Passenger Rail Program Manager (WMS3)

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) seeks a seasoned Passenger Rail Program Manager to lead the Amtrak Cascades intercity rail oversight and delivery. You will collaborate with regional partners across Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia to drive strategy, budgeting, and contract management.

The role requires strong leadership, financial acumen, and stakeholder engagement to deliver safe, reliable rail services and innovative transportation options for the traveling public.

Qualifications

• Relationship building and collaboration with diverse partners
• Strong program and strategic management experience
• Fiscal & budgetary expertise for multi‑million-dollar portfolios
• Contract management, compliance, and risk management
• Public engagement and stakeholder communications

Responsibilities

• Lead the statewide Intercity Passenger Rail Program and oversee a team
• Manage full lifecycle budgeting, financial tracking, and portfolio reporting
• Oversee Amtrak Cascades operating/maintenance agreements and contract performance
• Represent WSDOT in multistate and cross‑border forums on intercity rail
• Coordinate with corridor partners and oversee rail stations and assets
• Develop schedules and fares with partners and coordinate marketing input

Skills

Relationship Building

Collaboration

Program Management

Budgeting & Fiscal

Contract Management

Public Engagement

Leadership

Tools

Microsoft Office/Project

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 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.

Qualifications

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

• Relationship Building and Collaboration: Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others; builds and maintains trusted partnerships through open communication, collaboration, respect for diverse perspectives, and sound judgment while maintaining confidentiality.
• Self-Reflection and Adaptability: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth; demonstrates self-awareness, embraces learning, and adapts to changing priorities by developing innovative solutions.
• Rail Operations and Infrastructure Knowledge: Demonstrates knowledge of passenger and freight rail operations, modal connectivity, transportation infrastructure, and applicable state and federal rail processes, legislation, regulations, and administrative procedures.
• Contract Management and Compliance: Applies knowledge of contract structure, legal requirements, compliance monitoring, quality assurance, and risk management to administer complex agreements.
• Program and Strategic Management: Develops operational strategies, establishes measurable goals, monitors program performance, allocates resources effectively, and adjusts priorities to achieve organizational objectives.
• Fiscal & Budgetary Expertise: Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-million-dollar program portfolios, including full-lifecycle budget management, fiscal tracking, strategic resource allocation, and legislative or grant-funded financial reporting.
• Financial Analysis and Risk Management: Demonstrated capacity to evaluate financial information, interprets complex public funding strategies, assesses organizational risk, and supports sound investment decisions.
• Tact, Diplomacy, and Public Leadership: Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills to communicate effectively with division staff, executive leaders, elected officials, partner agencies, stakeholders, and the public while navigating complex or sensitive issues.

The following qualifications are also required:

• A valid driver's license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• Ability to travel throughout Washington, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and nationally as needed to support program operations and represent WSDOT.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Public Transit or Passenger Rail Program Management: Experience leading or delivering public transit or passenger rail programs at the local, regional, state, or federal level.
• Transportation Policy and Strategic Planning: Knowledge of strategic planning, public policy, public administration, and economics within a transportation environment.
• Public Marketing and Customer Relations: Familiarity with public-sector marketing, advertising, and customer engagement strategies supporting transit systems.
• Transportation Grant Administration: Experience administering state or federal transportation grant programs and associated compliance requirements.
• Rolling Stock and Asset Management: Knowledge of passenger rail equipment lifecycle management and transportation asset management principles.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• 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 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 mayearn 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.
• PlanFor 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.

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at [e-mail]. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-HQ-0W374-1 in the subject line.