About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure people and goods move safely and efficiently throughout the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT operates the largest ferry system in the nation, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and recently completed the world's widest tunneling project. 
 
The Opportunity
WSDOT’s Active Transportation Division is currently seeking a Transportation Planning Specialist 4 to serve as a GIS and Data Systems Specialist in Seattle, WA. This specialist will serve as the geospatial data development and data management lead for the division, and provide analytical support for capital projects, active transportation funding programs, and other programs serving active transportation users. The top candidate will also provide general geospatial and data analysis support to the Active Transportation Division including establishing and facilitating effective data storage and retrieval systems, consistent with lean data principles, industry best practices, and agency geospatial data standards. Additionally, this position will serve as the liaison to WSDOT’s Transportation Data and GIS Office (TDGO) and Technology Services Division (TSD) groups and as the agency’s trails and paths data coordinator.
 
What to Expect
This is a highly collaborative position, involving teams both inside and outside of the agency. The chosen candidate will have a central role in shaping active transportation data development and data management for the agency. Many tasks will require creative solutions and iterative approaches to both support ongoing agency work and to advance the state of practice with respect to active transportation data and geospatial analysis. Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the GIS and Data Systems Specialist will:

• Conduct GIS analyses and/or recommend analysis procedures. 
• Participate on WSDOT region capital projects teams as an active transportation geospatial data subject matter expert. 
• Implement geospatial methodologies critical to active transportation, including but not limited to methods developed for the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program (SWCC). 
• Coordinate with the WSDOT Transportation Safety and Systems Analysis Division (TSSAD) on active transportation safety data analysis efforts.
• Coordinate with staff within and outside of WSDOT with respect to analysis of ADA accessibility, alignment and coordination between the active transportation plan, ADA Transition Plan, asset management plan, and other relevant data sources, and reporting on progress and performance metrics with respect to accessible active transportation.
• Develop new enterprise active transportation data layers from existing datasets and new active transportation data from novel sources. 
• Support efforts to maintain trails/paths data of interest to the agency.
• Serve as active transportation liaison to TDGO and TSD.
• Prepare crash data and equity/environmental justice analysis for review by division staff within GIS. 
• Summarize a variety of active transportation data in maps by region and county.
• Provide GIS training as needed for active transportation specific activities performed by division staff and others. 
  Provide mapping support for division activities. 
• Serve as an active transportation data steward and/or provide support for data stewards that manage active transportation related datasets. 

Qualifications

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

• Bachelor's degree involving major study in transportation, geographic information systems, landscape architecture, environmental or urban, regional or land use planning, geography, engineering, public or business administration, economics or natural or physical sciences, information technology, data science, or another relevant field. 
• Two (2) years relevant experience conducting Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis of environmental issues and problems or other relevant topics (e.g., public health, housing, ADA accessibility) OR two (2) years of experience as an Associate Planner, Transportation Planning Specialist 3, or equivalent role at a public agency, non-governmental organization, or private consulting firm. A master's degree in transportation, landscape architecture, environmental or urban, regional or land use planning, public or business administration, geographic information systems, the physical sciences, or another relevant field may substitute for experience. 
• Two (2) years of experience working at least 50% time delivering GIS based services/products for use by others and demonstrated skills and experience applying GIS technologies, spatial data concepts, and cartographic principles.
• Experience working with Esri or other GIS software (ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS for Enterprise), specifically related to creation of data, web maps or configured applications in ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS for Enterprise. 
• Experience in the use of standard Microsoft Office products, including but not limited to: Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 
• Evidence of commitment to serving the public, particularly underserved and under-resourced communities, and advancing the intersection of equity and racial justice. 
• Ability to convey ideas, facts, and technical information orally and in writing using language the audience will best understand. 
• Ability to attend occasional meetings in person as needed to fulfill job responsibilities. 
• Ability to sit or stand at a desk for an extended period of time.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Training or experience with Python scripting language, R, Model Builder, or equivalent. 
• Certification as a Geographic Information System Professional (Geographic Information Systems Certification Institute https://www.gisci.org/).
• Completion of eight hours of Esri certified training within the past three years (on-line & self-directed courses are acceptable). 
• Training or experience with databases and SQL Server. 
• Experience with and an understanding of active transportation modes of travel. 
• Experience and knowledge of transportation and/or land use issues on a local, state, and/or national level affecting Black, Indigenous, and racialized people, people with disabilities, people living on a limited income, immigrant and refugee community members, and nondrivers. 
• Bilingual candidate preferred, particularly with competence in the languages identified in WSDOT’s Language Access Plan for statewide vital documents (Arabic, Chinese, Somali, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Russian). 
• Evidence of continuing education and/or relevant credentials such as coursework in data science or data analysis, computer programming, bicycle/pedestrian facilities planning or design courses, accessible design in the public right-of-way, Road Safety Professional certification, or other relevant education/credentials. 
• Knowledge and skills in document design; graphic design; technical writing; document usability and ADA accessibility standards; English grammar, punctuation, spelling, tone and diction; data use, design, analysis and presentation; print and electronic publishing. 
• Knowledge of style guides and ability to apply information and graphic design best practices. 

Important Notes 

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options. The official duty station and/or frequency of telework for this position will be determined based on candidate preference and overall business needs.
• The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County. 
  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 Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code. 
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Why WSDOT 

• Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including telework options for eligible positions.  
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.  
• Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.