Program Manager Jobs in Olympia, WA

Description

The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. It will be in your best interest to apply as soon as possible. First reviews of applications will begin on 7/9/26.

About WTSC

Want to join a great team and do work that saves lives and helps make Washington’s roadways the safest in the nation? The Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) is a national leader in traffic safety. Our small agency manages Washington’s behavioral traffic safety programs, having a direct impact on preventing impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding, and other high-risk behaviors that lead to traffic deaths and injuries. The WTSC also maintains the official database of Washington’s fatal traffic crashes.

• Our Vision: A Washington where we all work together to travel safely on our roadways.
• Our Mission: We connect communities and Tribal Nations with resources to build a positive traffic safety culture.
• Target Zero: WTSC collaborates with Tribal Nations, communities, partners, and other state agencies to achieve Target Zero – Washington State’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan of zero deaths and zero serious injuries by 2030.

The Opportunity

WTSC is seeking a Program Manager to lead the Commercial Trucking Safety Program. This will entail immediately working to convene a brand new 12-member council that will recommend initiatives to improve the safety of the commercial truck industry. This Program Manager will work with the council to examine crash trends and evidence-based best practices in driver education, improved regulatory compliance, industry training, and educational programs to design and deploy interventions to improve the safe movement of goods on Washington State Highways. This position will also supervise two administrative staff.

What to Expect

The Programs and Services Division is responsible for managing priority programs focused on improving roadway safety in Washington State. This is done by providing grant funding to a variety of partners and projects that strive to shape Washington’s culture by deterring high risk behaviors and growing positive norms. The WTSC takes a public health approach in the development of its grant portfolios, using data and community input to guide grant investments.

Highlights of what you'll do:

As the Program Manager for the Commercial Truck Safety and Education Program, you will lead the development and implementation of Washington’s new Commercial Truck Safety Program established under House Bill 2410. In this role, you will support the Washington State Commercial Truck Safety Council and work with representatives from the trucking industry, labor, state agencies, community and technical colleges, and the public to recommend and implement programs and projects that improve commercial truck safety. You will develop and manage a portfolio of initiatives focused on training, research, public education, and grant-making, and oversee the use of dedicated state funds to advance the Council’s priorities. You will collaborate closely with agency leadership, data and research staff, and policymakers to identify safety challenges, design evidence-based solutions, and establish new interventions where needed. Your individual efforts will be amplified through a shared management approach that values trust, diverse perspectives, respectful communication, personal accountability, and healthy team dynamics. Your work will require understanding and interpreting statutes, regulations, and administrative requirements while building productive relationships across government, industry, labor, and education. Because of the scope and significance of this work, we are seeking a creative and committed professional with strong administrative, communication, facilitation, and program management skills, someone who thrives both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Duties

Some of what you will enjoy doing:

• Hire and supervise program and administrative staff to support the work of the Commercial Trucking Safety Program.
• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing management of Washington State’s Commercial Truck Safety and Education Program.
• Provide staff support to the Washington State Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council, including coordinating meetings, preparing agendas and materials, documenting recommendations, and tracking follow-up actions.
• Work with Council members and stakeholders to identify commercial truck safety issues and develop programs and projects that improve driver training, industry safety practices, and public awareness.
• Develop and manage grants, vendor contracts, and interagency agreements that support commercial truck safety, education, research, and outreach initiatives.
• Oversee expenditures from the Commercial Truck Safety and Education Account and ensure funds are used in accordance with statutory requirements and agency policies.
• Research and analyze state and national best practices, laws, regulations, and emerging trends related to commercial motor vehicle safety and workforce development.
• Collaborate with staff from the Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, Department of Transportation, Workforce Training and Education Coordination Board, community and technical colleges, labor organizations, and trucking industry representatives.
• Develop program plans, scopes of work, budgets, and performance measures to guide and evaluate funded projects.
• Monitor contracts and grants to ensure compliance with program requirements, timely deliverables, and measurable outcomes.
• Prepare reports, briefing materials, presentations, and legislative updates regarding Council activities, program accomplishments, and funding.
• Coordinate the preparation of the Council’s annual report to the Transportation Committees of the Washington State Legislature.
• Facilitate meetings and discussions among stakeholders with diverse interests and perspectives to build consensus and advance shared safety goals.
• Analyze data and research to identify trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and recommend improvements.

Qualifications

Required:

To be considered for this opportunity, a candidate to possess one (1) of the following experience and/or education combination options:

Option 1:

• Nine (9) years of combined related experience and/or experience.
• Qualifying experience will be in administering state and federal grants, negotiating contracts and amendments, and/or managing public health or injury prevention programs.
• Qualifying education will be in public administration, business administration, transportation, public policy, organizational leadership, project or program management, public safety, logistics, or a closely related field.

Option 2: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, transportation, public policy, organizational leadership, project or program management, public safety, logistics, or a closely related field; AND
- Five (5) years of experience administering state and federal grants, negotiating contracts and amendments, and/or managing public health or injury prevention programs.

Option 3: Master's degree in public administration, business administration, transportation, public policy, organizational leadership, project or program management, public safety, logistics, or a closely related field; AND
- Three (3) years of experience administering state and federal grants, negotiating contracts and amendments, and/or managing public health or injury prevention programs.

NOTE: Years of relevant work experience may substitute required education, year-for-year.

Desired:

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Experience hiring, supervising, coaching, and developing employees.
• Experience facilitating boards, councils, advisory groups, or multi-stakeholder committees.
• Experience developing, launching, or managing new programs or initiatives.
• Experience managing procurements, contracts, or grant-funded projects.
• Experience with federal grant management.
• Experience building consensus and facilitating collaboration among stakeholders with differing perspectives.
• Experience designing, implementing, or evaluating pilot projects or innovative initiatives.
• Experience presenting recommendations or program information to executive leadership, governing boards, or elected officials.
• Experience in transportation, commercial vehicle safety, freight, logistics, public safety, or related fields.
• Experience applying public health, injury prevention, behavioral science, or other evidence-based approaches to program development and evaluation.

Competencies:

• Critical Thinking
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Professionalism
• Writing
• Innovation
• Servant Leadership
• Attention to Detail
• Decision Making / Judgment
• Program Management
• Washington for All: The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• Washington for All: The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Supplemental Information

Important Notes

• WTSC offers flexible/hybrid work options.
• This position is eligible to telework full time after the first 6 months.
• In the first six months, this position may telework up to four days over a two-week period.
• This position is expected to be in the office a minimum of two days a week on the same days as their administrative employees while they are within their first six months.
• The WTSC office is located in Olympia, Washington.
• Regular office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Flexible and/or compressed workweek schedules are considered depending on the position.

Why WTSC

What makes WTSC a great place to work? We save lives!

• We create a positive organizational culture focused on inclusion and diversity.
• We use data-informed decision making to identify disparities, reduce barriers, and promote equitable opportunities and outcomes, internally and externally.
• We are committed to the health, safety, and wellness of our staff.
• Our leadership empowers and supports employees.
• We offer and support family-friendly mobile and flexible work schedule opportunities for most positions, as well as an infant at work program.
• We value and offer mentorship and training opportunities to develop your professional skills.
• Our office is located just minutes from the Capital campus.
• Check out the benefits offered by the state of Washington.

How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Electronic submission of applications materials will act as confirmation that the information submitted is complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section or supplemental questions of the application. Please do not state “refer to resume” for detail, or your application may be disqualified.

Please include the following with your online application:

- A resume outlining your experience to date.
- A letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting.
- Contact details for three (3) professional references who can attest to your work performance, skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application and does not need to be submitted as a separate attachment.

Opportunity for All

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact George Deguzman at george.deguzman@des.wa.gov or email jobs@des.wa.gov.