About WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure that 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

The Northwest Region Transportation Management Center (TMC) has an outstanding entry level opportunity in our new state-of-the-art facility. Candidates should have a passion for computers, real-time traffic management, and serving the public. Successful incumbents will provide daily traffic management activities in the TMC consisting of operating traffic management systems, tunnel control systems, and radio communications. This position is required to perform advanced traffic management activities and analysis. The goal of this position is to manage daily traffic, accidents, construction, and maintenance closures in the greater Seattle area, Canadian border, and Island County. Decisions made by this position directly affect the safety and traffic flow on the freeway and the adjacent arterial system. The successful candidate appointed to this unique position will serve a vital role in support of WSDOT’s mission to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation options to improve communities and economic vitality.  
 
What to Expect

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

• Control and manage traffic flow around incident scenes
• Operate and analyze traffic flow and operational conditions
• Operate the region's intelligent transportation systems consisting of traffic management systems, active traffic management (ATM), and tunnel control systems. These systems include devices and facilities such as ramp meters, roadside cameras, variable message signs (VMS), variable speed & lane control signs, highway advisory radio, toll systems on I-405, SR 167, SR 520, and SR 99 and express lane facilities on I-5 to optimize traffic flow in a safe and efficient manner
• Monitor and operate tunnel life safety systems including fire suppression & environmental controls on the I-90 Mount Baker and Mercer Island Lid tunnels, the SR 99 tunnel, and the currently under-construction Montlake Lid tunnel
• Coordinate incident management effort with radio communications to WSDOT Incident Response Teams, law enforcement and local agencies
• Accomplish data retrieval and analysis to assist in traffic engineering studies
• Conduct training for new and current staff on topics including FLOW, ATM, Express Toll, Express Lanes, and SCADA. Prepares and maintains training materials derived from SOPs
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity at The Transportation Technician 3 level, the following are required:

• Two years of experience performing semi-skilled technical engineering work as a Transportation Technician 2 or equivalent, OR
• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, OR
• Certification as an Engineer-in-Training.

To be considered for this opportunity at The Transportation Technician 2 level, the following are required:

• An Associate degree in Civil Engineering Technology, Transportation Engineering, or other closely related field, OR
• High School Diploma or GED equivalent and two years of experience performing basic technical engineering work as a Transportation Engineer 1 or equivalent, OR
• Three years of experience as a Maintenance Technician, one of which must be as a Maintenance Technician 2.

To be considered for this opportunity at The Transportation Technician 1 level, the following are required:

Candidates at either level will also have:

• Possession of a valid Driver’s License
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong understanding of computer operation
• Experience training staff members with varying knowledge and backgrounds.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications

• Military or logistical/operations background
• Prior operation of mission critical software suites, response to emergency situations, and/or previous transportation experience
• Two (2) or more years of experience working in a major metropolitan TMC; Working knowledge of freeway management practices and principles - ability to make operational assessment of freeway flow conditions and derive traffic management strategies and tactics on the fly
• Working knowledge of data collection, analysis, and reporting practices and principles - ability to analyze and summarize data to create actionable reports for traffic and tolling operations
• Detailed knowledge of tunnel environmental systems, operations, and procedures
• Experience reading, comprehending, and verifying contract plans and specifications including traffic control plans

Important Notes 

• Interested candidates are highly encouraged to visit and tour the TMC to learn more about our operation. To schedule a tour and see an in-person view of our operations, please email NWFlow@wsdot.wa.gov.
• 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.   
• This position is not eligible for remote work.
• The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County. For those who are hired at the Transportation Technician 2 or 3 level, this position will qualify for an additional 5% Assignment Pay. 
• 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. 
• This position requires the incumbent to work various shifts in the 24/7 facility including day, evening and night shifts ranging from 8 to 12 hours. These positions include shifts on weekends.
• The recruiting efforts for this position may be extended beyond the displayed closing date for as long and until a sufficient candidate pool has been established. The Appointing Authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time thereafter. It is to your benefit to submit your application as soon as possible.
• This is an in-training position that offers a career path and paid, on-the-job training. This position allows you to progress upward through the Transportation Technician field and achieve the goal class of a Transportation Technician 3. In addition, a majority of our Transportation Engineers in the TMC have backgrounds as Transportation Technicians.
• Candidates will be considered for a Transportation Technician 1, Transportation Technician 2, or Transportation Technician 3, depending on their qualifications. Annual salary levels for each position are:
  1. Transportation Technician 1: $42,852 - $57,216
  2. Transportation Technician 2: $55,651 - $74,883
  3. Transportation Technician 3: $63,056 - $84,730
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

• Candidates can visit the TMC websites (Seattle Traffic homepage, WSDOT TMCs, Active Traffic Management, Ramp Meters,  Express Lanes) for more information.

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. 
• 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, and free dental coverage! Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.
• 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.  

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 details your qualifications, and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact information to be included in the “References” section of the online application for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, knowledge base, and job-related competencies.

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, Eric Saniatan, at SaniatE@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 23DOT-NWR-12665e in the subject line. 

Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.