WSDOT: Incident Response Technician - Tacoma, WA (2024)

Job Description:
WSDOT is currently seeking a safety-oriented individual to join the Incident Response Team (IRT) located in Tacoma, WA. As an Incident Response Technician, this journey-level role works to quickly discover potential or actual highway incidents and/or hazards, and mitigates the resulting traffic impacts restoring normal traffic flow as quickly and safely as possible. This role performs roving highway incident response in accordance with Traffic Incident Management guidelines, and works directly with the public, other traffic incident management partners in accordance with the National Uniform Goal (NUG), Traffic Management Center (TMC), and Washington State Patrol (WSP). The safety of the traveling public and fellow employees is a high priority and must be considered in every decision and activity.

This position supports the agency’s strategic plan and goal areas of 1) Workforce Development, by influencing a workplace that supports and promotes training and development for professional growth and upward mobility; 2) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, by creating, influencing, and fostering a physically and psychologically safe workplace where all employees feel that they belong; and 3) Resilience, by ensuring, through adherence to WSDOT policies, that work functions performed are administered to the expected quality, safety, and stewardship standards to support Washington’s long-term resilience.

What to Expect
Duties are often physical in nature and performed primarily outdoors in all types of weather conditions both during daytime and nighttime. May perform duties at elevated heights, above 25 feet over land or water, and requires traversing rough, steep, and uneven terrain. Normal schedule is 40-hours per week, for 4, 10-hour days, and may include weekends as the IRT provides coverage 7 days a week. Holidays may be required to respond to non-scheduled or call-out emergencies, as well as response to emergency situations in all weather conditions; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Rotational night shift is required.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Incident Response Technician will:

Operate an authorized emergency vehicle with tow capabilities within an assigned route; perform routine patrol or callout for highway incidents to expedite traffic flow.
Observe and address potential or actual traffic impediments to keep traffic moving.
Assist disabled vehicles, performing minor mechanical repairs, adding cooling fluids or fuel, changing flat tires, providing jumpstarts, and assisting with other roadway emergencies as applicable.
Set up and perform emergency traffic control for blocking incidents on state highways according to departmental and MUTCD standards.
Recognize highway safety features, infrastructure, or pavement damage severity; identify needs and request appropriate level of maintenance staff response as necessary for emergency repairs.
Identify and assess initial severity of incidents and provides detailed information to the WSP, TMC, and other responders to expedite appropriate scene response.
Photograph and document WSDOT property damage at scene and routes to appropriate personnel and emergency responders. Submits photos and enters incident data into appropriate computer programs.
Utilize WSDOT and WSP radios as the primary communication device to relay information to emergency responders, and scene information and road blockages to WSDOT personnel.
Perform maintenance and minor repair on equipment and hand tools, while adhering to safety policies and performing work in a safe manner.

Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:
Two (2) years of highway maintenance, logging, farming, excavation, or heavy equipment experience.
OR
One (1) year of experience as a Highway Maintenance Worker 1 or equivalent.

In addition to the above, the following are also required:
Knowledge of basic automotive skills to quickly repair minor problems, add correct fluids to proper reservoirs, change flat tires, adjust belts, provide jump starts, and provide gasoline for out-of-gas vehicles in accordance with IRT guidelines and procedures.
Possession of an unrestricted Class A CDL with N endorsem*nt to legally operate vehicles in Washington State; or obtain within twelve (12) months of hire.
Possession of a valid Traffic Control/Flagging card with experience performing traffic control per MUTCD including planning, setting signs and cones or barrels, and flagging; or obtain within six (6) months of hire.
Ability to transport, move, and manipulate various types of equipment weighing 65 pounds or more.
Ability to report to assigned duty station within 60 minutes of an after-hours call.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:
High school graduation, or possession of a GED certificate, or equivalent.
Possession of an unrestricted Class A CDL with N endorsem*nt to legally operate vehicles in Washington State.
Experience and training of tow truck operations.
Knowledge of the “Emergency Response Guidebook” as it relates to spill response procedures to protect self, other workers, and the public.
Knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), Traffic Incident Management (TIM) best practices and National Unified Goal (NUG) for traffic management.
Completion of the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) Incident Command System ICS-100/200 courses.

Important Notes
This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
This position is not eligible for remote work.
The salary listed includes the legislative approved 10% assignment pay for Highway Maintenance Worker 2 positions based in Pierce County, as well as general wage increase of 3% that will be applied for all state employees on July 1, 2024.
To expedite afterhours callout (able to efficiently respond to a geographical area within the region), this position requires parameters of residence.
Travel is an expectation of the position and may be required on a regular, sporadic, or as needed basis. Overnight travel may be required.
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.
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
This position is subject to the drug and alcohol testing requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA). For more information, please go to DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing.
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.
Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursem*nt 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 three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.