GIS & Roadway Data Office Manager (WMS3)

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid remote work

Travel for stakeholder meetings

Job summary

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a strategic GIS & Roadway Data Office Manager to govern geospatial and roadway data assets, oversee enterprise GIS services, and ensure timely accurate reporting for federal funding.

The role leads 19 IT and transportation planning professionals across five teams, collaborating with internal and external partners to advance data accessibility and value for decision making.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of geospatial and roadway data collection, processing, analysis, reporting and cartographic production
• Advanced knowledge and skill leading a diverse professional workforce and managing operations and programs
• Basic knowledge of transportation agency business functions, operations, and priorities sufficient to advance GIS and roadway data program objectives
• Basic knowledge of budgetary and operational management practices for stewarding program resources
• Basic knowledge of IT operations, project delivery practices, and interagency coordination related to statewide GIS management
• Skill in communicating effectively across technical and business contexts; translating business needs into effective technical solutions
• Commitment to learning and growth and meeting the needs of others

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic governance of geospatial and roadway data. Establish long-term plans and policies. Identify and advance initiatives to improve data value and accessibility.
• Manage data operations: policies, procedures, methodologies, metadata for geospatial data assets, and tactical decisions on storage and reporting.
• Lead enterprise GIS services: development, maintenance, support, map production, and server architecture operations.
• Oversee federal roadway data reporting to the Federal Highway Administration and coordinate data collection with local governments.
• Recruit, hire, coach, and develop staff while aligning activities with agency goals and a $6M biennial budget.

Skills

Geospatial data governance

Leadership

Operations & governance

Budget & Project mgmt

IT operations & coordination

Technical communication

Growth mindset

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’s Multimodal Planning and Data Division (MPDD) is seeking a strategic and innovative leader to manage the resources, personnel, and operations responsible for producing geospatial and roadway data and enterprise GIS services that support decision‑making across the agency and transportation system. Serving as the GIS & Roadway Data Office Manager, you will provide strategic governance and direction for WSDOT’s geospatial and roadway data assets, oversee enterprise GIS services and roadway data operations, and ensure the timely, accurate, secure, and effective management and reporting of critical data, including information required by the Federal Highway Administration for federal‑aid highway funding. In this role, you will collaborate with internal and external partners, including city, county, regional, state and federal agencies and tribes, to advance the accessibility, reliability, and value of transportation data. Our top candidates will possess technical expertise in GIS and roadway data systems, management and leadership skills, and the ability to build effective partnerships and lead multidisciplinary teams.

What to Expect

The GIS & Roadway Data Office provides strategic governance and operational management of WSDOT’s core geospatial and roadway data assets and related technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Linear Referencing Systems (LRS), the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS), and the Model Inventory of Roadway Elements (MIRE). The Office also provides enterprise GIS services, including project management, business analysis, application and solution development, map and geoprocessing services, technical coordination, and user support. This position serves as the highest‑level manager for the Office and leads 19 information technology and transportation planning professionals across five teams: GIS Data, GIS Services, Application Development, Project Management, and Highway Performance Monitoring System.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the GIS & Roadway Data Office Manager will:

• Provide strategic governance of geospatial and roadway data. Establish strategic long‑term plans and policies for developing, processing, disseminating and using geospatial and roadway data. Identify and advance initiatives to improve the value and accessibility of the Division’s geospatial and roadway data assets. Make geospatial and roadway data and GIS infrastructure decisions for WSDOT, working collaboratively with the Technology Services Division and geospatial and roadway data users. Work collaboratively with federal and state agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, regional transportation planning organizations, counties, cities, and tribes to coordinate GIS services and address data sharing and uniformity issues.
• Manage geospatial and roadway data operations. Establish policies, procedures, and methodologies for collecting, processing, analyzing, and managing geospatial and roadway data. Oversee the compilation and development of metadata for geospatial and roadway data assets, including the 24K LRS, city limits, functional classification, all public roads, HPMS, and MIRE. Make tactical decisions regarding the management, processing, storage and reporting of geospatial data to various customers.
• Lead enterprise GIS services. Oversee custom application development services, software support and maintenance, helpdesk support, map production and stewardship, and the deployment, maintenance and operations of GIS software, services, and server architecture.
• Manage federal roadway data reporting. Oversee the timely, complete, and accurate reporting of required roadway and traffic data to the Federal Highway Administration annually. Coordinate with local governments to collect required data. Lead system modernization efforts.
• Manage staff and administer resources. Align team activities with legal requirements and agency vision and goals. Oversee a $6 million biennial budget. Recruit and hire, assign work, coach and develop staff.

Qualifications

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

• Transportation & Geospatial Data: Expert knowledge of policies and practices related to geospatial and roadway data collection, processing, analysis, reporting and cartographic production
• Management & Leadership: Advanced knowledge and skill leading a diverse professional workforce and managing operations and programs involving first‑or second‑level supervisors, including establishing priorities, balancing competing resource needs, managing workflows, hiring and developing staff, managing performance, fostering team development, resolving conflicts, and supporting effective service delivery.
• Transportation Agency Operations & Business Practices: Basic knowledge of transportation agency business functions, operations, and priorities sufficient to recognize opportunities to advance GIS and roadway data program objectives and ensure technical and professional resources are effectively developed and applied.
• Budget, Procurement, & Project Management: Basic knowledge of and skill in applying budgetary and operational management practices to effectively steward program resources and delivery quality products and services that meet customer needs including: budget development, expenditure control, procurement, contracting, purchasing, project management, and change management.
• IT Operations & Interagency Coordination: Basic knowledge of IT operations, project delivery practices, and policies and procedures for interagency coordination related to statewide GIS management and support.
• Technical & Business Communication: Skill in communicating effectively across technical and business contexts; translating business needs into effective technical solutions; explaining geospatial concepts, capabilities, and limitations to varied audiences; building consensus; minimizing conflict; and working productively with diverse audiences.
• Growth Mindset & Service‑Oriented: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth. Takes action to meet the needs of others.

*To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• 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 flexible/hybrid remote work options. Occasional travel is required to meet with internal and external stakeholders.
• 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.

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

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.

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

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at [e-mail]. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-HQ-0W019 in the subject line.