Summary

This role involves leading planning and improvements for Washington's 47 safety rest areas, which serve millions of travelers each year, by managing projects, ensuring compliance with laws, and using data to make them safer and more efficient.

A good fit would be someone experienced in transportation planning who enjoys coordinating teams, analyzing information, and communicating with the public to enhance services for drivers and communities.

The job focuses on teamwork and innovation to support the state's transportation goals.

Key Requirements

Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate planning activities aligned with strategic goals, asset management, and regulatory requirements
Experience developing or reviewing technical documents, reports, and correspondence
Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills with tact and strategic approach
Expertise in federal and state laws related to safety rest areas
Proficiency in data integration, analysis, and visualization using tools like ArcGIS and Power BI
Experience in project and program management, including public outreach and cross-functional collaboration
Knowledge of continuous process improvement and staying current with transportation regulations

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 highly motivated individual to support the mission of the HQ Capital Facilities Office by leading and enhancing statewide Safety Rest Area planning, maintenance, training, and integrated data management efforts.

Serving as the Senior Safety Rest Area Transportation Planner, you will ensure Washington’s 47 safety rest areas, serving over 24 million travelers annually, remain safe, inclusive, and operationally effective through strategic planning, performance monitoring, and policy development aligned with asset management goals and the Washington Transportation Plan.

The successful candidate will strengthen cross-functional partnerships, coordinate internal communications and training resources, and support responsiveness to public and legislative input to improve program effectiveness and transparency.

This position contributes directly to WSDOT’s commitment to excellent customer service, a focus on the traveling public and employee needs, collaboration, and continuous improvement, while upholding the agency’s core values of safety, people first, teamwork, professionalism, respect, and integrity.

Our top candidates will demonstrate expertise in data integration and analysis, project and program management, regulatory alignment, and continuous process improvement.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Senior Safety Rest Area Transportation Planner will:

Lead development, updates, and implementation of Safety Rest Area planning projects.
Ensure plans and tools are consistent with goals, policies, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines.
Serve as a specialist in complex safety rest area federal and state laws.
Collaborate with WSDOT divisions and regions to integrate new safety rest area policies into their business processes.
Develop and deliver statewide public outreach activities.
Stay up to date on WSDOT's and other states rest area programs, including research on federal and state regulations affecting rest area operations.
Summarize complex data from internal WSDOT systems, geospatial and planning information for visual presentations and dashboards.
Utilize advanced tools such as ArcGIS, Power BI, and evolving technologies.

Qualifications

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

Program Leadership & Oversight

Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate planning activities, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, asset management plans, and regulatory requirements.

Planning Experience

Experience developing or reviewing technical documents, reports, and correspondence.

Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving

Demonstrated ability to use critical problem-solving skills, tact, strategic judgement, logical thinking, common sense, hard work, and tenacity to independently approach complex challenges while staying within the parameters of good practice.
Skilled at managing multiple projects, schedules, and priorities.

Communication & Collaboration

Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and professionally through advanced written, verbal, and presentation skills with diverse internal and external audiences, ensuring information is conveyed accurately and respectfully.
Actively listens and integrates information from multiple sources to foster informed dialogue.
Collaborates seamlessly across technical and non-technical teams, cultivates inclusive partnerships with internal and external partners such as local and tribal governments and represents the agency with professionalism and clarity in public forums and working groups.

Engagement Experience

Experience preparing for and conducting partners and public meetings, collecting and recording meeting information, and preparing written summaries.

Legal & Institutional Framework Application

Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply relevant legal, regulatory, or institutional frameworks to ensure compliance, sound governance, and informed decision-making.

Technical and Digital Literacy

Expertise with Windows-based computers and software, such as MS Office Suite, including Excel, Word, SharePoint, and Outlook; Cloud computing; virtual meeting software, such as MS Teams; and Adobe Acrobat, browser-based parcel mapping tools, and other digital platforms used to develop calculations, and documents.
Demonstrated ability with Esri technology, including map creation, spatial analysis, configuring web applications and ability to quickly adapt to new technologies.

Data Integration & Analysis

Proven ability to use data integration, spatial analysis, and business intelligence tools to combine planning, infrastructure, and operational data. Delivers actionable insights for decision-making, performance tracking, and location-based planning for internal and external reporting.

Training and Knowledge Sharing

Skilled at planning and facilitating training. Ability to tailor content and adapt messaging for diverse audiences using clear, plain language.

Safety and Compliance

Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety through consistent adherence to safety policies, procedures, and best practices, and by performing work in a diligent and safe manner.

Growth Mindset

Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.

Service-Oriented

Takes action to meet the needs of others.

The following qualifications are also required:

A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
Ability to travel to safety rest areas and regional maintenance facilities to support planning and training as required to perform assigned duties.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

Knowledge of Transportation Planning: Expert level knowledge in transportation, planning; public policy; or business strategy.
Progressive Responsibility & Impact: Demonstrated career progression with increasing levels of responsibility and measurable impact on programs, projects, policies, or organizational outcomes.
Professional Transportation Planning Expertise: Demonstrated application of analytical, technical, and policy knowledge in transportation planning, engineering, land use, environmental, business or public policy work typically obtained through extensive professional experience and/or formal education.
Asset & Facility Management Planning: Demonstrated ability to apply advanced technical and analytical skills to manage complex planning projects and collaborate to achieve strategic transportation outcomes.
Public Water and Wastewater Systems Experience: Familiarity with public water or wastewater systems, including understanding system capacity, coordinating with public utilities, or supporting related infrastructure.

*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.

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.

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

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-04836 in the subject line.

✓ Fresh Listing

Senior Safety Rest Area Transportation Planner (TPS4)

Job Description

Summary

Key Requirements

Full Job Description

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