State Maintenance Engineer (EMS Band 5)
Mt Adams Resource Stewards
Thurston County, WA, USA
Description
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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 leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!
The Opportunity
WSDOT is seeking a skilled professional to serve as the State Maintenance Engineer. This executive leadership role provides strategic direction and oversight for Highway Maintenance, Capital Facilities, the Transportation Equipment Fund (TEF), and Emergency Management programs.
Leading a division with an approximate $950 million biennial budget and 1,900 employees, this position ensures alignment with WSDOT’s Strategic Plan while addressing evolving maintenance and operational needs statewide. The role is critical in maintaining a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation system—enhancing mobility and safety for the traveling public across Washington’s highways and facilities.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the State Maintenance Engineer will:
- Develop long-term direction, requirements, funding and staffing needs, program policies, support services, and budget oversight for the Division programs.
- Assist the Department's regions regarding implementing policy, procedures, standards, controls, technical expertise, analyses and consistency in relation to all aspects of highway maintenance, capital facilities, equipment needs and emergency operations.
- Develop functional and program relationships between Headquarters’ (HQ) and the Regions’ operations teams for each of the program areas.
- Use advanced management principles and leadership skills, develop strategic focus, goals, objectives and performance measures to guide the efforts of Division staff and link to WSDOT's Strategic Plan.
- Measure progress towards achieving those goals and objectives.
- Participate in state and national level executive and technical dialogues on issues related to highway maintenance, equipment, facilities and emergency operations.
- Align short- and long-term technology and budgetary initiatives to comprehensively integrate Roadway Maintenance, Security, and Emergency Operations with other related programs such as Transportation Operations, Bridge Preservation, and Pavement Preservation.
- Act as liaison on behalf of WSDOT with national, state and local interest groups, associations and constituencies, as well as other governmental agencies.
- Provide leadership and direction for department-wide coordination of continuity of operations during and following emergency situations.
- Function as the principal liaison to the Secretary's Office, providing situational updates and potential future challenges in a consistent, timely manner during those events.
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:
- Multimodal Transportation Expertise: Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of multimodal transportation systems, with the ability to apply principles and best practices to support statewide operational effectiveness and system performance.
- Enterprise Program Leadership: Proven ability to develop, implement, and oversee large-scale, complex programs including managing a biennial operating budget approaching $1 billion across multiple regions and a large, distributed workforce.
- Statewide Mobility & Engagement: Ability to effectively engage in in-person meetings, regional coordination, and on-site operational visits across the state to ensure alignment, visibility, and executive oversight.
- Executive Communication & Policy Development: Demonstrated experience reviewing, interpreting, and authoring complex technical, policy, and executive-level documents for diverse audiences, including legislative and executive leadership.
- Executive Representation & Stakeholder Engagement: Extensive experience representing an organization at the executive level through statewide engagement, fostering alignment, and ensuring effective communication of strategic priorities.
- Strategic Risk Management & Organizational Leadership: Proven ability to identify enterprise-wide financial, operational, and administrative risks; establish strategic direction; and lead the implementation of sustainable, organization-wide solutions.
- Partnership Development & Collaboration: Demonstrated success building and sustaining strategic partnerships with internal leaders, external stakeholders, legislators, community partners, and regulatory entities to advance organizational goals.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Advanced proficiency in leveraging enterprise systems, data analytics, and reporting tools to inform executive decision-making, performance management, and long-range strategic planning.
- Leadership Accountability & Performance Management: Extensive experience delegating authority to senior leaders, setting clear performance expectations, and holding leadership teams accountable for achieving outcomes aligned with agency priorities.
- Organizational Change Leadership: Proven success leading large-scale organizational change initiatives, including transforming programs, structures, and culture to meet evolving strategic objectives.
- Regulatory & Policy Expertise: Expert-level knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and policies (e.g., RCWs, WACs, CFRs), with demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to guide executive decisions and policy implementation.
- Workforce Leadership & Talent Development: Extensive executive leadership experience managing and developing senior leaders and a diverse workforce, promoting inclusive leadership, succession planning, and enterprise-wide talent development.
- Technology & Operational Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to effectively use computer systems and enterprise tools to manage, analyze, and communicate information in support of organizational operations.
- Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
- Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:
- Professional Engineering Licensure: Possession of a valid Professional Civil Engineer (PE) license in the State of Washington, with demonstrated application of engineering principles to support complex transportation or infrastructure programs.
- People Leadership & Workforce Management: Demonstrated ability to lead and manage personnel across diverse functions, including developing staff, fostering inclusive and high-performing teams, and effectively addressing workforce needs in a dynamic environment.
- Strategic Alignment & Organizational Awareness: Strong understanding of organizational goals, priorities, and strategic objectives, with the ability to align programs, resources, and decisions to support agency-wide outcomes.
- Engineering & Program Management Expertise: Demonstrated experience in civil engineering and/or project management across multiple levels of responsibility, including leading large, complex public-sector programs or organizations and delivering results in a service-driven environment.
Important Notes
- This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
- This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
- To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the “Contact Us” section of this posting.
- 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 357-28of 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 www.uscis.gov.
Why WSDOT
- 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 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 a choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go toState Benefitsfor 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. 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 recruiter listed.
Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Amanda Strebeck, at amanda.strebeck@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference State Maintenance Engineer #0E244 in the subject line.
