Passenger Rail Program Manager

Washington State DOT; Lacey (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State DOT is seeking a strong program and project manager to lead oversight and delivery of the Amtrak Cascades intercity passenger rail system. The role requires strategic thinking, financial management, contract negotiation, and public engagement experience to drive transportation alternatives in changing times.

The right candidate will coordinate with diverse partners across Washington, Oregon, and beyond, managing budgeting, schedules, asset management, and service performance to

Responsibilities

• Lead the statewide Intercity Passenger Rail Program, oversee a team, and serve as acting Division Director when designated.
• Manage full-lifecycle budgeting, financial tracking, and portfolio program management legislative reporting.
• Manage Amtrak Cascades operating and maintenance agreements, monitor contract performance, and ensure regulatory and contractual compliance.
• Represent WSDOT as the lead ambassador and subject matter expert for intercity passenger rail initiatives across local, state, and multistate forums.
• Coordinate passenger rail operations with corridor partners, including Oregon DOT, VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak, Sound Transit, BNSF Railway, and other host railroads.

Job description

The Opportunity

WSDOT is seeking a strong program and project manager to lead the agency’s oversight and delivery of the Amtrak Cascades intercity passenger rail system. WSDOT sponsors and funds this 461-mile passenger rail system. As the Passenger Rail Program Manager, you will direct and collaborate with a variety of diverse partners across Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, as well as throughout the nation. This is unlike any other position within the agency and offers a unique opportunity for the right person. It requires strategic thinking, financial management, contract negotiation and execution, customer service responsiveness, and public engagement experience. The right candidate will embrace innovative thinking, enjoy launching and expanding programs, and take pride in offering transportation alternatives during changing times.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you will:

• Lead the statewide Intercity Passenger Rail Program, oversee a team, and serve as acting Division Director when designated.
• Manage full-lifecycle budgeting, financial tracking, and portfolio program management legislative reporting. Including developing operating budgets, investment strategies, federal grant applications, consultant contracts, and procurement activities supporting passenger rail operations.
• Manage Amtrak Cascades operating and maintenance agreements, monitor contract performance, and ensure regulatory and contractual compliance.
• Represent WSDOT as the lead ambassador and subject matter expert for intercity passenger rail initiatives across local, state, and multistate forums.
• Represent WSDOT on national and regional passenger rail committees while ensuring compliance with state and federal passenger rail policies.
• Coordinate passenger rail operations with corridor partners, including the Oregon Department of Transportation, VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak, Sound Transit, BNSF Railway, and other host railroads.
• Oversee operations, facility maintenance, and asset management of WSDOT-owned passenger rail stations and locomotives.
• Analyze service performance, ridership trends, forecasting data, and federally required service outcomes to guide operational and investment decisions.
• Develop and approve passenger rail schedules and ticket fares in collaboration with corridor partners.
• Partner with Communications and Marketing to review and approve passenger rail marketing, advertising, social media, and web information.
• Provide leadership and technical expertise on passenger rail issues to agency leadership, partner organizations, and stakeholders.
• Coordinate delivery, acceptance, and operation of the new Amtrak Cascades Airo Trainset Fleet.
• Oversee delivery of the Youth Fare Program in accordance with legislative intent.
• Coordinate onboard services, station amenities, passenger information systems, multimodal connections, and state-sponsored Amtrak Cascades bus service.
• Foster continuous improvement while developing staff and strengthening organizational effectiveness.