Principal Planner

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 a Principal Planner to support the Management of Mobility Division in advancing the agency’s mission to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation options that strengthen communities and economic vitality across the Puget Sound region. As the central transportation planning office for the Puget Sound region, the MoM Division shapes multimillion and even billion-dollar projects and programs. This role will play a key role in assessing environmental impacts of transportation solutions including complete streets improvements, supporting equitable community engagement efforts, and integrating environmental justice principles into regional planning and policy development. Responsibilities include developing and implementing Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act work plans, conducting environmental justice assessments, analyzing data, preparing reports, and facilitating collaboration with internal and external partners to support informed decision-making and equitable transportation outcomes. A strong candidate will demonstrate expertise in environmental justice analysis, multimodal transportation planning, data analysis, policy development, equitable community engagement, and effective communication skills across diverse audiences.

What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Principal Planner will:

• Lead development and implementation of the Northwest Region (NWR) Environmental Justice (EJ) program, ensuring integration of EJ principles into projects, regional planning and project delivery. 
• Develop EJ planning processes and associated deliverables or reports for WSDOT teams and others. 
• Develop EJ assessments for projects and studies. 
• Facilitate internal multidisciplinary coordination and review of EJ assessments, facilitate consensus on EJ analysis, conclusions and decision.  
• Develop materials for internal and external meetings to support development and review of EJ assessments. 
• Be responsible for meeting EJ assessment schedules and milestones. 
• Support the Community Engagement Lead in the development of the biennial work program for the NWR Community Engagement Program that outlines the priorities and goals for community engagement in the region.
• Coordinate, support and develop equitable community engagement efforts to support multimodal planning and project delivery, ensuring meaningful input and involvement from communities and stakeholders.
• Strategize, prepare, coordinate, track, document, and facilitate engagement activities, including in-person meetings, events, online open houses, public notices, media outreach, surveys, fact sheets, flyers, and other support materials. 

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

• Advanced Transportation Planning & Analysis Leadership: Demonstrated experience in leading application, selection, modification, or development of transportation planning methodologies, analytical tools including GIS, modeling approaches, or performance frameworks to support complex, multi-modal transportation decisions. 
• Strategic Data Interpretation & Executive-Level Communication: Advanced experience synthesizing complex technical, financial, environmental, or transportation system performance data and presenting decision-ready recommendations to executive leadership, elected officials, partner agencies, stakeholders, or the public using written, visual, and verbal communication methods. 
• Multimodal & Active Transportation Knowledge: Demonstrated deep knowledge of multimodal transportation systems, Complete Streets, and active transportation planning and design principles. 
• Workload Management: Extensive experience independently setting priorities for self and others, manages multiple complex projects, and adapts to emerging issues while aligning with organizational strategy. 
• Regulatory & Technical Writing: Experience translating complex regulatory or scientific information into accessible language. Advanced skill in preparing clear, concise, and accurate reports, letters, and environmental documentation for internal and external audiences. 
• Interdisciplinary & Interagency Leadership: Experience leading or serving as senior subject matter expert on multi-disciplinary or multi-agency teams delivering transportation system plans, corridor studies, program implementation strategies, or policy initiatives. 
• Complex Transportation Problem Resolution: Extensive experience identifying emerging or systemic transportation issues; evaluating technical, funding, policy, environmental, and operational factors; and developing implementable solutions influencing transportation system performance, investment strategies, or long-range planning outcomes. 
• Emerging Practice/Specialized Planning: Experience applying emerging transportation planning practices such as multimodal system planning, performance-based planning, equity-focused planning, climate or resilience planning, or transportation technology integration. 
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth. 
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

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

• Staff must reside within 60 miles of the Northwest Region office located at 15700 Dayton Avenue North, Shoreline, WA 98133-5910 or be willing to relocate to within 60 miles.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Advanced Transportation Planning & Program Leadership: Extensive progressively responsible experience leading transportation planning, corridor planning, system planning, program implementation, or transportation-related policy development in complex organizational or multi-agency environments. 
• Complex Stakeholder & Public Engagement Leadership: Experience designing and leading complex stakeholder, partner agency, Tribal, community, or public engagement strategies associated with transportation planning, project delivery, or policy initiatives. 
• Multi-Jurisdictional & Regulatory Environment Expertise: Experience working within or coordinating across local, regional, state, or federal transportation planning, funding, environmental, or regulatory processes. 
• Program, Project, or Initiative Accountability: Experience holding primary responsibility for transportation planning studies, programs, or initiatives, including schedule, scope, risk, and outcome accountability. 
• Strategic Decision Support: Experience developing recommendations influencing transportation investment strategies, policy direction, system performance priorities, or long-range planning outcomes 

Important Notes 

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• 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 position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County.
• 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, 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. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including telework options for eligible positions.  
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees 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 of 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. 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 at Sidra.Fields@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-NWR-12791 in the subject line.