Salary : $78,504.00 - $105,612.00 Annually
Location : Spokane County - Spokane, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-ER-60935
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Eastern Region
Opening Date: 07/09/2026
Closing Date: 7/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity

WSDOT is seeking an Acquisition Unit Supervisor to lead the Eastern Region (ER) Acquisition Program by providing strategic leadership, technical expertise, and oversight of right-of-way acquisition activities that support the planning, development, construction, operation, and maintenance of Washington's state transportation system. This position supervises acquisition staff and consultant resources, ensures compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and policies governing property acquisition and eminent domain, and oversees acquisition certification requirements that support successful project delivery, mitigate risk, and protect eligibility for federal funding. Our top candidate will possess expertise in right-of-way acquisition and real estate practices, leadership and staff development skills, knowledge of federal and state compliance requirements, and the ability to build collaborative partnerships while effectively managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Acquisition Unit Supervisor will:

• Provide direct supervision and leadership for the ER Acquisition Program.
• Develop and implement workforce plans, resource strategies, budgets, and funding requests to ensure acquisition services are available to support project delivery schedules and organizational priorities.
• Oversee consultant acquisition contracts, monitor contractor performance, and ensure contracted services meet project requirements, regulatory standards, and agency expectations.
• Work collaboratively with Real Estate Services management, Project Development, Engineering, Environmental, Local Programs, and Headquarters staff to establish acquisition schedules, identify resource needs, and resolve issues.
• Serve as the ERs subject matter expert for acquisition, eminent domain, and federal compliance requirements.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to staff, consultants, project teams, and executive leadership regarding acquisition procedures, regulations, policies, and best practices.
• Review acquisition files, settlement packages, certification documents, and support records to ensure compliance.
• Ensure acquisition activities are properly documented and completed in accordance with federal funding requirements to protect project eligibility and reduce agency risk.
• Analyze complex acquisition issues and develop recommendations to resolve legal, procedural, and operational challenges.
• Identify compliance deficiencies, process gaps, and program risks and implement corrective actions to maintain regulatory compliance and support project delivery objectives.

Qualifications

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

Acquisition and Right-of-Way Expertise

• Ability to interpret and apply federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing right-of-way acquisition, eminent domain, relocation assistance, and real estate transactions.
• Skills to analyze complex property acquisition issues and develop legally defensible and practical solutions and review and approve acquisition activities for compliance with applicable regulations and agency requirements.

Leadership and Supervision

• Ability to lead, mentor, develop, and evaluate employees in a professional work environment.
• Skills to assign, prioritize, and monitor work to meet organizational goals, deadlines, and project delivery commitments and foster accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Program and Project Management

• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Skills and ability to monitor schedules, workloads, budgets, and performance measures to ensure successful program delivery.
• Ability to identify risks and implement corrective actions to support project success.

Communication and Relationship Management

• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with employees, property owners, consultants, attorneys, public agencies, and project stakeholders.
• Skills to communicate complex technical information effectively both verbally and in writing and facilitate discussions and negotiations involving sensitive or contentious issues.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Exercise independent judgment and make sound decisions within delegated authority.
• Analyze information from multiple sources and recommend appropriate courses of action.
• Resolve complex issues while balancing regulatory requirements, project needs, and stakeholder interests.

Growth Mindset and Service-Oriented

• Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Takes action to meet the needs of others.

The following qualifications are also required:

• A valid driver's license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Washington State Notary Public commission within six (6) months of hire.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate/have:

• Supervision of Professional Staff: Experience supervising professional staff in right-of-way, real estate, property acquisition, transportation, or public-sector acquisition programs, including assigning work, providing direction, and supporting performance and team effectiveness.
• Federally Funded Acquisition Program Administration: Experience administering or overseeing federally funded acquisition programs, including ensuring compliance with funding requirements, coordination with oversight entities, and maintaining program eligibility.
• Policy Compliance: Experience applying the Uniform Act in acquisition and relocation activities, including ensuring compliance with federal requirements for property acquisition, compensation, and relocation assistance.
• Acquisition Expertise: Experience negotiating and executing complex real estate transactions, settlements, or eminent domain acquisitions involving multiple stakeholders, legal considerations, and financial impacts.
• Consultant Contract and Acquisition Services Management: Experience managing or overseeing consultant contracts and consultant-delivered acquisition services, including scope development, performance monitoring, and deliverable acceptance.
• Title and Conveyance Document Review: Experience reviewing and interpreting title reports, legal descriptions, deeds, easements, and other real estate conveyance documents to support acquisition and property rights decisions.
• Right-of-Way and Project Delivery Systems: Experience using right-of-way management systems, project tracking tools, or transportation project delivery systems to document, track, and manage acquisition activities and project workflows.
• WSDOT Right of Way Manual Application: Knowledge of WSDOT Right of Way Manual Chapters 6, 9, and 12 and experience applying related guidance in acquisition, relocation, and property management activities.
• Eminent Domain and Public Agency Acquisition Law: Knowledge of Title 47 RCW, eminent domain law, and public agency property acquisition requirements and experience applying legal principles in acquisition or project delivery contexts.
• Collaboration and Accountability: Demonstrated ability to apply strategic thinking, maintain accountability for outcomes, foster collaboration across diverse stakeholders, resolve conflicts effectively, and influence and negotiate successful resolutions in complex organizational environments.

Important Notes

• The salary range listed includes the 2% general wage increase, effective on July 1, 2026.
• 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 Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in of the Washington Administrative Code.
• Travel is an expectation of the position and may be required on a regular, sporadic, or as-needed basis.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.

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.
Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at . Please be sure to reference 26DOT-ER-60935 in the subject line.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending