Jay Dutton has worked for WSDOT since 1978. In that time, he’s driven snow plows, repaired snow plows, and taught new hires how to operate snow plows, de-icer trucks and other big rigs.

“I like working at WSDOT because of the variety of equipment,” Jay said. Jay also enjoys the variety of training and teaching new-hires.

In 2006, WSDOT promoted Jay to SCR’s full-time Maintenance Training Program Coordinator. Jay is in charge of training all new hires and current employees on maintenance equipment. He helps to ensure new technology is smoothly implemented and integrated into area maintenance operations.

“I just love my job,” Jay said. “It’s always moving forward.”

The “time machine” is one important tool Jay uses for training. Its real name, the Snow and Ice Controller Simulator – 6S131, brings the snow and ice program into the 21st century. The machine has all the components of a truck and is used to train equipment operators and is also used as a diagnostics tool to test equipment.

“We picked Jay as the featured employee because he’s had a long and rewarding career at WSDOT,” said Janet Kinney, WSDOT human resources manager.

“Jay accepts and promotes change as a way of doing business,” said Todd Trepanier, WSDOT assistant regional administrator. “He’s always the first in line to master a new skill and teach others what he learned.”

After 34 years at WSDOT, this soft-spoken employee has one complaint, “I truly regret we went from orange equipment to green,” Jay said jokingly. “Orange was just better.”

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