Assistant Project Engineer (WMS2) Lacey

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 world's 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 Olympia 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 Project 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 PEO delivers projects for the Region's Multi-Modal Development & Delivery pre- construction program. This position will report directly to the Olympia PEO Project Engineer who reports to the Olympic Region Multi-Modal Development & Delivery Office for matters related to pre-construction activities. This position will assist the Project Engineer in leading and managing an engineering office responsible for the delivery of assigned design projects. This requires close coordination and cooperation with region staff, support groups, WSDOT Headquarters, consultants, and project stakeholders to accomplish organizational goals and expectations.

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 an 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, and contract reporting.
• Coordinate and communicate closely with other agencies, project stakeholders and the general public in support of delivering assigned projects.
• Develop and implement project communication/outreach strategies.
• Initiate personnel and staffing actions necessary to carry out program delivery.
• Ensure appropriate and optimum use of the organization's resources and enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisal and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

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

Licenses

• Licensed as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or licensed as a PE in another state with the ability to obtain licensure in Washington State within six (6) months of hire.
• A valid driver's license.

Engineering & Technical Expertise

• Strong working knowledge of design and construction principles and practices, contracting methods and procedures, and program (budget, schedule, environmental, quality, etc.) accountability.
• Sound judgment to make timely, effective, and responsible decisions while balancing complex and competing priorities.

Leadership & Management

• Supervisory experience.
• Strategic leadership skills to build, guide, and maintain effective teams.
• Ability to motivate, coach, mentor, and empower staff while fostering engagement.
• Skills to lead change, resolve conflicts, and promote collaboration across diverse interdisciplinary teams.

Planning & Program Oversight

• Advanced 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.
• Skills to make responsible, timely, and effective decisions in the best interest of the department, based on an array of complex and competing issues.

Communication

• Advanced skills to communicate effectively and professionally to a diverse audience, including those with non-technical backgrounds, both virtually and in-person, using a variety of electronic media.
• Ability to utilize software, hardware, and systems such as telephones, email, text, video conferencing, and computer conferencing.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

Engineering & Technical Expertise

• Demonstrated sound engineering judgment with experience in design and construction engineering.
• Licensed professional engineer with responsibility in construction or design of highways, bridges, and related structures.
• Knowledge of design and construction principles and practices in large public sector agencies.
• Experience using engineering, scheduling, and budgeting software.

Leadership & Management

• Progressive responsibility in leading or supervising a diverse workforce.
• Ability to work across boundaries and build strong, effective teams.
• Skill in coaching, mentoring, training, and encouraging employee engagement.
• Strong working knowledge of management principles and practices.
• 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 hire.
• This role requires occasional 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 position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• 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, 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 telework options for eligible positions.
• 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 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-3W113 in the subject line.