Highway Maintenance Supervisor (Multiple) | Vancouver & Kelso

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 Highway Maintenance Supervisors in Vancouver and Kelso, WA to lead year-round maintenance operations that ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods, services, and people throughout the Southwest Region.

In this role, you will oversee highway infrastructure maintenance, direct snow and ice response activities during severe weather, and support a safety-first culture for both crews and the traveling public.

Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent, you will plan, prioritize, and supervise maintenance activities across multiple sections, ensuring work is completed efficiently, safely, and in alignment with agency standards.

This position plays a critical role in fostering a respectful, professional, and healthy work environment.

What to Expect

This position typically works a 40-hour schedule with the potential for weekends, holidays, and extended hours to support emergency response needs.

Employees must be able to report to the duty station within 60 minutes of after-hours callouts and may be assigned alternate, night, or emergency shifts.

Work may occur in all weather conditions on a 24/7 basis, with periodic standby, callback, and rotational night shift requirements.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Highway Maintenance Supervisor will:

• Supervise highway maintenance crews responsible for year-round roadway maintenance, stormwater drainage, pavement preservation, and snow and ice operations across assigned routes.
• Plan, schedule, assign, and budget maintenance activities including roadway repairs, flood and storm response, culvert and drainage work, vegetation control, pesticide/herbicide applications, and snow and ice operations.
• Coordinate equipment, staffing levels, materials, and logistics with fellow supervisors and leads.
• Conduct employee hiring interviews and make recommendations on promotions, demotions, transfers, and grievance actions.
• Develop employees through coaching, performance evaluations, and ongoing training support.
• Prepare maintenance plans, records, and reports to support the Maintenance Accountability Process, using computers and iPads, and ensure accurate inventory management of materials.
• Represent WSDOT when engaging with the public, local jurisdictions, and partner agencies to maintain positive working relationships and resolve operational issues.
• Respond to emergency incidents by coordinating personnel, resources, and communication with the Emergency Operations Center, Incident Command, WSP, and others.

Qualifications

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

• Independent Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead and supervise multiple highway maintenance crews operating across multiple duty stations and shifts, including planning, scheduling, prioritizing, and assigning work for maintenance activities.
• Operational and Administrative experience: Demonstrated ability to track expenditures, use of inventory items and independently manage accuracy.
• Safety Awareness and Leadership: Experience prioritizing and promoting a safety-first culture, strong knowledge of workplace safety standards, with consistently applied safe work practices.
• Heavy Equipment Operation & Oversight: Able to operate and oversee the use of heavy equipment to support daily highway maintenance activities and emergency response operations.
• Effective Communication Skills: Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely with internal staff, management, other agencies, and the public using verbal, written, and virtual communications, including acting as WSDOT’s representative in meetings and public interactions.

• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to the above, the following are also required:

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain.
• Ability to maneuver and transport various materials and/or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work at elevated heights above 25 ft over land or water.
• Ability to report to the assigned duty station within 60 minutes of an after-hours call.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Emergency Response Coordination: Experience coordinating emergency responses with a central operations center, while directing appropriate personnel and equipment. Knowledge of highway asset life cycles and preservation activities.
• Conflict Resolution Skills: Proven experience applying strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills, addressing and resolving conflicts in the workplace in a manner that aligns with Department policies and values.
• Employee Mentoring and Development Skills: Demonstrated ability to guide and support others, effectively sharing knowledge, skills, and experience to foster the growth and development of employees.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position is not eligible for remote work.

Field work is performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions and often adjacent to high-speed traffic.

Work may involve standing for extended periods, working at or near ground level, operating in confined spaces, and performing traffic control from stationary or moving platforms.

Duties may require handling or being near chemicals, fuels, cleaning agents, hot asphalt, and other hazardous materials, as well as potential exposure to contaminated waste.

Work may occur during both daytime and nighttime hours.

• This position is subject to the drug and alcohol testing requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA). For more information, please go to DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing.

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.
• 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 UsFor inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at yasmin.munoz@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 25DOT-SWR-40634m in the subject line.