Transportation Planning Specialist 5 | FMSIB

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) is seeking to fill a Transportation Planning Specialist 5 vacancy in Olympia, WA. This position reports to the Executive Director and will establish budget and policy recommendations for the Legislative Transportation Committees, Office of Financial Management, and Washington Governor. The role serves as the subject matter expert for FMSIB’s six-year investment plan recommendations, freight mobility studies, identification of emerging freight mobility issues, and feedback on freight mobility plans and funding opportunities. The position will work independently with Executive Director guidance to develop common procedures and practices for identifying strategic freight mobility priorities for the Board to recommend to the Governor and Legislature. Exceptional communication skills are essential for coordinating efforts with tribes, WSDOT, regional planning organizations, cities, counties, ports, freight industry stakeholders, and communities.

Requirements

Demonstrated knowledge of transportation planning, engineering, business administration, or a closely related field, with the ability to apply advanced principles, analytical techniques, and professional judgment to support transportation programs, policies, and projects.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex planning initiatives, analyzing transportation issues, develop strategic recommendations, coordinate with diverse stakeholders, interpret applicable laws, regulations, and policies, and make decisions that support organizational and statewide transportation objectives.
Experience conducting research on freight mobility projects and issues, providing technical assistance and guidance on transportation project needs: design, construction, environmental, financing, etc.
Experience with GIS, digital communications, and transportation planning software.
Intermediate skill level using Microsoft Excel.
Skills to work with diverse groups and to act as a liaison between FMSIB, tribes, fellow state agencies, transportation planning organizations, cities, counties, ports, and freight mobility partners.
Skills and experience communicating effectively in written and verbal form to diverse audiences.
Excellent writing skills.
Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
Takes action to meet the needs of others.

Nice To Haves

Extensive experience in transportation project planning.
Experience in technical expertise in surface transportation issues.
Strong background in grant program administration, funding, and project management.
Thorough knowledge of Washington State statutes and administrative codes.
Thorough knowledge of the State’s fiscal and business climate and the revenue used to finance state transportation.
Ability to develop policy and manage complex transportation programs.
Experience working with Board members that represent different interests.
Knowledge of the Washington State road and transportation system and knowledge of Washington’s legislative process.

Responsibilities

Oversee projects, studies, and research to develop and administer a six-year investment plan for priority freight-mobility projects statewide.
Manage the process established by the Board for recommending an investment program, with input from local governments, transportation planning organizations, tribes, and other public entities.
Develop the investment program to be consistent with the federally recognized state freight plan.
Provide analysis of prospective investment projects and metrics for evaluation by the Board.
Manage project studies involving Washington’s freight, highway, rail, trucking, port, and maritime transportation needs to improve transportation infrastructure and facilitate these operations.
Conduct research and outreach to identify prospective projects for the investment plan.
Marshal information statewide while using GIS, digital communication, and transportation software.
Research advanced multimodal analyses of freight projects for inclusion within the six-year investment plan that aligns with the transition to zero-emissions freight movement corridors.
Conduct research on strategies, tools, and metrics for the freight sector to achieve zero-emissions consistent with state policy.
Assist the Executive Director in developing the scopes of work for studies, evaluating proposals, coordinating with study consultants, monitoring progress on deliverables, and providing status reports to the Board.
Use spreadsheets, GIS, and other digital technology to facilitate information standardization, sharing, and communication.