Design-Build Site Manager (WMS2)

State of Washington•Pierce County – Tacoma, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a Design-Build Site Manager to support the Fife Project Engineering Office in delivering the new SR 167 expressway, which is part of the Gateway Program. This program aims to enhance freight mobility to and from the Port of Tacoma by improving critical infrastructure connecting I-5 in Fife and SR 167 in Puyallup. The position involves assuming limited authority of the Project Engineer when absent and providing leadership, management, and oversight to a field office of approximately 50 engineers and technicians. This team is responsible for delivering approximately $1 Billion in construction for the SR 167 Gateway Program, focusing on design-build highway construction projects that meet schedule, budget, quality, safety, and stewardship standards. The Site Manager will monitor and report on project delivery in accordance with WSDOT policies, ensuring transparency and accountability. They will also foster a balanced workplace that promotes training, professional growth, upward mobility, employee safety, workforce diversity, and pride in ownership, acting as a local WSDOT representative to various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be an experienced construction leader with strong collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to manage significant transportation infrastructure construction contracts exceeding $50 million, including providing effective supervision and oversight of staff.
Effective working knowledge of civil transportation engineering design and construction principles and practices, contracting methods and procedures, and program (budget, schedule, environmental, quality, etc.) accountability.
Proficient in reviewing and comprehending plans, specifications and working drawings for transportation projects.
Demonstrated ability to effectively plan, organize, and deliver multiple projects concurrently.
Effective skills in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall program strategy/results; monitoring, measuring performance, and making necessary course corrections to the same.
Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to engage internal teams, contractors, stakeholders, and the public.
Capable of representing the agency in meetings and on project sites.
The ability to evaluate, coordinate, and respond to customers and contractors in a professional, collaborative and timely way.
The ability to make timely, effective decisions in the best interest of the department and the project based on an array of complex and competing issues.
Proven ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and implement practical solutions.
Skilled in conflict resolution and facilitating constructive dialogue.
Advanced skills in effective and professional communications with a diverse audience, including those with non-technical backgrounds, both virtually and in-person, using a variety of electronic media, including, but not limited to telephones, email, text, video conferencing.
Ability to contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment.
Effective working knowledge of the principles of project management with strategic leadership abilities to build and maintain effective teams; motivate, coach, mentor, and empower employees; embrace and lead change; resolve conflicts; encourage employee engagement; foster and maintain a positive work environment; develop and implement process improvements; and demonstrate interpersonal skills to a diverse interdisciplinary workforce in developing and delivering multiple projects.
Demonstrated ability to travel to project sites as required to fulfill project responsibilities.
Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted Driver’s License.
Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
Takes action to meet the needs of others.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrates progressively responsible leadership and/or supervisory experience guiding a diverse workforce in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
Builds and maintains effective working relationships across organizational boundaries, fosters employee engagement, and promotes accountability and teamwork.
Skilled in coaching, mentoring, training, and developing employees while supporting performance management and team success.
Applies principles of project management and team leadership to effectively coordinate work, prioritize resources, and achieve organizational goals.
Demonstrated knowledge of transportation design and construction principles, practices, and project delivery methods related to large, complex public sector transportation projects.
Skilled in coordinating project activities, monitoring scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, contractors, stakeholders, and partner agencies to support successful project delivery.
Demonstrated experience utilizing engineering, scheduling, and budgeting software to support project planning, tracking, analysis, and reporting.
Skilled in using technology and data management tools to monitor project schedules, resource allocation, financial performance, and project progress while supporting accurate documentation and decision-making.

Responsibilities

Assist the Project Engineer and assume limited authority when absent to provide leadership, management, and oversight to the field office delivering the Gateway SR 167 design-build program.
Ensure projects are on schedule, within budget, and meet quality, safety, and stewardship standards, maintaining compliance with WSDOT policies and departmental expectations for transparency and accountability.
Review and recommend approvals for design changes, work methods, contract modifications, material certifications, and payments.
Collaborate and build effective working relationships with internal teams, contractors, stakeholders, elected officials, and the public to support project delivery and resolve conflicts.
Oversee staffing, personnel actions, training, mentoring, and professional development, fostering a balanced and inclusive workplace that promotes safety, diversity, and upward mobility.
Work closely with WSDOT and Design-Builder subject matter experts to resolve complex engineering issues in a manner that best serves the project needs.
Promote a safety-focused work environment, engaging staff in safety programs and implementing strategies to reduce accidents and incidents.
Ensure effective use of resources, project scheduling, and operational efficiency, monitoring staff performance and implementing best practices to support project and team success.