What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Controller - Washington State Ferries position at State of Washington?
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 Project Controller to support the successful delivery of terminal design and engineering projects. Working with the terminal design engineering manager and project managers, this position helps align project agreements, schedules, and financial plans to keep projects on time and within budget.
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 Project Controller will:
- Develop and maintain critical path schedules and delivery-method templates for Terminal Engineering projects.
- Analyze and report project progress, schedule rollups, workforce projections, variances, and change impacts.
- Identify delivery trends and risks; develop “what if” scenarios for risk planning.
- Develop and monitor baseline and control budgets, forecast costs, analyze variances, and communicate recommendations.
- Provide project controls expertise in PRI, Primavera P6, and Oracle Unifier for E-CON; coordinate resolution of scheduling system issues.
- Manage system profiles, permissions, and initial project files; administer SharePoint sites and Power BI dashboards.
- Conduct special projects, research, and other assigned duties.
- Attend required training, project site visits, and WSDOT meetings.
- 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.
- Project Scheduling & Controls - Develop, maintain, and coordinate complex critical path, resource-loaded schedules for multiple Terminal Engineering projects.
- Integrated Project Planning and Financial Control - Ensure schedules and budgets accurately reflect approved scope, milestones, dependencies, resources, funding, planned expenditures, and project delivery requirements.
- Baseline Management - Apply project controls principles to maintain accurate and reliable baselines and baseline performance information throughout the project lifecycle.
- Project Trend Analysis - Evaluate schedule and budget performance data to identify project trends, variances, delays, and risks and impacts to enable timely corrective action.
- Schedule, Cost & Risk Analysis - Develop “what-if” scenarios and alternative strategies, evaluate potential outcomes, and recommend practical solutions to support proactive risk management and successful project delivery.
- Project Management Systems Expertise - Provide technical expertise and guidance to WSF project managers and Terminal Engineering staff in the use of Primavera P6, Oracle Unifier, SharePoint, Microsoft Power BI dashboards, and other systems used for project scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and reporting.
- Project Controls Systems Administration - Establish initial project files, configure user access and permissions, and support effective and consistent administration and use of project management and controls systems.
- Information Systems & Data Management - Collaborate with engineering, project management staff, IT, and Headquarters to troubleshoot and resolve scheduling, budgeting, and reporting system issues, to improve data accuracy and maintain system reliability.
- Project Performance Communication - Communicate complex schedule, budget, cost, risk, forecast, and project controls information to project engineers, project managers, and other stakeholders.
- Project Analysis & Delivery Coordination - Provide clear, actionable analysis and recommendations to support informed decision-making, facilitate project coordination, and promote accurate, consistent, and timely project delivery.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:
- Integrated Scheduling – Integrate multiple schedules across internal and external project teams and disciplines to illustrate timing, resource dependencies, and coordination requirements across an active project delivery portfolio.
- Project Systems Integration – Collect and assemble data from project scheduling systems, finance and accounting systems, and other project management tools and systems to support executive decision-making.
- Public Agency Processes – Demondstrated knowledge and experience with project design processes, contract and advertisement, procurement requirements, and basic construction principles in a public agency environment.
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?
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 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.
Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.
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
Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at renee.mason@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-WSF-90862 in the subject line.
Salary : $93,227 - $125,433