Transportation Technician 3 In Training
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a Transportation Technician to support survey activities in the Olympic Region and Right of Way Plans Office. You will help collect high-quality survey data that informs engineering and construction plans across Washington’s transportation system.
You will perform field surveys, operate Total Station, GNSS, and other equipment, and assist with staking, data management, and reporting.
Qualifications
- Basic math, surveying concepts and use of basic survey field equipment.
- Foundational knowledge may be supported by formal classroom training.
- Independently apply surveying principles with proper supervision.
Responsibilities
- Perform survey fieldwork under supervision, setting horizontal and vertical control and compiling field notes.
- Operate Total Station, Data Collector, GNSS, RTK, WSRN, level, and other survey instruments to collect topographic data.
- Perform right-of-way staking, locate monuments, and construct staking as instructed.
- Safely use hand tools and power equipment to access survey locations and maintain equipment.
- Download/upload survey data and maintain organized daily files for records retention.
- Collaborate with team lead to review survey data and produce quality deliverables; take manual notes as needed.
- Serve as Party Lead when assigned and assist in training crew members.
Skills
Education
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!
WSDOT is currently seeking a Transportation Technician to support survey activities for the Olympic Region and Right of Way Plans Office. In this role, you will help provide accurate, high-quality survey data that serves as the foundation for engineering and construction plans across Washington’s transportation system. Your work will directly contribute to the safety, quality, capacity, and long-term resilience of transportation infrastructure while supporting WSDOT’s commitment to responsible stewardship. This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on safe, reliable transportation for communities throughout Washington.
- Perform survey fieldwork under supervision, setting horizontal and vertical control and compiling field notes for surveying activities.
- Operate Total Station, Data Collector, GNSS, RTK, WSRN, level, and other survey instrument to collect topographic data.
- Perform right-of-way staking, locate monument, and conduct construction staking as instructed.
- Safely use hand tools and power equipment to clear lines of sight and access pathways to survey locations; load, unload, maintain, and adjust survey equipment.
- Download and upload survey data between Personal Computers and Data Collectors; edit, merge, organize, and maintain daily files in appropriate folders for records retention.
- Collaborate with the team lead to review survey data and produce quality survey deliverables; take manual notes or records data using a Data Collector.
- Serve as Party Lead when assigned and assist with training new crew members.
- Support survey operations by reproducing, organizing, maintaining, and achieving engineering documents; assists with project research and documentation and maintain survey vans and equipment storage areas.
- Basic Technical Skills: Basic technical skills and/or knowledge of mathematics, construction, engineering or surveying in support of transportation projects. This includes tasks such as the ability to perform basic math, follow written and verbal instructions, and use basic survey field equipment.
Note: Foundational knowledge may be supported by formal classroom training.
- Engineering Technical Skills and Knowledge: Technical skills and/or knowledge of engineering principles in support of transportation projects. This includes tasks such as surveying, drafting, structural detailing, engineering design, and maintaining project records to ensure compliance with applicable standards and specifications.
Note: Foundational knowledge may be supported by formal classroom training.
- Engineering Technical Skills and Knowledge: Demonstrated skills in independently applying technical engineering principles in support of transportation projects. This includes tasks such as surveying, drafting, structural detailing, engineering design, and maintaining project records to ensure compliance with applicable standards and specifications.
Note: Demonstrated knowledge may be supported by formal classroom training and/ or credentials such as Engineering-in-Training (EIT) certification or a Land Surveyor’s License (LSIT) certification.
- Vehicle Operation for Fieldwork: Possession of an unrestricted valid driver’s license and ability to operate state-owned vehicles for travel to and between project sites in support of field duties and essential job functions.
- Field Reporting, Documentation, & Communication: Skills to prepare accurate and timely daily field reports based on direct field observations and inspection activities and check engineering calculations for accuracy and completeness.
- Technology Proficiency: Knowledge of engineering, surveying software and operating Windows-based computer systems and software, including MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, SharePoint, and Outlook). Knowledge and skills relating to the operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of survey equipment used for the development of complex transportation projects in the office and in the field.
- Communication Skills: Skills to communicate technical information effectively and professionally to a diverse audience, including those with non-technical backgrounds, virtually, telephonically, and in-person.
- Collaboration & Adaptability: Skills to work productively in a team environment under tight deadlines and shifting priorities, producing accurate and consistent results. Knowledge of safe working practices in traffic and field, along with a proven ability to adhere to safety protocols.
- Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growing knowledge of principles and practices of highway surveying and engineering.
- Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others in a diverse team setting.
- Civil Engineering and Surveying Education and Certification: Two-year college degree in Civil Engineering or Surveying. Land Surveyor in Training certification.
- This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
- This is a Transportation Technician 3 position. However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level in the classification series based on candidate qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in‑training” plan.
- Transportation Technician 3: $66,072 - $88,788
- Transportation Technician 2: $56,952 - $76,608
- Transportation Technician 1: $48,048 - $64,512
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 a 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.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
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.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full‑time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part‑time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro‑rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full‑time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
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.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
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.
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.
Updated 01‑07‑2026
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at Sidra.Fields@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-OR-32192 in the subject line.
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