Principal Landscape Architect & Environmental Mitigation Program Supervisor (TPS5)

State of Washington Dept. of Transportation; Vancouver (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a non-permanent Transportation Planning Specialist 5 to lead landscape architecture, roadside restoration, and environmental mitigation across the Southwest Region.

The role emphasizes policy guidance, technical leadership, and coordination with staff, consultants, and agencies to balance roadside needs with habitat preservation and climate resilience.

Qualifications

• Advanced expertise in landscape architecture with site evaluation and design
• Experience leading construction compliance evaluations and reporting
• Expertise in wetland assessment, delineation, and mitigation planning
• Strong communication of technical information to diverse audiences
• Growth mindset and commitment to ongoing learning
• Ability to supervise staff and foster accountability

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance for WSDOT Roadside Policies to staff and stakeholders
• Lead landscape architectural work including design and contract plans
• Develop wetland mitigation sites and roadside restoration contracts
• Plan and manage complex roadside restoration and environmental projects
• Provide guidance on environmental and roadside elements of construction projects
• Supervise two staff in Transportation Planning Specialist 3 roles
• Support Wetland Assessment and Environmental Mitigation program policy and compliance
• Coordinate I-4 funds management for environmental and roadside projects
• Offer Visual Quality, Architectural Treatment, and RCA expertise

Skills

Landscape Architecture

Construction inspections

Wetland assessment

Communication

Growth mindset

Service orientation

Education

Professional Landscape Architect license

Tools

MicroStation

AutoCAD

Revu Bluebeam

MS Office

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 non-permanent Transportation Planning Specialist 5 to serve as the Principal Landscape Architect & Environmental Mitigation Program Supervisor to provide leadership and technical expertise in landscape architecture, roadside restoration, environmental assessment, and roadside asset management throughout the Southwest Region. This position supports project development and delivery through policy, research, training, analysis, and specialized technical guidance while balancing complex and competing roadside needs, policies, and priorities across multiple programs. The candidate selected for this role will integrate WSDOT facilities into the natural and built environment, preserve ecosystem and cultural resources, and promote livable, healthy communities that are resilient to a changing climate.

What to Expect

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

• Provide guidance, direction, and approval for agency staff, consultants, design-builders, developers, utilities, other jurisdictions, and the public for WSDOT Roadside Policies.
• Perform senior level professional landscape architectural work that constitutes the practice of Landscape Architecture.
• Design, stamp, and ensure development of regulatory approved wetland mitigation sites and agency appropriate roadside restoration contract plans.
• Lead and direct the planning, scoping, preparation of technical reports, design, and contract plan preparation for complex roadside restoration and environmental mitigation design projects and studies.
• Provide technical expertise, guidance, oversight, approval, and documentation for environmental and roadside elements of construction projects.
• Supervise two direct reports (Transportation Planning Specialist 3).
• Provide technical expertise, guidance, and policy direction to the Wetland Assessment and Environmental Mitigation Planning Program to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations, procedures, and policy.
• Implement the scoping, setup, and management of I-4 funds for all environmental and roadside mitigation projects.
• Provide Visual Quality, Architectural Treatment, and Resource Conservation Area (RCA) expertise.

Qualifications

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

• Landscape Architecture Technical Expertise and Leadership: Advanced expertise in landscape architecture, including evaluating complex site conditions, developing technical solutions and design alternatives including irrigation design, reviewing technical and contract documents, and providing authoritative recommendations for project design, construction, compliance, and implementation.
• Construction Inspection and Contract Compliance Expertise:Expertise in leading construction compliance evaluations, identifying complex deficiencies and impacts, assessing alternatives, and providing defensible technical recommendations that support quality, compliance, timely resolution, and successful project delivery.
• Wetland Assessment and Environmental Mitigation Expertise: Expertise in wetland science, delineation, assessment, classification, and management, including evaluating complex aquatic resource conditions, conducting and overseeing delineations, interpreting regulatory requirements, assessing impacts, and developing sound recommendations for protection, restoration, mitigation, and impact minimization.
• Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical and programmatic information clearly, effectively, and appropriately to diverse audiences through oral presentations, written materials, meetings, and interpersonal interactions; ability to adapt communication strategies to the audience and situation.
• 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:

• Current registration as a Professional Landscape Architect in Washington State (RCW 18.96) or currently holding a Professional Landscape Architect license from another state with the ability to obtain Washington State licensure within six (6) months of hire.
• Ability to travel regularly in Southwest Region to and from project sites for site analysis, meetings, and construction oversight and inspection. Occasional travel to other office locations to attend meetings or training.
• Ability to conduct field work, which may include occasional light physical activities including walking/standing outdoors on highway roadsides and construction sites for extended periods of time and during inclement weather and negotiating sloped/uneven/unstable walking surfaces and obstacles, such as downed logs, dense brush, and shallow streams.
• Ability to maneuver and transport various materials and/or equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Supervision and Staff Leadership:Expertise in supervising, coaching, developing, and evaluating professional and technical staff. Proven ability to set clear expectations, address performance issues, and foster accountability and professional growth.
• Roadside Program Evaluation: Experience evaluating transportation projects, construction activities, and maintenance practices for consistency with roadside policies, design principles, environmental requirements, safety considerations, and long-term asset performance
• Team and Workload Management:Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage a team with substantial and competing workloads, prioritize and allocate resources, monitor progress, address emerging issues, and adjust priorities as needed to ensure high-quality work is completed within project deadlines.
• Certifications:
  • Certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist (Society of Wetland Scientists)
  • Current WSDA Pesticide Public Operator License with Right of Way and Aquatic endorsements
  • Certified Erosion and Spill Control Lead (CESCL) Certification
  • Certification as an Arborist (International Society of Arboriculture)
• Vegetation and Natural Resource Management:Demonstrated ability to apply professional knowledge and technical judgment when advising construction inspectors on vegetation protection and impact minimization, soil restoration, soil bioengineering techniques, irrigation system installation, planting best management practices, and vegetation management; ability to evaluate site conditions and recommend practical, environmentally appropriate solutions.
• Computer-Aided Design and Technical Software:Advanced proficiency in applying computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) software to develop, modify, review, and manage technical drawings, plans, and project documentation. Demonstrated ability to effectively use MicroStation or AutoCAD, Revu Bluebeam and Microsoft Office applications to support project planning, design, inspection, and delivery.

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.
• 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.
• This is a non-permanent opportunity, expected to last a minimum of 12 months.
• 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 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 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?

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at [e-mail]. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-SWR-40575 in the subject line.