Assistant Area Consultant Liaison Engineer (TE4)

About WSDOT The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity WSDOT is currently seeking a skilled Assistant Area Consultant Engineer (TE4) to join our team in Shoreline, WA. In this role, you will provide professional-level support to the Northwest Region Area Consultant Liaison Engineer (ACLE), helping ensure consultant contracts are successfully developed, awarded, and administered to support the delivery of vital transportation projects. You will play an important role in coordinating consultant procurement and selection, preparing and negotiating agreements, reviewing and editing contract documents, managing contract modifications, and overseeing agreement closeout in accordance with state and federal requirements.

Working closely with project teams and WSDOT’s Headquarters Contract Services Office, you will use your technical knowledge and independent judgment to keep projects and contract activities moving forward. You will also provide guidance to others and may step into a leadership or representative role for the Consultant Liaison Office in the ACLE’s absence, helping maintain consistent, reliable services across the Northwest Region and supporting other regions when needed.

What to Expect Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Area Consultant Engineer will: Support the Area Consultant Liaison Engineer (ACLE) in obtaining consultant services for the Northwest Region. Develop consultant requests for services, advertisements, and second-tier selections in accordance with state and federal regulations and WSDOT policies and procedures. Participate in and facilitate scope and fee negotiations for Architectural & Engineering (A&E) and Professional Services contracts.

Prepare consultant agreements, supplements, task orders, and related documents for review and signature. Monitor consultant contract compliance with Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Federal Small Business Enterprise (FSBE), and Minority, Small, Veteran, or Women Business Enterprise (MSVWBE) requirements and goals. Assist with providing guidance and training to regional staff and other Area Consultant Liaisons (ACLs) on consultant procurement processes and procedures.

Prepare negotiation notes, Letters of Authorization, and other contractual documents as needed. Coordinate and prepare correspondence related to consultant agreement negotiations, compliance, and contract administration. Qualifications To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required : Laws, Regulations, and Policy Compliance: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to interpret and apply applicable state, federal, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure contracts, procurements, agreements, and work products are compliant and legally defensible.

Contract Development and Procurement: Demonstrated experience developing, reviewing, and administering contracts and procurement activities in accordance with established requirements. This includes understanding procurement methods, contract structures, terms, conditions, responsibilities, performance expectations, and risk allocation. Contract Negotiation and Risk Assessment: Demonstrated ability to participate in and facilitate contract negotiations, evaluate proposed agreement language, identify potential risks, and communicate the implications of contract terms to decision-makers while protecting agency interests and maintaining productive business relationships.

Written and Verbal Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate complex contractual, technical, and regulatory information clearly and effectively through written, verbal, and graphical formats. This includes preparing accurate and professional correspondence, reports, agreements, and other contract documents for technical and non-technical audiences. Customer Service and Relationship Building: Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners, including customers, colleagues, consultant firms, project teams, and subject matter experts, to resolve issues and support project objectives.

Organization and Workload Management: Demonstrated ability to organize information, maintain accurate documentation, prioritize competing assignments, manage multiple deadlines, and adapt to changing work demands while maintaining accuracy, quality, and compliance. Technical Proficiency and Document Management: Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Office applications, Adobe Acrobat, and electronic document management systems to develop, review, organize, track, and maintain accurate contract and project documentation.

Training, Collaboration, and Knowledge Sharing: Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, share technical knowledge, provide guidance and training to others, and offer constructive feedback to improve work quality and organizational effectiveness. Quality Assurance and Confidentiality: Demonstrated ability to review work products for accuracy, completeness, and compliance while exercising sound judgment and protecting sensitive and confidential information in accordance with applicable legal and ethical requirements.

Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth. Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others. It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate: Contract Pricing and Cost Analysis: Experience reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting engineering consultant contract pricing, cost proposals, and supporting documentation to evaluate proposed costs and fees. Government Contracting and Regulatory Knowledge: Knowledge of government contracting practices, including applicable Revised Code of Washington (RCW), Washington Administrative Code (WAC), state and federal regulations, and various contract types.

WSDOT Consultant Contract Administration: Working knowledge of WSDOT's Consultant Services Manual, policies, procedures, and processes related to consultant procurement, contract development, negotiation, and agreement administration. Contract Administration Systems and Applications: Working knowledge of WSDOT applications used for contract and agreement administration, including TRAINS 4.0 and the Purchasing Specialist role, with an understanding of managing Delivery Orders (DO), Contracts (CT), and encumbrances.

Important Notes This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs. This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options. A flexible schedule, compressed work week, and/or telework will be considered at the incumbent’s request, subject to supervisory approval. 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 offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.

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 a choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information. How to Apply Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible. In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application: An attached Resume outlining (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. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment. Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed.

Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity. WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which 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.

All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the recruiter listed. 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 Contact Us For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at [email protected] . Please be sure to reference Assistant Area Consultant Engineer #12769 in the subject line.