Passenger Rail Program Manager (WMS3)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Lacey, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a strategic and collaborative Passenger Rail Program Manager to lead the Department’s Intercity Passenger Rail Program within the Rail, Freight, and Ports Division. This position oversees program and budget management for the rail portfolio, delivery of Amtrak Cascades service, manages complex operating agreements, contracts, state-owned rail assets, and multimodal partnerships, and leads a team of four professionals dedicated to advancing passenger rail across the Pacific Northwest. In this role, you will shape the future of passenger rail by developing operational strategies, guiding major investments, overseeing a multimillion-dollar operating program, and building strong partnerships with Amtrak, host railroads, business development, neighboring states, federal agencies, and local stakeholders. Your leadership will help deliver safe, reliable, and customer-focused transportation options that support economic vitality, environmental stewardship, and mobility throughout Washington and the Pacific Northwest.

Requirements

Relationship Building and Collaboration: Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others; builds and maintains trusted partnerships through open communication, collaboration, respect for diverse perspectives, and sound judgment while maintaining confidentiality.
Self-Reflection and Adaptability: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth; demonstrates self-awareness, embraces learning, and adapts to changing priorities by developing innovative solutions.
Rail Operations and Infrastructure Knowledge: Demonstrates knowledge of passenger and freight rail operations, modal connectivity, transportation infrastructure, and applicable state and federal rail processes, legislation, regulations, and administrative procedures.
Contract Management and Compliance: Applies knowledge of contract structure, legal requirements, compliance monitoring, quality assurance, and risk management to administer complex agreements.
Program and Strategic Management: Develops operational strategies, establishes measurable goals, monitors program performance, allocates resources effectively, and adjusts priorities to achieve organizational objectives.
Fiscal & Budgetary Expertise: 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.
Financial Analysis and Risk Management: Demonstrated capacity to evaluate financial information, interprets complex public funding strategies, assesses organizational risk, and supports sound investment decisions.
Tact, Diplomacy, and Public Leadership: Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills to communicate effectively with division staff, executive leaders, elected officials, partner agencies, stakeholders, and the public while navigating complex or sensitive issues.
A valid driver's license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
Ability to travel throughout Washington, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and nationally as needed to support program operations and represent WSDOT.

Nice To Haves

Public Transit or Passenger Rail Program Management: Experience leading or delivering public transit or passenger rail programs at the local, regional, state, or federal level.
Transportation Policy and Strategic Planning: Knowledge of strategic planning, public policy, public administration, and economics within a transportation environment.
Public Marketing and Customer Relations: Familiarity with public-sector marketing, advertising, and customer engagement strategies supporting transit systems.
Transportation Grant Administration: Experience administering state or federal transportation grant programs and associated compliance requirements.
Rolling Stock and Asset Management: 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, and portfolio program management legislative reporting. Including developing operating budgets, investment strategies, federal grant applications, consultant contracts, and procurement activities supporting passenger rail operations.
Manage Amtrak Cascades operating and maintenance agreements, monitor contract performance, and ensure regulatory and contractual compliance.
Represent WSDOT as the lead ambassador and subject matter expert for intercity passenger rail initiatives across local, state, and multistate forums.
Represent WSDOT on national and regional passenger rail committees while ensuring 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 of 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 while developing staff and strengthening organizational effectiveness.