Assistant State Construction 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 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 senior construction leader to provide statewide leadership and technical oversight for the administration of WSDOT construction projects. In this role, you will direct and support multiple regions and Construction Project Engineers on complex construction, contract, and policy matters, including developing and updating department construction policies to reflect current technologies, practices, and procedures.

As the Assistant State Construction Engineer, you will serve as a liaison between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), regional offices, and the construction industry. You will represent the Department on agency‑industry teams, facilitate coordination with internal and external partners, and provide training and mentorship to regional staff in construction administration, project management, and engineering practices.

Our top candidate will bring advanced leadership, collaboration, and communication skills, along with sound engineering judgment and extensive knowledge of construction administration.

The Construction Division is comprised of two units, the State Construction Office and the State Materials Laboratory. The State Construction Office is responsible for maintaining and evolving policies and procedures regarding construction contracts including the Standard Specifications, Construction Manual, and providing technical expertise for the construction and administration of the contracts to the Regions. The State Construction Office monitors and advises on legislative proposals that could impact the administration of WSDOT’s contracts, and this office has proposed and passed legislation.

This office also represents the department regarding contract administration to other state agencies, Local Agencies, industry and FHWA.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant State Construction Engineer will:

• Maintain communication with industry to assess specification effectiveness and implement new products, materials, and research.
• Develop new and revised specifications, policies, and procedures; and assist in the dissemination of these to all statewide offices.
• Provide direct monitoring and oversight of activities in assigned field offices and assigned regions.
• Approve or disapprove change orders for construction contracts that are beyond the authority of the regions.
• Provide troubleshooting services to region managers and project engineers.
• Ensure compliance with WSDOT/FHWA stewardship agreement.
• Assist in training and insuring compliance with Minority, Small, Veteran, and Women’s Business Enterprise (MSVWBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs.

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

• Principles and practices of construction engineering, contract administration, and project delivery.
• AASHTO and ASTM standards, construction materials, and quality assurance practices.
• State and federal public contracting laws, including RCW, WAC, and federal regulations.
• Claims processes, and documentation standards.
• Construction practices, methods, and constructability analysis.
• Alternate dispute resolution processes, claim prevention, and resolution methods.

• Risk assessment and risk‑based decision‑making principles.
• Policy development, specification writing, and implementation of statewide technical guidance.
• DBE, MSVWBE, EEO, and civil rights program compliance requirements.

• Knowledge of roles and functions of…