Highway Maintenance Supervisor

State of Washington; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-Life Balance

Paid Leave

Tuition Assistance

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a Highway Maintenance Supervisor for Area 5 to lead specialty crews and ensure safe, efficient highway operations. The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, staff development, and execution of maintenance plans across multiple subsections.

The successful candidate will manage budgeting, scheduling, and traffic control, while mentoring staff and ensuring compliance with safety standards in a dynamic outdoor environment.

Qualifications

• Technical Expertise in Highway Maintenance: advanced proficiency in highway maintenance operations.
• Operation and Control: sound judgement when operating equipment in high speed traffic.
• Licensing & Certification: Class A CDL with endorsements and related certifications within 6 months to hire.
• Customer Service Excellence: responsive, respectful service and professional written communication.
• Leadership & Team Coordination: experience leading crews with clear direction and coaching.
• Analytical & Planning Skills: planning budgets and evaluating operational needs.
• Technology Use: proficient with Windows-based software and project tracking tools.
• Accountability & Work Management: ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Oversee crews and plan maintenance across assigned subsections.
• Coordinate with engineers, PIOs, and TMC personnel.
• Manage equipment, materials, and staffing for projects.
• Ensure safety, PPE use, and compliance in field operations.
• Mentor employees and identify training needs.
• Support budgeting, scheduling, and performance reporting.
• Respond to emergencies and enforce safe traffic control measures.

Skills

Leadership & Team Coordination

Analytical & Planning Skills

Customer Service Excellence

Technology Use

Accountability & Work Management

Safety & Compliance

Growth Mindset

Service-Oriented

Operation & Control

Tools

MS Office Suite

SharePoint

MS Teams

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 currently seeking a skilled and experienced leader to join our team as a Highway Maintenance Supervisor overseeing Area 5’s Specialty Crews. Under the direction of the Assistant Maintenance Superintendent, this position leads a team of Highway Maintenance Workers responsible for a diverse range of highway maintenance activities across multiple assigned subsections. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by providing hands-on leadership, supporting employee development, and ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and effectively.

This position plays a key role in planning, budgeting, scheduling, and overseeing Area 5 operations, as well as landscaping operations for the NWR Tunnels. The successful candidate will lead by example, foster a professional and respectful work environment, and help ensure Washington’s transportation system remains safe, functional, and ready to support the movement of people and commerce.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Highway Maintenance Supervisor will:

• Oversee the Seattle Safety Crew, Formal Landscaping Crew, consumable inventory, and Area 5’s NPDES program, engaged in the daily performance of all road maintenance and operations tasks throughout assigned roadways and structures.
• Manage area-wide maintenance operations and plan, schedule, prioritize, and direct the highway maintenance crew across multiple subsections, assigning tasks to HMW3, HMW2, and HMW1 staff.
• Assess maintenance needs for assigned highway sections and support planning and budgeting efforts.
• Initiate, monitor, and maintain traffic control measures during vegetation, encampment, NPDES, and other field operations in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Coordinate operations with engineers, Public Information Officers (PIOs), and Traffic Management Center (TMC) radio operators.
• Manage equipment, materials, and personnel needs for special projects, and coordinate equipment repairs with area shop mechanics.
• Coach and mentor employees; identify training needs; provide training, development, and performance feedback.
• Ensure staff have access to the tools, equipment, and resources needed to perform assigned duties.
• Assist in the safe cleanup and removal of unlawful dwellings.
• Patrol and inspect highway sections to identify maintenance needs such as surface repairs, sign work, graffiti removal, and environmental requirements.
• Ensure work area is safe for self, coworkers, and the traveling public.
• Ensure safe handling of hazardous substances and hazardous objects.
• Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for each task.
• Report all injuries, accidents and near misses in the computerized system.

Qualifications

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

• Technical Expertise in Highway Maintenance: Demonstrates advanced proficiency in highway maintenance operations, supported by experience as a Highway Maintenance Worker 3 or Highway Maintenance Worker 4, or through an equivalent combination of progressively responsible maintenance experience.
• Operation and Control: Applies sound judgement when operating equipment or systems while monitoring high speed traffic in a high stress environment.
• Licensing & Certification: Possession of an unrestricted Class A CDL with endorsement N and without air brakes restriction, with a valid medical card. The ability to obtain a valid Traffic Control/Flagging card within six (6) months of hire. The ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire and maintain valid First Aid/CPR Certification. The ability to obtain a valid Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s License within six (6) months of hire. Completion of FEMA NIMS Core Curriculum: ISC 100,200,700, 800 and 2200 or ability to obtain within one (1) year of date of hire.
• Customer Service Excellence: Provides responsive, respectful, and solution-oriented service to internal and external customers, representing the agency with professionalism. Demonstrates the ability to use clear, accurate, and professional written communication, including proper grammar, spelling, and documentation required for maintenance reporting.
• Leadership & Team Coordination: Experience leading or supervising crews, providing clear direction, coaching others, and making sound decisions under pressure while maintaining professionalism.
• Analytical & Planning Skills: Knowledge of planning and managing budgets, evaluating operational needs, and applying sound judgment to support effective maintenance and construction activities.
• Technology Use: Proficient in operating Windows-based computers (iPads) and software, such as MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, SharePoint, Outlook), MS Teams and various databases used for project tracking and operational reporting.
• Accountability & Work Management: Ability to work independently, prioritize workload, manage multiple assignments, and follow through on commitments with a high level of reliability.
• Safety & Compliance: Thorough knowledge of occupational safety requirements and commitment to safe work practices in shop and field environments. Ability to apply safety standards when working with heavy machinery or equipment, and hazardous materials.
• 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:

• Ability to maneuver and transport various materials and/or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and perform emergency callouts/stand-by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain and work elevated heights, above 25 feet over land or water.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Traffic Control: Knowledge of traffic control principles, practices, and procedures, with the ability to assess traffic control needs and implement safe and effective traffic control measures. Washington State Traffic Control Supervisor (TCS) certification is preferred.
• Highway Maintenance & Emergency Response: Demonstrated knowledge and experience applying highway maintenance practices, traffic control procedures, and emergency response protocols to address routine and unplanned roadway needs while maintaining the safety of workers and the traveling public.
• Regional Transportation System Knowledge: Knowledge of the regional transportation system, including highway access points, landmarks, drainage patterns, traffic flows, potential detour routes, and available maintenance resources, with the ability to use this knowledge to effectively plan and respond to maintenance and emergency situations.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position is not eligible for remote work.
• The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County. In addition the 10% assignment pay for this job classification is included.
• Work is performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions and often near moving traffic and heavy equipment, requiring heightened situational awareness and strict adherence to safety practices. The role involves physically demanding tasks, including deploying traffic control devices, flagging, and operating maintenance vehicles and equipment, with extended periods of standing and walking. Employees must wear appropriate PPE at all times.
• 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.

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 recruiter listed.

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at [e-mail]. Please be sure to reference Highway Maintenance Supervisor #13508 in the subject line.