Agreements and Policy Specialist (TE3)
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in Lacey, WA seeks a Transportation Engineer 3 to join the Utilities, Railroad & Agreements Office. You will develop, review, and administer intergovernmental agreements, ensuring compliance with state laws and agency policy, while partnering with internal and external stakeholders.
You will provide technical guidance on agreement development, policy, and LEAN process improvements, and you will help improve tools, templates, and processes
Qualifications
- Demonstrates advanced experience with databases, reporting, and presenting findings.
- Strong attention to detail and data quality standards.
- Effectively manages multiple tasks and deadlines.
Responsibilities
- Lead agreement development processes and policies across regions and HQ.
- Develop and deliver agency-wide training on agreements and templates.
- Train users on agreement review databases and resources.
- Maintain and modify standard form agreements reflecting law changes.
- Complete monthly and annual agreement reporting.
Skills
Tools
Job description
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 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!
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
The following information describes typical benefits available for full‑time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full‑time work (e.g. part‑time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full‑time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax‑deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long‑term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not‑for‑profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full‑time and part‑time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full‑time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part‑time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro‑rated basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full‑time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Full‑time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part‑time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full‑time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part‑time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro‑rated basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357‑58‑175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357‑31‑165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at Rachel.Giese@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-HQ-05166 in the subject line.
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