Grants & Community Partnerships Manager (WMS3)

Grants & Community Partnerships Manager (WMS3)

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
• Benefits
• Questions

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 worlds 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 Divisions (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 divisions management team, this position helps shape division strategy, fosters organizational culture, and supports WSDOTs 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 individuals 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 Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 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 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 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 Robyn.Lovely@wsdot.wa.gov. 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. Thats 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 Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

Please briefly describe your most recent project management role overseeing projects, managing competing priorities, and ensuring successful project delivery. If you do not have this experience, please enter N/A.

02

Planning & Prioritizing: Please select the option that best describes your experience planning, prioritizing, and managing complex programs or projects.

• I have directed large-scale programs or projects involving multiple teams, budgets, competing priorities, and strategic planning responsibilities.
• I have managed projects or programs, prioritized competing work assignments, and monitored schedules, budgets, or deliverables.
• I have contributed to project planning or coordinated portions of projects under the direction of others.
• I have little or no experience managing projects or strategic work plans.

03

Leadership & Organizational Development: Please select the option that best describes your experience leading teams, developing employees, and fostering collaborative working relationships.

• I have led multiple teams or organizations, developed leaders, coached and mentored staff, established strategic partnerships, and fostered a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• I have supervised or led teams, coached and developed employees, built effective working relationships, and supported organizational improvement initiatives.
• I have participated in team leadership, mentoring, or collaboration efforts but have had limited responsibility for supervising or developing others.
• I have little or no experience leading teams or developing employees.

04

Please briefly describe your experience leading, coaching, and developing employees. Include the size of the team or organization and your role. If you do not have this experience, please enter N/A.

05

Conflict Resolution & Management: Please select the option that best describes your experience resolving workplace or stakeholder conflicts.

• I have independently resolved complex or sensitive conflicts involving multiple stakeholders, negotiated successful outcomes, and served as a resource for others in conflict resolution.
• I have regularly resolved disagreements or conflicts with employees, customers, partners, or stakeholders using effective communication and negotiation skills.
• I have occasionally assisted in resolving conflicts or participated in discussions to address disagreements.
• I have little or no experience resolving workplace or stakeholder conflicts.

06

Please briefly describe the types of conflicts you have experience resolving including the parties involved and your role. If you do not have this experience, please enter N/A.

07

Leadership Presence: Please select the option that best describes your experience communicating and collaborating with executive leadership and external stakeholders.

• I have regularly advised executive leadership, delivered presentations to senior leaders or public audiences, influenced organizational decisions, and represented my organization in high-profile settings.
• I have routinely collaborated with leadership, presented information to management or stakeholders, and communicated complex issues effectively.
• I have occasionally communicated with leadership or presented information to groups as part of my work.
• I have little or no experience communicating with executive leadership or public audiences.

08

Do you have experience preparing and delivering presentations or communicating complex information to executive leadership, governing boards, elected officials, community groups, or the public?

• Yes
• No

09

Technical Knowledge: Please select the option that best describes your knowledge and experience with public transportation grant programs and contract administration.

• I have extensive experience administering public transportation grant programs, developing grant policies, managing contracts, ensuring regulatory compliance, and overseeing transportation projects.
• I have experience administering grants or contracts, monitoring compliance, or supporting transportation-related programs.
• I have limited experience working with grants, contracts, or transportation programs.
• I have no experience with public transportation grants, contracts, or transportation planning.

10

Please briefly describe your experience administering public transportation grants, contracts, or transportation-related programs. Include the types of grants or contracts managed, and the approximate funding amounts or program size. If you do not have this experience, please enter N/A.

11

Which of the following areas have you worked in? (Select all that apply)

• Grant program administration
• Grant or contract management
• Public transportation
• Transportation planning
• Transportation project delivery
• Compliance and monitoring
• Policy development
• Budget management
• None of the above

12

Negotiating Acumen: Please select the option that best describes your experience negotiating agreements and building consensus among diverse stakeholders.

• I have independently led complex negotiations involving multiple stakeholders, developed mutually beneficial agreements, and resolved competing interests.
• I have regularly negotiated agreements, facilitated discussions, and built consensus among internal or external partners.
• I have occasionally participated in negotiations or supported consensus-building efforts.
• I have little or no experience negotiating agreements.

13

How did you learn of this employment opportunity?

• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Direct Email Notification
• WSDOT social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc)
• Career Fair
• Monster
• WorkSource
• Handshake
• AASHTO
• NACTO
• COMTO
• APWA
• "NOW HIRING" banner/sign
• Radio advertisement
• WSDOT Employment Site
• Careers.wa.gov
• governmentjobs.com
• Other (specify below)

14

If you selected Other on the previous question, please specify how you learned of this employment opportunity in the space provided:

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov