Assistant Regional Administrator for Maintenance (WMS4)

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, andoperates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity
WSDOT is seeking a proactive, transformational leader with experience in maintenance and a proven track record of managing and delivering transportation programs. The Assistant Regional Administrator (ARA) for Maintenance is a critical leadership role that works closely with the Regional Administrator and executive team to lead and manage the Southwest Region (SWR) Maintenance Division, which maintains more than 2,500 lane miles of highway, 450 bridges, safety rest areas, and numerous supporting facilities across seven counties.

Serving as Appointing Authority for approximately 230 staff and managing an $80 million biennial budget, this position provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the Transportation Maintenance, Transportation Equipment Fund (TEF), Capital Facilities, and Strategic Preservation programs. The ARA ensures the region’s transportation infrastructure and facilities are safe, reliable, and functional, oversees fleet and equipment operations, and preserves critical assets. This position also coordinates with the Oregon Department of Transportation and other partners to support a connected, multi-state system.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong strategic leadership, sound operational judgment, and a commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and equitable transportation outcomes.

What to Expect
This position oversees operations across Clark, Lewis, Cowlitz, Pacific, Wahkiakum, Skamania, and Klickitat counties and requires periodic travel throughout the Southwest Region and occasionally statewide. Most work is performed in an office or telework setting, with field visits that may include construction zones, active traffic areas, and varying weather conditions.The role requires flexibility for evenings, weekends, and holidays, to support emergency response and critical operational needs.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the ARA for Maintenance will:

• Provide executive leadership for the Southwest Region (SWR) Maintenance Division, ensuring achievement of agency policy objectives for highway maintenance, capital facilities, and equipment.
• Serve as Appointing Authority for approximately 230 staff, administering policies that ensure workplace safety, employee development, diversity, and recognition.
• Develop and implement regional policies, procedures, and strategic plans for maintaining highways, bridges, facilities, and equipment.
• Coordinate with partner agencies, including the Oregon Department of Transportation, serving as the primary liaison to address public safety and right-of-way concerns, including impacts to unsheltered populations, and collaborate on compassionate, policy-aligned solutions.
• Strategically plan for and manage impacts of climate change on the SWR facilities, including vulnerable geographic locations such as eroding coastlines and flood prone areas of I-5 in Lewis County and surrounding locations, consistent with statewide resilience and environmental direction.
• Oversee budget development, resource allocation, and long-term program planning for the region’s $80 million biennial operating budget across major maintenance and operational programs.
• Develop long-term program requirements, including funding and staffing needs, program policies and procedures, support services, and budget oversight for the regional programs.
• Coordinate WSDOT's response to tort claims related to highway design, operations, and maintenance with the Washington State Attorney General's office; provide expert testimony as needed.
• Develop programs, benchmarks, and standards to monitor maintenance trends, identify transportation needs, and implement best practices consistent with statewide policy.

Qualifications

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

• Strategic and Organizational Leadership:Demonstrated ability to provide strategic direction and oversight for large, complex maintenance and operational programs. Leads organizational change initiatives, aligns resources with agency priorities, drives continuous improvement, and cultivates leadership capacity within the division.
• Fiscal Management: Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and managing large, complex budgets with accountability for financial performance. Ensures fiscal decisions align with operational priorities, program objectives, and agency goals while maintaining transparency and compliance with policies.
• Project and Program Management: Proven ability to lead the planning, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of complex maintenance and operational programs. Applies advanced project and program management principles to manage multiple competing priorities, allocate resources effectively, and ensure successful outcomes.
• Maintenance and Technical Expertise: Demonstrated knowledge of highway and facility maintenance principles, practices, policies, procedures, regulations, and safety standards. Applies expertise to guide operational decision-making and ensure safe, reliable, and effective program delivery.
• Regulatory and Policy Knowledge and Application: Demonstrated knowledge of applicable statutes, administrative codes, agency policies, and labor agreements governing maintenance and operations. Interprets, applies, and ensures compliance with these requirements to guide program implementation, operational decisions, and consistent agency practices.
• Emergency Management and Incident Command: Advanced demonstrated knowledge of emergency management procedures, operations center management, and incident command systems, and the ability to obtain required National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) certifications and Incident Command System Certifications (ICS) 100, 200, 400, and 700 certifications within six (6) months of appointment.
• People Leadership and Talent Development: Demonstrated ability to effectively coach, mentor, train, evaluate, and develop staff using established performance management standards.
• Communication Excellence: Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical, operational, and policy information clearly and effectively in writing and orally to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, elected officials, staff, stakeholders, and the public.
• Communication and Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical, operational, and policy information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including staff, executive leadership, elected officials, and the public. Builds and maintains effective relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders to ensure collaboration, transparency, and trust.
• Technical Communication and Technology Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to review, interpret, and develop technical documents, reports, and policy materials. Utilizes technology systems and software to collect, analyze, and present operational and administrative information that supports informed decision-making and program oversight.
• 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:

• Agency Maintenance Experience:Experience managing maintenance in compliance with Washington State Department of Transportation procedures, practices, and policies.
• Legal and Risk Management Expertise: Experience coordinating legal risk management activities, including tort claims response, interagency agreements, and expert testimony.
• Multi-Agency Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead complex, politically sensitive, multi-agency initiatives involving vulnerable populations and public right-of-way management.
• Infrastructure Resilience Planning: Demonstrated ability to strategically plan for and manage infrastructure resilience in response to climate change and environmental risk factors.

*To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting.

Important Notes

• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• This position requires periodic travel across the region and availability to respond to emergency situations as needed, including outside standard business hours.
• 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 mayearn 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.
• PlanFor 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 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.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.

WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visitwww.uscis.gov.

Contact Us
For inquiries aboutthis posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter atDaisha.Jordan@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference26DOT-SWR-4W008& in the subject line.