Railroad Hazardous Materials Specialist Transportation Engineer 3

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Respect. Professionalism. Integrity. Accountability.

Railroad Hazardous Materials Specialist - Transportation Engineer 3

Help protect the consumers of Washington state!

Salary Consideration: Range 65 Step A ($78912) Step L ($103536) annually.

The starting employment offer will be determined based on the successful candidates qualifications. Typically Step M of the pay range is a longevity step.

This recruitment is open until November 20 2025 at 11:59pm.

UTC reserves the right to render a hiring decision and/or choose to close or extend this recruitment at any given time. Applications for this recruitment could be used to fill comparable positions that open within the next 60 days.

The Opportunity:
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is seeking to fill one (1) Railroad Hazardous Materials Specialist - Transportation Engineer 3position within the Rail Safety Section of the Transportation Safety Division.This position provides overall technical and professional expertise in areas of statewide enforcement of federal railroad safety laws rules regulations policies and standards with specialization in hazardous materials.

Hybrid:

Although these are hybrid opportunities the successful incumbents must reside within Washington state and must be available to report to the Lacey Washington headquarters building when needed.

Travel:

The majority of this positions time will be spent traveling throughout Washington state during and outside normal business hours including overnight stays. Additionally the successful incumbent will have occasional travel throughout the United States to attend required training conferences and/or meetings.

Who We Are:
Our mission is to protect the people of Washington by ensuring that investor-owned utility and transportation services are safe equitable reliable and fairly priced.

We protect consumers by regulating the rates services and practices of private or investor-owned utilities and transportation companies to ensure they are safe equitable reliable and affordable.

The UTC is continually recognized for its excellence and integrity as a regulatory agency as we challenge the status quo and ourselves to ensure equitable outcomes for our customers and the people of Washington state.

We recognize that our employees are the key to the agencys success. We are committed to our work but value balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth and offers continuing learning opportunities meaningful work and a comprehensive benefits package. For more information about our benefits or working at UTC please visit our website.

What We Offer Our Employees:

• UTC fosters an environment ofdiversity equity inclusion and belonging while striving to hire and retain a workforce from the communities we serve.
• We place importance on a healthybalance between personal and professional lives; offering flexible work schedules wellness programs and mobile/telework opportunities.
• Through the state our employees (and their families) are offered options for medical dental vision and basic life insurance.
• We offer enrollment into the state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan.
• Throughout a calendar year employees receive a minimum of 14 days of vacation leave per year and 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday in addition to accruing sick leave.

Our Values:

• Respect -We treat every person and interaction with consideration and goodwill.
• Professionalism -We are committed to excellence in our work and conduct.
• Integrity -We do the right things for the right reasons - trusting others to do the same.

How to Apply:
If youre interested in joining our Teamplease read the instructions below carefully; clickApply at the top of the page to begin the process.

Your application will only be considered complete if the following attachments are submitted with you application:

1. Letter of Interest describing how you meet the position qualifications and why you believe you are the ideal candidate.
2. Resumedetailing your applicable experience and education.
3. References:At least three (3) professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses. One (1) contact MUST be your current or most recent supervisor.

The initial screening of candidates will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application including answers provided to the Supplemental Questionnaire along with the required attachments - letter of interest resume and references submitted as part of the application process.

What youll do:

Reporting to the Transportation Engineer 5 the incumbent independently operates the commissions railroad hazardous materials safety program as decreed by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). This position also monitors and analyzes technical regulatory and policy development information related to the safety regulation of hazardous materials to identify changes issues or concerns that may affect railroad companies the FRA or the commission. Using this information the Transportation Engineer 3 provides technical assistance on federal rail safety standards rules regulations and policies related to railroad companies the FRA commission management and other interested parties as necessary.

Additional duties include but arent limited to the following:

• Independently plans and carries out an itinerary of periodic inspections of railroad equipment facilities programs records and operations to ensure compliance with federal safety laws rules regulations policies and standards with a focus on hazardous materials.
• Performs inspections at intermodal facilities shipper and consignee locations and tank car manufacturing and repair facilities if they exist in the state of Washington.
• Inspects rail cars freight containers and intermodal bulk containers.
• Investigates the method of construction repairing testing and manufacturing of containers used for hazardous materials.
• Investigates shippers packaging marking labeling shipping procedures and documentation.
• Investigates loading and unloading switching and movement of hazardous materials cars as well as the shippers and railroads documentation.
• Independently investigates safety complaints filed against a railroad by railroad employees union officials or the general public regarding unsafe hazardous materials practices. Additionally investigates collisions derailments unintentional release of hazardous materials and other accidents to determine if the railroad violated federal rules regulations policies or safety standards.
• Visits the accident site conducts inspections and tests questions employees and witnesses. Gathers data regarding the complaint.
• Inspects railroad equipment and facilities and examines railroad programs records or operations. Using standard investigative techniques analyzes the data to determine if the railroad is in compliance with applicable federal safety laws rules regulations policies and standards.
• Determines whether information gained from monitoring policy development applies to individual duties commission regulation of railroad companies or the facilities programs records operations or equipment of a railroad. Recommends appropriate action by the commission to incorporate new information into its laws rules or regulatory practices.
• Answers questions from railroads FRA commission management and other interested parties on hazardous materials safety standards rules regulations and policies as requested.
• Provides technical assistance to railroads or other interested parties at the time of or in the context of any type of inspection or investigation by ensuring the railroad understands the most up-to-date hazardous materials safety standards rules regulations and policies.
• Provides technical assistance to commission management by ensuring management understands as appropriate the most up-to-date hazardous materials safety standards rules regulations and policies.

Required Qualifications:

AND

• Must have demonstrated knowledge in the following areas:
  1. Federal regulations and standards governing the shipment of hazardous materials by rail including containerization loading handling documentation and placarding.
  2. Typical reactions of the different hazardous commodities transported by rail and the safe procedures for containing or controlling leaks fires or explosions.
  3. Typical reactions of the different hazardous commodities transported by rail and the safe procedures for containing or controlling leaks fires or explosions.
  4. A comprehensive knowledge of the transportation and operating procedures employed in the railroad shipping or manufacturing industries associated with the transportation of hazardous materials.
  5. Knowledge and ability to understand and detect deviations from the Department of Transportations Hazardous Materials Regulations including federal requirements and industry standards for the manufacturing of bulk packaging used in the transportation of hazardous materials by railroad.
  6. Knowledge of the physical and chemical properties and chemical hazards associated with hazardous materials that are transported by railroad.
  7. Knowledge of the proper remedial actions required to bring railroad shipper and/or manufacturing facilities into compliance with the Federal regulations.
  8. Knowledge of the proper remedial actions required when a hazardous materials transportation accident or incident occurs.

• An applicant with less experiencemayqualify for the position if they are accepted into and successfully completes the FRA Journey Level training program. To qualify as a journey-level candidate experience must include one (1) year of the following:
  1. Inspection of containers and handling procedures of hazardous materials at various rail facilities including intermodal shipper/consignee and tank car manufacturing facilities
  2. Investigating and reporting on collisions derailments release of hazardous materials and accidents or incidents with serious injury.
  3. Use of technical writing to complete railroad related inspection reports accident reports incident investigation narratives and other technical documents.
  4. Ability to verbally address issues that involve the transportation of hazardous materials in one-on-one or group setting to audiences representing railroads labor unions chemical shippers and general public forums.

Position Specific Competencies

The successful incumbent must also demonstrate proficient expertise in the following position specific competencies. These skills may be gained through education experience or a combination of both.

Inspection and investigation skills:

• Critical observation skills to inspect and investigate equipment facilities programs records or operations of railroad companies.
• Analytical skills to identify factors affecting or contributing to issues of noncompliance to recognize trends and forecast anticipated problems hazards and issues that have not yet surfaced and to determine what safety improvements can be made at the location.
• Ability to document inspection and investigation results in a way that others can understand and act upon their significance.
• Understand which safety improvements or corrective action measures to recommend for a given situation. Research and analytical abilities.
• Researching information regarding technical regulatory and policy development related to railroad safety.
• Organization of information into a format that can be understood by others.
• Analyze information and present sound reasoned evaluations and recommendations.

Communications skills:

• Present inspections investigations conclusions and recommendations in writing in a clear concise and organized manner.
• Use appropriate document structure punctuation grammar and plain talk skills in writing assignments.
• Effective verbal communications skills to work effectively with railroad FRA and commission staff and management and other interested parties.

Personal safety skills:

• Understanding of agency requirements for personal safety in and around railroad equipment and facilities.
• Knowledge of personal protective clothing or equipment as required by the agency FRA and any other facilities that require it.

Demonstration of UTC Values (expected of all employees and leadership):

1. Respect: We treat every person and interaction with consideration and goodwill.
2. Professionalism: We are committed to excellence in our work and conduct.
3. Integrity: We do the right things for the right reasons- trusting others to do the same.

Demonstration of DEI Competencies (expected of all employees):

1. The ability to take action to learn and grow.
2. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Demonstration of UTC Core Competencies (expected of all employees):

1. Accountability- With courage we hold ourselves and each other accountable for exhibiting respect professionalism and integrity.
2. DEI Knowledge Understanding & Commitment- Ability to be exposed to know and understand the language and concepts of DEI and be committed to being part of creating maintaining and improving a diverse equitable respectful and inclusive workplace.
3. Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth Engages in self-reflection lifelong learning and growth.
4. Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships- Conducts themselves in a manner that builds trust enhances work relationships and meaningfully partner and engage with those they serve and serve with.
5. Inclusive Excellence & Allyship Ability to demonstrate that all people are valued and engaged as members of the group team organization or community through equitable inclusive and respectful behavior.
6. Measuring Success and Improvement Ability to develop implement evaluate and continually improve strategies that promote equity and inclusion in their organization and with the communities they serve.
7. Customer Focus Responsive to both internal and external customers. Works with customer to identify needs; assumes responsibility for own role in meeting those needs. Ensures commitments to customers are met. Receptive to customer feedback.
8. Results Focus Accepts personal accountability for individual results or share of team results. Manages workload and interpersonal relationships to achieve results: prioritizes tasks appropriately overcomes obstacles works with others as necessary and meets deadlines and quality standards.
9. Communication Skills Demonstrates communication skills (reading comprehension writing listening speaking) appropriate to the position. Shows respect and courtesy in interpersonal communications.
10. Adaptability/Flexibility Open to new ideas. Responds constructively to change and stressful consultation with supervisor adjusts plans to meet changing needs.
11. Self-Development Demonstrates proactive learning. Keeps knowledge and skills up to date. Solicits and accepts constructive feedback. Seeks developmental assignments to improve skills. Turns challenges into learning opportunities.
12. Continuous Process Improvement Utilizes Lean tools and principles to continuously identify improvements solve problems and improve work processes. Participates on process improvement projects/teams. Actively engages in section/division huddles and incorporates visual management into daily work.

DesiredExperience Knowledge Skills Abilities:

• Bachelors degree in a related field such as technical specialization.
• Four (4) years of recent experience in performing functions related to hazardous materials compliance.
• Successful completion of the FRA apprentice training program.
• One (1) year of experience as a Transportation Engineer 2 or equivalent such as Bridge Engineer 2 or Transportation Planning Specialist 2 and successful completion of the Entry Management Core Program.
• Two (2) years of experience performing railroad safety investigations audits or inspections.
• Advanced knowledge of computer software such as Microsoft Word and Excel to collect information and compose reports.
• Use of specialized computer software such as FRA reporting software or commission-specific software or programs to record inspection data and results.
• Use of computer databases such as the rail safety database or the FRA database and general computer systems such as the internet to research and retrieve data and information.
• Ability to use digital image technology to capture images of the equipment and transfer those images to the appropriate database(s) and to the appropriate parties.

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:

• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
• This position is overtime eligibleper the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Within one (1) year of employment the incumbent must be certified by the Federal Railroad Administration as a HazMat inspector. This includes attending and passing all required training and courses and demonstrating inspection proficiency to the FRA Hazmat Specialist.

If you have gotten this far and are thinking you do not qualify consider again! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the UTC we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description we encourage you to apply anyway. You may just be the candidate needed for this or other roles.

All information may be verified; additional documentation may be may be disqualified if the education and/or work experience does not include information used to meet the minimum qualifications of the job.

The UTC is an equal opportunity employer. We want to make sure you have an equal opportunity to join our team. Our commitment is making sure current and future employees are treated fairly and equally without regard to age sex (including gender identity) race ethnicity disability sexual orientation veteran status marital status or religious or political affiliation.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contactFor TTY service please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-.

For more information about the UTC please visit:

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