What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tunnels Assistant Superintendent position at State of Washington Dept. of Transportation?
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 seeking an experienced leader to serve as the Tunnels Assistant Superintendent in Seattle, WA. This key leadership role helps oversee some of Washington’s most complex transportation infrastructure, including the SR 99 Tunnel, I-90 Mount Baker Tunnel, Mercer Island Lid, Seattle Convention Center Tunnel, and other critical tunnel and pump station facilities throughout the Northwest Region.
Reporting directly to the Tunnels Superintendent, the Assistant Superintendent provides leadership for three maintenance supervisors and a workforce of 47 employees responsible for the safe, reliable operation and maintenance of these vital transportation assets. This position leads workforce planning, budget development, preservation planning, and operational priorities while providing oversight of tunnel fire and life safety systems. As a senior leader within the Tunnels organization, the Assistant Superintendent plays a critical role in protecting the traveling public, ensuring long-term stewardship of WSDOT’s tunnel infrastructure, and advancing safe and reliable transportation throughout the Puget Sound region. The position also serves as a state and national subject matter expert in tunnel operations and assumes leadership of the Tunnels organization in the Superintendent’s absence.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Tunnels Assistant Superintendent will:
- Provide executive leadership and operational oversight for the Northwest Region Tunnel Maintenance Program, exercising full organizational authority in the absence of the Tunnels Superintendent. Establish priorities and direct personnel, equipment, and financial resources to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient tunnel operations, maintenance, special-event support, and emergency response.
- Direct the maintenance, operation, reliability, and continuous improvement of complex tunnel systems, including intelligent transportation systems (ITS), electrical and mechanical systems, roadway ventilation, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), incident detection cameras and software, CCTV and tunnel automation platforms, and fire and life safety systems. Provide strategic technical leadership throughout the planning, design, construction, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and final acceptance of tunnel infrastructure.
- Lead and develop the tunnel maintenance workforce through three maintenance supervisors overseeing approximately 47 technical maintenance specialists and traffic control professionals. Direct workforce planning, performance management, employee development, resource allocation, operational priorities, labor agreement compliance, workplace accommodations, and safety standards.
- Oversee regional pump station operations to ensure system reliability, preventive maintenance, emergency preparedness, and regulatory compliance.
- Provide strategic leadership for contracts, agreements, and fiscal operations, including developing, negotiating, implementing, and administering local agency and interagency agreements; contract administration; purchasing; payroll approval; and utility payments.
- Lead organizational safety, security, risk management, and continuous improvement efforts by evaluating operational risks and implementing strategies that protect employees, facilities, vehicles, equipment, and critical infrastructure while promoting a strong Culture of Safety.
- Serve as the Northwest Region’s senior technical advisor and subject matter expert for tunnel systems, providing guidance on complex technical issues and supporting the development and continuous improvement of statewide electrical and electronic systems and tunnel maintenance programs.
- Lead the evaluation, testing, and implementation of emerging technologies and innovative practices that improve tunnel systems, fire and life safety, ITS, traffic control, maintenance efficiency, and operational reliability.
- Serve as the senior tunnel decision-maker during emergencies and major incidents, including fires, natural disasters, system failures, and events affecting tunnel operations. Represent the Tunnel organization during Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Area Operations Center, and Regional EOC activations and perform assigned Incident Command System (ICS) leadership roles, including Operations Section Chief, to support emergency response and continuity of transportation operations.
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:
- Project Management: Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and deliver complex maintenance, construction, or operational projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and constrained resources.
- Supervisory Experience: Demonstrated experience providing leadership and oversight for teams of five or more employees, including assigning work, monitoring performance, ensuring safety compliance, and achieving operational objectives.
- Progressive Leadership Experience: Demonstrated supervisory experience overseeing at least two employees, including responsibility for coaching, performance management, and work coordination in a technical or operational environment.
- Technical Experience: Demonstrated experience in roadway, building, construction, electrical maintenance, or related engineering fields requiring application of safety standards, operational procedures, troubleshooting, and maintenance of complex systems.
- Incident Command System (ICS) Training: Completion of ICS courses 100, 200, 700, 800, and 2200.
- 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:
- Ability to respond to both tunnels’ organization emergencies but also region/statewide emergencies 24 hours a day.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:
- Fire and Life Safety Systems Knowledge: Demonstrated experience working with building or roadway fire and life safety systems, including application of safety standards, operational requirements, and maintenance practices in complex environments.
- Technical Plan Interpretation and Development: Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and develop roadway or building plans, schematics, and technical documentation to support maintenance, construction, or operational decision-making.
- Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Expertise: Demonstrated experience in the design, operation, maintenance, or integration of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), including related hardware, software, and system controls.
- Organizational Skills: Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple complex tasks, projects, and operational demands while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.
- Self-Motivation and Initiative: Demonstrated ability to work independently, identify needed actions, and follow through with minimal direction in a complex operational environment.
- Complex Work Execution: Demonstrated track record of successfully planning, coordinating, and completing complex assignments involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and operational constraints.
- Leadership and Influence: Demonstrated ability to motivate, guide, and influence diverse teams and work groups to achieve operational objectives, maintain safety standards, and support organizational goals.
Important Notes
- 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
Why WSDOT
- 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.
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 (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 be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.
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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 recruiter listed.
Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at amanda.strebeck@wsdot.wa.gov . Please be sure to reference Tunnels Assistant Superintendent #1W303 in the subject line.Benefits:
Health Insurance, Vacation & Paid Time Off, Retirement PlanSalary : $108,486 - $132,839