Assistant Traffic Design Engineer; WMS

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!

WSDOT has an exciting opportunity for an experienced engineer in the Olympic Region Traffic Design Office. This position provides leadership, direction, support, management, and engineering oversight to the Traffic Design Office. They also provide subject matter expertise to support project offices and construction offices in the areas of safety, operational efficiency, managing demand, traffic analysis, work zone traffic control, signing, intelligent transportation systems, signal, electrical systems, and illumination.

This position reports to the Region Traffic Design Engineer and assists in overseeing Design Bid Build projects that support the Region’s established capital program, safety program, and preservation program.

This position directly supports the agency’s strategic plan by ensuring, through adherence to WSDOT policies, that work functions performed are administered to the expected quality, safety, and stewardship standards to support Washington’s long‑term resilience. This position is expected to create and influence a workplace that fosters a culture of respect, equal opportunity, and a sense of belonging.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Traffic Design Engineer will:

• Monitor future projects supported by traffic design and evaluate the most effective delivery method, whether through in‑house design, coordination with other regions, or utilization of General Engineer Consulting (GEC) services.
• Coordinate with Program Management and Project Offices to prepare Scope of Work Agreements with Project Offices.
• Assist the Traffic Design Engineer to assign projects to the design teams and ensure workload is equitably balanced.
• Assist the Traffic Design Engineer with updating Design Policies for Traffic Design disciplines by tracking upcoming changes to design documentation, tracking market and technology changes, and evaluating maintenance practices.
• Provide guidance and direction to subordinates regarding design standards, practices, and documentation and establishes policy within the office that are consistent with the civil service rules, collective bargaining agreements (CBA), and other policies, procedures, and directives.
• Review traffic design contract plans, specifications and estimates for WSDOT projects.
• Implement strategies to increase employee engagement through appreciation, recognition, and employee well‑being; evaluate, monitor, set goals, and provide guidance and procedures for staff.

This role requires periodic visits to active heavy civil construction sites, which may be performed in inclement weather in daytime or nighttime.

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

• Traffic Engineering, Traffic Operations, and Project Management Expertise: Demonstrated strong Traffic engineering background with experience managing traffic design and/or traffic operations; proven ability to manage significant design projects; and working knowledge of state and federal design and construction principles, practices, contracting methods, procedures, and budget accountability requirements.
• Strategic Leadership, Team Development, and Organizational Management: Strong working knowledge of the principles of management with strategic leadership abilities to build and maintain effective teams; motivate, coach, mentor, and empower employees; embrace and lead change; resolve conflicts; encourage employee engagement; and develop and implement process improvements while demonstrating…