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 Region Local Programs Engineer (RLPE) to lead and manage the Region Local Programs Office. They will administer Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and selected state funded programs and projects to local agencies, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO's), Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPO's), Counties, Cities, Tribal Governments, Transit Organizations, Ports, and other agencies. This position will also ensure and enforce compliance with state and federal laws and regulations on all programs and projects administered. The RLPE will oversee project management and act as the approving authority for projects using FHWA funds for local agencies not certified to manage their own federal projects. They will also provide professional direction, support, consultation, and supervision to various levels of local agency governments (from politicians and public works directors to engineering and fiscal staff) on transportation issues including the management of funding, design, environmental documentation, and contract administration for compliance.
 
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the RLPE will:

• Ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations on all programs and projects administered through the office and apply monetary citations on federally funded projects for noncompliance with requirements.
• Monitor and oversee project management and acts as the approving authority for local agencies that are not certified to administer federal funds. The RLPE is the approving authority for the consultant hiring process and the resulting consultant agreement, approves the project design, the plans, specifications and estimates for construction projects, approves the advertisement and award of the construction contracts, approves all change orders to construction contracts, analyzes contractor claims, and conducts final inspections and project closures.
• Perform timely risk assessments utilizing the local programs standard form and update the risk assessment by phase or whenever funding changes within a project.
• Plan, lead, organize, and control the work performed by the Region Local Programs Office. Assure appropriate and optimum use of the organization's resources and enhance the effectiveness of employees through the organization. 
• Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the state's goals for a diverse workforce. 
• Provide technical, schedule and financial/funding oversight and guidance during all phases (STIP, project scoping, project design, environmental documentation, right of way, and construction) of local agency transportation projects.
• Utilizing the trust and influence gained through working closely with local agency and region officials, the RLPE assists in resolving conflicts on transportation issues between local agencies and WSDOT.
• Represent the interest of local agencies to WSDOT as appropriate to ensure the fullest consideration of their needs as WSDOT plans, designs, and maintains transportation facilities; solicit local agency feedback on customer satisfaction issues and make recommendations for resolution of these issues to the appropriate parties; and receive and resolve questions and concerns from the public, press, or legislative officials relative to local agency projects and funding requirements.

• A professional Civil Engineering license in the state of Washington, or be licensed as a Professional Engineer in another state with the ability to obtain licensure in Washington State within 6 months of employment 
• a valid driver's license. 

• Five (5) years of experience as a licensed professional engineer, including two (2) years of experience as a licensed professional engineer responsible for the management and design of FHWA funded highway projects, two (2) years of experience as a licensed professional engineer responsible for the construction administration of FHWA funded highway projects, and one (1) year of experience as a licensed professional engineer responsible for the management of environmental documentation or right of way acquisition of FHWA funded projects. -OR- 
• Three (3) years of experience as an Assistant Region Local Programs Engineer.

• Knowledge of:

• Principals of leadership and management. 
• Construction contract administration of projects funded by FHWA. 
• Federal, State, local agency and tribal structure, jurisdiction and issues. 
• MPO, RTPA and county lead agency structure, policies and procedures. 
• WSDOT goals and objectives. 
• Federal Congressional Actions and the program implications to federal funding and local agency federally funded transportation projects. 
• WSDOT programming structure (project funding and scheduling) 
• Highways and Local Programs programming structure. 
• Various other state programming structures (TIB, CRAB, CERB, etc.) 
• Professional civil and highway engineering theory and practice as recognized by the State Board of Professional Licensing.
• AASHTO standards and Local Agency Guidelines.
• Transportation Issues.
• WSDOT personnel policies and related WAC’s and union agreements.

• Seven (7) years of experience as a licensed professional engineer, including two (2) years of experience as a licensed professional engineer responsible for the management and design of FHWA funded highway projects, two (2) years of experience as a licensed professional engineer responsible for the construction administration of FHWA funded highway projects, and one (1) year of experience as a licensed professional engineer responsible for the management of environmental documentation or right of way acquisition of FHWA funded projects. -OR- 
• Three (3) years of experience as an Assistant Region Local Programs Engineer. 

• A Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
• Skills in:
  • Professional civil and highway engineering.
  • Coaching, mentoring, and training (both inside and outside of the agency).
  • Public speaking.
• Ability to:
  • Communicate with and through the news media.
  • Listen to the needs of customers, evaluate appropriate responses considering fiscal limitations, while building respect and satisfaction. 
  • Make sound decisions in a short period of time to respond to day-to-day problems, then implement those decisions through others. 
  • Assure consistency in applying standards and policy on programs/projects. 
  • Interpret federal and state law as it applies to programs and policies. 
  • Establish and implement region policy for the local programs office. 
  • Guide negotiations of agreements between public agencies and WSDOT. 
  • Provide professional direction, support, consultation, and supervision to various levels of local governments on various issues (management of funding, design, environmental documentation. and the administration of contracts - including contractor negotiations). 
  • Provide technical support on engineering issues as they apply to national, statewide, WSDOT or local standards. 
  • Plan, organize, implement, control, and monitor a variety of complex tasks. 
  • Develop policy, procedures, and methods to implement federally funded programs.

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.   
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• 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.  
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

• 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 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.