Agreements and Policy Specialist (TE3)

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 Transportation Engineer 3 to serve as an Agreements and Policy Specialist within the Utilities, Railroad & Agreements (URA) Office in Lacey, WA. In this role, you will help regions and headquarters offices develop, review, and administer agreements, in compliance with state laws and agency policy, that support WSDOT’s transportation programs and business needs.

You will serve as a technical resource on agreement development, policy and legal compliance, quality assurance, training, and process improvement. Your work will help ensure agreements are accurate, legally sufficient, and aligned with state and federal requirements. This position also provides an opportunity to build strong partnerships across WSDOT and with external stakeholders while improving the tools and processes employees use to manage agreements.

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

• Serve as the department lead for agreement development and related processes and policies, assisting regions and Headquarters offices with questions, reviews, templates, and agreement language.

• Develop and deliver agency-wide and specialized training, coordinate special topics and identify subject matter experts as guest speakers.

• Train users on the functions and use of the agreement review database and maintain user resources.

• Develop agreements required by the Development Division or other offices as requested.

• Assist Agreement Managers with entering agreements into TRAINS and processing invoices.

• Maintain the Agreements Manual and provide input on other agency manuals.

• Ensure appropriate use of non-financial, payable, and reimbursable agreements under the URA Office.

• Maintain and modify standard form agreements to reflect changes in state and federal law, Office of the Attorney General guidance, agency needs, and engineering and project delivery practices.

• Maintain and improve the agreement review database, URA webpages, SharePoint resources, and other outreach tools.

• Serve as a liaison with offices including Accounting & Financial Services, Audit, Maintenance, Risk Management to integrate goals in a cohesive manner.

• Develop and maintain strong working relationship with the Office of the Attorney General to ensure all agreements and appropriate tools within the URA Office are legally sufficient.

• Lead process improvement efforts and identify opportunities to apply LEAN principles to agreement processes.

• Research policies, legislative actions and agency manuals and assess their impact on terms of agreements.

• Conduct stakeholder outreach to gather information regarding revisions to agreement templates, manuals, tools, and processes.

• Complete monthly and annual reporting on agreements, including public contract reporting, database reports, audit research, and specialized reporting as requested.

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

• Technical Systems & Data Management: Demonstrates advanced experience using a wide range of computer software, analyzing database information, preparing professional reports, and developing and delivering presentations.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Demonstrates strong attention to detail and the ability to ensure materials and data are accurate, complete, properly formatted, and meet quality standards.
• Organizational & Time Management: Effectively manages multiple assignments, competing deadlines, electronic and physical records, and organized workflows.
• Customer Focus: Provides responsive customer service and communicates effectively to clarify requirements, provide updates, and support stakeholder needs.
• Equity & Inclusion Awareness: Works effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and contributes to a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace.
• Agreement & Policy Administration: Demonstrated experience with policy work or agreement/contract development and administration.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Knowledge of federal regulations, RCWs, WACs, and their relationship to one another.
• Transportation Knowledge: Knowledge of transportation design, engineering, project delivery principles, and processes.
• Communication & Leadership: Ability to clearly explain complex policy concepts, communicate effectively through written, verbal, and presentation formats, and resolve complex disputes.
• Adaptability & Process Improvement: Ability to absorb new information, navigate change and complexity, and initiate and lead continuous process improvement.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Collaboration & Relationship Building: Ability to work effectively across offices, disciplines, and teams and build strong working relationships.
• Initiative & Adaptability: Demonstrates persistence, self-motivation, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities, policies, and organizational needs.
• WSDOT Project Knowledge: Knowledge of WSDOT project management practices and project delivery.
• WSDOT Agreements Knowledge: Knowledge of WSDOT policies and procedures related to intergovernmental agreements.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options, with the ability to work remote approximately 75% of the time.
• 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-05166 in the subject line.