Salary : $152,712.00 - $190,884.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-HQ-3E213e
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Headquarters
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
Closing Date: 7/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity

WSDOT is seeking a Regional Administrator to provide executive leadership for the Olympic Region, overseeing the delivery of transportation programs and services across Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, and Thurston counties. Reporting directly to the Assistant Secretary for Regions, this position leads regional operations within the Governor's and Secretary of Transportation's policy direction, guiding multidisciplinary teams responsible for program management, project development, engineering, environmental services, construction, maintenance and operations, planning, safety, communications, local programs, and administrative services. This instrumental role is responsible for ensuring the customer-focused, cost-effective, and timely delivery of transportation programs and services by establishing regional priorities, driving organizational performance, developing high-performing leaders, and fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. Serving as the region's primary ambassador and spokesperson, this role builds and maintains strong partnerships with elected officials, tribal governments, local agencies, regional organizations, business and community leaders, and other key stakeholders to advance transportation priorities, strengthen public trust, and support successful program delivery.
What to Expect

This is a senior executive position, responsible for an entire transportation region, requiring demonstrated leadership outcomes, executive judgment, stakeholder influence, organizational management, and transportation program delivery.
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Regional Administrator will:

• Provide leadership and direction to three Assistant Regional Administrators managing the many regional program areas ensuring the region's goals are met.
• Provide leadership and direction to the region Public Information Officer/Communications Manager, and the Executive Assistant.
• Provide direction for regional transportation planning and budgeting.
• Align region processes and efforts with WSDOT's Strategic Plan, Executive Orders, and agency priorities.
• Solve problems involving dealing with coordination, legal, social, environmental, engineering and fiscal matters to meet project scope, budget and delivery timelines.
• Serve as a member of WSDOT, State or nationally appointed policy teams and committees.
• As an appointing authority, approve new hires, promotions, transfers, corrective/disciplinary actions, and establishment of positions in accordance with the state personnel rules.
• Model leadership and performance characteristics that promote professionalism, integrity, accountability and public service.
• Drive to multiple worksites across the region and state in support of agency operations and program objectives.
• Facilitate partnerships/consensus among legislators, local officials, citizens, and other internal and external forces through the complex process of public involvement and legal, environmental, engineering and fiscal constraints associated with producing projects on schedule, within budget that meet needs of parties involved.

Qualifications

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

Executive Leadership and Organizational Management

• Demonstrated ability to lead large, complex organizations through multiple levels of management and establish strategic vision, goals, performance measures, and accountability systems and balance short-term operational needs with long-term strategic objectives.
• Skills to direct leadership of multiple divisions, departments, regions, or business units; develop and mentor leaders and management teams.

Transportation Program and Infrastructure Leadership

• Demonstrated ability to direct complex transportation, infrastructure, public works, engineering, construction, maintenance, operations, or capital improvement programs and make decisions involving asset preservation, safety, mobility, environmental considerations, and funding constraints.
• Skills to integrate planning, design, environmental review, construction, maintenance, and operations functions to achieve organizational objectives and lead through crises and emergency situations.

Public Sector Leadership and Governance

• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively within a governmental or a highly regulated environment and interpret and implement laws, regulations, executive directives, policies, and administrative requirements.
• Advanced expertise and knowledge of professional transportation and civil engineering practices and standards, and environmental and highway design laws and regulations. Skills to exercise sound judgment in politically sensitive situations and serve as an executive responsible for personnel actions.
• Experience in a leadership role within state, federal, tribal, county, municipal, or other public-sector organizations and/or experience working with elected and appointed officials.

Strategic Planning and Execution/Financial and Resource Management

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans aligned with organizational priorities, translate strategic objectives into measurable operational outcomes and balance competing priorities, risks, resources, and stakeholder interests.
• Skills to deliver complex programs and initiatives on schedule and within budget and manage competing funding priorities and resource constraints.
• Skills to direct large operating and capital budgets, allocate resources strategically to achieve organizational objectives, and exercise fiscal stewardship and accountability.
• Experience having responsibility for multimillion-dollar budgets.

Stakeholder Engagement and External Relations

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with officials, tribal governments, community leaders, businesses, partner agencies, and advocacy organizations.
• Skills to represent an organization as a spokesperson and executive ambassador; build coalitions and facilitate consensus among groups with competing interests.
• Skills to communicate complex technical and policy issues to diverse audiences.

Growth Mindset and Service-Oriented

• Fosters a culture of inclusion, collaboration, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.
• Promotes workplace safety and employee well-being. Advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.
• Leads organizational change and transformation initiatives.
• Takes action to meet the needs of others and actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Transportation Expertise: Knowledge of state transportation systems, highway operations, maintenance, construction, and multimodal transportation programs. Knowledge of transportation funding and programming processes.
• Tribal Relations: Experience consulting and partnering with Tribal governments. A solid understanding of government-to-government relationships.
• Legislative and Policy: Experience working directly with legislative bodies, congressional offices, or executive-level policy development.
• Emergency Management: Experience leading transportation or public infrastructure operations during emergencies, natural disasters, or major incidents.

*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.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• The salary range listed includes the 2% general wage increase, effective on July 1, 2026.
• 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.

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-3E213e 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.

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