Principal Transportation Planner

Salary range is $80k to $175k, with a midpoint of $125k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.

• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.

• Employee Assistance Program.

• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).

• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.

• Parental Leave: 12-16 weeks of parental leave for new parents.

• Pet Insurance discount.

• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.

• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.

• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.

• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction, performs a full range of senior technical and/or team leader duties in planning, strategic thinking, and project management in support of the Office of Planning and Innovation for assigned geographic area/function to ensure the Agency is positioned to accomplish its mission.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Leads large, complex service planning efforts and projects with strategic value to the Agency in a variety of highly visible forums.

• Monitors and leads ridership, service performance, service quality, and customer experience reviews; gathers and analyzes data and integrates in planning activities to make meaning and drive decision making for improved transit service.

• Leads and manages service integration planning, public processes, and operational implementation of light rail, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), commuter rail, and express bus service.

• Leads coordination efforts with other agencies and stakeholders to advance Sound Transit's long-term opportunities to expand, enhance, and integrate the regional light rail, commuter rail, BRT, and express bus systems with local services and each other. Demonstrates ingenuity to develop agreements with other agencies.

• Develops presentations for executives and for Board Members, manages communication and supports public outreach on complex planning activities and service planning proposals.

• Leads and manages the development and implementation of regional transit system plans by preparing project scopes, work plans, and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for consultant services; serves as a technical resource and expert on assigned planning projects.

• Gathers, analyzes, and disseminates information to facilitate strategic decision-making.

• Reviews, develops, and revises multi-disciplinary policies, programs, and projects, as directed by the ST Board, to provide regional transit facilities and services.

• Performs policy analysis and development, data collection, budget, and cost analysis.

• Represents the Agency at regular meetings of elected officials and local jurisdictions; provides presentations on Agency policies, projects, and planning activities in area of assignment, as necessary and when requested; addresses questions and concerns about Agency through direct responses or arranging venues with other staff and parties as necessary; and represents ST at public forums.

• Manages scheduling and planning portions of Sound Transit's services and prepares service change packages describing all Sound Transit service and facility changes.

• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.

• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.

• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.

• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.

• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Planning, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Public Administration or closely related field; Five years of experience in transportation planning that includes urban or regional planning, project management, policy analysis, preferably in a transit/transportation environment; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's degree in Transportation Planning or related field preferred.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certified.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Analytical, strategic, and critical-thinking skills.

• Able to communicate and explain complex concepts ideas effectively, both verbally and in print.

• Establishing and maintaining effective collaborative working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.

• Negotiation principles and practices.

• Project planning and development, including long-range and strategic planning, and research methodologies.

• Project and contract management skills including preparation of scopes of work, schedules, budgets, public outreach plans, and other technical information documents.

• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

• Managing complex projects and making decisions in fast-paced, difficult environments.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Transit service planning and operations practices.

• Statistical and financial analysis.

• Transportation policy development and analysis.

• Using Hastus for schedule analysis and conceptual service changes including blocking and run-cut solutions, service metrics, and required vehicles.

• Importing, exporting, and transforming Hastus schedule files received from partners or created internally into other formats (GTFS, digital, printed).

• Collaboration with Operations and IT to ensure timely schedule management across channels.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.

• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.

• Position is responsible for making occasional transit trips and visiting our operations maintenance facilities and transit facilities to observe the performance of our transit system and services; may be subject to talking, vision, and walking.

• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.