Area Engineer

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 collaborative and strategic leader to serve as the Area Engineer for the Clark County Engineering Office within the Southwest Region. In this role, you will provide leadership and direction for the development, design, and construction delivery of transportation projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and in alignment with agency goals and priorities. You will lead a diverse team of technical professionals while coordinating with stakeholders, local agencies, the public, and regional and headquarters subject matter experts to deliver successful project outcomes. This position plays a critical role in fostering collaboration among engineering, maintenance, traffic, planning, and local partners to ensure transportation decisions reflect the needs and priorities of the communities we serve. As the Area Engineer, you will guide project development and delivery in accordance with WSDOT's Strategic Plan, Vision, Mission, and Values while promoting excellence in customer service, regulatory compliance, and sound engineering practices for both internal and external customers. What to Expect Responsible for managing transportation projects to ensure the accurate application of agency policies, standards, and engineering practices while delivering projects on time, within budget, and in compliance with environmental requirements. This position provides leadership in safety, project delivery, and engineering oversight, including professional stamping authority for work produced within the assigned area. The incumbent collaborates with regional leadership and partner units to implement agency priorities, coordinate transportation programs and policies, ensure appropriate mitigation for development impacts, and lead emergency response and recovery efforts for transportation infrastructure. Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Area Engineer will: Act as the primary point of contact for all Capital Construction Program activities for the specified geographic area, representing the department to the media, public, local jurisdictions, elected officials, and businesses. Be responsible for facilitating the resolution of issues within the Program and the assigned area. Provide management and leadership for area program development, design, environmental compliance, and construction administration for specified area by establishing and implementing policies and procedures that promote efficient use of resources and tax dollars. This responsibility also includes management of consultant agreements. Lead the development of a well‑trained, motivated, and diverse workforce. Restructuring organization as needed to improve efficiency and utilize resources in the most beneficial manner. Empower staff to have more control of procedures and outcomes with clearly defined accountabilities. Coordinate with Maintenance to define programming needs, provide technical assistance on issues, and manage the development and administration of emergency contracts. Coordinate with local agencies to effectively address needs associated with the State transportation system and to provide technical assistance, as needed. Involve local agencies in the development of projects to allow combining of projects on adjacent local facilities to ensure cost effective project delivery. Facilitate partnering and maintain effective working relationships with Federal, State, County, and City officials to assure compliance with the laws, regulations, and policies within their respective jurisdictions. Facilitate partnering and maintain effective working relationships with private contractors and consultants to ensure compliance with the laws, regulations and policies on construction contracts and consultant agreements. Manage the development and administration of agreements developed with developers related to the State transportation system to ensure that the interests of the State are met. Qualifications To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required: Professional Licensure: Licensed as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or licensed as a PE in another state with the ability to obtain licensure in Washington State within six (6) months of hire. Highway and Bridge Engineering Expertise: Extensive experience in highway and bridge design and construction, with the ability to apply advanced civil engineering principles to complex transportation projects. Management and Leadership Skills: Demonstrated strategic leadership and knowledge of management principles with proven ability to apply them effectively while leading and collaborating with diverse teams. Problem‑Solving and Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work with others to resolve major design and construction changes, disputes, claims, and problems. Contract Administration Knowledge: Understanding of contract administration policy and construction contract law. Workforce Planning and Personnel Management: Ability to plan workforce needs, manage personnel effectively, and mentor staff to improve performance. Environmental and Regulatory Knowledge: Experience working with environmental and permitting agencies and applying regulations related to noise ordinances, wetlands, surface water runoff, water quality, sensitive areas, air quality, and shoreline permits. Engineering Leadership & Contract Management: Demonstrated strong engineering background with proven experience managing construction contracts and supervising engineering staff to deliver complex transportation projects. Program Planning, Decision‑Making & Project Accountability: Ability to apply in-depth knowledge of design, construction, and contract administration principles to establish goals, monitor progress, make timely decisions, and ensure transportation projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to quality, environmental, and organizational standards. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Skills to communicate effectively with employees, leadership, and the public while evaluating and responding to stakeholder needs. Service‑Oriented: Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others. Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth. Preferred Consultant & Construction Contract Management: Experience managing engineering consultants and administering construction contracts. FHWA Process Knowledge: Familiarity with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) processes, procedures, and requirements for delivering federally funded transportation projects. Ability to ensure compliance with federal stewardship obligations, documentation, and reporting standards. Change Management: Demonstrated knowledge and experience managing organizational or project‑level changes. Ability to lead teams through transitions in scope, structure, policy, or project delivery approach using effective change management strategies. Public Sector Transportation Skills: Experience delivering capital transportation projects within a public‑sector environment. Advanced Engineering & Management Experience: Possesses progressively responsible experience as a licensed professional engineer in highway or bridge construction/design and supervisory experience managing a diverse workforce. Advanced Alternative Delivery Experience: Demonstrated, progressively responsible experience managing projects through a variety of delivery methods, including Design‑Bid‑Build, Design‑Build, CMGC, and Progressive Design‑Build. *To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting. Important Notes In addition to the salary range listed, a general wage increase of 2% will be applied for all state employees on July 1, 2026. This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs. This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options. This position requires periodic travel across the region and availability to respond to emergency situations as needed, including outside standard business hours. 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 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 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 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? 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Washington Department of Natural Resources