Passenger Rail Program Manager (WMS3

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 leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

WSDOT is currently seeking a strategic and collaborative Passenger Rail Program Manager to lead the Department’s Intercity Passenger Rail Program within the Rail, Freight, and Ports Division. This position oversees program and budget management for the rail portfolio, delivery of Amtrak Cascades service, manages complex operating agreements, contracts, state-owned rail assets, and multimodal partnerships, and leads a team of four professionals dedicated to advancing passenger rail across the Pacific Northwest.

In this role, you will shape the future of passenger rail by developing operational strategies, guiding major investments, overseeing a multimillion-dollar operating program, and building strong partnerships with Amtrak, host railroads, business development, neighboring states, federal agencies, and local stakeholders. Your leadership will help deliver safe, reliable, and customer-focused transportation options that support economic vitality, environmental stewardship, and mobility throughout Washington and the Pacific Northwest.

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

• Lead the statewide Intercity Passenger Rail Program, oversee a team, and serve as acting Division Director when designated.
• Manage full-lifecycle budgeting, financial tracking, and portfolio program management legislative reporting. Including developing operating budgets, investment strategies, federal grant applications, consultant contracts, and procurement activities supporting passenger rail operations.
• Manage Amtrak Cascades operating and maintenance agreements, monitor contract performance, and ensure regulatory and contractual compliance.
• Represent WSDOT as the lead ambassador and subject matter expert for intercity passenger rail initiatives across local, state, and multistate forums.
• Represent WSDOT on national and regional passenger rail committees while ensuring compliance with state and federal passenger rail policies.
• Coordinate passenger rail operations with corridor partners, including the Oregon Department of Transportation, VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak, Sound Transit, BNSF Railway, and other host railroads.
• Oversee operations, facility maintenance, and asset management of WSDOT-owned passenger rail stations and locomotives.
• Analyze service performance, ridership trends, forecasting data, and federally required service outcomes to guide operational and investment decisions.
• Develop and approve passenger rail schedules and ticket fares in collaboration with corridor partners.
• Partner with Communications and Marketing to review and approve passenger rail marketing, advertising, social media, and web information.
• Provide leadership and technical expertise on passenger rail issues to agency leadership, partner organizations, and stakeholders.
• Coordinate delivery, acceptance, and operation of the new Amtrak Cascades Airo Trainset Fleet.
• Oversee delivery of the Youth Fare Program in accordance with legislative intent.
• Coordinate onboard services, station amenities, passenger information systems, multimodal connections, and state-sponsored Amtrak Cascades bus service.
• Foster continuous improvement while developing staff and strengthening organizational effectiveness.

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

• Relationship Building and
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others; builds and maintains trusted partnerships through open communication, collaboration, respect for diverse perspectives, and sound judgment while maintaining confidentiality.
• S…