Transportation Planning Specialist 4 (In-Training)

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 seeking a motivated and detail-oriented planning specialist to support the agency’s mission of providing safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation options that strengthen communities and economic vitality across Washington State. Reporting to the Lead Design Build Coordinator within the Olympic Region’s Design Build and Progressive Design Build Unit in the Environmental & Hydraulic Services Office, this position plays a key role in ensuring highway projects are designed and constructed in compliance with agency policies, procedures, and environmental regulations. In this role, you will prepare environmental documentation, and review permit applications necessary to authorize transportation facility construction, while determining the scope of supporting analyses, documentation, and environmental investigations required for Design Build and Progressive Design Build projects. This role directly advances WSDOT’s strategic priorities by upholding high standards of quality, safety, environmental stewardship, and long-term system resilience, while contributing to a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace culture. Our top candidate will demonstrate expertise in environmental compliance and permitting, project coordination, and clear technical communication.

What to Expect

This position performs field investigations, while administrative in nature, are performed outdoors, in inclement weather, in daytime or nighttime. Requires traversing rough, steep, and uneven terrain. Exposure to hazards include severe weather conditions, air quality hazards such as exhaust, proximity to high-volume, high-speed traffic, heavy construction equipment, materials, chemicals, products, and proximity to creeks and bodies of water.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Transportation Planning Specialist 4will:

• Oversee and review consultant work activities and deliverables; ensure documentation accuracy through the life of the project.
• Determine preliminary environmental impacts and environmental documentation and permitting needs for projects.
• Review applications and environmental documentation prepared by others to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Coordinate with EHS subject-matter experts (SME) on documentation reviews.
• Analyze project details, identify key project design features and ensure documentation addresses them.
• Contact, coordinate, meet, and negotiate with resource and permitting agency personnel to obtain permits in a timely manner.
• Conduct analysis and field reviews to quantify environmental impacts, make alternative design recommendations during the design phase as applicable.
• Provide expert advice and communicate regularly with co-managers, contractors and regulatory agencies, participate in meetings and answer.
• Prepare National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) documents.

Qualifications

This is a Transportation Planning Specialist 4 position. However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level in theclassification seriesbased on candidate qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan.

To be considered for this opportunity, at the lowest level (TPS3), the following competencies are required:

Design-Build Project Delivery Understanding

• Familiarity with the design-build process, contracting practices, and the unique environmental, documentation, and coordination needs associated with alternative project delivery methods.

Environmental Permitting & Documentation

• Demonstrated understanding and ability to scope, document, acquire, and comply with required state and federal environmental permits for region design and construction projects.
• Demonstrated ability and knowledge of environmental permitting and documentation commitments, requirements, conditions, reporting, and procedures for region design and construction projects.
• Demonstrated ability to document and interpret environmental permits and environmental documentation as applied to region design and construction projects.

Interagency & Professional Collaboration

• Demonstrated understanding and ability to effectively interact with fellow agency professionals and regional environmental staff to interpret and apply environmental permits, documentation, and regulatory requirements for region design and construction projects.

Environmental Laws & Policy Application

• Demonstrated ability and knowledge of the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act as applied to transportation project scoping, design, construction, maintenance, and operations.
• Demonstrated ability and knowledge of state and federal environmental documentation requirements for transportation projects.

Specialty Environmental Studies & Compliance

• Demonstrated ability and knowledge of planning and conducting transportation studies related to hazardous materials to meet regulatory requirements or qualify for exemptions for transportation projects.

Workload & Project Management

• Ability to effectively manage heavy workloads, balancing multiple concurrent projects with tight timelines while maintaining accuracy and producing high-quality deliverables.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Advanced capability to communicate technical and regulatory information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, both virtually and in-person, using email, phone, text, video conferencing, and written documentation.

Technical Systems & Software Expertise

• Proficient in Windows-based systems and software, including MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint), cloud platforms, virtual meeting tools (e.g., MS Teams), and databases used for environmental review, documentation management, and project tracking.

Growth Mindset & Service-Oriented

• Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Takes action to meet the needs of others.
  
  

The following qualifications is also required:

• A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

Project Planning, Scheduling, & Risk Management

• Demonstrated ability and knowledge of project planning, scheduling, documentation and permitting durations, and project needs to develop and refine effective schedules for transportation projects.
• Demonstrated ability to understand project scope and identify risks in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of environmental requirements and decision-making during scoping, design, right-of-way, construction, and post-construction phases of project delivery.

Collaborative Coordination & Partnership Building

• Experience collaborating with federal, state, and local environmental or transportation agencies to support the planning, design, or construction of transportation projects, contributing to effective and timely project outcomes.

Community Outreach & Stakeholder Engagement

• Experience leading community outreach activities and building stakeholder relationships that resulted in actionable, coordinated strategies or planning solutions supporting project goals.

Regulatory Compliance & Field Implementation

• Demonstrated understanding and ability to interpret environmental permit and documentation commitments and requirements through field reviews, including identifying sensitive areas; reviewing Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control and Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure plans; evaluating BMP installation and maintenance; ensuring environmental compliance during construction; and making professional recommendations based on field observations.

Technical Tools & Specialized Software Proficiency

• Proficiency using tools such as ProjectWise, GIS platforms, Adobe Acrobat, P6 Scheduler, or similar systems to support document control, environmental review, design coordination, scheduling, or project management.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options. Position is required at minimum to be in-person for Monthly EHS All-Staff/Safety meeting and report to a WSDOT facility or on a project site at least once a week.
• 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.
• This is a Transportation Planning Specialist 4 position. However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level in the classification series based on candidate qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan. The base salaries for each level are:
  • Transportation Planning Specialist 4: $78,912 – $106,104
  • Transportation Planning Specialist 3: $71,472 – $96,144
• 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, 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 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.
• 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 of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. NOTE: This information may 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.

Contact Us

For inquiries aboutthis posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter atYasmin.Munoz@wsdot.wa.gov.Please be sure to reference26DOT-OR-32900in the subject line.