Assistant Region Administrator - Maintenance & Operations

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Transportation seeks a strategic leader to oversee Olympic Region’s Highway Maintenance, Transportation Equipment Fund, Capital Facilities, Regional Emergency Operations, and Traffic Operations programs. You will guide safety, maintenance, and facility operations, manage a large diverse team, and steward public funds while ensuring reliable transportation across the region.

You will build strong relationships with internal and external partners, promote safety and

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of highway and facility maintenance principles and safety standards.
• Ability to lead planning, development, and evaluation of complex maintenance programs.
• Strong skills in budgeting, compliance, and policy interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of regional highway maintenance and related programs.
• Manage staffing, budget oversight, and policy implementation for consistent delivery.
• Represent the region in meetings with stakeholders and officials.
• Monitor projects and asset conditions, driving improvements and safety outcomes.
• Promote safety, inclusion, and professional development across the workforce.

Skills

Maintenance know-how

Program management

Decision making

Leadership

Policy knowledge

Budget management

Emergency management

Stakeholder comms

Driver's license

Education

Professional Engineer license (Civil)

Job description

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 strategic and experienced leader to oversee Olympic Region’s Highway Maintenance, Transportation Equipment Fund, Capital Facilities, Regional Emergency Operations, and Traffic Operations programs. In this critical leadership role, you will guide the delivery of essential transportation services, ensuring highways remain safe and reliable, equipment and facilities are maintained, and the region is prepared to respond to emergencies and traffic incidents. You will lead a large, diverse workforce and manage significant resources to support efficient operations, responsible stewardship of public funds, and the continued movement of people and goods throughout the region.

Through your leadership, you will help strengthen transportation system resilience, enhance public safety, and advance WSDOT’s mission to keep people and businesses moving. You will also foster a respectful, inclusive workplace where employees are supported in delivering high-quality service to Washington’s communities.

What to Expect

• Provide strategic leadership, management, and oversight of the region’s Highway Maintenance, Transportation Equipment Fund, Capital Facilities, and Traffic Operations programs, including long-term program requirements, funding, staffing, support services, and budget oversight.
• Serve as Appointing Authority for approximately 480 staff and act as backup to the Region Administrator; lead, plan, organize, and direct Maintenance and Operations employees to ensure effective performance and optimal use of resources.
• Develop, implement, and coordinate regional program policies, procedures, standards, and controls in collaboration with other regions and headquarters to ensure consistency and effective program delivery.
• Ensure maintenance and operations programs comply with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and Collective Bargaining Agreements; oversee personnel actions, staffing levels, position establishments, leave and travel approvals, and corrective or disciplinary actions.
• Monitor regional activities, projects, and asset conditions through field visits; identify system deficiencies and champion improvements through capital improvement and preservation programs.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders; represent WSDOT in regional, statewide, and national forums, and respond to inquiries and resolve complaints from the public, local and elected officials, and legislators.
• Promote employee safety, engagement, inclusion, workforce diversity, and professional development through clear expectations, training, coaching, mentoring, recognition, and performance guidance.
• Regularly travel throughout the region to visit work zones and remote facilities, monitor project progress, evaluate and train staff, and participate in in-person meetings and stakeholder coordination.

Qualifications

• Maintenance and Technical Expertise: Demonstrated knowledge of highway and facility maintenance principles, practices, policies, procedures, regulations, and safety standards. Advanced skills to review, interpret, and develop technical documents, reports, and policy materials to support informed decision-making and program oversight.
• Project and Program Management: Demonstrated ability to lead the planning, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of complex maintenance and operational programs. Advanced skills in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall program strategy/results; monitoring, measuring performance, and making necessary course corrections to the same.
• Problem Solving & Decision-Making: The ability to make timely, effective decisions in the best interest of the department based on an array of complex and competing issues. Proven skills to identify issues, evaluate options, and implement practical solutions. Advanced skills in conflict resolution and facilitating constructive dialogue.
• People & Organizational Leadership: Advanced skills in providing strategic direction and oversight for large, complex maintenance and operational programs. Progressively responsible leadership or supervisory experience with a diverse workforce, with demonstrated leadership abilities to work across boundaries; build and maintain effective teams; coach, mentor, and train; and encourage employee engagement. A strong working knowledge of principles of project management and team leadership.
• Regulatory and Policy Knowledge and Application: Demonstrated knowledge of applicable statutes, administrative codes, agency policies, and labor agreements governing maintenance and operations.
• Fiscal Management: Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and managing large, complex budgets with accountability for financial performance.
• Emergency Management and Incident Command: Demonstrated knowledge of emergency management procedures, operations center management, and incident command systems, and the ability to obtain required National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) certifications and Incident Command System Certifications (ICS) 100, 200, 400, and 700 certifications within six (6) months of appointment.
• Communication and Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical, operational, and policy information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including staff, executive leadership, elected officials, and the public. Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders to ensure collaboration, transparency, and trust.
• Driver’s License: Demonstrated ability to travel to project sites as required to fulfill project responsibilities. A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles
• 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:

• Professional Engineering Certification: Licensed as a Civil Professional Engineer in the State of Washington or currently holding a Civil PE license from another state with the ability to obtain Washington State licensure within six (6) months of hire.
• Public Sector Transportation Maintenance Knowledge: Demonstrated experience in maintenance and operation roles within large public sector transportation organizations.
• Knowledge of American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards.
• Knowledge of Washington State and local agency guidelines

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers some flexible/hybrid remote work options and will require regular in-person office time.
• To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the “Contact Us” section of this posting.
• 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 offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
• 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?

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at [e-mail] Please be sure to reference Assistant Regional Construction Engineer #3W036 in the subject line.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, inclusive, 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.