Public Transportation Safety Oversight Specialist (TPS5)

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 leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity WSDOT is currently seeking a Public Transportation Safety Oversight Specialist (TPS5) in Seattle, WA to help ensure public and worker safety on public transportation systems through the development and implementation of directives, policies, programs, and procedures. As a senior safety specialist, you will provide specialized expertise and independent oversight for light rail transit systems and work directly with rail transit agencies to safety standards, policies, and procedures.

In this role, you will help oversee compliance with state and federal safety requirements, evaluate hazards and corrective actions, and assess the effectiveness of safety mitigations. Your work will support safe and reliable public transportation while helping maintain public confidence and advance WSDOT’s mission of providing an integrated multimodal transportation system.

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

• Develop, implement, and ensure public transportation safety oversight policies, procedures, standards, and protocols meet state and federal requirements.

• Work with transit agencies to clarify federally and state-required roles and responsibilities and use safety management systems practices to identify and mitigate risk.

• Develop and monitor safety performance data and assess and review safety hazards and agency safety plans.

• Analyze complex federal and state legislation and regulations to determine impacts on rail transit agencies, the division, and the program.

• Prepare and conduct audits to ensure safety plans and procedures are developed and fully implemented.

• Perform risk-based inspections to enhance safety practices and meet federal and state regulations.

• Establish cooperative working relationships with transit agencies, not-for-profits, fixed rail guideway systems, regulators, and agency and national peers.

• Participate in forums with public transportation safety offices across the nation to continuously improve and update best practices.

• Work with team members to develop and implement strategic approaches for assessing needs and prioritizing investments to bring rail transit agencies into compliance and alignment with best practices.

• Convene transit agency service providers to develop rail and bus safety standards and protocols.

• Monitor and ensure rail transit agencies meet state and federal safety certification requirements when developing and implementing new capital projects.

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

• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Creates External Strategic Alliances: Develops and uses collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals. Establishes good interpersonal relationships based on regulatory requirements and rail safety standards.
• Effective Communication: Seeks input from transit partners, checks understanding, and presents messages in different ways to enhance understanding.
• Flexible and Adaptive: Demonstrates an ability to work comfortably in an environment where clear direction or definite information is not available or is unclear.
• Focuses Group Efforts: Ensures collaborations serve and support business objectives while using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods; provides direction and guidance to others in team or collaborative settings; considers and integrates the needs and potential contributions of others and the larger organization.
• Safety Awareness: Monitors safety issues after taking corrective action and ensures continued compliance.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Learns While Doing: Learns quickly when confronted with a new problem, understanding surface issues and the interconnectedness of those issues that run much deeper; develops a workable plan and adapts that plan as circumstances change.
• Negotiating Acumen: Effectively explores alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties. Engages in mutual problem solving by brainstorming alternative positions or approaches and evaluating them openly and fairly.

Important Notes

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

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 [email protected]. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-HQ-04853 in the subject line.