Contracts & Federal Compliance Lead (TTE)
State of Washington
FreshPosted Mar 25
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Posted: March 26, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Federal Relations Director (WMS3)
State of Washington
Dept. of Transportation
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$9,542 - $12,232
per month
Type
Full-Time
More Management & Supervision jobs →Closes
April 14, 2026
SES Pay Grade
Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900
Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
Job Description
Summary
This role involves leading the Washington State Department of Transportation's efforts to build and maintain strong connections with federal lawmakers, agencies, and national groups to secure funding and shape transportation policies that benefit the state.
The director will guide strategy on federal issues, educate congressional representatives about state needs, and work closely with internal teams and the Governor's Office to align efforts.
It's ideal for an experienced leader with deep knowledge of federal transportation matters, strong networking skills, and the ability to navigate politics at a high level.
Key Requirements
- Expert knowledge of federal legislative and regulatory processes, especially in transportation policy and funding
- Proven ability to manage relationships with congressional delegations, federal agencies, and national organizations
- Strong skills in strategic planning, policy development, and advocacy for transportation priorities
- Experience in legislative analysis, monitoring federal bills, and developing issue papers or communications
- Exceptional political acumen, negotiation, and executive-level communication abilities
- Ability to coordinate with state officials, including the Governor’s Office, and manage consultant support
- Familiarity with national coalitions and participation in relevant organizations
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 seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to serve as Federal Relations Director, reporting to the Senior Director of External Relations and acting as a key member of the external relations leadership team.
This position will lead the agency’s federal engagement strategy by managing relationships with Washington’s congressional delegation, federal agencies, and national organizations to advance transportation policy and funding priorities.
The Federal Relations Director will provide high-level guidance on federal legislation, policy development, and funding opportunities, while coordinating closely with regional administrators, division directors, and the Governor’s Office to ensure alignment with statewide priorities.
In this role, you will also lead advocacy efforts, monitor and shape federal legislation, develop policy positions, foster national partnerships, and manage consultant support to implement effective federal strategies.
Top candidates will demonstrate expertise in federal transportation policy and funding, legislative analysis, and strategic planning, along with exceptional political acumen, relationship management, negotiation, and executive-level communication skills.
What to Expect
The Federal Relations Director is a part of agency leadership and works with regional administrators, division directors, and the Governor’s Office to engage congressional offices, federal agencies, and national coalitions to advance WSDOT’s policy and funding priorities.
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Federal Relations Director will:
- Direct and provide input to strategy regarding federal transportation funding and policy issues, and relevant congressional and federal agency issues and initiatives.
- Serves as primary contact for informing and educating the state’s federal congressional delegation to maximize federal transportation funding and flexibility and obtain favorable policy decision and interpretations.
- Manage the development of issue papers, and other communications to inform and educate the state’s congressional delegation about WSDOT and state transportation policy and funding issues and concerns.
- Remain informed on federal transportation policy and funding issues using congressional information sources and participates in national organizations.
- Advise and coordinate WSDOT staff involvement in national organization and coalitions as directed or requested.
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:
- Federal Legislative & Regulatory Expertise: Expert-level knowledge of federal legislative, and administrative processes, including development, negotiation, and implementation of federal transportation policy and funding programs, and the ability to anticipate, interpret, and respond strategically to federal actions affecting state transportation systems.
- Federal Relations & Policy Leadership: Extensive professional experience leading federal government relations or public policy strategy for a complex public-sector organization, including direct engagement with members of Congress, congressional staff, federal agencies, and national associations to influence policy outcomes and funding decisions.
- Federal Transportation Funding Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of federal transportation funding mechanisms, including discretionary and formula programs, grant development and evaluation processes, and intergovernmental funding coordination, with the ability to guide agency strategy to maximize funding opportunities.
- Policy Development & Strategic Alignment: Proven expertise in developing and advancing organizational policy positions on complex, high-impact issues, synthesizing technical, financial, legal, and political considerations into cohesive strategies aligned with executive and gubernatorial priorities.
- Executive Communication: Advanced skill in executive-level written and oral communication, including authoring and presenting persuasive policy analyses, testimony, briefing materials, and correspondence on behalf of agency leadership to senior federal officials, elected leaders, and external stakeholders.
- Agency Representation & Political Judgment: Demonstrated authority and judgment to independently represent the agency in politically sensitive, high-risk environments, including negotiations, briefings, and coalition efforts where decisions and messaging may have statewide, long-term funding or policy implications.
- Cross-Agency & Intergovernmental Coordination: Ability to lead complex, cross-agency and intergovernmental coordination efforts, aligning internal executives, division leadership, the Governor’s Office, consultants, and external partners around unified federal policy and advocacy strategies.
- Executive Decision-Making: Demonstrated capacity to operate with a high degree of autonomy, exercising sound executive judgment in fast-paced, politically dynamic environments with incomplete information, competing interests, and significant consequences for error.
- 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:
- Staff Leadership & Mentorship: Senior-level leadership experience overseeing staff or consultants engaged in policy analysis, advocacy, communications, or government relations, including setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability, and mentoring professional growth.
- Professional Credibility & Engagement: Recognized credibility and standing within federal policy, transportation, or intergovernmental affairs communities, demonstrated through sustained participation or leadership in national organizations, coalitions, or advisory bodies.
- Ethical Leadership & Integrity: Demonstrated ethical leadership and integrity, with a strong track record of navigating complex political environments while upholding public service values, transparency, and the public interest.
*To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting.
Important Notes
- This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
- This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
- 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
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.
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-0W711 in the subject line.
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