Roadside Design & Delivery Lead (TPS4)

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid remote work options

Paid holidays

Vacation days up to 25 per year

Tuition assistance

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) seeks a Roadside Design & Delivery Lead to evaluate statewide roadside programs and provide landscape architecture expertise across planning, design, construction, and maintenance. You will influence policy, standards, and project delivery while guiding regional teams with technical solutions.

Preferred candidates provide comprehensive roadside knowledge, field investigation experience, and the ability to travel statewide to support projects

Qualifications

• Professional landscape architect license within 12 months of employment.
• Demonstrated expertise in roadside planning and landscape architecture.
• Experience reviewing PS&E, technical reports, and project documents.
• Experience evaluating transportation projects for policy and design conformance.
• Field investigations and QA reviews to identify issues and propose solutions.
• Ability to evaluate complex technical information and identify trends.
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to address issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel statewide and perform field work.
• Demonstrates growth mindset and service orientation.

Responsibilities

• Provide statewide roadside program evaluation and landscape architecture project delivery support.
• Develop and review roadside PS&E, technical documents, and consultant work for compliance and performance.
• Offer technical guidance during construction and approve roadside materials.
• Represent landscape architecture on interdisciplinary teams for environmental mitigation.

Skills

Landscape architecture

Roadside design

Technical review

Field investigation

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Communication

Travel statewide

Growth mindset

Service-oriented

Education

WA State landscape architect license within 12 months

Professional registration in landscape architecture

Tools

CAE-based software

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 Roadside Design & Delivery Lead (TPS4) to evaluate and improve statewide roadside programs and provide technical expertise that helps create safe, sustainable, and successful transportation environments. This position provides landscape architecture and roadside program support to regions without dedicated landscape architecture resources, helping project teams address complex roadside, environmental, and construction challenges.

You will help shape statewide policies, standards, and practices while providing technical guidance throughout planning, design, construction, and maintenance. Your recommendations will influence project delivery, environmental performance, long-term roadside sustainability, and the consistent application of WSDOT’s roadside practices across the state.

What to Expect

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

• Provide statewide roadside program evaluation, technical consultation, and landscape architecture project delivery support to regions without a landscape architect.
• Develop and review roadside and mitigation Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E), technical documents, and consultant work for compliance, constructability, cost, schedule, and long-term performance.
• Provide technical guidance during construction and support review and approval of roadside materials.
• Represent landscape architecture expertise on interdisciplinary teams and help identify successful environmental mitigation sites and planting strategies.
• Provide technical guidance on roadside policies, including the Roadside Policy Manual, Roadside Manual, Design Manual, Environmental Manual, and scenic byway guidance.
• Evaluate statewide roadside design and constructions outcomes to identify recurring technical issues, policy gaps, and implementation challenges, and develop recommendations for program improvements.
• Update and improve roadside standard specifications, standard plans, standard materials, and related manuals based on project outcomes, construction issues, emerging practices, and customer feedback.
• Support the evaluation and implementation of Resource Conservation Areas and visual analysis practices, including coordination of related data and development or review of visual impact assessments.
• Research emerging practices, technologies, materials, and climate adaptation strategies and recommend approaches that improve roadside performance and environmental benefits.

Qualifications

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

• Professional Landscape Architecture: Ability to obtain a Washington State professional landscape architect license within 12 months of employment.
• Roadside and Landscape Architecture Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in roadside planning, landscape architecture, or related transportation disciplines, including evaluating complex roadside conditions and developing technically sound recommendations addressing roadside functions, visual quality, wetland and stream issues, and erosion control.
• Technical Project Review: Experience developing, reviewing, and providing landscape architecture-related technical solutions for transportation PS&E, technical reports, or project documents while ensuring compliance with applicable policies, standards, and regulations.
• 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.
• Field Investigation and Quality Assurance: Experience conducting field investigations, technical assessments, and quality assurance reviews to identify issues, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective solutions using landscape architecture principles and practices.
• Analytical Skills: Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex technical information, identify trends, assess risks, and recommend improvements to policies, standards, or programs.
• Collaboration: Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to resolve technical issues and support statewide transportation initiatives.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Field Work and Travel: Ability to perform field work and travel statewide.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Statewide Program Experience: Experience supporting statewide transportation programs, policy development, or technical standards.
• GIS and Spatial Analysis: Experience using GIS or other spatial analysis tools to support transportation planning or environmental analysis.
• Ecological and Roadside Knowledge: Knowledge of Pacific Northwest native vegetation, ecological restoration, and roadside asset management practices.
• Professional Registration or Certification: Professional registration or certification in landscape architecture, arboriculture, erosion and sediment control, pesticide application, irrigation design, or a closely related field.
• CAE-Based Software: Experience using CAE-based software to support project delivery packages.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options, with the expectation of travel field site visits for projects as needed.
• 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.

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

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 listed Recruiter.

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

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at [e-mail]. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-HQ-05621 in the subject line.