Job Details

Transportation Planning Specialist 3

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 skilled Transportation Planning Specialist 3 to serve as a Cultural Resources Professional within the Northwest Region Environmental Services Office. This is an exciting opportunity to bring your expertise in cultural resources, archaeology, and regulatory compliance to projects that shape Washington's transportation system. In this role, you'll serve as a technical and regulatory specialist, supporting the Region Cultural Resources Lead and helping ensure WSDOT projects move forward while meeting important federal, state, and agency requirements.

As a subject matter expert, you'll independently perform critical cultural resources evaluations supporting WSDOT regions and modes statewide, including maintenance activities. You'll play an important role in implementing National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 and Executive Order 21-02 responsibilities delegated to WSDOT through the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement, as well as supporting compliance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirements. You'll also have opportunities to provide archaeological monitoring and fieldwork assistance on projects requiring on-site expertise. Your work will directly contribute to responsible stewardship of cultural resources while helping deliver safe, effective transportation projects for communities across Washington.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Cultural Resources Professional will:

• Act as technical specialist on cultural resources projects and supports the Region Cultural Resources Lead in carrying out compliance responsibilities delegated to WSDOT by the FHWA and as required by federal, state, and agency regulations.
• Research site records and surveys at Dept. of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP).
• Record and evaluate cultural resources for regulatory compliance requirements. Identifies potential innovations associated with cultural resources requirements and potential barriers to project delivery in design and construction, and works with project teams, NWR Environmental and HQ ESO to implement solutions.
• Complete cultural resources identification tasks including cataloging of analyzed artifacts and authoring archaeological site forms, or other recordation tasks.
• Determine Areas of Potential Effect and the need for in-depth archaeological and/or historical of studies for concurrence from the NWR Cultural Resources Specialist, DAHP, Tribes and other consulting parties by reviewing environmental documents and transportation facility designs for cultural resources management issues.
• Review cultural resources consultant work products.
• Provide archaeological monitoring and fieldwork assistance to project requiring on-site support.
• Conduct cultural resources field surveys.

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

• Archaeological Knowledge: Knowledge of Pacific Northwest archaeology, cultural history, and ethnography to ensure compliance during both environmental reviews and project construction. Demonstrated experience conducting archaeological monitoring.
• Regulatory and Regional Familiarity: Working knowledge of federal, state, and local cultural resources laws and regulations (National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106, Executive Order 21-02. etc.).
• Research and Analytical Skills/Abilities: Experience researching, evaluating, and drawing conclusions from data to assess impacts to cultural resources; support recommendations with facts and analysis; interpret and apply rules, laws, policies, and procedures.
• Project Planning & Technical Writing: Experience with procedures to conduct archaeological fieldwork, including survey, testing, and recording. Ability to conduct archival research and to generate information to be compiled into reports and/or plans from sources such as field reviews. Experience reviewing and producing technical reports per scope and schedule.
• Data Stewardship & Analysis: Ability to accurately collect, maintain, organize, and clearly report on environmental, transportation, and planning-related data using appropriate tools, systems, and standards. Ability to calculate basic mathematic functions, such as: areas, percentage, add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Organizational and Professional Skills: Ability to perform job functions working in demanding and high stress situations, follow instructions, work independently with minimal supervision, and apply analytical skills to identify issues and propose solutions. Experience scheduling, tracking, and delivering multiple work assignments simultaneously. Determining, establishing, and maintaining effective work methods and schedules, keeping within budget, personnel, and equipment constraints.
• Collaboration and Relationship Building: Build strong working relationships across internal teams, consultants, contractors, and partner agencies to coordinate work activities and schedules. Proven ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams; guide and influence people without direct line authority; while also working independently as needed.
• Communication Skills: Advanced skills in professional communication, specifically in communicating technical information effectively and professionally to a diverse audience, including those with non-technical backgrounds, virtually, by phone, and in person.
• Technology Proficiency: Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) to support documentation, reporting, and communication needs.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

The following qualifications are also required :

• A valid driver's license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• Ability to maneuver and transport various materials and/or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Archaeological Proficiency: Demonstrates proficiency in archaeological field methods, research design, and cultural resource analysis through formal training and applied experience in archaeological investigation. Proficiency is evidenced by the ability to conduct systematic pedestrian survey, shovel testing, and excavation; document stratigraphy, features, and artifacts using accepted professional standards; accurately record field data through notes, mapping, photography, and site forms; process, catalog, and analyze artifacts in a laboratory setting; and apply regional typologies and cultural chronologies to interpret findings. Demonstrates the ability to contribute to cultural resource technical reports and regulatory compliance documentation, while working under appropriate professional supervision and progressively assuming responsibility for field and analytical tasks.
• Technical Software Proficiency: Skills in ArcGIS including basic functions such as the ability to manage simple data sets and generate maps, maintain, and update database systems. Working familiarity with image processing software such as Photoshop.
• Certifications: 40-hour HAZWOPER certification (current with refresher)

This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs. 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 offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.

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.

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 (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can