Field Exploration Operations Supervisor (TE4)

State of Washington; Tumwater (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule options

Paid leave & holidays

Tuition assistance

Healthcare options

Job summary

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) seeks a Field Exploration Operations Supervisor to oversee statewide drilling, field testing, and sampling programs. The role leads exploration crews, manages scheduling, training, and equipment maintenance, and ensures safe, cost-effective operations on design, construction, and maintenance projects.

The ideal candidate demonstrates strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills, with experience managing multiple crews, budgets,

Qualifications

• Geotechnical drilling and field exploration experience.
• Experience supervising and leading multiple drilling crews or field-based teams.
• Ability to plan, schedule, and coordinate field operations and allocate resources.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain drilling schedules based on project priorities and staffing.
• Assign projects to maximize efficiency while maintaining safety and compliance.
• Schedule maintenance and locate equipment; order parts as needed.
• Troubleshoot drilling issues and ensure adherence to policies.

Skills

Geotechnical Drilling

Operations Planning

Supervision & Leadership

Safety & Compliance

Problem Solving

Training & Collaboration

Organization & Technology

Growth Mindset

Service-Oriented

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Excel

PowerPoint

Adobe PDF

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 seeking a skilled and organized field exploration specialist to oversee the logistics and daily operations of the Field Exploration Section. This position will supervise the field exploration engineers and drill crews performing statewide field testing and sampling in support of WSDOT’s complex design, construction, maintenance, and emergency projects. The position coordinates crew scheduling and performance tracking, monitors project costs, oversees training and certification requirements, manages drilling tools, supplies, and equipment, and coordinates equipment maintenance and acquisition. This position also supports the training and performance of regional field exploration personnel. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership, organizational, communication, problem-solving, project coordination, and cost-management skills, with the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and support safe, efficient field operations.

What to Expect

This position will be expected to perform duties in person from the office, laboratory, and/or field. Hazards include traffic, motorists, falling rock, steep soil and rock slopes, debris, trees, and construction equipment.

Responsibilities

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Field Exploration Operations Supervisor will:

• Develop and maintain daily, weekly, and long-range drilling schedule based on project priorities, staffing/vacations, equipment availability, permits, and engineering needs.
• Assign drilling projects to maximize efficiency while ensuring safe work practices and compliance with agency priority.
• Schedule routine maintenance, repairs and location of all equipment to ensure proper operation; order parts for equipment as needed to keep crews working.
• Troubleshoot and resolve work related/drilling issues.
• Ensure crews comply with agency policies, safety requirements, permit specifications and standard operating practices.
• Review daily drill/inspector reports for accuracy and completeness and production metrics for scheduling.
• Prioritize work request/emergency’s and allocate personnel, vehicles, drill rigs, and specialized equipment to meet operational demands.
• Operate state owned vehicle for delivery of repairs, maintenance, supplies to crews and personnel.
• Manage the purchasing and tracking of equipment, tooling, and supplies and maintain inventory of expendable drilling supplies and tooling.
• Track and maintain current inspections and certification for crane equipment.

Qualifications

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

• Geotechnical Drilling & Field Operations: Demonstrated experience performing geotechnical drilling and field exploration work and supervising or leading multiple drilling crews or comparable field-based operational teams; knowledge of geotechnical drilling and sampling practices and applicable standards and procedures.
• Operations Planning & Resource Management: Experience planning, scheduling, prioritizing, and coordinating multiple field operations and effectively allocating personnel, equipment, vehicles, and other resources to meet changing project, emergency, and operational needs.
• Supervision & Leadership: Experience supervising and leading employees, including assigning and planning work, providing direction, monitoring and evaluating performance, addressing performance concerns, and fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment.
• Safety, Compliance, & Risk Management:Proven ability to identify and address safety risks and ensure field operations comply with applicable laws, regulations, permits, agency policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
• Equipment & Operational Problem-Solving:Demonstrated ability to manage the operational readiness of a drilling fleet and resolve complex field and equipment issues involving maintenance, repairs, difficult drilling conditions, access, supplies, tooling, and changing project requirements.
• Training, Communication, & Collaboration:Ability to identify training needs, maintain certification records, communicate technical and operational information effectively, and facilitate collaborative problem-solving with employees, contractors, consultants, and agency partners.
• Organization, Judgment, & Technology: Demonstrated success with managing multiple competing priorities, maintains accurate operational and project records, exercises sound judgment in complex or time-sensitive situations, and uses Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other computer systems to support operational activities.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented:Takes action to meet the needs of others.

The following qualifications are also required:

• A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• A valid Washington State Department of Ecology Resource Protection Operator's License.
• A current 24- or 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER certification or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate/have:

• Geology & Soil/Rock Identification:Advanced training or experience in geology and soil and rock identification.
• Technical Software: Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe PDF.
• Geotechnical Drilling & Field Operations: Experience managing complex or large-scale geotechnical drilling projects or geographically dispersed field operations.
• Equipment, Fleet & Inventory Management:Experience managing specialized equipment, fleet maintenance, tooling, inventory, and field procurement.
• Training & Professional Development:Experience coordinating employee training, certification, and professional development programs.

In addition to the preferred qualifications above the following licenses are also preferred:

• A Washington State Commercial Driver’s License Class A with N endorsement and without airbrake restriction.
• A Department of Ecology Resource Protection Well Construction License.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• Intermittent in-state and out-of-state travel is expected of this position. Overnight stays up to 4 nights at a time may be required. Traveling to multiple locations in one day may also be required.
• 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.
• This position offers limited flexible/hybrid remote work options while not on intermittent travel.
• 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 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.
• PlanFor 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.

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 26DOT-HQ-04546 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, 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.