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 seeking a Transportation Planning Specialist 3 to serve as the Megaprograms Cultural Resources Specialist within the Megaprograms Division. This position provides archaeological monitoring and fieldwork assistance to projects requiring on-site support. The incumbent acts as a technical specialist on cultural resources issues and supports the Megaprograms Cultural Resources Lead. In addition, this position supports Washington State Ferries with regulatory compliance related to cultural resources as required by federal, state, and agency regulations and in coordination with various federal agencies.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Megaprograms Cultural Resources Specialist will:
Provide archaeological monitoring and fieldwork assistance to projects requiring on-site support.
Conduct cultural resources field surveys in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Coordinate with construction teams to track project schedules and determine adequate and timely field support.
Prepare reports summarizing monitoring and fieldwork activities.
Record and evaluate cultural resources for regulatory compliance requirements.
Support cultural resource identification efforts, including cataloging, analyzing artifacts, and authoring archaeological site forms.
Assist in determining Areas of Potential Effect and the need for in-depth archaeological and/or historical studies, reviewing environmental documents and transportation facility designs for cultural resources management issues.
Support Washington State Ferries with regulatory compliance related to cultural resources.
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:
Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or closely related field with specialized training in archeological research, including an archaeological field school course; and at least 12 months of supervised field and analytic experience in archaeology.
40-hour HAZWOPER certification (current with refresher) or acquire within six months.
Experience with archaeological monitoring during construction.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Knowledge of:
Laws and regulations pertaining to compliance with National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 and Executive Order 21-02.
Pacific Northwest archaeology, cultural history, and ethnography.
Procedures to conduct archaeological fieldwork, including survey, testing, and recording
Ability to:
Work in uneven and steep terrain, highway right-of-way, and all-weather conditions typical to the State of Washington.
Coordinate multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
Bend and reach to excavate soil tests, retrieve artifacts, samples, and equipment, and lift 25 lbs.
Work in multicultural settings and with multiple stakeholder groups in a cooperative manner.
Work effectively as part of a program team to effectively communicate, interact, and coordinate work activities with team members.
Interact effectively with the public in a variety of situations.
Understand and interpret written material, including laws, rules, regulations, and research documents.
Conduct archival research, review, and produce technical reports per scope and schedule.
Generate information to be compiled into reports and/or plans from sources such as field reviews.
Calculate basic mathematic functions, such as areas, percentages, add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
Use a PC to evaluate data, prepare and generate reports, use databases, and prepare Word documents.
Communicate effectively in English over the phone, in writing, and in person.
Perform job functions working in demanding and high-stress situations.
Determine, establish, and maintain effective work methods and schedules, keeping within budget, personnel, and equipment constraints.
Attend meetings both on and offsite.
Operate a vehicle and travel to and from field visits and meetings by car with occasional overnight stays.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also have the following:
Master’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
Skills in ArcGIS, including basic functions such as managing simple data sets, generating maps, and maintaining and updating database systems.
Photography and working familiarity with image process software such as Photoshop for inclusion in technical reports.
*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 position is eligible for remote work up to 40%, per supervisor approval.
The salary listed includes the legislative-approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County and a general wage increase of 3.25% effective on July 1, 2022.
Exposure to hazards includes those commonly found in office environments, including hazards commonly found on highway construction sites and undeveloped field sites.
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
Why WSDOT
Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensuring that our staff experience 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.
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 [email protected] Please be sure to reference 22DOT-HQ-04742 in the subject line.