Deputy Director of Marine Operations - Washington State Ferries

Posting number: 26DOT-WSF-9W137

Department: Dept. of Transportation

Division: Washington State Ferries

Job classification: WMS BAND 4

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Transportation, Management

Summary

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 feedbac