Transportation Planning Specialist 3 – Public Transportation Division

Description

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 manages the world's longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity
WSDOT’s Public Transportation Division (PTD) is seeking to fill a Transportation Planning Specialist 3 (TPS3) vacancy located in Olympia, WA. This position is responsible for conducting financial site visits and interacting directly with the different subrecipients across the state. Compliance with federal and state requirements is an important element for which this position is responsible for, this includes review of complex projects and financial records and policies related to procurement, civil rights, and others. This position works to ensure that reports are submitted timely to FTA and all reporting requirements are met. The TPS3 will perform project programming activities for authorization of funds and development of spending plans across PTD, lead contracting activities for preparation, review, negotiation, approval, amendment, termination, and close out of all operating, capital equipment, and construction standard contract templates (boilerplates) and agreements with PTD. This position plays a key role in delivering public transportation projects and is responsible for reporting the status of programming and authorization aspects of operating, capital equipment, and construction projects.

What to Expect
This position works extensively with representatives of transit agencies, local government, tribal nations, state-government agencies, special-purpose districts, and private nonprofits; and must develop and maintain strong working relationships with customers and stakeholders.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Transportation Planning Specialist 3 will:

• Serve as the point of contact for subrecipients providing financial and technical assistance, and leading efforts to stay compliant.
• Ensure that obligated/appropriated funds are programmed in the Grants Management System (GMS) and reflected in contracts and amendments as applicable for each project.
• Program projects/ awards in the Grants Management System (GMS) and ensure that all related information and documentation is stored as appropriate within the system.
• Serve as an expert on contracting related activities through different stages of the process including initial preparation, review, negotiation, and execution; and resolve issues that arise during the contracts process.
• Review federal master agreement and summary of changes annually and document changes in circulars and laws.
• Develop full documentation of findings and work with subrecipients to address deficiencies and oversee federal grant-related required audit reports.
• Serve as an expert on programming and financial activities and processes such as authorization of expenditures, available balances, payroll, grant awards, allotment variances, and others throughout PTD.
• Oversee federal grant-related required audit reports.
• Coordinate with PTD staff and provide necessary information when discussing planning and system performance with subrecipients.

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

• Transportation Planning Expertise: Demonstrated knowledge of public transportation, including planning, financial, programming of projects, inventory procurement management, compliance, and oversight efforts. Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate transportation programs, or policies.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Demonstrated capacity to analyze complex transportation issues, identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, and recommend data-driven solutions to support planning and policy decisions.
• Compliance and Technical Competence: Ability to interpret data relevant to Public Transportation, conduct site visits, and provide technical assistance to grantees. Perform an oversight role to ensure compliance and achieve operational efficiency.
• Policy and Program Evaluation: Experience in evaluating Public Transportation policies, programs, or projects for effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with strategic goals or regulatory frameworks. Experience in understanding state and federal regulations and requirements when reviewing and reporting on the different public transportation grant programs.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Skilled in working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including the public, government agencies, and private sector partners, to gather input and build consensus around transportation initiatives.
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage or contribute to transportation-related projects or programs. Ability to develop contracts and amendments, run reports, and provide updated status on contracts and agreements.
• Economic and Business Understanding: Economic principles and business processes as they relate to transportation planning, funding, and investment decision-making.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Public transportation: General knowledge of public transportation performance, governance, policy, funding, planning, transit operations, special needs transportation, transportation demand management, transportation planning, legislative relations, local government relations, and system-wide multimodal transportation analysis.
• Analysis and interpretation: Interprets complex technical information and communicates verbally and in writing in a simple and easy-to-understand manner to diverse audiences. Provides analysis of techniques and selection of the most appropriate solution, taking into account goals, potential payback, resource requirements, and possible drawbacks. Evaluates and assesses issues, interprets laws and regulations, and communicates findings verbally and in writing to others.
• Accountability: Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, handles change, sets personal standards, stays focused under pressure, and meets attendance/punctuality requirements. Works independently with little supervision.
• Customer service: Addresses customer questions and complaints, communicates with customers, handles service problems politely and efficiently, is always available for customers, follows procedures to solve customer problems, understands company products and services, maintains pleasant and professional image. Provides updated status on procurement and works with DES to maintain a summary of purchase orders placed by customers using the statewide procurement contracts.
• Teamwork: Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, listens to others and values opinions, helps team leader to meet goals, welcomes newcomers, and promotes a team atmosphere. Fosters and maintains excellent working relationships, even in times of stress and conflict. Works closely with peers on interdisciplinary teams and jointly meet deliverables. Works toward consensus and influences peers and colleagues with or without direct authority. Leads and/or participates in teams to generate and implement workable and useful solutions to difficult problems.
• Communication: Communicates well both verbally and in writing, creates accurate and punctual reports, delivers presentations, shares information and ideas with others, and has good listening skills. Can apply negotiation and conflict- resolution skills. Communicates effectively with interdisciplinary teams as a subject matter expert and shares accurate and pertinent information in a timely manner. Communicates complex policy, project, and technical information effectively using verbal, written, and visual communication skills. Adapts communication style to various audiences.
• Organizational skills: Operates within the organization's formal and informal structures, builds allies and relationships across departments, uses allies to build consensus and create results, is appropriately diplomatic, understands others' roles and perspectives, and supports projects and ideas across the organization. Builds positive working relationships with federal, state, and local agencies; policymakers and advocacy groups; consultants and contractors; colleagues; and others.
• Computer skills: Skilled in the use of computers, adapts to new technology, keeps abreast of changes, learns new programs quickly, and uses computers to improve productivity. Advanced skills in Microsoft Office products to create documents, reports, spreadsheets, organization charts, and presentations.
• Extensive knowledge of public transportation to support planning, financial, procurement, compliance and oversight efforts.

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  To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• Occasional in-state travel may be necessary to attend and/or support meetings and conferences.
• 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.
• 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.

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

Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, at Daisha.Jordan@wsdot.wa.gov . Please be sure to reference 25DOT-HQ-05234 in the subject line.