Agreements and Policy Specialist (TE3)

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid remote work

Paid leave

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a Transportation Engineer 3 to serve as an Agreements and Policy Specialist in the URA Office in Lacey, WA. This role develops, reviews, and administers intergovernmental agreements, ensuring compliance with state laws and agency policy while supporting transportation programs.

The incumbent will lead agreement development, regulatory alignment, and process improvements, collaborating across regions, HQ, and external partners to

Qualifications

• Demonstrates advanced experience using computer software, analyzing database information, preparing reports, and delivering presentations.
• Strong attention to detail and ensuring materials and data are accurate and well-formatted.
• Effectively manages multiple assignments and deadlines with organized workflows.
• Provides responsive customer service and clear communication to meet stakeholder needs.
• Works with diverse individuals to foster an inclusive workplace.
• Experience with policy work or agreement/contract development and administration.
• Knowledge of federal regulations, RCWs, WACs and their interrelations.
• Knowledge of transportation design, engineering, project delivery principles and processes.
• Ability to explain complex policy concepts clearly in writing and verbally.
• Demonstrates flexibility and initiative for continuous process improvement.
• Shows a growth mindset and commitment to learning.
• Provides service-oriented support to internal and external customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead agreement development and related processes and policies, aiding regions and HQ with questions, reviews, and templates.
• Develop and deliver agency-wide and specialized training on agreements.
• Train users on agreement review databases and maintain resources.
• Develop agreements required by divisions or other offices.
• Assist with entering agreements into TRAINS and processing invoices.
• Maintain the Agreements Manual and other agency manuals.
• Ensure appropriate use of different types of agreements under URA Office.
• Modify standard form agreements to reflect changes in law and agency needs.
• Improve the agreement review database, URA pages, and outreach tools.
• Liaise with Accounting, Audit, Maintenance and Risk Management to align goals.
• Maintain strong relationships with the Office of the Attorney General for legal sufficiency.
• Lead LEAN-based process improvements in agreement processes.
• Research policy changes and assess impacts on agreement terms.
• Conduct stakeholder outreach for revisions to templates, manuals, tools, and processes.
• Complete monthly and annual agreement reporting and related audits.

Skills

Technical systems & data management

Analytical & problem-solving

Organizational & time management

Communication & leadership

Equity & inclusion awareness

Agreement & policy administration

Regulatory knowledge

Transportation knowledge

Growth mindset

Service-oriented

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 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.

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.