Field Exploration Supervisor (TE3)

Salary : $80,496.00 - $108,228.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Tumwater, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-HQ-01336
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Headquarters
Opening Date: 10/14/2026
Closing Date: 10/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity

WSDOT is seeking a Field Exploration Supervisor to lead and direct complex geotechnical field exploration activities supporting transportation projects statewide, including design, construction, maintenance, and emergency projects of significant scope and complexity. This position will apply engineering principles, geotechnical exploration practices, WSDOT standards, and technical judgment to develop field exploration strategies, determine appropriate drilling, testing, sampling, equipment, staffing, and traffic control requirements, and resolve complex field conditions. As the Field Exploration Supervisor, you will provide technical direction to WSDOT and contract field exploration crews, oversees project resources and specialized equipment, monitors the quality and progress of field activities, and ensures exploration work and documentation meet project, regulatory, and safety requirements. The successful candidate will possess strong geotechnical and field exploration expertise, leadership and project management skills, and the ability to resolve complex problems in dynamic field environments.

What to Expect

This position will be expected to perform duties in person from the office, laboratory, and/or field. Hazards include traffic, motorists, falling rock, steep soil and rock slopes, debris, trees, and construction equipment.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Field Exploration Supervisor will:

• Supervise and train multiple crews working on their assigned projects; develop project durations estimates.
• Work with contractor drilling crews; drill and install groundwater monitoring wells.
• Operate different pieces of heavy equipment, excavators, skid-steers, offroad forklifts, power tools, drill tooling, specialized equipment, and vehicles.
• Review daily paperwork from crews for completeness and accuracy.
• Conduct site review of geotechnical field exploration projects to determine site access requirements, site preparation needs, right-of-entry requirements, need for environmental permits, utility locates, etc.
• Determine site exploration strategies, field testing equipment needs, and personal needed for the field exploration project, based on field reviews.
• Develop site safety plans for each project tasked to complete.
• Coordinate the Department of Ecology's resource protection well reporting requirements, including construction notice of intents and reports.
• Review job files for the Field Exploration Unit for accuracy while working with the technicians for closing files.
• Coordinate the maintenance and repairs of field exploration testing and support equipment.

Qualifications

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

• Supervision & Leadership: Experience supervising and leading employees, including assigning and planning work, providing direction, monitoring and evaluating performance, addressing performance concerns, and fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment.
• Equipment & Operational Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to manage the operational readiness of a drilling fleet and resolve complex field and equipment issues involving maintenance, repairs, difficult drilling conditions, access, supplies, tooling, and changing project requirements.
• Geotechnical Drilling & Field Operations: Demonstrated experience performing geotechnical drilling and field exploration work and supervising or leading multiple drilling crews or comparable field-based operational teams; knowledge of geotechnical drilling and sampling practices and applicable standards and procedures.
• Communication Skills: The ability to communicate policy, standards and technical information effectively using verbal, written and visual communication skills.
• Organization, Judgment, & Technology: Demonstrated success with managing multiple competing priorities, maintains accurate operational and project records, exercises sound judgment in complex or time-sensitive situations, and uses Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other computer systems to support operational activities.
• Growth Mindset & Service-Oriented: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth and 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.
• A valid Washington State Department of Ecology Resource Protection Operator's License.
• A current 24- or 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER certification or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate/have:

• Geology & Soil/Rock Identification: Demonstrated advanced knowledge of geology and soil and rock identification.
• Microsoft Office and Adobe PDF: Demonstrated advanced proficiency using Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe PDF.
• Geotechnical Drilling & Field Operations: Demonstrated experience managing complex or large-scale geotechnical drilling projects or geographically dispersed field operations.
• Drilling Equipment & Fleet Management: Demonstrated experience managing specialized drilling equipment, excavators, skid-steers, fleet maintenance, tooling, inventory, and field procurement.

In addition to the preferred qualifications above the following licenses are also preferred:

• A Washington State Commercial Driver's License Class A with N endorsement and without airbrake restriction.
• A National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) crane operator license for fixed cab boom truck and articulating boom crane with winch.

*To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting.
Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• Intermittent in-state and out-of-state travel is expected of this position. Overnight stays up to 4 nights at a time may be required. Traveling to multiple locations in one day may also be required.
• 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.
• This position offers limited flexible/hybrid remote work options while not on intermittent travel.

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-HQ-01336 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 account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit org