Cascadia High-Speed Rail and I-5 Program Administrator (EMS5)

Full Job 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 seeking a strategic, experienced leader to serve as the Cascadia High-Speed Rail and I-5 Program Administrator within the Urban Mobility, Access, and Megaprograms Division.

Reporting to the Assistant Secretary, this position directs a complex, long-term program integrating the I-5 Master Plan and Cascadia High-Speed Rail, overseeing concurrent, large-scale projects that deliver transformative multimodal transportation solutions across western Washington and the broader Cascadia megaregion, from the Canadian border to Oregon, connecting Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C.

The Program Administrator sets the strategic vision, establishes priorities, and coordinates across federal, state, provincial, tribal, and regional partners.

This role leads multidisciplinary teams, oversees program development and funding strategies, and ensures that projects advance equitable, resilient transportation systems.

By shaping long-term planning, fostering partnerships, and guiding high-impact decisions, the Program Administrator positions WSDOT to improve mobility, connect communities, and support economic vitality throughout the Cascadia megaregion.

What to Expect

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

• Direct the Cascadia High-Speed Rail and I-5 Program, delivering integrated projects across planning, design, and construction phases.
• Manage program budgets, funding allocations, and resources to achieve long-term objectives.
• Establish and advance the regional transportation vision, aligning strategic planning and program objectives.
• Lead and manage a centralized Program Management Office, which includes a multidisciplinary team of WSDOT staff and consultants.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with federal, state, provincial, tribal, regional, and private-sector partners.
• Oversee international, federal, and bi-state collaborations, including partnerships with B.C. MoTT, ODOT, and Oregon Metro.
• Engage and educate stakeholders, including elected officials, community leaders, and the public, on program vision, benefits, and progress.
• Identify and secure resources, including developing RFPs, grant applications, and public-private partnerships.
• Assess and manage program risks, including political, technical, financial, and schedule risks, to ensure successful project delivery.
• Provide guidance on complex governance structures for Cascadia HSR and I-5 Program decision-making.

Qualifications

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

Executive/Senior Level Leadership: Demonstrated experience planning of large, complex, multi-modal capital transportation programs with potentially extensive budgets.

Experience includes thinking big, building coalitions and partnerships, and effectively representing the program in making the case for long term additional funding and continued planning.

Complex Issue Resolution: Demonstrated experience proactively identifying, analyzing and resolving highly complex, high-risk, and politically sensitive policy, engineering, interagency, and public-facing issues with significant organizational or public impact.

Executive, Legislative, and Public Advising: Demonstrated experience communicating and advising executive leadership, legislators, divisions and regional leadership, media representatives, and the public on complex technical, policy, or project-related matters.

Authorized Public Representation: Demonstrated experience representing an organization as an authorized spokesperson in public forums, including community meetings, legislative briefings, and executive level discussions.

Public Sector Regulatory Frameworks, Finance and Governance: Knowledge of NEPA, SEPA and permitting requirements of very large, complex projects.

Demonstrated working knowledge of public-sector finance, budgeting, programming, and project delivery processes, as well as legislative and governmental decision-making frameworks.

Leadership in Decision-Making: Demonstrated ability to navigate situations that affect policy direction, funding, public trust, safety, or operational outcomes with sound judgement. Ability to make both strategic and tactical decisions and adapt quickly to new information.

Integrated Problem Solving: Demonstrated experience solving complex engineering or programmatic problems where solutions require integration of technical, regulatory, financial, and stakeholder considerations.

Demonstrated experience performing high level negotiations and partnering with various entities with differing and complex objectives such as contractors, consultants, agencies, and local communities.

Policy Formulation and Organizational Execution: Demonstrated experience developing, interpreting, and implementing policy, governance frameworks, and strategic plans, translating them into measurable objectives and accountable execution across complex organizations.

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:

• Executive Communication and Representation: Demonstrated executive-level communication effectiveness, including shaping and delivering complex technical, financial, and policy messages to elected officials, executive leadership, stakeholders, and media in high-visibility environments.
• High-Level Negotiation and External Influence: Demonstrated success leading high-stakes negotiations and influencing outcomes among competing governmental, tribal, jurisdictional, and private-sector interests to achieve strategic transportation objectives.
• Adaptive Executive Leadership: Demonstrated capacity to assess emerging information, risk, and political context and recalibrate strategic direction, priorities, or delivery approaches to protect program outcomes and public confidence.
• Change Leadership and Organizational Performance: Demonstrated leadership in driving continuous improvement, innovation, and organizational change across large, multidisciplinary teams while maintaining collaboration, accountability, and delivery discipline.
• Public Trust, Transparency, and Stewardship: Demonstrated success establishing and maintaining public trust through transparent governance, ethical decision-making, and responsible stewardship of public resources in politically sensitive environments.
• Executive Talent Development: Demonstrated effectiveness leading, coaching, and empowering senior managers and professional staff to sustain high performance, accountability, and leadership succession.
• Practical Design and Value-Based Delivery: Demonstrated executive-level application of Practical Design principles to balance cost, risk, performance, safety, environmental outcomes, and stakeholder expectations on major capital programs.
• Transportation/Civil Engineering Knowledge: Demonstrated professional-level knowledge of transportation and civil engineering principles, land use, and practices and standards that include environmental and highway design laws and regulations.

*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.
• Travel is an expectation of this position. Local, regional, national, and international travel may be required.
• 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 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 visit www.uscis.gov .

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at Daisha.Jordan@wsdot.wa.gov . Please be sure to reference 26DOT-NWR-8E012 in the subject line.