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 currently seeking a strategic and collaborative Passenger Rail Program Manager to lead the Department’s Intercity Passenger Rail Program within the Rail, Freight, and Ports Division. This position oversees program and budget management for the rail portfolio, delivery of Amtrak Cascades service, manages complex operating agreements, contracts, state-owned rail assets, and multimodal partnerships, and leads a team of four professionals dedicated to advancing passenger rail across the Pacific Northwest.

In this role, you will shape the future of passenger rail by developing operational strategies, guiding major investments, overseeing a multimillion-dollar operating program, and building strong partnerships with Amtrak, host railroads, business development, neighboring states, federal agencies, and local stakeholders. Your leadership will help deliver safe, reliable, and customer-focused transportation options that support economic vitality, environmental stewardship, and mobility throughout Washington and the Pacific Northwest.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you will:

• Lead the statewide Intercity Passenger Rail Program, oversee a team, and serve as acting Division Director when designated.
• Manage full-lifecycle budgeting, financial tracking, and portfolio program management legislative reporting. Including developing operating budgets, investment strategies, federal grant applications, consultant contracts, and procurement activities supporting passenger rail operations.
• Manage Amtrak Cascades operating and maintenance agreements, monitor contract performance, and ensure regulatory and contractual compliance.
• Represent WSDOT as the lead ambassador and subject matter expert for intercity passenger rail initiatives across local, state, and multistate forums.
• Represent WSDOT on national and regional passenger rail committees while ensuring compliance with state and federal passenger rail policies.
• Coordinate passenger rail operations with corridor partners, including the Oregon Department of Transportation, VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak, Sound Transit, BNSF Railway, and other host railroads.
• Oversee operations, facility maintenance, and asset management of WSDOT-owned passenger rail stations and locomotives.
• Analyze service performance, ridership trends, forecasting data, and federally required service outcomes to guide operational and investment decisions.
• Develop and approve passenger rail schedules and ticket fares in collaboration with corridor partners.
• Partner with Communications and Marketing to review and approve passenger rail marketing, advertising, social media, and web information.
• Provide leadership and technical expertise on passenger rail issues to agency leadership, partner organizations, and stakeholders.
• Coordinate delivery, acceptance, and operation of the new Amtrak Cascades Airo Trainset Fleet.
• Oversee delivery of the Youth Fare Program in accordance with legislative intent.
• Coordinate onboard services, station amenities, passenger information systems, multimodal connections, and state-sponsored Amtrak Cascades bus service.
• Foster continuous improvement while developing staff and strengthening organizational effectiveness.

Qualifications

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

• Relationship Building and Collaboration: Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others; builds and maintains trusted partnerships through open communication, collaboration, respect for diverse perspectives, and sound judgment while maintaining confidentiality.
• Self-Reflection and Adaptability: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth; demonstrates self-awareness, embraces learning, and adapts to changing priorities by developing innovative solutions.
• Rail Operations and Infrastructure Knowledge: Demonstrates knowledge of passenger and freight rail operations, modal connectivity, transportation infrastructure, and applicable state and federal rail processes, legislation, regulations, and administrative procedures.
• Contract Management and Compliance: Applies knowledge of contract structure, legal requirements, compliance monitoring, quality assurance, and risk management to administer complex agreements.
• Program and Strategic Management: Develops operational strategies, establishes measurable goals, monitors program performance, allocates resources effectively, and adjusts priorities to achieve organizational objectives.
• Fiscal & Budgetary Expertise: Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-million-dollar program portfolios, including full-lifecycle budget management, fiscal tracking, strategic resource allocation, and legislative or grant-funded financial reporting.
• Financial Analysis and Risk Management: Demonstrated capacity to evaluate financial information, interprets complex public funding strategies, assesses organizational risk, and supports sound investment decisions.
• Tact, Diplomacy, and Public Leadership: Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills to communicate effectively with division staff, executive leaders, elected officials, partner agencies, stakeholders, and the public while navigating complex or sensitive issues.

The following qualifications are also required:

• A valid driver's license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• Ability to travel throughout Washington, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and nationally as needed to support program operations and represent WSDOT.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Public Transit or Passenger Rail Program Management: Experience leading or delivering public transit or passenger rail programs at the local, regional, state, or federal level.
• Transportation Policy and Strategic Planning: Knowledge of strategic planning, public policy, public administration, and economics within a transportation environment.
• Public Marketing and Customer Relations: Familiarity with public-sector marketing, advertising, and customer engagement strategies supporting transit systems.
• Transportation Grant Administration: Experience administering state or federal transportation grant programs and associated compliance requirements.
• Rolling Stock and Asset Management: Knowledge of passenger rail equipment lifecycle management and transportation asset management principles.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• 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, 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 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 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 at Rachel.Giese@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-HQ-0W374 in the subject line.