Director of Marine Operations - Washington State Ferries

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!

Washington State Ferries (WSF) is an essential part of Washington's transportation network.

Every year, we carry nearly 20 million passengers across Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands on more than 400 sailings a day.

Our dedicated teams with over 2,100 people work together to serve our communities and shape the future of ferry travel.

The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking a Director of Marine Operations for Washington State Ferries (WSF).

As a member of WSF’s Executive Leadership Team, this position provides strategic direction and leadership for all operational elements of the business, including workforce development and readiness.

The Director develops and implements policies, procedures, and standards to support safe, reliable, and efficient marine transportation service, and is accountable for ensuring fleet and terminal employees are qualified and trained.

This role advances WSF’s strategic priorities—Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People—and models WSF’s values: Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the Director of Marine Operations will:

• Lead daily ferry operations across 20 terminals and 21 vessels, ensuring safe, reliable service and workforce readiness.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. Coast Guard, Safety Management Systems, RCW, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Develop, implement, and enforce marine operational policies including MSO, SOPs, and safe working procedures.
• Direct incident and emergency response, serving in assigned Incident Command roles when activated.
• Establish fleetwide staffing and workforce development strategies to support training, recruitment, retention, and succession.
• Act as appointing authority for delegated personnel actions; manage leaders and promote accountability and effective communication.
• Lead strategic planning and budget oversight, ensuring fiscal responsibility and operational sustainability.
• Build partnerships with labor, stakeholders, and executive leadership.
• Uphold WSF’s strategic priorities (Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People) and values (Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate), ensuring they are embedded in WSF’s culture through leadership actions.

Qualifications

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

• Strategic Marine Operations Leadership
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex marine, transportation, or logistics operations, including setting strategic direction, overseeing service delivery, and ensuring safe, reliable operations.
• Operational Policy & Performance Management
  • Proven ability to develop, implement, and oversee policies, procedures, and performance improvement initiatives within a large, complex organization.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Experience working effectively across multiple functional areas (e.g., operations, engineering, planning, finance, HR) to resolve operational challenges and achieve organizational goals.
• Executive Decision-Making & Accountability
  • Demonstrated responsibility for high-impact decisions related to operations, personnel, and budgets in a highly visible public or customer-facing environment.
• Workforce Leadership & Development
  • Experience managing and developing leadership teams and direct reports, including coaching, performance management, succession planning, and fostering employee engagement.
• Labor & Union Relations
  • Working knowledge of collective bargaining environments, including experience partnering with labor unions and applying labor agreements in day-to-day operations.
• Stakeholder & Public Engagement
  • Demonstrated ability to represent an organization in public forums and work effectively with diverse stakeholders such as legislators, community members, executive leaders, vendors, and regulators.
• Financial & Budget Oversight
  • Experience with budget development, fiscal oversight, and internal controls, including responsibility for managing or influencing large operational budgets.
• Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge
  • Working knowledge of U.S. and international maritime regulations, credentialing requirements, and compliance standards for vessel operations and crews.
• Communication & Influence
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical and operational information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.
  • Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Transportation Planning & Logistics Expertise
  • Experience in transportation systems planning, logistics coordination, or large-scale service delivery optimization.
• Change Management & Continuous Improvement
  • Demonstrated experience leading organizational change initiatives, including LEAN, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies.
• Advanced Organizational Leadership
  • Experience leading within large, matrixed organizations, balancing competing priorities while driving alignment and accountability.
• Inclusive Leadership & Culture Building
  • Proven success fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace culture that supports learning, innovation, and employee development.

Important Notes

• 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 357-28of 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.
• 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 renee.mason@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-WSF-9E133 in the subject line.