Assistant Project Engineer Design

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 has an exciting opportunity for an engineering professional who has exceptional leadership skills to serve as the Assistant Design Project Engineer in Union Gap, WA. This position works directly with the Design Project Engineer to manage an engineering office consisting of several squads of engineers and technicians along with clerical support staff for the delivery of assigned Capitol Improvement Preservation Program (CIPP) projects. The design project office is responsible for the development of Improvement (Program I), Preservation (Program P) and emergency projects through the planning, scoping, design, and contract preparation phases (sometimes up to several years depending on complexity). On occasion, the office may be assigned the responsibility to administer highway construction contracts. The Assistant Project Engineer reports to the Project Engineer or in his/her absence to the Design Engineer Manager. This position must ensure projects are designed according to the most effective engineering technology available to function adequately for all modes of transportation. It is the responsibility of this individual to design projects that are constructible, maintainable, and cost effective for all stakeholders and customers.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you will:

• Ensure projects follow Federal, State and local laws and regulations related to design, construction, environmental permits and emergency contract administration.
• Facilitate agreements between competing interest groups and regulatory agencies, including real estate interests taking into account the long-term goals of the agency. Employ negotiation and problem-solving skills to resolve conflicts.
• Understand and implement the WSDOT Strategic Plan into daily work activities.
• Coordinate with outside agencies, utilities, consultants, public entities, stakeholders, and internal departments in the development and implementation of project management plans. Resolve conflicts efficiently and optimize scope, schedule, and budget.
• Ability to certify, by use of professional engineer's stamp, that all WSDOT and federal standards and policies were followed in the development of all design documents, plans, and specifications that were produced for projects.
• Communicate effectively to other agencies, contractors, tribes, media, and the general public. Serve as the point of contact for assigned projects.
• Mentor and develop employees.
• Strategically plan the budget, schedule, and workforce necessary to deliver CIPP projects over the design phase of projects (up to several years depending on complexity).
• Act as a first contact for employees on issues such as safety, RIF, policy changes and morale.
• Manage and review consultant work plans, work orders and designs.
• Promote a safe, violence-free, diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment.
• Ensure project agreements and commitments are completed.
• Report on the status of assigned projects to agency executives at the regional and statewide level to support and improve accountability of WSDOT.
• Assist in managing an office of professional and technical engineers for the delivery of assigned Capitol Improvement Preservation Program (CIPP) projects.
• Provide expert technical direction on construction and design issues.
• Perform supervisory duties for office employees including assigning work, evaluating performance, coaching, training, and taking corrective action.

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

• Ability to obtain Washington licensure prior to employment start.
• Registered as a licensed Professional Engineer

Knowledge of:

• Environmental policy, regulations, documentation and permitting as it relates to transportation projects.
• Surveying and surveying practices.
• WSDOT's goals and objectives; transportation issues and problems.
• Federal, State and local political structures.
• Principles and techniques of project management including scheduling and budget controls.
• Political and tribal processes
• An understanding of WSDOT’s strategic plan.
• Real Estate practices including appraisal, acquisition, condemnation and property management.
• WSDOT funding and program management policies and practices.
• Agreement and Utility procedures and regulations as related to transportation projects.
• Highway engineering practices, technical procedures and management processes.
• Highway geometric design and construction practices, traffic control, construction surveying, contract administration, contractor payments, material testing and documentation.
• Alternative project delivery methods such as Design-Build.

Required Skills:

• Meeting facilitation and solving conflicts
• Mentor and encourage employee development.
• Communications (verbal and written, clear and direct)
• Public speaking

Ability to:

• Report to the Union Gap office, project sites, and local events on an as-needed basis.
• Work and manage employees in a remote work environment.
• Ability to work with stakeholders and partners to create long-range plans and goals that accomplish the mission of the Department.
• Operate under stressful/emergency conditions.
• Ability to assess risk and make decisions with limited information.
• Forecast potential problems and able to mitigate/resolve them in a timely manner. Apply technical knowledge in multiple environments.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• A Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

Important Notes

• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov
• 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.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 357-16-197 mandates that all employees who work for executive cabinet agencies (which includes the Department of Transportation) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Compliance with this mandate is a condition of employment with WSDOT. Exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes; however, accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.

Why WSDOT

• 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.
• Work-Life Balance – We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
• 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 Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• 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 via email.
Contact us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, S. Fields at [email protected], Please be sure to reference Assistant Engineering Manager - Design 5W029 in the subject line.