Description

About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure people and goods move safely and efficiently throughout the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT operates the largest ferry system in the nation, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and recently completed the world's widest tunneling project.

The Opportunity
WSDOT is currently seeking a skilled Transportation Planning Technician 3 to support WSDOT’s mission to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation options to improve communities and economic vitality for people and businesses by collecting, analyzing, and assimilating roadway data, and maintaining and updating the data inventory. Roadway data includes traffic counts, speed data, special gap studies, traffic queue, time delay studies, or other counts involving high speed, high volume, and complex traffic patterns at intersections or interchanges. The work of this position will contribute to enhancing safety, quality, and resiliency of the State’s transportation system. As a Transportation Planning Technician 3 in the Olympic Region Traffic Office, the incumbent performs roadway and signal data analysis, maintains roadway inventory database, and collaborates with other groups such as the Signal Operations team, using collected and available third party data, to provide Traffic Operations deliverables.

What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Transportation Planning Technician 3 will:

• 
  Conduct mechanical traffic counts, speed studies, queue studies, delay and gap studies, weave movement analysis, pedestrian or bicyclist counts, truck percentages, vehicle occupancy, vehicle classification, or other roadway data at high volume, high speed, complex traffic pattern locations.
• Compile, analyze, process, and assimilate roadway data collected in the field and acquired elsewhere.
• Update and maintain the Olympic Region traffic count database; process data utilizing computer programs, such as, Jamar, PetraPro, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and/or TRAXPro.
• Review data collection request for potential data collection issues or concerns and communicate alternative strategies with requesting party.
• Collect relevant data, including crash data, and analyze and generate signal warrant analysis by applying agency policies, standards, and procedures.
• Provide traffic data to internal and external customers; communicate schedule and update customers as necessary.

Work is performed primarily outdoors or in a vehicle and may include inclement weather in daytime or nighttime. Exposure to hazards may include exhaust, high-speed traffic, high-volume moving traffic, steep or uneven terrain, and/or extended periods of sedentary positions. Schedule requires flexibility to collect data during different traffic conditions, including weekends, holidays, and beyond regular schedule work hours as deemed by the department.

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

• Three (3) years as a Transportation Planning Technician 2 (TPT2) or equivalent classification.

OR

• An Associate degree in civil engineering technology, surveying, drafting, computer science or other closely related field or equivalent vocational technical program consisting of at least 1200 instructional hours in the above fields AND three (3) years of experience performing basic technical engineering or transportation data collection work equivalent to a TPT 2.

OR

• A Bachelor's degree in urban planning, geography, transportation, engineering, or computer science.

Experience may substitute year for year for education.

In addition to the above, the following are also required:

• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• One (1) year of experience working independently and prioritizing workload, with the ability to handle multiple assignments with a high level of attention to detail to ensure work is completed with few to no errors.
• One (1) year of experience using spreadsheets and databases, including performing calculations and automation to process large volumes of data.
• One (1) year of experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Access).
• Possession of a valid Traffic Control/Flagging card with experience performing traffic control per MUTCD including planning, setting signs and cones or barrels, and flagging; or obtain and maintain Flagger Certification within six (6) months.
• Obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Skills to communicate effectively and professionally with diverse groups utilizing oral, written, and electronic communication methods.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Knowledge of engineering standards and procedures such as Standard Plans, Standard Specifications, Design Manual, Traffic Manual, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), and Work Zone Traffic Control Guidelines (M54-44).
• Ability to work in FileMaker Pro, StateRoute Log, Distance Measuring Instrument (DMI), and data collection equipment and software such as PetraPro, TRAXPro.

Important Notes

• 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.
• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• Application review will begin on March 27, 2023. Candidate selection may take place at any time thereafter. It is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 357-16-197 mandates that all employees who work for executive cabinet agencies (which includes the Department of Transportation) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Compliance with this mandate is a condition of employment with WSDOT. Exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes; however, accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. 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 earn a minimum 14 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. NOTE: This information may 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. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities 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.

Contact us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Alyssa Nastasi at NastasA@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 23DOT-OR-32261 in the subject line.