Transportation Engineer 2 (In-Training)

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 currently seeking a Transportation Engineer 2 in our Olympic Region!

This position supports WSDOT’s mission by ensuring highway construction projects are designed and constructed in compliance with standard specifications, contract specifications and contract plans.

The work of this position improves the safety, reliability, and resiliency of the State’s transportation system.

As a Transportation Engineer 2 in the Olympic Region Traffic Office, this position reviews documents and conducts analysis related to state facilities.

This position contributes to the agency’s strategic plan by ensuring, through adherence to WSDOT policies, that work functions performed are administered to the expected quality, safety, and stewardship standards to support Washington’s long-term resilience.

This position is expected to contribute to a workplace that fosters a culture of respect, equal opportunity, and a sense of belonging.

What to Expect:
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you will:

• Independently develop and execute traffic models for regional transportation projects using engineering software such as Highway Capacity Software (HCS), Synchro/SimTraffic, and VISSIM.
• Perform detailed highway and work-zone capacity analyses to evaluate impacts to the traveling public and maintain system performance during construction.
• Develop and evaluate design alternatives for lane configurations, intersection control types, and traffic operations to optimize safety, efficiency, and long-term performance.
• Conduct capacity and operational analyses to support design life assessments and inform data-driven alternative selection and project recommendations.
• Prepare clear, professional engineering correspondence and technical documentation, including letters, reports, Intersection Control Evaluations, and calibration summaries, using standard office and engineering software.
• Develop and present supporting materials such as spreadsheets, graphs, charts, data visualizations, and public-facing presentations to effectively communicate technical findings to internal teams, external partners, and the public.
• Perform traffic model calibration checks and traffic volume balancing to ensure analytical accuracy and consistency across regional and project-level analyses.
• Review and evaluate traffic impact studies for private developments affecting state highways, including validation of electronic model files, methodologies, and assumptions.
• Assess transportation elements of planning and environmental documents prepared by consultants, cities, and counties for consistency with state standards and system performance goals.
• Develop and recommend mitigation strategies to address development-related traffic impacts and support safe, efficient operation of the state highway system.

QualificationsThis is a Transportation Engineer 2 position.

However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level in the Classification series based on candidate qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan.

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

Transportation Engineer 2 (TE2) level:

Engineering Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge and practical understanding of engineering principles, methods, and practices relevant to transportation projects.

This includes experience in design development, construction techniques, material testing procedures, and/or contract administration; Experience preparing construction contract documents or working for a Design Builder in an engineering capacity.

Transportation Engineer 1 (TE1) level:

Engineering Fundamentals: Foundational knowledge of basic engineering and mathematical principles to solve routine engineering problems, typically gained through education, experience, training, or certification (EIT or LSIT).

Ability to apply this knowledge to design, construction, and inspection tasks.

In addition to one of the above, the following are also required (at both levels):

Analytical and Technical Review: Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex transportation and traffic analysis elements, identify issues, and develop effective alternative solutions.

Experience reviewing and applying traffic design and transportation engineering principles to support data-driven decision-making and project delivery.

Technology Proficiency: Proficient in operating Windows-based computers and MS Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, Sharepoint, and Word, as well as databases and computer-aided engineering software.

Communication Skills: Skills to communicate technical non-technical information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, both virtually and in person, using a range of electronic communication methods such as email, telephone, text, video conferencing, and computer based collaboration tools.

Collaboration & Adaptability: Skills to work productively both independently and as part of a team environment, prioritizing workload and handling multiple assignments, producing accurate and consistent results.

Service-Oriented: Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.

Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

Technical Traffic Analysis Competency: Experience preparing and/or reviewing traffic studies, including traffic impact analyses, transportation discipline reports for environmental documentation, and intersection control evaluations.

Demonstrated understanding of highway and traffic analysis principles, methodologies, and operational concepts.

Traffic Analysis Software Competency: Proficiency with industry-standard traffic analysis and modeling software such as Highway Capacity Software (HCS), Synchro/SimTraffic, SIDRA, TransModeler, and VISSIM, or similar tools used to evaluate and simulate transportation system performance.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.

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 is a Transportation Engineer 2 position.

However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level in the classification series based on candidate qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan.

The base salaries for each level are: Transportation Engineer 2: $71,472 - $96,144

• Transportation Engineer 1: $64,776 - $87,048

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 a 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. 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 recruiter listed.

Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at Sidra.Fields@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-OR-32660 in the subject line.