Description 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!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking a skilled Transportation Technical Engineer to serve as the Northwest Region (NWR) Area Consultant Liaison Engineer in Seattle, WA. This position focuses on the oversight, management, preparation, and administration of all regional consultant agreements. The candidate selected for this role will use their highly developed knowledge to ensure contracts are properly negotiated and administered to meet all RCW’s, WACs, Federal Works Highway Administration’s (FWHA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and rules and guidelines involving consultant agreements and contracting methods. By ensuring projects are timely and within budget, this role supports WSDOT’s mission to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation options to improve communities and economic vitality for people and businesses.

What to Expect

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

• Obtain, prepare, oversee and manage consultant services agreements for the Northwest Region.
• Participate in policy, guidelines, rules, and agreement management procedures development as requested.
• Provide guidance to ensure compliance with departmental policies and procedures, state and federal laws and regulations, and all agreement provisions.
• Assemble agreements and supplements, task orders and amendments, process invoices for agreements and tasks, and track payments to ensure agreement is not over-extended.
• Ensure supplements and amendments are negotiated and added to an agreement or task as needed in a timely manner.
• Create memos requesting selection of consultants and approval to select consultants for various types of work including engineering (professional) and non-engineering (personal) services.
• Facilitate negotiations for all types of agreements and supplements as needed.
• Facilitate resolution of disputes and claims regarding contractual matters, payments, and audits.
• Work in close collaboration with project offices to obtain, write, negotiate, and manage payments for regional agreements.
• Train and mentor the consultant Liaison office staff on the procurement and management of the consultant agreements.

Qualifications

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

• Contracting Regulations: Demonstrated knowledge in interpreting RCW's, WAC's, FWHA's CFR's, and rules and guidelines involving consultant agreements and contracting methods.
• Contract Cost Analysis: Experience reviewing, analyzing and interpreting engineering contract pricing and cost proposals.
• Negotiation Skills: Experience applying negotiation skills both internally and with external entities.
• Communication & Relationship-Building: Exhibit strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships both internally and with external entities.
• Analytical & Organizational Skills: Exhibit strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to details.
• Leadership & Training: Experience leading and supervising teams, including setting expectations, managing performance, addressing workplace issues, and ensuring completion of assigned work. Ability to design and deliver effective training and presentations tailored to diverse audiences and learning needs.
• Office Technology Skills: Ability to effectively use office equipment, including Microsoft Office suite of tools.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Government Contracting: Knowledge of government contracting with a solid depth of understanding of RCW, WAC, CFRs, and all relevant contract types.
• WSDOT Policies & Procedures: Knowledge of the WSDOT's Consultant Services Manual. Knowledge of WSDOT directions, policies and procedures in project development, construction, and maintenance activities as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
• TRAINS Purchasing: Knowledge of the Purchasing Specialist Role in TRAINS 4.0; how to manage DOs, CTs, and encumbrances.

Important Notes

This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs. This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options. The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County. In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code. WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Why WSDOT

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including telework options for eligible positions.
• Paid Leave: In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance: Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
• Plan For Your Future: WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more.

Go to State Benefits for more information. Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible. In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at olivia.dietrich@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-NWR-10018 in the subject line.