Field Exploration Supervisor (TE3)
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) seeks a Field Exploration Supervisor to lead complex geotechnical field exploration statewide, directing drilling, testing, sampling, and crew operations for design, construction, maintenance, and emergency projects.
You will provide technical direction, oversee resources and equipment, review field data, and ensure work meets project, regulatory, and safety requirements, with hands-on duties in office, lab, and field.
Qualifications
- Supervision & leadership experience managing employees and teams.
- Demonstrated ability to resolve complex field and equipment issues.
- Experience performing geotechnical drilling and supervising drilling crews.
Responsibilities
- Supervise and train multiple crews on assigned projects; develop project duration estimates.
- Work with contractor drilling crews; drill and install groundwater monitoring wells.
- Operate heavy equipment and vehicles used in field exploration.
- Review daily crew paperwork for accuracy and completeness.
- Conduct site reviews to determine access, permits, and utility locates.
- Develop field exploration strategies and determine equipment and personnel needs.
- Create site safety plans for each project and ensure compliance.
- Coordinate with Ecology on required reporting and regulatory obligations.
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 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, oversee project resources and specialized equipment, monitor the quality and progress of field activities, and ensure 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.
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.
- 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 personnel 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.
- 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, standards 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) crane operator license for fixed cab boom truck and articulating boom crane with winch.
- To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting.
- 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
- 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.
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at Robyn.Lovely@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT‑HQ‑01336 in the subject line.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
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‑ratio 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‑ratio 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.
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.
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.
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