Senior Transportation and Service Planner - Washington State Ferries

State of Washington; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid remote work options

Paid holidays and vacation days

Tuition assistance

Healthcare options and retirement plan

Job summary

Washington State Ferries (WSF), a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation, seeks a Senior Transportation and Service Planner to shape Puget Sound ferry service. You will influence service planning, schedules, and performance analysis to support safe, reliable operations and informed decisions.

Join a team advancing Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People while upholding WSF values.

Qualifications

• Growth mindset and willingness to learn.
• Service-oriented with a focus on public needs.
• Clear and responsive communication.
• Collaborates across multiple departments within WSF/WSDOT.
• Thinks strategically to align daily work with long-term goals and system-wide results.
• Leads cross-functional projects and manages timelines.
• Uses critical thinking to identify issues and craft solutions.
• Experience presenting plans to external stakeholders.
• Experience with data systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead or coordinate major multi-modal transportation projects and represent WSF on project committees.
• Determine service needs and develop service plans; adjust quarterly schedules.
• Maintain analytical methods to improve service based on needs, costs, and goals.
• Support outreach, prepare communications, explain constraints, incorporate feedback into schedules.
• Evaluate capital programs for alignment with agency objectives and minimize disruptions.
• Collect and share ridership, reliability, and on-time performance data.
• Coordinate schedules and regional partnerships for multimodal connectivity.
• Uphold agency priorities and values in leadership actions.

Skills

Growth Mindset

Service-Oriented

Clear Communication

Collaboration

Big Picture Thinking

Project Management

Critical Thinking

Stakeholder Presentation

Data Systems

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!

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.

The Opportunity

WSF, a division of WSDOT, is currently seeking a dedicated professional to help shape ferry service that connects communities across Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. This position brings a customer service perspective to service planning, schedule improvements, and system performance analysis, helping WSF respond to the needs of the public. Through thoughtful planning and collaboration, this role supports safe, reliable ferry operations and informed decisions that strengthen service delivery. This is an opportunity to advance WSF’s priorities of Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People while contributing to an essential part of Washington’s transportation network.

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.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the Senior Transportation and Service Planner will:

• Lead or coordinate significant multi-modal, multi-agency transportation projects; establish scope and goals, recommend capital and service programs, and represent WSF on project committees.
• Determine service needs, develop service plans, and coordinate quarterly seasonal sailing schedule changes across WSF departments.
• Maintain analytical methods to improve service based on customer needs, operational requirements, and long-range goals; apply budget considerations and collective bargaining agreements to maximize productivity and minimize costs.
• Support public and employee outreach, prepare communications, explain service constraints, and incorporate feedback into schedules and service plans.
• Evaluate strategic capital programs for alignment with agency objectives and coordinate alternatives to minimize service disruptions from terminal and vessel projects.
• Collect, analyze, and share ridership, service reliability, and on-time performance data to support service planning and ridership and fare revenue forecasting.
• Coordinate schedules and maintain regional transit partnerships to improve multimodal connectivity.
• 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

Qualifications

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.
• Communicate Clearly and Responsively – Share the right information at the right time, make space for honest input, and follow through to reduce confusion and build trust.
• Collaboration and Team Coordination – Engage with multiple departments within WSF and WSDOT to ensure projects and work align with budget constraints and policy priorities. Ensure smooth communication between teams.
• Embrace Big Picture Thinking – Connect daily work to long-term goals and system-wide results.
• Project Management and Time Management – Lead cross-functional teams on projects, ensuring that timelines and milestones are met.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving – Use critical thinking to identify potential issues before they arise and create proactive solutions.
• Demonstrated experience presenting plans to external stakeholders
• Experience with data systems

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Professional certification such as American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) desirable but not required.
• Prior service planning experience for a public transit agency is desirable but not required.

Important Notes

• 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.

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.
• 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?

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.