Description

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 is currently seeking an Assistant Secretary for Finance and Administrative Services in Olympia, WA. Reporting to the Deputy Secretary, this position directly supervises three (3) division directors and the Principal Financial Officer, with four (4) additional directors reporting upline. The Assistant Secretary for Finance and Administrative Services has responsibilities encompassing various financial, legal, labor, human resources, compliance, and administrative services. This position directly leads and influences the work of division directors who collectively manage a budget of approximately $207,000,000 and over 500 FTEs. In addition, the Assistant Secretary is WSDOT’s primary liaison and contact to the Attorney General’s Office, the DES Director of Risk Management, and the OFM Labor Relations Office for all legal and compliance issues. The Assistant Secretary provides leadership, direction, and support as part of the agency’s executive management team, impacting all WSDOT employees statewide.

What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Secretary of Finance and Administrative Services will:

• 
  Foster a work environment that promotes the agency’s mission and strategic direction by planning, leading, organizing, and influencing the work performed by the divisions.
• Support the agency’s strategic plan in human resources, safety, clerical/administrative functions, fiscal/budget matters, business support functions, public disclosure, risk management, and information technology.
• Ensure statewide programs and protocols are consistently applied across the agency and in alignment with agency values and expectations.
• Provide management direction and guidance to WSDOT's executive team to help solve emerging day-to-day issues and strategic initiatives in budget/financial/fiscal, labor, risk, safety, information technology, business support, and other areas toward a successful resolution.
• Provide ongoing leadership direction and management for implementing statewide injunctions and Federal and State mandates.
• Work closely with the other Assistant Secretaries, Deputies, and Division Directors to coordinate and administer policies and determine and provide direction for coordination and implementation of business process, performance, and budgeting efforts necessary to preserve and enhance the statewide transportation system.
• Ensure coordination and consistency of agency best practices in collective bargaining, information technology, ethics, diversity, personnel administration, and investigations.
• Initiate and manage investigations into employee misconduct or ethics violations.

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

• Significant experience managing agency administrative operations, including human resources, safety, information technology, risk management, legal services, process improvement, business and workflow processes, and budget and accounting practices.
• Experience in strategic leadership, precise communication, effective negotiation, and persuasive advocacy, including translating strategic plans into details, goals, objectives, and business processes.
• Substantive understanding of government operations, including legislative processes, budget creation, and administration and project/program delivery processes.
• Extensive experience at the senior management level, including the management of other managers.
• Proven ability to develop staff and lead others by effectively coaching, mentoring, and training based on agency or organization mission, goals, and objectives.
• Ability to engage various stakeholders through advanced communication skills, including communicating complex information to diverse technical and nontechnical groups.
• Effective management practices with proven leadership and strategic planning principles in promoting, implementing, and encouraging continuous improvement and change.
• Knowledge of state government laws and regulations and experience with finance, budget, and programming procedures for a large agency.
• Ability to make critical decisions with few prescribed or established approaches with substantive experience in mediating issues.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have the following:

• Ten (10) or more years of experience managing agency administrative operations, including human resources, safety, information technology, risk management, legal services, process improvement, business and workflow processes, and budget and accounting practices.
• Degree in Public Policy, Finance, Business, or equivalent experience.
• Complete working knowledge of WSDOT's organization, strategic plan, budgets, and accountabilities.
• Significant experience in leading diverse teams delivering professional and superior public services.
• Transportation expertise to include multimodal systems, land use, policy, community, and economic development.
• Experience in labor negotiations and organizational management.

• To review the full Position Description, don't hesitate to contact the recruiter in the Contact Us section of this posting.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This high-level executive position may occasionally speak or act for the Secretary. The incumbent must successfully build coalitions, establish partnerships, create constituent support, and influence public opinion on issues vital to a successful project and program delivery. In addition, there is always the potential for media exposure and planned or spontaneous interaction with elected and appointed officials from the local, state, and federal governments. Constituent and stakeholder interaction will occur regularly.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• Working extra hours on weekends, holidays, and evenings is often normal for a position at this level.
• This position requires traveling overnight to different locations within the region, state, and nation, and some limited out-of-country travel.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 357-16-197 mandates that all employees who work for executive cabinet agencies (which includes the Department of Transportation) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Compliance with this mandate is a condition of employment with WSDOT. An exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes; however, accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov
• 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.

Why WSDOT

• Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensuring that our staff experiences the reward of public service while sustaining a routine that suits each individual’s lifestyle.
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees earn a minimum of 14 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 federal student loan forgiveness eligibility.
• Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes various healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine your salary. Therefore, the “Work Experience” portion of the application must be completed in as much detail as possible.
To be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlines (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. NOTE: This information may be entered in the “References” section of the online application; it does not require an additional attachment.

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to sign in or create an account. This step is required to apply for this opportunity.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment where all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam-era veterans, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process or needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.

Contact us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Yasmin Munoz, at MunozY@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 22DOT-HQ- 0E028 in the subject line.