Operational Risk Manager Jobs in Olympia, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $122,400.00 - $149,724.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26DOT-HQ-0W386
Department: Dept. of Transportation
Division: Headquarters
Opening Date: 08/06/2026
Closing Date: 8/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
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!
The Opportunity
WSDOT is seeking a collaborative and strategic leader to serve as the Public Transportation Division's (PTD) Grants & Community Partnerships Manager. Reporting to the Deputy Director, this position provides leadership and direction for four integrated program areas Community & Organizational Engagement, Grants, Community Transportation Planning, and Intercity Bus overseeing statewide public transportation grant programs, community partnerships, compliance, planning, and intercity bus services. This role works closely with internal and external partners to strengthen public transportation systems across Washington by advancing equitable community engagement, ensuring accountability for state and federal funding, supporting regulatory compliance, and improving access to reliable transportation for communities throughout the state. As a member of the division's management team, this position helps shape division strategy, fosters organizational culture, and supports WSDOT's mission to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation options that strengthen communities and promote economic vitality.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Grants & Community Partnerships Manager will:

• Oversee the grant making and award process of over 300 grants and contracts totaling more than $650 million per biennium.
• Oversee the monitoring and compliance process for over 100 operating grants and contracts totaling more than $300 million per biennium.
• Develop policy and procedures that have statewide impact for the completion of transit projects funded by local, state and federal government.
• Establish policies, methods and procedures for the oversight of local agency projects.
• Manage staff providing project oversite for public transportation projects across the state; supervise staff overseeing public transportation projects across the state.
• Develop strategies for long term implementation of grantmaking, community and organizational engagement, compliance and oversight of operating grants, and intercity bus operations.
• Develop contract administration and oversight requirements for projects funded through WSDOT.
• Provide state-wide direction and leadership on grantmaking, community and organizational engagement, compliance and oversight of operating grants, and intercity bus operations
• Use risk management techniques to establish the state role in grantmaking, community and organizational engagement, compliance and oversight of operating grants, and intercity bus operations and mitigate the state's liability.

Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:
Leadership and Organizational Development

• Experience establishing partnerships, building teamwork and trust, and maintaining effective working relationships inside and outside the department and the ability to influence people and coach, mentor, and develop staff.
• Experience creating an environment that encourages innovation, appropriate risk taking and focused entrepreneurial action.
• Skills to plan and support the development of an individual's skills and abilities so that they can fulfill their current and future job/role responsibilities more effectively.
• Thorough knowledge of leadership, management, organizational development, and personnel.

Conflict Resolution and Management

• Skills to effectively interact with others in an antagonistic situation; using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and negotiating skills.

Leadership Presence

• Experience with collaboration and engaging with executive leadership.
• Has an interpersonal style that engages others and encourages trust. Influences others using personal power and does so in a fashion that has charm, style, and a genuine sense of empathy. Balances this highly personal concern for others with a sense of professionalism and with actions that are consistent with his/her words.
• Extraordinary communication skills, including the ability to convey issues to management or executive levels.
• Excellent public communications skills, including marketing, market research, public involvement, public relations, writing, editing, presentation, and online communications.

Planning and Prioritizing

• Skills to establish courses of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently and possess skills to be a strategic and creative thinker and problem solver.
• Expertise directing/overseeing large projects, including using project management methodologies to lead and motivate diverse groups towards accomplishing a goal.
• Project and issue management, public budget management, grants administration, policy development and implementation.

Technical Knowledge

• Professional knowledge of public transportation; grant program development; grant and contract management; transportation planning, design, construction, operations and evaluation.

Growth Mindset and Service-Oriented

• Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Experience contributing to a work environment that fosters a culture of respect and equal opportunity.
• Takes action to meet the needs of others.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate/have:
Negotiating Acumen

• Skills to effectively explore alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties.
• Ability to build support for preferred alternatives; build value of preferred alternatives by relating them to the other party's needs; respond to objections by emphasizing value; expose problems while identifying alternatives.
• Ability to facilitate agreement and seek win-win solutions through a give-and-take process that recognizes each party's core needs.
• Ability to identify points of agreement/disagreement; build common ground by highlighting areas of agreement; and focus efforts by pointing out areas of disagreement.

Flexible and Adaptive

• Skills to remain effective when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment.
• Ability to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.

*To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting.
Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• 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 Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in of the Washington Administrative Code.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• 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. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including telework options for eligible positions.
• Paid Leave - In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees 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 for more information.

Check out this video to learn more:
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. NOTE: This information may 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.
Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at . Please be sure to reference 26DOT-HQ-0W386 in the subject line.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensat