Summary

This job involves managing public transportation grants and contracts for community providers, transit agencies, and tribes in a specific region of Washington state, including providing support, ensuring compliance with rules, and conducting visits to check on progress.

A good fit would be someone experienced in grant oversight and working with partners, who enjoys building relationships and helping others deliver transportation services effectively.

The role allows for remote work within the assigned counties and focuses on using public funds responsibly to improve mobility.

Key Requirements

Knowledge of program administration and grant management principles
Experience in contract oversight, performance monitoring, and compliance with state and federal regulations
Strong skills in providing technical assistance, customer service, and training to grantees
Ability to review reports, invoices, policies, and applications for grants related to operating, planning, and mobility
Proficiency in relationship-building and collaboration with stakeholders, including transit providers and planning organizations
Willingness to travel for on-site visits and virtual check-ins
Expertise in civil rights, accessibility, and Title VI compliance

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 manages the world's longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking a Community Transportation Planner to serve as the South Central Region’s (SCR) public transportation contract manager, overseeing operating, planning, and mobility management grants that support transit agencies, nonprofit community transportation providers, and tribal partners across Yakima, Benton, Franklin, and Walla Walla Counties.

This position may work remotely from within one of these counties, with the specific work location determined based on employee preference and business needs.

In this role, you will deliver customer service, technical assistance, and training to help grantees successfully navigate the Grant Management System (GMS), prepare applications, submit reports and invoices, and maintain compliance with state and federal requirements.

The SCR Community Transportation Planner will conduct policy and program reviews, support development and updates of required civil rights and accessibility policies, perform virtual and in-person site visits, and collaborate closely with regional and local partners including transit providers, metropolitan and regional planning organizations, and internal WSDOT teams to ensure accountable and effective use of public funds.

Our top candidate will demonstrate strong grant and contract management expertise, regulatory compliance knowledge, collaborative relationship-building, and clear, service-oriented communication.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Community Transportation Planner will:

Independently perform and lead teams on delivery of contract management, process development, and technical assistance.
Provide oversight of contracts including performance monitoring, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations including development of state/federally required grantee policies, managing relationships with stakeholders, and ensuring contract closeout in assigned region.
Ensure grantees are delivering services described in grant contracts and in accordance with state and federal requirements.
Provide grant contract oversight, review quarterly reports, complete administrative site visits, complete biennial check-ins, review Title VI plans, and review invoices, contract amendments, and proposed scopes of work.
Review transportations providers’ state and federally required policies.
Travel and conduct on-site visits to provide customer service, technical assistance and ensure compliance.
Act as a first point of contact to provide public transportation service technical assistance.
Act as a subject matter expert on operating, planning and mobility grant projects within assigned region
Perform internal review of operating, capital, planning and mobility grant applications.

Qualifications

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

Program Administration: Knowledge of principles, methods, and practices for administering programs, including grants management, contract oversight, stakeholder coordination, and performance accountability.
Grants and Contract Compliance: Knowledge of grant management systems, contract monitoring procedures, reporting standards, documentation practices, and closeout requirements to ensure adherence to state and federal regulations.
Program Evaluation and Technical Assistance: Skill in evaluating grantee performance, identifying compliance risks, and providing practical technical assistance and training to support successful program delivery.
Financial and Document Review: Skill in reviewing and interpreting grant applications, scopes of work, contracts, budgets, invoices, and reports to verify accuracy, eligibility, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement: Skill in conveying complex programmatic, technical, and compliance information clearly and professionally through written, verbal, and facilitated communication with diverse partners and audiences.
Professionalism and Continuous Improvement: Ability to foster collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and continuous learning while building trusted relationships with internal teams, transit agencies, nonprofit providers,
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:

Independent Program Management

Ability to independently plan, prioritize, and execute regional monitoring activities, site visits (virtual and in-person), and compliance evaluations while exercising sound professional judgment.

Regulatory Knowledge and Policy Application

Working knowledge of public transportation laws, regulations, and guidance, including Federal Transit Administration programs (Sections 5310, 5311, 5339), applicable circulars, state requirements, and Washington Executive Order 14-04, and the ability to apply them effectively in program administration.

Multimodal Transportation Systems Awareness

General knowledge of multimodal transportation networks, land use considerations, and industry best practices supporting coordinated and accessible community transportation services.

Public Transportation

General knowledge of public transportation performance, governance, policy, funding, planning, transit operations, special need transportation, transportation demand management, transportation planning, legislative relations, local government relations, and system-wide multimodal transportation analysis.

Performance Leadership

Skills to lead and/or participate in teams to provide expertise to collaboratively make decisions, establish and meet timelines, and deliver results that meet customer needs.
Skilled in developing techniques to improve work processes and efficiency.
Ability to participate in and support conflict resolution and provide feedback in an open, constructive and professional manner and skills to assess risk and facilitate problem solving.

Analysis and Interpretation

Experience interpreting complex and technical information and communicating verbally and in writing in a simple and easy to understand manner to diverse audiences.
Skills to provide analysis of techniques and selection of the most appropriate, taking into account goals, potential payback, resource requirements and possible drawbacks.
Ability to evaluate and assess issues, interpret laws and regulations, and communicate findings verbally and in writing to others.

Customer Service

Experience handling customer questions and complaints, communicating with customers, and providing solutions politely and efficiently while following procedures, understanding department products and services, maintaining pleasant and professional image.

Teamwork

Ability to meet all team deadlines and responsibilities, listen to others and value opinions, help team leader to meet goals, welcome newcomers and promote a team atmosphere.
Skills to foster and maintain excellent working relationships, even in times of stress and conflict and work closely with peers on interdisciplinary teams and jointly meet deliverables.

Communication

Skills to communicate well both verbally and in writing, create accurate and punctual reports, deliver presentations, share information and ideas with others, and have good listening skills.
Ability to apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with interdisciplinary teams as a subject matter expert and share accurate and pertinent information in a timely manner.
Ability to communicate complex, policy, project and technical information effectively using verbal, written and visual communication skills and adapt communication style to various audiences.

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

Important Notes

This position is eligible for remote work up to 100%, per supervisor approval, from Yakima, Benton, Franklin, or Walla Walla County. The official duty station for this position will be determined based on candidate preference and overall business needs.
This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.

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, 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.
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. 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 about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at Robyn.Lovely@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-HQ-00233 in the subject line.

✓ Fresh Listing

Community Transportation Planner (TPS4)

Job Description

Summary

Key Requirements

Full Job Description

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