Salary : $93,227.00 - $125,433.00 Annually
Location : King County - Seattle - Belltown, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-HQ-04853
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Headquarters
Opening Date: 09/23/2026
Closing Date: 10/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking a Public Transportation Safety Oversight Specialist (TPS5) in Seattle, WA to help ensure public and worker safety on public transportation systems through the development and implementation of directives, policies, programs, and procedures. As a senior safety specialist, you will provide specialized expertise and independent oversight for light rail transit systems and work directly with rail transit agencies to safety standards, policies, and procedures.
In this role, you will help oversee compliance with state and federal safety requirements, evaluate hazards and corrective actions, and assess the effectiveness of safety mitigations. Your work will support safe and reliable public transportation while helping maintain public confidence and advance WSDOT's mission of providing an integrated multimodal transportation system.
What to Expect

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

• Develop, implement, and ensure public transportation safety oversight policies, procedures, standards, and protocols meet state and federal requirements.
• Work with transit agencies to clarify federally and state-required roles and responsibilities and use safety management systems practices to identify and mitigate risk.
• Develop and monitor safety performance data and assess and review safety hazards and agency safety plans.
• Analyze complex federal and state legislation and regulations to determine impacts on rail transit agencies, the division, and the program.
• Prepare and conduct audits to ensure safety plans and procedures are developed and fully implemented.
• Perform risk-based inspections to enhance safety practices and meet federal and state regulations.
• Establish cooperative working relationships with transit agencies, not-for-profits, fixed rail guideway systems, regulators, and agency and national peers.
• Participate in forums with public transportation safety offices across the nation to continuously improve and update best practices.
• Work with team members to develop and implement strategic approaches for assessing needs and prioritizing investments to bring rail transit agencies into compliance and alignment with best practices.
• Convene transit agency service providers to develop rail and bus safety standards and protocols.
• Monitor and ensure rail transit agencies meet state and federal safety certification requirements when developing and implementing new capital projects.

Qualifications

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

• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Creates External Strategic Alliances: Develops and uses collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals. Establishes good interpersonal relationships based on regulatory requirements and rail safety standards.
• Effective Communication: Seeks input from transit partners, checks understanding, and presents messages in different ways to enhance understanding.
• Flexible and Adaptive: Demonstrates an ability to work comfortably in an environment where clear direction or definite information is not available or is unclear.
• Focuses Group Efforts: Ensures collaborations serve and support business objectives while using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods; provides direction and guidance to others in team or collaborative settings; considers and integrates the needs and potential contributions of others and the larger organization.
• Safety Awareness: Monitors safety issues after taking corrective action and ensures continued compliance.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Learns While Doing: Learns quickly when confronted with a new problem, understanding surface issues and the interconnectedness of those issues that run much deeper; develops a workable plan and adapts that plan as circumstances change.
• Negotiating Acumen: Effectively explores alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties. Engages in mutual problem solving by brainstorming alternative positions or approaches and evaluating them openly and fairly.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County.
• 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.
• 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

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. 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 in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

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 organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status in