Quality Assurance Lead - Washington State Ferries

Quality Assurance Lead

WSF, a division of WSDOT, is currently seeking a Quality Assurance Lead to strengthen safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across terminal operations, Eagle Harbor, and the ferry fleet. This position plays a key role in evaluating operational practices, identifying opportunities for improvement, and supporting compliance with regulatory standards and WSF's Safety Management System. Through quality assurance, internal audits, training, and process improvement, this role helps foster a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence.

The Quality Assurance Lead directly contributes to safe, reliable ferry service and WSF's commitment to providing exceptional service to the communities and customers we serve.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the Quality Assurance Lead will:

• Lead vessel and terminal audits for regulatory and Safety Management System compliance.
• Serve as a technical expert on applicable laws, regulations, standards, and policies.
• Analyze audit findings and monitor corrective and preventative actions.
• Provide quality assurance training and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead environmental compliance activities, including VGP reporting and spill response readiness.
• Develop and maintain regulatory plans, technical documentation, and compliance records.
• Develop and update policies, procedures, guidance, and interagency agreements.
• Review regulatory changes, prepare reports, and represent WSF at external meetings.
• Uphold WSF's strategic priorities (Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People) and values (Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate), ensuring they are embedded in WSF's culture through leadership actions

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

• Growth Mindset – Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented – Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Education/
  
  Experience:
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and apply quality assurance, engineering, or compliance principles to solve maritime or complex operational challenges. (This competency may be developed through formal education, technical training, military service, community leadership, or equivalent professional experience.)
• Demonstrated success in leading and managing quality assurance, auditing, or continuous process-improvement initiatives, ideally within a maritime or similarly regulated operational environment.
• Proven capability to plan, conduct, and document internal audits, identify system non-conformities, and coordinate corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) within an established safety management system.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and integrate maritime compliance frameworks (such as ISM Code, SOLAS, or relevant environmental standards) into daily operations and procedural updates.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Behaviors:
• Knowledge
• Demonstrated understanding of maritime regulations and safety management systems, with the ability to apply this knowledge to ensure operational compliance and safety.
• Knowledge of maritime operations and vessel functions, with the ability to apply this understanding to daily operational decisions.
• Ability to utilize quality assurance methodologies and tools (such as Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement frameworks) to analyze processes and drive operational efficiency.
• Understanding of audit processes and compliance standards, with the ability to execute, evaluate, or support internal and external audits.
• Skills
• Ability to analyze complex operational data, identify root causes of issues, and develop effective, practical solutions.
• Ability to communicate technical and regulatory information clearly, concisely, and effectively to diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to use data analysis and reporting tools to track performance, identify trends, and inform operational decision-making.
• Abilities
• Ability to manage individual tasks independently while actively collaborating within cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and manage multiple projects simultaneously to deliver high-quality results within established timelines.
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, thoroughness, and quality in compliance monitoring, reporting, and operational tasks.
• Ability to draft, edit, and publish clear, professional reports, official correspondence, and technical documentation.
• Ability to self-manage workloads and maintain accountability to consistently deliver assignments on schedule.
• Ability to maintain composure, prioritize tasks effectively, and make sound, safe decisions in fast-paced, high-stress, or demanding operational environments.
• Behaviors
• Demonstrated initiative in anticipating operational needs, addressing potential compliance or safety issues before they escalate, and focusing on measurable outcomes.
• Ability to build positive working…