Chief Operating Officer Jobs in Washington

Description

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!

Washington State Ferries (WSF) is an essential part of Washington's transportation network. Every year, we carry nearly 20 million passengers across Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands on more than 400 sailings a day. Our dedicated teams with over 2,100 people work together to serve our communities and shape the future of ferry travel.

The Opportunity

WSF, a division of WSDOT, is currently seeking a Deputy Director to serve as an integral member of the executive leadership team and help guide strategic initiatives across WSF’s operational sectors. This senior leadership role provides system-wide direction focused on workforce development, operational readiness, and reliable service delivery while promoting consistent application of policies, procedures, and operational standards. The Deputy Director strengthens WSF’s ability to maintain a highly qualified and prepared workforce while fostering a culture grounded in WSF’s values of Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate. Through collaborative leadership and strategic oversight, this position plays a vital role in advancing safe, efficient, customer-focused ferry operations and ensuring dependable transportation service for the communities and traveling public WSF serves.

As we navigate a once-in-a-generation transformation to decarbonize our system — guided by our core values Serve, Respect, Trust, Grow Navigate, and bold strategic priorities Service Excellence, Improved Communication and Empowered People — there’s never been a more meaningful time to come aboard at Washington State Ferries.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the Deputy Director of Marine Operations will:

• Direct and monitor marine operations across WSF terminals and vessels to support safe, reliable, efficient, and customer-focused service; develop and implement operational policies, SOPs, and service delivery strategies.
• Ensure safety and regulatory compliance with WSF’s Safety Management System, USCG requirements, state and federal regulations, and industry best practices; oversee incident trends, corrective actions, and safety initiatives.
• Lead workforce planning and development for Marine Operations, including staffing, recruitment, training, succession planning, performance management, coaching, recognition, and progressive discipline.
• Lead labor relations activities, including collective bargaining, grievance resolution, labor-management meetings, and administration of collective bargaining agreements in partnership with HR, unions, and OFM.
• Support strategic and financial planning, including operating and capital budgets, expenditure monitoring, financial controls, resource allocation, and stewardship of public funds.
• Drive business process improvement and organizational change using Lean principles, technology, data, and change management practices to strengthen operational efficiency and service delivery.
• Provide strategic leadership and collaboration across WSF, fostering accountability, effective communication, continuous improvement, and a respectful and inclusive organizational culture.
• Support emergency response and legal compliance, including assigned Incident Command System (ICS) responsibilities, Public Disclosure Requests, litigation holds, and coordination with the Attorney General’s Office.
• Uphold WSF’s strategic priorities (Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People) and values (Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate), ensuring they are embedded in WSF’s culture through leadership actions

Qualifications

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

• Growth Mindset
  • Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning, adapting, and improving operational practices. Applies feedback, embraces new approaches, and supports continuous improvement across vessel and terminal operations.
• Service-Oriented
  • Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of customers, employees, and partners. Maintains a customer-first mindset in decisions affecting ferry service reliability and workforce support.

Operational Leadership Competencies

• Operational Decision-Making
  • Ability to make timely, sound decisions in a complex, high-risk marine transportation environment. Applies judgment during service disruptions, emergencies, and staffing shortages to maintain safe and reliable ferry service.
• Systems Thinking
  • Understands how vessel operations, terminal operations, crewing, maintenance, safety, and finance interconnect. Anticipates downstream impacts and aligns decisions with system-wide performance goals.
  • Ability to operate within the Incident Command System (ICS), support emergency response activities, and maintain continuity of operations during critical incidents. Demonstrates readiness to work extended hours when needed.
• Policy Development & Implementation
  • Ability to develop, interpret, and implement policies that guide vessel and terminal operations. Ensures policies are clear, actionable, and aligned with regulatory requirements and organizational goals.

People Leadership Competencies

• Workforce Development
  • Ability to assess staffing needs, support recruitment and retention strategies, and develop succession plans. Demonstrates skill in coaching, mentoring, and developing leaders across diverse operational teams.
• Labor Relations & Collaboration
  • Ability to build constructive relationships with labor partners, participate in negotiations, resolve grievances, and uphold collective bargaining agreements. Communicates with transparency and respect.
• Team Leadership & Engagement
  • Ability to lead large, distributed teams across vessels, terminals, dispatch, and operations centers. Fosters accountability, integrity, and a culture of safety, inclusion, and customer service.

Communication & Stakeholder Competencies

• Executive Communication
  • Ability to communicate complex operational issues clearly to executives, legislators, union partners, media, and the public. Tailors messages to diverse audiences and maintains professionalism under pressure.
• Stakeholder Partnership
  • Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners, including engineering, finance, safety, HR, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders. Builds trust and alignment across functions.

Operational Management Competencies

• Budget Stewardship
  • Ability to manage operational budgets, monitor expenditures, and apply fiscal discipline. Uses data and reporting tools to support decision-making and ensure responsible use of public funds.
• Process Improvement & Change Management
  • Ability to identify inefficiencies, apply Lean principles, and lead change initiatives. Supports adoption of new processes, technologies, and organizational practices.
• Safety Leadership
  • Ability to interpret safety data, support investigations, verify corrective actions, and reinforce a safety-first culture across vessels and terminals.
  • Obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Card within 3 months of employment.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Maritime or High-Tempo Operations Experience
  • Experience leading in high-risk, 24/7 operational environments such as maritime, military, transportation, or emergency response systems. Demonstrated ability to maintain service continuity, manage emergent issues, and operate effectively under pressure.
• Systems Building & Organizational Modernization
  • Ability to design, modernize, and strengthen operational systems, including workflows, SOPs, training pipelines, and cross-functional coordination. Experience building scalable structures that improve reliability, accountability, and workforce readiness.
• Leadership Development & Team Capability Building
  • Skill in assessing team strengths and gaps, developing supervisors and managers, and elevating a workforce into a modernized leadership cadre. Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and empower diverse teams to adopt new tools, technologies, and management practices.
• Continuous Improvement & Change Leadership
  • Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, or other process-improvement methodologies to strengthen operational performance. Ability to lead change in legacy environments, reduce inefficiencies, and foster a culture of innovation and learning.
• Data Literacy & Operational Analytics
  • Ability to interpret operational data, performance metrics, and financial reports to guide decisions. Experience using tools such as Excel, Power BI, enterprise resource planning, or similar systems to improve transparency, reporting, and decision-making.
• Hands-On Operational Leadership
  • Demonstrated ability to engage directly with vessel crews, terminal staff, dispatch, and maintenance teams. Comfortable working in field environments and building trust through presence, communication, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Creative Problem-Solving & Get-to-Yes Mindset
  • Ability to generate innovative solutions, navigate constraints, and approach challenges with creativity and tenacity. Demonstrates a results-oriented mindset focused on enabling safe, reliable service delivery.
• Diverse Backgrounds, Perspectives, and Experiences
  • Experience working effectively with individuals and teams from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences. Demonstrated ability to foster inclusion, psychological safety, and equitable workforce development.
• Regulatory & Maritime Familiarity
  • Familiarity with USCG regulations, maritime credentialing requirements, vessel operations, or maintenance environments. Experience applying regulatory frameworks to operational decision-making.
• Public Sector or Military Leadership
  • Experience leading in structured, high-accountability environments such as military, municipal, state, or federal systems. Demonstrated ability to navigate policy, governance, and multi-stakeholder coordination.

Important Notes

• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• 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 357-28of 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 are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• 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 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 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 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 listed Recruiter.

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

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