Description
About the Washington State Transportation Commission
The Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) provides an open public forum for transportation policy development. It reviews and assesses how the entire transportation system works across the state, advises the Legislature and the Governor, and issues the state’s 20-year Transportation Plan. As the State Tolling Authority, the WSTC sets tolls for state highways and bridges, and fares for Washington State Ferries. The WSTC also conducts specialized studies at the direction of the Legislature.

The Opportunity
The Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) is looking to fill a critically essential role within the organization. The Senior Policy Analyst is responsible for formulating WSTC policy guidance and recommendations to be provided to the Governor and Legislature, and managing internal and external work on long-range transportation planning and transportation policy recommendations. In addition, the successful candidate will lead and coordinate all WSTC meeting agendas, agency communications with state agencies and the Legislature on policy matters, and the development of the WSTC’s annual report to the Governor, Legislature and OFM.

What to Expect
This position serves in the capacity of a senior member of the WSTC staff. The Senior Policy Analyst will manage transportation policy development, lead periodic updates of the Washington Transportation Plan, lead the development of all WSTC meeting agenda, conduct extensive policy research, and draft and manage the development of the WSTC’s annual report to the legislature, among other high level responsibilities.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Senior Policy Analyst will:

• Lead the development of the WSTC’s formulation of its policy recommendations to the Governor and Legislature.
• Lead and manage the WSTC’s outreach and education program which includes drafting press releases, posting information on the WSTC web site and social media accounts, doing interviews with media outlets, etc.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with transportation partners at the local and regional level, including cities, counties, tribal governments, transit agencies, ports, associations representing local governments, and private sector transportation providers, such as railroads.
• Develop and coordinate the WSTC’s 11 meeting agendas per year, both in Olympia and in localities across the state. This work involves developing WSTC meeting agendas in collaboration with the Executive Director and the WSTC Chair and includes reaching out to presenters, setting forth expectations, and advising on presentation content and focus.
• Conduct ongoing research on statewide, national, and federal activities and efforts related to transportation policy, finance, programs, regulations, etc. to ensure the maximization of information provided to the WSTC to inform its decision making, advisement, perspective, and knowledge base.
• Lead and manage the periodic update process of the Washington Transportation Plan, which is the state’s 20 year plan for transportation. The plan must be updated every four years, with the update process taking approximately 1.5-2 years.
• Lead and manage the Washington Transportation Plan website, including updating content and information as needed as part of an ongoing effort to review and assess how the entire transportation system works across the state and communicating this information for general public consumption, education, and information.
• Review, analyze and brief the WSTC and Executive Director on all legislative bills, and budget documents, assessing their impact on the agency, statewide transportation policy, finance or revenue, and formulating a response or providing testimony.
• Manage the WSTC’s social media accounts and lead the posting of new information of public interest.

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

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy/ administration, political science, business administration or a related field.
• At least five (5) years of experience in policy formulation, research, development and interpretation.
• Excellent communications, interpersonal, team building and influencing skills.
• Experience in strategic planning, senior management and budgeting.
• Familiarity with the Legislature and Executive Branch structures and intergovernmental relationships.
• Ability to travel throughout the state for meetings and presentations when needed.
• Ability to work long hours during legislative session and occasionally throughout the rest of the year when needed.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Law degree or Master’s degree in one of the above mentioned fields.
• Experience working for or with a Commission or Board of Directors, either elected or appointed.
• Significant experience developing and analyzing legislation and testifying before the Legislature.
• Strong creative and innovative leadership skills and problem solving skills, with demonstrable capabilities of portraying the big picture while identifying details necessary to succeed.
• Strong prior experience in transportation policy, economic development, and land use policy.

Important Notes
Occasional work on weekends and/or holidays may be required to complete the duties of this position. Also, occasional in-state travel will be necessary as well.

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.

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.

WSTC 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. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities 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 listed Recruiter.

WSTC does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Contact us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Eirik Landes at landese@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 20WSTC-E006 in the subject line.