Assistant Region Administrator | Maintenance & Operations (WMS Band 4)
State of WashingtonDescription
About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence! Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!
The Opportunity
WSDOT is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as the Assistant Regional Administrator for Maintenance and Operations in the Eastern Region. In alignment with WSDOT’s mission to efficiently build, maintain, operate, and promote safe, reliable, and coordinated transportation systems, this senior leadership role plays a critical part in serving the traveling public and supporting Washington’s economy. The Maintenance and Operations Division is responsible for preserving and operating the state’s highway infrastructure, both motorized and non-motorized, ensuring safe, dependable, and efficient movement of people and goods across the region and statewide.
As a key member of the Eastern Region leadership team, the Assistant Regional Administrator for Maintenance and Operations provides strategic direction and operational oversight for the maintenance and operation of nearly 3,900 lane miles of state highways, including the Keller Ferry system. This position is accountable for ensuring infrastructure is maintained and operated in accordance with established performance standards, safety requirements, and fiscal parameters, while continuously seeking opportunities to improve efficiency, resilience, and service delivery.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Regional Administrator will:
- Implement Maintenance and Operations plans and actions in accordance with Agency and Region Vision, Values, Goals, and Policies, and in accordance with US Coast Guard rules as they pertain to the Keller Ferry.
- Serve as Acting Regional Administrator as required during their absence or as delegated.
- Provide responses to letters from the public and governmental officials for the Regional Administrator and represent the Agency as needed with the public, media, and legal matters.
- Fulfill Appointing Authority roles and responsibilities for all employees within the Eastern Region Maintenance and Operations organization, including responsibility for new hires, promotions, transfers, corrective/disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal, and establishment of positions in accordance with Merit System Rules.
- Responsible for conducting pre-disciplinary hearings to determine the extent of disciplinary action for an employee and to conduct Step Two Grievance Hearings when necessary.
- Supervise the managers of three organizational units involved in operational activities, consisting of Maintenance Manager (WMS03), Traffic Engineering Manager (WMS03), and Facilities Manager (TE 4), along with the Administrative Assistant 4 leading the team providing receptionist and Fiscal Specialist 1 duties for the Operations and Maintenance groups.
- Actively promote, lead, and support a culture of employee safety across the Eastern Region’s Maintenance Operations organizations.
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:
- Organizational and People Leadership: Demonstrated effectiveness leading complex organizations and diverse teams, including the ability to set direction, align resources, and hold individuals and teams accountable for performance.
- Staff Development and Performance Management: Demonstrated ability to evaluate performance and provide training, coaching, mentoring, and feedback to develop employees and build high-performing teams.
- Multimodal Transportation Expertise: Demonstrated extensive knowledge of multimodal transportation system practices and principles, with the ability to apply this knowledge to maintenance, operations, and strategic decision-making.
- Program and Workforce Management: Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, manage, and monitor large-scale, multi-million-dollar programs, including oversight of approximately 290 or more full-time equivalent (FTE) staff.
- Technical and Professional Communication: Demonstrated ability to review, interpret, and develop technical and professional documents, reports, and correspondence, and to clearly communicate complex information to diverse audiences.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including partners, agencies, and community representatives, to achieve organizational objectives.
- Delegation and Accountability: Demonstrated ability to delegate authority and responsibility effectively while maintaining appropriate oversight and accountability for outcomes.
- Change Leadership and Communication: Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change initiatives, communicate effectively during periods of transition, and guide teams through continuous improvement efforts.
- Emergency Management and Operational Readiness: Demonstrated expertise in Emergency Operations Center (EOC) management and emergency response operations, including the ability to make decisions under pressure and coordinate resources effectively.
- Technology and Information Management: Demonstrated computer proficiency to store, retrieve, analyze, and produce operational, fiscal, and administrative information using standard business and enterprise systems.
- Regulatory and Policy Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of relevant RCWs and WACs, U.S. Coast Guard regulations, and WSDOT policies, procedures, and programs, with the ability to ensure compliance and informed decision-making.
- 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 have:
- Professional Engineering Credential: Demonstrated possession of a current Professional Civil Engineer (PE) license in the State of Washington, with the ability to apply professional engineering judgment to transportation, maintenance, or operational decision-making.
- Personnel Management and Leadership Diversity: Demonstrated experience applying a broad range of personnel management skills, including supervision, workforce planning, labor relations, performance management, and employee development, across diverse teams and organizational levels.
- Organizational and Strategic Acumen: Demonstrated understanding of the Agency’s goals, objectives, and strategic priorities, with the ability to align maintenance, operations, or engineering programs to organizational direction and performance expectations.
- Engineering and Program Management Experience: Demonstrated progressive experience in civil engineering, project management, or transportation operations at multiple organizational levels, including leadership responsibility for large public-sector or public service organizations.
Important Notes
- This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions according to 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 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. 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 Assistant Regional Administrator Maintenance and Operations #6W011 in the subject line.