Project Controller - Washington State Ferries
State of Washington
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Job summary
Washington State Ferries (WSF), a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation, seeks a Project Controller to help deliver terminal design and engineering projects on time and within budget. You’ll align project agreements, schedules, and financial plans while coordinating with managers and teams.
The role supports decarbonization efforts and requires strong experience in project controls, scheduling, and budgeting within a public sector environment.
Qualifications
- Growth Mindset – Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
- Service-Oriented – Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.
- Project Scheduling & Controls - Develop, maintain, and coordinate complex critical path, resource-loaded schedules for multiple Terminal Engineering projects.
- Integrated Project Planning and Financial Control - Ensure schedules and budgets accurately reflect approved scope, milestones, dependencies, resources, funding, planned expenditures, and project delivery requirements.
- Baseline Management - Apply project controls principles to maintain accurate and reliable baselines and baseline performance information throughout the project lifecycle.
- Project Trend Analysis - Evaluate schedule and budget performance data to identify project trends, variances, delays, and risks and impacts to enable timely corrective action.
- Schedule, Cost & Risk Analysis - Develop 'what-if' scenarios and alternative strategies, evaluate potential outcomes, and recommend practical solutions to support proactive risk management and successful project delivery.
- Project Management Systems Expertise - Provide technical expertise and guidance to WSF project managers and Terminal Engineering staff in the use of Primavera P6, Oracle Unifier, SharePoint, Microsoft Power BI dashboards, and other systems used for project scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and reporting.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain critical path schedules and delivery-method templates for Terminal Engineering projects.
- Analyze and report project progress, schedule rollups, workforce projections, variances, and change impacts.
- Identify delivery trends and risks; develop 'what if' scenarios for risk planning.
- Develop and monitor baseline and control budgets, forecast costs, analyze variances, and communicate recommendations.
- Provide project controls expertise in PRI, Primavera P6, and Oracle Unifier for E-CON; coordinate resolution of scheduling system issues.
- Manage system profiles, permissions, and initial project files; administer SharePoint sites and Power BI dashboards.
- Attend required training, project site visits, and WSF meetings.
- Uphold WSF’s strategic priorities and values in leadership actions.
Skills
Tools
Job description
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 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!
Washington State Ferries (WSF) is an essential part of Washington’s transportation network. Every year, we carry nearly 20 million passengers across Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands on more than 400 sailings a day. Our dedicated teams with over 2,100 people work together to serve our communities and shape the future of ferry travel.
WSF, a division of WSDOT, is currently seeking a Project Controller to support the successful delivery of terminal design and engineering projects. Working with the terminal design engineering manager and project managers, this position helps align project agreements, schedules, and financial plans to keep projects on time and within budget.
As we navigate a once-in-a-generation transformation to decarbonize our system — guided by our core values Serve, Respect, Trust, Grow Navigate, and bold strategic priorities Service Excellence, Improved Communication and Empowered People — there’s never been a more meaningful time to come aboard at Washington State Ferries.
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the Project Controller will:
- Develop and maintain critical path schedules and delivery-method templates for Terminal Engineering projects.
- Analyze and report project progress, schedule rollups, workforce projections, variances, and change impacts.
- Identify delivery trends and risks; develop "what if" scenarios for risk planning.
- Develop and monitor baseline and control budgets, forecast costs, analyze variances, and communicate recommendations.
- Provide project controls expertise in PRI, Primavera P6, and Oracle Unifier for E-CON; coordinate resolution of scheduling system issues.
- Manage system profiles, permissions, and initial project files; administer SharePoint sites and Power BI dashboards.
- Conduct special projects, research, and other assigned duties.
- Attend required training, project site visits, and WSDOT meetings.
- Uphold WSF’s strategic priorities (Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People) and values (Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate), ensuring they are embedded in WSF’s culture through leadership actions
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:
- Growth Mindset – Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
- Service-Oriented – Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.
- Project Scheduling & Controls - Develop, maintain, and coordinate complex critical path, resource-loaded schedules for multiple Terminal Engineering projects.
- Integrated Project Planning and Financial Control - Ensure schedules and budgets accurately reflect approved scope, milestones, dependencies, resources, funding, planned expenditures, and project delivery requirements.
- Baseline Management - Apply project controls principles to maintain accurate and reliable baselines and baseline performance information throughout the project lifecycle.
- Project Trend Analysis - Evaluate schedule and budget performance data to identify project trends, variances, delays, and risks and impacts to enable timely corrective action.
- Schedule, Cost & Risk Analysis - Develop "what-if" scenarios and alternative strategies, evaluate potential outcomes, and recommend practical solutions to support proactive risk management and successful project delivery.
- Project Management Systems Expertise - Provide technical expertise and guidance to WSF project managers and Terminal Engineering staff in the use of Primavera P6, Oracle Unifier, SharePoint, Microsoft Power BI dashboards, and other systems used for project scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and reporting.
- Project Controls Systems Administration - Establish initial project files, configure user access and permissions, and support effective and consistent administration and use of project management and controls systems.
- Information Systems & Data Management - Collaborate with engineering, project management staff, IT, and Headquarters to troubleshoot and resolve scheduling, budgeting, and reporting system issues, to improve data accuracy and maintain system reliability.
- Project Performance Communication - Communicate complex schedule, budget, cost, risk, forecast, and project controls information to project engineers, project managers, and other stakeholders.
- Project Analysis & Delivery Coordination - Provide clear, actionable analysis and recommendations to support informed decision-making, facilitate project coordination, and promote accurate, consistent, and timely project delivery.
- Integrated Scheduling – Integrate multiple schedules across internal and external project teams and disciplines to illustrate timing, resource dependencies, and coordination requirements across an active project delivery portfolio.
- Project Systems Integration – Collect and assemble data from project scheduling systems, finance and accounting systems, and other project management tools and systems to support executive decision-making.
- Public Agency Processes – Demondstrated knowledge and experience with project design processes, contract and advertisement, procurement requirements, and basic construction principles in a public agency environment.
- This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
- The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not‑for‑profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full‑time and part‑time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Full‑time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part‑time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full‑time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part‑time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro‑rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357‑58‑175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357‑31‑165.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Updated 01-07-2026
- Leave Sharing
- Parental Leave
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
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