Passenger Rail Program Manager (WMS3)

State of Washington • Thurston County – Lacey, WA

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a program and project manager to lead the agency’s oversight and delivery of the Amtrak Cascades intercity passenger rail system, a 461-mile system sponsored and funded by WSDOT. The Passenger Rail Program Manager directs the statewide Intercity Passenger Rail Program, oversees a team, and may serve as acting Division Director when designated. The role works with partners across Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and throughout the nation, and requires strategic thinking, financial management, contract negotiation and execution, customer service responsiveness, and public engagement experience.

The position manages program finances, operating and maintenance agreements, regulatory and contractual compliance, rail operations and assets, service performance analysis, schedules and fares, public communications, and coordination of the new Amtrak Cascades Airo Trainset Fleet. It also supports onboard services, station amenities, passenger information systems, multimodal connections, state-sponsored bus service, and the Youth Fare Program. The position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options and requires travel as needed throughout Washington, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and nationally.

WSDOT offers work-life balance and flexible schedule options, including telework for eligible positions; paid leave; tuition assistance for permanent employees; and a comprehensive benefits package with healthcare options and state retirement programs.

Requirements

• Demonstrated relationship-building and collaboration skills, including meeting others’ needs and building trusted partnerships through open communication, respect for diverse perspectives, sound judgment, and confidentiality.
• Commitment to learning and growth, self-awareness, and adaptability to changing priorities through innovative solutions.
• Knowledge of passenger and freight rail operations, modal connectivity, transportation infrastructure, and applicable state and federal rail processes, legislation, regulations, and administrative procedures.
• Knowledge of contract structure, legal requirements, compliance monitoring, quality assurance, and risk management for administering complex agreements.
• Ability to develop operational strategies, establish measurable goals, monitor program performance, allocate resources effectively, and adjust priorities to achieve organizational objectives.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-million-dollar program portfolios, including full-lifecycle budget management, fiscal tracking, strategic resource allocation, and legislative or grant-funded financial reporting.
• Ability to evaluate financial information, interpret complex public funding strategies, assess organizational risk, and support sound investment decisions.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills for engaging division staff, executive leaders, elected officials, partner agencies, stakeholders, and the public while navigating complex or sensitive issues.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• Ability to travel throughout Washington, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and nationally as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading or delivering public transit or passenger rail programs at the local, regional, state, or federal level.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, public policy, public administration, and economics within a transportation environment.
• Familiarity with public-sector marketing, advertising, and customer engagement strategies supporting transit systems.
• Experience administering state or federal transportation grant programs and associated compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of passenger rail equipment lifecycle management and transportation asset management principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the statewide Intercity Passenger Rail Program, oversee a team, and serve as acting Division Director when designated.
• Manage full-lifecycle budgeting, financial tracking, portfolio program management, and legislative reporting, including operating budgets, investment strategies, federal grant applications, consultant contracts, and procurement activities.
• Manage Amtrak Cascades operating and maintenance agreements, monitor contract performance, and ensure regulatory and contractual compliance.
• Represent WSDOT as lead ambassador and subject matter expert for intercity passenger rail initiatives in local, state, and multistate forums.
• Represent WSDOT on national and regional passenger rail committees and ensure compliance with state and federal passenger rail policies.
• Coordinate passenger rail operations with corridor partners, including the Oregon Department of Transportation, VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak, Sound Transit, BNSF Railway, and other host railroads.
• Oversee operations, facility maintenance, and asset management for WSDOT-owned passenger rail stations and locomotives.
• Analyze service performance, ridership trends, forecasting data, and federally required service outcomes to guide operational and investment decisions.
• Develop and approve passenger rail schedules and ticket fares in collaboration with corridor partners.
• Partner with Communications and Marketing to review and approve passenger rail marketing, advertising, social media, and web information.
• Provide leadership and technical expertise on passenger rail issues to agency leadership, partner organizations, and stakeholders.
• Coordinate delivery, acceptance, and operation of the new Amtrak Cascades Airo Trainset Fleet.
• Oversee delivery of the Youth Fare Program in accordance with legislative intent.
• Coordinate onboard services, station amenities, passenger information systems, multimodal connections, and state-sponsored Amtrak Cascades bus service.
• Foster continuous improvement, develop staff, and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
• Travel as needed throughout Washington, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and nationally to support program operations and represent WSDOT.

Benefits

• 12 paid holidays.
• Full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year.
• Tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness for permanent employees.
• Comprehensive benefits package with healthcare options.
• Choice of state retirement programs.
• Flexible schedule options, including telework options for eligible positions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed