Transportation Management Center (TMC) Technician 3 (In-Training)

Description

About WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence! Our dedicated workforce is responsible for planning, designing, building, and operating an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation! 

The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking multiple Transportation Technician 3 In-Training positions in the Transportation Management Center (TMC) in Shoreline, WA in our state-of-the-art 24/7 operation center. Candidates should have a passion for real-time transportation management, teamwork, and serving the people of Washington State. This position supports WSDOT's mission by operating the Region's intelligent transportation system (ITS) consisting of the traffic management system, active traffic management (ATM) system, tunnel control systems, and toll system. This position is required to perform advanced traffic management activities and analysis in the Northwest Region (NWR) TMC. Decisions made by this position directly affect the safety of the travelling public and traffic flow on the freeway and adjacent arterial systems.

Successful Transportation Technician 3 In-Training candidates can expect to start out their time in the TMC going through a 2-to-3-year (depending on qualifications) training period. During this time, each technician will receive direct hands-on training from TMC staff for the first 3 months. Once the initial onboarding is complete, the Technician will work to complete various self-paced tasks that will help to empower them to handle any situation that may come their way.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the TMC Technician will:

• Monitor traffic within the Region's highway system via CCTV, traffic management software, computer aided dispatch (CAD), and other incident detection systems. 
• Respond to blocking incidents or planned closures with appropriate messaging. 
• Identify traffic impacts and employ ITS to communicate, manage demand, and control traffic. 
• Follow guidelines and procedures for diversion, VMS messaging, and incident response. 
• Identify system and sign errors, troubleshoot, and escalate to appropriate staff. 
• Coordinate I-5 Express Lanes operations with field maintenance operators and IRT crews. 
• Identify opportunities for emergency I-5 Express Lanes operations in response to an incident, escalate to supervisors and management, and coordinate with maintenance and IRT crews. 
• Notify traffic conditions and blocking incident information/status to other TMC operators and external parties including Public Information Officers (PIOs), maintenance crews, engineers, management, and local agencies for coordinated incident response.
• Monitor and verify toll rate and information display within Toll systems.
• Coordinate training, training resources, and documentation for TMC employees.
• Operate the tunnel control systems, supervising the fire and life safety systems utilizing CCTVs, traffic detection, incident detection cameras, carbon monoxide sensors, heat detection, and other detection systems, and coordinate with field crews and external parties in an event of an incident.

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity at the Transportation Technician 1 level, the following are required:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent

To be considered for this opportunity at the Transportation Technician 2 level, the following are required:

OR

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent and two (2) years of experience performing basic technical engineering work as a Transportation Engineer 1 or equivalent.

OR

• Three (3) years of experience as a Highway Maintenance Worker, one of which must be as a Highway Maintenance Worker 2.

To be considered for this opportunity at the Transportation Technician 3 level, the following are required:

• Certification as an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) and two (2) years of experience as a Transportation Technician 2 or equivalent experience in a major metropolitan transportation operations center.

OR

• A Bachelor's Degree with major study in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Traffic, Transportation or a closely related field, and two (2) years of experience as a Transportation Technician 2 or equivalent experience in a major metropolitan transportation operations center.

The following are required at all levels:

• Possession of a valid Driver's License
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong understanding of computer operation
• Experience training staff members with varying knowledge and backgrounds.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Prior operation of mission critical software suites, response to emergency situations, and/or previous transportation experience.
• Working knowledge of data collection, analysis, and reporting practices and principles - ability to analyze and summarize data to create actionable reports for traffic and tolling operations.
• Experience working in a major metropolitan TMC.
• Working knowledge of freeway management practices and principles - ability to make an operational assessment of freeway flow conditions and derive traffic management strategies and tactics on the fly.
• Detailed knowledge of tunnel environmental systems operations and procedures. 
• Experience reading, comprehending, and verifying contract plans and specifications including traffic control plans.

Important Notes 

• Interested candidates are highly encouraged to visit and tour the TMC to learn more about our operation. To schedule a tour and see an in-person view of our operations, please email [email protected]
• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position is not eligible for remote work.
• Candidates can visit the TMC websites (WSDOT TMCs, Active Traffic Management, Ramp Meters, HOV, Express Lanes) for more information.
• The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County. An additional 5% assignment pay for the TMC is included in the salary for qualifying positions.
• This position requires the incumbent to work various shifts in the 24/7 facility including day, evening and night shifts ranging from 8 to 12 hours. These positions include shifts on weekends.
• 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 357-28of 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.
• Note: This position includes an approved in-training plan; therefore, it may be filled at the Transportation Technician 1, 2 or 3 level. The salaries for these classifications are as follows:
  1. Transportation Technician 1: $49,209 - $65,828 annually depending on qualifications.
  2. Transportation Technician 2: $59,629 - $80.216 annually depending on qualifications.
  3. Transportation Technician 3: $67,544 - $90,763 annually depending on qualifications.

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 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. 

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. 

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 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.

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Amanda Strebeck, at [email protected]. Please be sure to reference TMC Technician #12665 in the subject line.