Puget Sound Gateway Program Administrator (EMS5)

Full Job Description

About WSDOTThe 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 OpportunityWSDOT is seeking an experienced program administration professional to lead and direct all aspects of the SR 167 and SR 509 Gateway Program, a multi-billion-dollar initiative and part of the Connecting Washington transportation package.

Reporting to the Assistant Secretary, Urban Mobility, Access, and Megaprograms, this position provides strategic, executive-level leadership over program planning, construction administration, and delivery, including policy implementation, risk management, and coordination across regional and headquarters teams.

To ensure the successful, cost-effective delivery of this complex program, the Program Administrator provides customer-focused, strategic leadership both internally and externally, develops and sustains partnerships with elected officials, Tribal governments, local agencies, and other stakeholders, and oversees communications and program integration to achieve program objectives.

This role requires a solutions-focused, innovative leader who can guide diverse teams, implement strategic initiatives, and deliver projects that meet performance goals, maintain public trust, and advance WSDOT’s mission to provide safe, efficient, and sustainable transportation.

What to ExpectThe Puget Sound Gateway Program is a $2.83 billion capital initiative spanning the SR 167 and SR 509 corridors, the largest program in the $16 billion Connecting Washington package.

This executive-level position provides leadership over program planning, construction administration, and stakeholder coordination to ensure delivery of complex, multi-regional transportation projects.

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

• Provide leadership for the Puget Sound Gateway Program, its projects, and positions, building consensus with program executive committees and representing WSDOT to elected officials, Indian tribes, community and business groups, property owners, and other stakeholders.
• Direct program staff from Megaprograms, Olympic and Northwest Regions, and HQ Divisions to ensure program goals and objectives are achieved.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all program activities, representing WSDOT to the media, citizens, local jurisdictions, legislators, tribal agencies, businesses, and stakeholders, and facilitating resolution of transportation issues.
• Guide WSDOT transportation planning, budgeting, and problem-solving to deliver the program within scope, budget, and schedule, addressing coordination, legal, social, environmental, engineering, and fiscal challenges.
• Coordinate major projects across the Olympic and Northwest Regions, integrating with Sound Transit’s light rail, access to Sea-Tac International Airport, and ongoing I-5 Master Plan development efforts, ensuring effective collaboration across South King and North Pierce Counties.
• Serve on WSDOT, state, or nationally appointed policy teams and committees.
• Ensure adequate resources for all disciplines, provide leadership and career development, approve or recommend workforce actions, and promote safety, morale, and professional growth.
• Model professionalism, integrity, accountability, and public service, while resolving conflicts and complaints internally or with other agencies, community groups, and stakeholders.

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

• Executive/Senior Level Leadership: Demonstrated experience directing large, complex, multi-modal capital transportation programs with multi-billion-dollar budgets, from planning and environmental review through design, construction, and closeout.
• Transportation/Civil Engineering Knowledge: Demonstrated professional-level knowledge of transportation and civil engineering principles, practices, and standards, including environmental and highway design laws and regulations.
• Complex Issue Resolution: Demonstrated experience independently analyzing and resolving highly complex, high-risk, and politically sensitive 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, division 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 Finance and Governance: Demonstrated working knowledge of public-sector finance, budgeting, programming, and project delivery processes, as well as legislative and governmental decision-making frameworks.
• Independent Judgment and Discretion: Demonstrated responsibility for exercising independent judgment and professional discretion in situations where decisions affect policy direction, funding, public trust, safety, or operational outcomes.
• Integrated Problem Solving: Demonstrated experience solving complex engineering or programmatic problems where solutions require integration of technical, regulatory, financial, and stakeholder considerations.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• 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.
• Strategic Judgment and Decision Authority: Demonstrated experience exercising independent executive judgment over strategic and tactical decisions with material impacts to policy direction, funding, schedule, public trust, and organizational reputation.
• 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.

*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.
• This recruitment is for a position located in Downtown Seattle with satellite construction offices in SeaTac, Fife, and Puyallup. The position balances time between virtual telework and in-person meetings and office time as required.
• This position may require the ability to travel overnight to different locations within the region, throughout the state, and on a limited basis out of the state.
• This position may require meetings during mornings, evenings, and weekends.
• 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.
• 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 25DOT-NWR-8E007 in the subject line.