Maintenance Superintendent; 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 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 seeking a strategic and results-driven leader to serve as the highest-level manager for the maintenance and operations program in the South Central Region Maintenance Area
3. Maintenance Superintendent plays a critical role in leading maintenance and operations programs that ensure the highway system, facilities, and fleet are maintained to the highest standards of safety, performance, and sustainability. With independent responsibility for a large and complex operational area, the Superintendent directs resources and activities across roadway and drainage maintenance, snow and ice control, traffic operations, roadside management, emergency response, and public safety, while managing significant assets including facilities, equipment fleets, and extensive highway infrastructure.

This position also leads workforce development efforts, fosters partnerships with stakeholders and public agencies, aligns operational priorities with legislative and organizational goals, and may serve in a senior leadership capacity in the absence of the Assistant Regional Administrator. This role requires advanced technical expertise, sound decision-making, and the ability to analyze complex challenges, set both short- and long-term strategic direction, and deliver innovative, performance-based solutions.

This position directs and coordinates the resources needed to operate, preserve and maintain the entire highway, roadside, landscape, and safety rest area assets in all of Benton and Franklin Counties, as well as a portion of Walla Walla County. The Area consists of 1385 lane miles of State and Interstate highways, eight major bridges, one Safety Rest Area, four major Columbia River crossings, and three staffed Maintenance sheds.

• Administer maintenance and operations program within the assigned Area, anticipate operational concerns which could cause major disruptions, inconveniences, or tort issues.
• Ensure appropriate and timely acquisition of materials and supplies required to support the Area, ensure all Area activities are performed in the safest possible manner and in accordance with WSDOT policies.
• Ensure the Area is proactively managing the budget to complete the assigned responsibilities in accordance with department and OFM procedures.
• Communicate directly and openly with cities, counties, other agencies, news media and the public.
• Coordinate input and resolve conflicts with internal organizations, personnel, outside agencies, and the public.
• Respond to demands from other agencies, the public, legislators, weed boards, other WSDOT regions, and WSDOT headquarters.
• Coordinate with Commercial Vehicle Services, carriers, and City and County agencies involved in the movement of oversize loads.
• Process, review, and monitor utility franchises and permits.
• Promote leadership that provides a productive and supportive work environment.
• Give instructions to direct report staff; administer employee evaluations & disciplinary actions; offer support, encouragement, coaching, & mentoring to all employees/staff.
• Report directly to the Assistant Regional Administrator for Maintenance and Operations (ARA for M&O) in the South Central Region. In the absence of ARA, perform duties as necessary.

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

• Highway Maintenance & Operations Expertise: Expertise in preserving transportation infrastructure and a mastery of roadway, right-of-way, signage, rest area, emergency response, and winter snow/ice operations, with the ability to apply best practices to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulations.
• Strategic Program and Budget Management: Ability to develop, administer, and monitor a large biennial budget while ensuring efficient allocation of resources (labor, equipment, contracts) to meet operational goals and compliance requirements.
• Emergency Operations and Incident Response Leadership: Proven ability to lead multi-agency emergency responses (e.g., floods, snow/ice, slides, border closures) to restore safety and mobility across critical transportation corridors.
• Financial & Asset Management: Manages multimillion-dollar budgets, fleet, and infrastructure assets with accountability, ensuring effective prioritization, fiscal stewardship, and alignment with agency policies and performance expectations.
• Supervisory and Workforce Development: Demonstrated ability to foster a…