Field Exploration Supervisor; TE

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 Field Exploration Supervisor to lead and direct complex geotechnical field exploration activities supporting transportation projects statewide, including design, construction, maintenance, and emergency projects of significant scope and complexity. This position will apply engineering principles, geotechnical exploration practices, WSDOT standards, and technical judgment to develop field exploration strategies, determine appropriate drilling, testing, sampling, equipment, staffing, and traffic control requirements, and resolve complex field conditions.

As the Field Exploration Supervisor, you will provide technical direction to WSDOT and contract field exploration crews, oversee project resources and specialized equipment, monitor the quality and progress of field activities, and ensure exploration work and documentation meet project, regulatory, and safety requirements. The successful candidate will possess strong geotechnical and field exploration expertise, leadership and project management skills, and the ability to resolve complex problems in dynamic field environments.

This position will be expected to perform duties in person from the office, laboratory, and/or field. Hazards include traffic, motorists, falling rock, steep soil and rock slopes, debris, trees, and construction equipment.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Field Exploration Supervisor will:

• Supervise and train multiple crews working on their assigned projects; develop project durations estimates.
• Work with contractor drilling crews; drill and install groundwater monitoring wells.
• Operate different pieces of heavy equipment, excavators, skid-steers, offroad forklifts, power tools, drill tooling, specialized equipment, and vehicles.
• Review daily paperwork from crews for completeness and accuracy.
• Conduct site review of geotechnical field exploration projects to determine site access requirements, site preparation needs, right-of-entry requirements, need for environmental permits, utility locates, etc.
• Determine site exploration strategies, field testing equipment needs, and personnel needed for the field exploration project, based on field reviews.
• Develop site safety plans for each project tasked to complete.
• Coordinate the Department of Ecology's resource protection well reporting requirements, including construction notice of intents and reports.
• Review job files for the Field Exploration Unit for accuracy while working with the technicians for closing files.
• Coordinate the maintenance and repairs of field exploration testing and support equipment.

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

• Supervision & Leadership: Experience supervising and leading employees, including assigning and planning work, providing direction, monitoring and evaluating performance, addressing performance concerns, and fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment.
• Equipment & Operational Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to manage the operational readiness of a drilling fleet and resolve complex field and equipment issues involving maintenance, repairs, difficult drilling conditions, access, supplies, tooling, and changing project requirements.
• Geotechnical Drilling & Field Operations: Demonstrated experience performing geotechnical drilling and field exploration work and supervising or leading multiple drilling crews or comparable field-based operational teams; knowledge of geotechnical drilling and sampling practices and applicable standards and procedures.
• Communication
  
  Skills:
  
  The ability to communicate policy, standards and technical information effectively using verbal, written and visual communication skills.
• Organization, Judgment, & Technology: Demonstrated success with managing multiple competing priorities, maintains accurate operational and project records, exercises sound judgment in complex or…