Principal Active Transportation Engineer – TE5

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 Transportation Engineer 5 to serve as the Active Transportation Division’s (ATD) lead engineer and statewide subject matter expert (SME) in active transportation engineering policy and practice. In this role, you will organize, direct, and coordinate the ATD’s collaborative work with other divisions in ongoing development, adoption, implementation, and evaluation of policy and direction for engineers throughout the state. The Principal Active Transportation Engineer will coordinate activities that advance the principles of Complete Streets, state Active Transportation Plan methodologies, Safe System Approach, speed management for injury minimization, and emerging best practices. The successful candidate will draft, update, and/or recommend policies, guidelines, standard plans, plan sketches, practitioner-oriented guidance, and other tools and documentation to promote modal integration and safety in capital construction project designs, operational improvements, and other applications of engineering knowledge in coordination with other divisions. Our top candidate must be able to apply in-depth, diversified knowledge of complex technical solutions at the senior level of expertise and also bring skills in communicating, training, and facilitating processes to grow knowledge, skills, and abilities among their colleagues. Their work is grounded in the Safe System Approach with the goal of improving system performance in safety, connectivity, equity, and accessibility for active transportation.
 
What to Expect
The ATD works to integrate walking, rolling, and bicycling into policy, practice, and investments for WSDOT and our partner agencies to provide sustainable, equitable, and accessible active transportation for all ages and abilities. The work undertaken by this position is a critical contribution to implementing the Washington State Active Transportation Plan (ATP), legislative directives including Complete Streets, and WSDOT’s commitment to the Safe System Approach and principles of transportation equity and environmental justice. Its State Active Transportation Plan has won state, regional, and national awards and the agency’s Complete Streets work is growing.
  
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Principal Active Transportation Engineer will:

• Collaborate across divisions and regions to engage people in development, implementation, and evaluation of the work plan work plan to prioritize activities needed to operationalize the methods and principles in the Complete Streets approach and the Active Transportation Plan within the context of the Safe System Approach.
• Apply subject matter expertise to review and recommend revisions to a variety of WSDOT policies, plans, project designs, manuals, directives, forms, and other formats to improve and embed full inclusion of direction on active transportation that reflects best practices for safety, connectivity, and accessibility.
• Review and update engineering-related performance metrics from the state Active Transportation Plan. 
• Draft, update, and/or recommend policies, practitioner-oriented guidance, illustrated field guides, and other tools and documentation. 
• Evaluate new and/or innovative active transportation design and operations approaches to be considered in policy and guidance updates.
• Develop and implement workforce development plans to enhance active transportation expertise in the agency and among partners in other agencies.
• Provide information, analysis, and recommendations to partners and WSDOT colleagues in Region offices and Headquarters on active transportation and Complete Streets designs.
• Hire and supervise a Transportation Engineer 4.

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

• A Professional Engineer License in the State of Washington or the ability to obtain it within six (6) months of appointment.
• Five (5) years of experience in a transportation or traffic engineering discipline. 
• Two (2) years of experience as a Transportation Engineer 4 or equivalent classification, OR three (3) years as a Transportation Engineer 3 or equivalent classification in city or county agencies, tribal government, or the private or nongovernmental sectors.
• Three (3) years of experience working on active transportation design, complete streets design, and/or traffic operations projects, programs, or initiatives involving active transportation.
• Three (3) years of experience with active transportation design and traffic operations, including relevant expert knowledge of engineering principles and practices, best practices and innovative approaches in Complete Streets strategies related to safety and mobility of pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders (these could include MUTCD, NACTO, AASHTO, ADA PROWAG, and other resources).
• Three (3) years of experience with transportation project development from planning through construction.
• Three (3) years of experience with written, graphical, and verbal communication of technical material for both transportation professionals and decision makers.
• Three (3) years of experience in the application of design policy in contract plans preparation.
• The ability to independently apply engineering judgment to analyze, make a determination on, and initiate actions pertaining to safe, accessible, and effective pedestrian and bicyclist projects.
• Skills and experience working effectively with diverse groups, acting as a liaison with community partners, and communicating effectively in written, graphical, verbal form to diverse audiences.
• The ability to consider and research alternative courses of action and make recommendations for action.
• Intermediate skill level with Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

 
It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• A master’s degree involving major study in transportation planning, land use planning, community development GIS or geography, engineering, public policy, public health, public/business administration, social sciences, economics or natural or physical sciences, or another related field of study.
• One (1) year of experience supervising staff in a technical or engineering setting and knowledge of techniques for staff management and support for professional development.
• Experience with consultant contract development and management, including oversight of scope, schedule, and budget for deliverables.
• Ability to use CAD software (MicroStation, InRoads, or OpenRoads), Geographic Information System (ArcGIS), and other relevant engineering software.
• Knowledge of and/or experience in community design and engineering practice as they relate to land use active transportation network connectivity, urban design practices, Safe System Approach, transportation operations, speed management for injury minimization, complete streets, climate, and ecosystem impacts of transportation, and analytical tools and techniques that support livable communities.
• Knowledge of bicyclist and pedestrian network connectivity planning principles.
• Experience using and an understanding of active transportation modes of travel.
• Experience developing bicyclist and pedestrian facility design and/or traffic operations guidance and recommendation documents.
• Experience with development and monitoring of performance metrics for active transportation, including network connectivity, safety, route directness, transit access, reductions in vehicle miles traveled, mode shift, contributions to reductions in GHG and other emissions/pollutants, equity, environmental justice, ADA accessibility, and other relevant measures for inputs, outputs, and outcomes.
• Experience in community engagement and public outreach involving connections with historically underserved populations and those experiencing barriers or disadvantages created or exacerbated by the transportation system.
• Bilingual candidate preferred, particularly with competence in the languages identified in WSDOT’s Language Access Plan for statewide vital documents (Arabic, Chinese, Somali, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Russian), or another language widely used by people who rely on active transportation modes at higher rates than state averages.

*To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting.

Important Notes 

• 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.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options. The official duty station and/or frequency of telework for this position will be determined based on candidate preference and overall business needs.
• The salary listed includes the legislatively approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County. This only applies if the successful candidate is assigned to a duty station in King County. 
• This position requires a Professional Engineers License issued by the State of Washington. License holders from other states or jurisdictions will be expected to obtain a WA State PE license within six (6) months of appointment. 
• 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.

 Why WSDOT 

• Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensuring that our staff experience the rewards of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual’s lifestyle. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including occasional telework 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 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 via email.
 
Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, at Robyn.Lovely@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 24DOT-HQ-05355 in the subject line.