Capital Projects Planner (Tps4)

Salary : $74,376.00 - $100,008.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Remote Optional
Job Number: 23DOT-HQ-05109
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Headquarters
Opening Date: 01/05/2024
Closing Date: 1/29/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
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 a to serve as a Capital Projects Planner to support the Public Transportation Division (PTD) in advancing public transportation with partners for a safer, more equitable Washington. This position leads the development and delivery of capital transit equipment projects, such as buses and other vehicle types, and provides technical assistance on state and federal funding requirements, procurement, fleet conversions to alternative fuel types, asset management and compliance, and policy development. The top candidate will also lead complex transportation planning and analysis projects to transition the public transportation system into a low/zero emission future.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Capital Projects Planner will:

• Serve as a subject matter expert and provide technical assistance to partners in the delivery of capital grant-funded equipment projects in highly complex areas such as procurement, nationwide cooperative contracting, Buy America, bus safety, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and asset management.
• Support public transportation affairs related to Department of Enterprise Services (DES) contracting, procurement, bus purchases, authorization letters, and communications with customers.
• Determine the impact of various federal and state legislative proposals on the delivery of the public transportation program, especially replacement or expansion of capital assets such as buses and transit equipment.
• Serve as the expert on requirements during the assessment and planning phase of projects and help grant recipients with fleet assessment for expansion or conversion to alternative fuel vehicles when competing for state or FTA grant opportunities.
• Play a key role in reviewing, scoring, and prioritizing new lists of projects funded through PTD grant programs such as Regional Mobility, Public Transit Rideshare, and Green Transportation Capital.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for capital asset and inventory management, providing oversight on capital assets over the course of their useful life for compliance with safety, state of good repair, ADA, and other requirements.
• Represent PTD at various local-agency and community meetings, conferences, and various internal and external committees and task forces with industry partners.
• Supervise PTD staff responsible for the oversight of capital grant-funded projects and assets.

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

• Bachelor's or master's degree involving major study in transportation; landscape architecture; environmental or urban, regional, or land-use planning; engineering; green transportation; alternative fuels; electrification; public or business administration; economics; or natural or physical sciences.

OR

• Three (3) years of work experience in transportation planning; advanced transportation studies; research; green transportation; alternative fuels; electrification; supporting project teams in developing multimodal recommendations; performing critical program evaluations; or developing and overseeing transportation planning data collection, analysis, and summarization.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Experience and understanding of transportation performance, governance, policy, funding, planning, design, maintenance and operations; special needs transportation; legislative relations; local government relations; and system-wide, multimodal transportation analysis.
• Knowledge of WSDOT's strategic goals and ability to contribute to inclusion, practical solutions efforts, and conversion to alternative fuels.
• Ability to maintain diplomacy and build positive working relationships with federal, state and local agencies; policymakers and advocacy groups; consultants and contractors; colleagues and others.
• Ability to communicate complex policy, project and technical information clearly and effectively to a diverse group of customers and stakeholders.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position is eligible for remote work up to 100%, per supervisor approval.
• Occasional in-state travel may be necessary to attend and/or support meetings and conferences. Working on a computer accounts for about 85-90% of the work week.
• This position is overtime-exempt and may be required to work as many hours as possible to complete the duties of the position. Additional hours may be necessary during peak workload. Some meetings will require occasional work into the evening, holidays, or weekends.
• 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
Contact us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Olivia Dietrich, at Please be sure to reference 23DOT-HQ-05109 in the subject line.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specifie...