Field Exploration Supervisor (TE3)

State of Washington; Tumwater (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule options

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) seeks a Field Exploration Supervisor to lead geotechnical field exploration for statewide transportation projects. You will guide drill crews, select equipment, manage resources, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance in dynamic field environments.

Responsibilities include coordinating field testing strategies, preparing site safety plans, and reviewing project documentation.

Qualifications

• Supervising and leading employees, assigning and planning work, and ensuring a respectful, inclusive environment.
• Geotechnical drilling and field exploration experience, with ability to supervise multiple crews.
• Strong written and verbal communication of policy, technical information, and project updates.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and train multiple crews; develop project duration estimates.
• Drill and install groundwater monitoring wells with contractor crews.
• Operate heavy equipment (excavators, skid-steers, forklifts) and drill tooling.
• Review daily crew paperwork for completeness and accuracy.
• Assess site access, entry rights, environmental permits, and utility locates.

Skills

Supervision & Leadership

Geotechnical Drilling & Field Ops

Communication Skills

Organization & Tech

Growth Mindset

Tools

Microsoft Office

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 Field Exploration Supervisor to lead and direct complex geotechnical field exploration activities supporting transportation projects statewide, including design, construction, maintenance, and emergency projects of significant scope and complexity. This position will apply engineering principles, geotechnical exploration practices, WSDOT standards, and technical judgment to develop field exploration strategies, determine appropriate drilling, testing, sampling, equipment, staffing, and traffic control requirements, and resolve complex field conditions. As the Field Exploration Supervisor, you will provide technical direction to WSDOT and contract field exploration crews, oversees project resources and specialized equipment, monitors the quality and progress of field activities, and ensures exploration work and documentation meet project, regulatory, and safety requirements. The successful candidate will possess strong geotechnical and field exploration expertise, leadership and project management skills, and the ability to resolve complex problems in dynamic field environments.

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.

Field Exploration Supervisor will:

• Supervise and train multiple crews working on their assigned projects; develop project durations estimates.
• Work with contractor drilling crews; drill and install groundwater monitoring wells.
• Operate different pieces of heavy equipment, excavators, skid-steers, offroad forklifts, power tools, drill tooling, specialized equipment, and vehicles.
• Review daily paperwork from crews for completeness and accuracy.
• Conduct site review of geotechnical field exploration projects to determine site access requirements, site preparation needs, right-of-entry requirements, need for environmental permits, utility locates, etc.
• Determine site exploration strategies, field testing equipment needs, and personal needed for the field exploration project, based on field reviews.
• Develop site safety plans for each project tasked to complete.
• Coordinate the Department of Ecology's resource protection well reporting requirements, including construction notice of intents and reports.
• Review job files for the Field Exploration Unit for accuracy while working with the technicians for closing files.
• Coordinate the maintenance and repairs of field exploration testing and support equipment.

Qualifications

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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Communication Skills: The ability to communicate policy, standard and technical information effectively using verbal, written and visual communication skills.
• 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 & Service‑Oriented: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth and 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: Demonstrated advanced knowledge of geology and soil and rock identification.
• Microsoft Office and Adobe PDF: Demonstrated advanced proficiency using Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe PDF.
• Geotechnical Drilling & Field Operations: Demonstrated experience managing complex or large‑scale geotechnical drilling projects or geographically dispersed field operations.
• Drilling Equipment & Fleet Management: Demonstrated experience managing specialized drilling equipment, excavators, skid‑steers, fleet maintenance, tooling, inventory, and field procurement.

Preferred Licenses

• A Washington State Commercial Driver’s License Class A with N endorsement and without airbrake restriction.
• A National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) crane operator license for fixed cab boom truck and articulating boom crane with winch.

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.
• 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.