Assistant Regional Administrator - Snoking Project Development

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 Opportunity
WSDOT is currently seeking an Assistant Regional Administrator (ARA) for Project Development in the Snohomish and King County (SnoKing) areas. Reporting to the Deputy Regional Administrator, this position is a member of the executive management team in the Northwest Region (NWR). The NW Region includes 45% of the state's population (approximately 3.5 million people) with a very diverse and complex transportation environment, which includes rural, suburban and very complex urban environments. This position is responsible for delivery of design phase activities for all Design/Build and Design/Bid/Build projects in the SnoKing Area and the Region Developers and Utilities Services Office.
This position provides strong leadership, develops policies and is accountable for the development and delivery of WSDOT projects, and delivery of services, franchises and agreements for the utilities, local agencies and developer customers with over 155 WSDOT staff and many additional consultants staff augmentation and teams working in the SnoKing Project Development organization.
The incumbent is responsible for representing the Department in various external forums within King and Snohomish Counties that include federal, state, local agencies, transit, and private citizens. The position is also responsible for the internal coordination of Project Development and Design activities with Headquarters Design Office and providing strategies and guidelines to other regional organizations, including Construction, Planning, Program Management, and Local Programs, for implementation of WSDOT standards.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, ARA- Project Development will:

• Develop and implement policies, strategies, guidelines, and decisions for the safe and effective delivery of Design/Build and Design/Bid/Build highway projects within King and Snohomish Counties and for the oversight and approval of local agency and private developer projects on the State Highway system, and utilities accommodations and utility project coordination for the NW Region.
• Provide policy and procedural guidance to ensure that projects are designed on time, within budget, meet the highest standards of quality and are environmentally compliant.
• Promote accountability and performance measures to ensure there is visibility in project delivery for the public to assess accomplishments and to ensure all projects (State, Local, and Developer) preserve, improve safety, or enhance mobility on the State highway system.
• Interpret the intent of Legislative and Transportation Commission policies and makes decision on how they should be applied to the region.
• Promote and effectively implement the agency strategic goals of Diversity-Equity-Inclusion, Workforce Development and Resilience within the SnoKing Project Development team.
• Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the state's goals for a diverse workforce.
• Responsible for on-time and within budget delivery of the highway construction program for Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build projects assigned within King and Snohomish Counties.
• Establish the framework and strategies to facilitate the resolution of transportation issues within the two counties.
• Approve all personnel actions and organizational changes within scope of responsibility, including new hires, promotions, transfers, corrective/disciplinary actions, and establishment of positions in accordance with the state personnel rules.
• Administer all SnoKing programs by developing strategies and establishing and implementing policies and procedures that promote safety and efficient management.
• Facilitate partnering and maintain effective working relationships with Federal, State, County and City officials to assure coordination and compliance with laws, regulations, and policies within respective jurisdictions.
• Facilitate partnering to build relationships and open communication with Contractors, Consultants, and other WSDOT business partners to ensure seamless coordination between public and private lines of business.

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

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in Engineering / Organizational Management
• Professional Civil Engineering License
• Knowledge of principles of advanced management associated with extremely high cost, complex projects; agency goals and objectives; Project Development principles and processes; state, tribal, and local political structures and issues; quality principles and tools; civil engineering theory and practice; transportation planning practice; maintenance, traffic and operations, and emergency planning and response; state and agency budgeting and planning processes; laws and regulations at the local, state, tribal, and federal level impacting delivery of transportation services. Specific laws and regulations include those pertaining to environmental, land use, access management, real estate acquisition, and contract law. WSDOT personnel policies, related WAC's and union agreements.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Master's degree in Engineering, Transportation Planning, Business or Public Administration
• Experience in managing, supervising, directing, or working directly with construction, traffic, maintenance, and operations organizations.
• Experience and familiarity of the Design Build process for highway construction.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• In additional to the salary range listed, a general wage increase of 4% will be applied for all state employees on July 1, 2023.
• 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 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. 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.
• Paid Leave - In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees (could/can/will)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 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 listed Recruiter.

Contact us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Amanda Strebeck, at strebal@wsdot.wa.gov . Please be sure to reference SnoKing Project Development ARA #1W195 in the subject line.Employment Type: Full Time - Permanent