Job Details

Preservation Production Control & Inspections Manager

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 Preservation Production Control & Inspections Manager to provide strategic leadership over fleet-wide vessel preservation, production control, and inspection operations that support the long-term reliability, safety, and operational readiness of Washington State Ferries' vessels. Collaborating with vessel engineering, maintenance, operations, and shipyard partners, this position ensures preservation and maintenance activities are executed in accordance with established engineering, quality, and regulatory standards. This unique leadership opportunity oversees fleet-wide preservation and inspection programs supporting 21 passenger and vehicle ferries, with a growing fleet expected to expand to 26 vessels by 2035, while leading a multidisciplinary team of inspection and quality professionals and serving as the technical authority for preservation inspection standards. The role plays a critical part in the successful execution of vessel preservation, maintenance, drydock, layup, retrofit, and recapitalization projects, directly influencing approximately $250 million in vessel preservation and maintenance contracts each biennium. Through inspection oversight and quality assurance activities, this position helps protect Washington State Ferries' long-term capital investments while ensuring safe, reliable service for millions of passengers each year and advancing the agency's mission of fleet reliability, operational readiness, and continuous improvement.

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

• Track preservation project progress, milestones, testing, trials, acceptance criteria, and compliance with safety, environmental, material, and procedural standards across the WSF fleet.
• Assign and coordinate inspectors for preservation, retrofit, and recapitalization projects based on technical expertise while balancing workloads across facilities and project types.
• Supervise Construction Project Coordinators, Inspector Specialists, and Eagle Harbor quality and scheduling staff supporting fleet maintenance and preservation production activities.
• Manage investigations, root cause analyses, quality assurance, corrective actions, and resolution of contract nonconformance and systemic production deficiencies.
• Recruit, train, mentor, evaluate, and develop inspection staff, including succession planning and advancement of Inspector Specialists into leadership and engineering support roles.
• Establish and maintain fleet-wide preservation inspection standards and ensure consistent inspection quality, documentation, and technical compliance across shipyards and facilities.
• Monitor workforce capacity, resource sufficiency, and fleet material condition trends, and provide technical reporting and staffing recommendations to leadership as fleet demands expand.
• Serve as the subject matter authority on preservation inspection practices, lifecycle cost impacts, and emerging maritime maintenance and preservation trends.

Qualifications

• Core Leadership & Behavioral Competence
• Service-Oriented - Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Growth Mindset - Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Technical & Maritime Engineering Competence
• Demonstrated expertise in vessel systems including structural, coatings/preservation, electrical, propulsion, and mechanical disciplines. Ability to evaluate material compliance, corrosion control systems, coatings, and preservation methodologies.
• In-depth knowledge of maritime maintenance standards, inspection protocols, and lifecycle asset management practices.
• Experience interpreting and validating contract specifications, test procedures, trial standards, and acceptance criteria.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory frameworks (e.g., USCG, ABS, OSHA, environmental compliance standards) related to vessel operations and preservation.
• Project & Portfolio Management
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects across geographically distributed facilities.
• Proficiency in tracking project milestones, budgets, schedules, and contractor performance.
• Ability to balance short-term operational demands with long-term fleet recapitalization efforts.
• Leadership, Workforce Planning, & Resource Management
• Substantial experience supervising technical staff and/or subordinate supervisors in a complex operational environment.
• Experience recruiting, training, and developing technical staff. Skill in performance management, including coaching, mentoring, and progressive discipline.
• Ability to forecast workforce needs in a growing operational environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical and executive audiences. Ability to translate complex technical issues into clear business impacts.
• Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement, Safety & Regulatory Compliance
• In-depth knowledge of inspection systems, nonconformance tracking, and corrective action processes.
• Experience standardizing procedures across multiple sites or projects.
• Strong understanding of workplace safety standards and risk mitigation in industrial/maritime environments.
• In-depth experience ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
• Substantial experience conducting root cause analyses for equipment, system, or operational failures.
• Ability to synthesize technical data into actionable insights and recommendations.
• Understanding of fleet lifecycle cost modeling and long-term asset strategy. Strong analytical skills related to asset condition, reliability, and lifecycle cost modeling.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Experience with maritime preservation programs, shipyard operations, or vessel maintenance oversight.
• Experience working within a public sector or highly regulated environment.
• Experience with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems or similar quality frameworks.
• Experience supporting large-scale capital programs or fleet lifecycle planning initiatives.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible hybrid/remote work options and is eligible for telework up to 1–2 days per week. In-person work is required at local commercial shipyards, Eagle Harbor, Building 2901, and occasionally aboard vessels, based on operational needs.
• 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 individual's 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.

How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the "Work Experience" portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (