel, to collect information and compose reports.
• Specialized software to record inspection data and results.
• Databases and general computer systems, such as the internet, to research and retrieve data and information.
• Digital image technology to capture images of the equipment and transfer those images to the appropriate database(s) and to the appropriate parties

Demonstration of UTC Values (expected of all employees and leadership) :

1. Respect : We treat every person and interaction with consideration and goodwill.
2. Professionalism : We are committed to excellence in our work and conduct.
3. Integrity : We do the right things for the right reasons- trusting others to do the same.

Demonstration of EDI Competencies (expected of all employees) :

• EDI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment
• Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth
• Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships
• Inclusive Excellence & Allyship

Demonstration of UTC Core Competencies (expected of all employees) :

1. Accountability - With courage, we hold ourselves and each other accountable for exhibiting respect, professionalism, and integrity.
2. DEI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment - Ability to be exposed to, know, and understand the language and concepts of DEI and be committed to being part of creating, maintaining, and improving a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
3. Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth Engages in self-reflection, lifelong learning, and growth.
4. Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships - Conducts themselves in a manner that builds trust, enhances work relationships, and meaningfully partner and engage with those they serve and serve with.
5. Inclusive Excellence & Allyship Ability to demonstrate that all people are valued and engaged as members of the group, team, organization, or community through equitable, inclusive, and respectful behavior.
6. Measuring Success and Improvement Ability to develop, implement, evaluate, and continually improve strategies that promote equity and inclusion in their organization and with the communities they serve.
7. Customer Focus Responsive to both internal and external customers. Works with customer to identify needs; assumes responsibility for own role in meeting those needs. Ensures commitments to customers are met. Receptive to customer feedback.
8. Results Focus Accepts personal accountability for individual results or share of team results. Manages workload and interpersonal relationships to achieve results: prioritizes tasks appropriately, overcomes obstacles, works with others as necessary, and meets deadlines and quality standards.
9. Communication Skills Demonstrates communication skills (reading comprehension, writing, listening, speaking) appropriate to the position. Shows respect and courtesy in interpersonal communications.
10. Adaptability/Flexibility Open to new ideas. Responds constructively to change and stressful situations. In consultation with supervisor, adjusts plans to meet changing needs.
11. Self-Development Demonstrates proactive learning. Keeps knowledge and skills up to date. Solicits and accepts constructive feedback. Seeks developmental assignments to improve skills. Turns challenges into learning opportunities.
12. Continuous Process Improvement Utilizes Lean tools and principles to continuously identify improvements, solve problems, and improve work processes. Participates on process improvement projects/teams. Actively engages in section/division huddles and incorporates visual management into daily work.

Desired Experience, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities :

• Two (2) years of experience working in the railroad industry with general knowledge of railroad practices which may include but not limited to railroad grade crossings, yard operations, maintenance, construction, and performing inspections of railroad facilities, grade crossings or railyards.
• Two (2) years of experience as a Transportation Engineer 1 performing preliminary engineering, design or traffic analysis.
• A Master's degree with major study in civil engineering, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, soil mechanics, traffic, transportation, or a closely related field.
• Certified Engineer-In-Training (EIT)

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:

• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
• This position is overtime eligible per the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Ensure the accuracy, spelling, and grammar of your application and any requested attachments before submitting.

How to Apply:
If youre interested in joining our Team , please read the instructions below carefully. Click Apply at the top of the page to begin the process.

Your application will only be considered complete if the following attachments are submitted with you application:

1. Letter of Interest describing how you meet the position qualifications and why you believe you are the ideal candidate.
2. Resume detailing your applicable experience and education.
3. References: At least three (3) professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses. One (1) contact MUST be your current or most recent supervisor.

The initial screening of candidates will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application, including answers provided to the Supplemental Questionnaire, along with the required attachments - letter of interest, resume, and references submitted as part of the application process.

Please note : a resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa.

All information may be verified, and documentation may be required for verification. Candidates may be disqualified if the education and/or work experience does not include information used to meet the minimum qualifications of the job.

The UTC is an equal opportunity employer. We want to make sure you have an equal opportunity to join our team. Our commitment is making sure current and future employees are treated fairly and equally without regard to age, sex (including gender identity), race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or religious or political affiliation.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact .... For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or ....

For more information about the UTC, please visit:

www.utc.wa.gov , www.twitter.com/wautc and www.facebook.com/wautc

The State of Washington: