NOTE: This is an internal promotional opportunity for current Skagit County employees. Position is contingent upon grant funding and may be eliminated if grant funding is eliminated in the future.

The Transportation/Programs Section Manager is responsible for the program elements of Public Works Engineering. This includes the establishment and implementation of policies that ensure the most efficient management of the funds and workforce involved in the programs. This position directs the project development for County transportation projects from inception through completion and is responsible for managing all transportation assets including bridges, roadways, storm drainage facilities, and certain transportation activities, including traffic studies, traffic counts, funding, grant applications and reporting, and budget forecasting. This position requires an understanding of how demographic, political, economic, and cultural factors influence transportation programs, policies, and service delivery within Skagit County. Serves as Section Manager to accomplish departmental goals and objectives, as well as independently developing project plans for the Public Works department.

Ensure continued compliance with State and Federal-Aid programs and their requirements as they relate to Public Works and program development. File reports and follow regulations of State agencies to assure that state and federally funded projects are administered by the County in accordance with applicable rules and regulations, thereby ensuring the County retains eligibility for gas tax revenue and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Certification Acceptance (CA) status.

Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with governmental entities, resource agencies, Tribal Governments, and environmental organizations to negotiate and implement interlocal agreements and partnership projects, where appropriate, that deliver community services through shared funding strategies. Projects may include motorized and active transportation networks, transit systems, water resources, and surface water initiatives.

• Salary upon hire is in accordance with Skagit County promotion policy.
• Progressive increases are based on years of service with Skagit County, up to 10 total steps (top step $11,382.45/mo.). The Transportation/Programs Section Manager is range 31 of the General (non-union) salary schedule.

Programming and Planning: Direct Public Works programming and needs identification including the Transportation System Plan, Active Transportation Plan, 14-Year Ferry Plan, and the Six-Year Bridge Program. Prepare, implement, and oversee the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the Annual Construction Program, and the County Arterial Preservation Program. Annually present progress and provide updates to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) for consideration. Supervise the Skagit County Active Transportation Plan development and implementation. Contribute to the Transportation Element of the County’s Comprehensive Plan and assist Planning and Development Services staff with transportation issues and questions. Provide updates on programs and projects.

Direct management of the Gismo Database, the Transportation Programs Pavement Management Program, and the Vehicle Count Program. Supervise the Gismo/Geographic Information System (GIS) coordination project and County Road Administration Board (CRAB) reporting.

Assist in preparation and management of the Development Review, Design and Construction, and the Transportation/Programs Division annual budgets. Support six-year investment planning for transportation, safety, and mobility projects. Establish County Road Projects, manage job cost tracking, and monitor County Forces limits and required public notices.

Funding and Grants: Lead funding strategy and grant acquisition for roads, bridges, ferries, paving, and traffic safety projects; evaluate project eligibility, oversee grant applications, manage and report on state and federal funding allocations, and coordinate federal funding through WSDOT Highways and Local Programs to maintain Certification Acceptance (CA) status in collaboration with the Engineering, Operations, Ferry, and Natural Resource Divisions.

Compliance and Programs: Administer the Bridge Inspection and Maintenance Program, supervising engineering technicians and certified bridge inspectors. Supervise production and submitting the annual Bridge Report in compliance with WAC 136-20-060 to the BoCC and CRAB. Develop and administer the seismic preparedness Bridge Emergency Inspection Plan.

Direct management of County Road rights-of-way including permits, franchise agreements, vacations, road establishments, and annexations.

Coordination and Representation: Represent Skagit County on regional and state committees, including Skagit Council of Governments (SCOG) Technical Advisory Committee of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). As assigned, may serve as the County’s representative on the CRAB Northwest Region Rural Arterial Program committee presenting program and funding recommendations for the Rural Arterial Program (RAP) and Rural Arterial Trust Account (RATA) grant program.

Serve as the Public Works Title VI Coordinator ensuring non-discrimination provisions of Skagit County’s Title VI Plan are implemented within all sections of the Public Works Department. Oversee compliance activities and prepare required annual reports for the WSDOT, maintain the County’s eligibility for federal highway funding.

Respond to inquiries from the public regarding specific issues of project programming and funding of road, traffic safety, and paving projects.

Oversee the County’s compliance of Railroad Quiet Zones by coordinating with property owners, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), WSDOT Railway Office, and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad.

Work directly with the Operations Division’s Road District Supervisors to address signage and guardrail maintenance, traffic safety issues, and road drainage issues.

SUPERVISORY:

Supervise and direct the activities of the Transportation/Programs and Development Review Section’s assigned staff. May provide supervision of the Sign Shop staff as necessary. Assist in annual reviews of assigned staff.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

May be tasked with performing related duties. Related duties as required are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical path to obtaining the required qualifications would be:

• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, or Civil Engineering is strongly encouraged.

• Minimum of 5 or more years of progressively responsible experience required.

• Requires knowledge of transportation programming principles and methodologies; public engagement practices; effective communication and presentation techniques; and management practices including staff recruitment, supervision and performance evaluation.

• Experience in leading teams or projects through collaboration and/or management.

Requires knowledge of:

·Effective project management and documentation, contract administration, consultant management, research, grant acquisition and administration, programming methods development, work program development, and budgeting.

·Methods, policies, procedures, personnel practices, and organizational and functional structures of County government and Public Works, including relevant State and Federal policies, procedures and staff functions.

·Skagit County’s road system.

·Federal Title VI regulations and reporting requirements.

·General accounting principles, financial planning, and the ability to produce budgets for the road construction program, and transportation program planning.

·Grant applications and administration processes.

·Program development: plans, designs, and implements programs by identifying needs, setting goals, and evaluating outcomes.

·WSDOT Highway and Local Program’s process for project funding, contracting, and administration.

Requires the ability to:

·Support and coordinate multi-jurisdictional and cross-departmental efforts.

·Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

·Supervise a team of professionals.

·Use digital tools and technologies effectively, and learn new software and applications as required.

·Execute plans, resolve problems, and make independent decisions.

·Offer excellent customer service and respond to questions and requests promptly.

·Adapt to changing situations and priorities.

Licenses and/or Certifications:

·Valid Washington State driver’s license required

SELECTION PROCESS:

Following review of applications and resumes, the highest qualified applicants will be interviewed and may be tested. After a selection is made, all applicants not selected will be notified in writing. Skagit County reserves the right to use applications received for this posting to fill any other positions within this classification which may open within six months following the closing of this position.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination in its employment practices. American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice: Individuals, who need an ADA accommodation to complete the application, test or interview process, please call: (360) 416-1382.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.