Project Program Manager IV

Summary

Open to King County employees and the general public

Learn how Metro connects you with what matters

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division is seeking a transformational Program/Project Manager IV to direct strategic priorities that will deliver innovative system and organizational improvements, support successful expansion and growth, nurture partner relations, and pursue safer outcomes for customers and staff. This key leadership position will report to the Division Director's Office and work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan focused on continuous improvement and employee engagement. This plan will include yearly goals and metrics to ensure progress in developing innovative strategies for the future as well as implementing after-action tactics and pursuits. This position will supervise a team of program managers and will be expected to foster a collaborative team culture while providing coaching and development opportunities to direct reports. This position may also support special projects as needed.

This recruitment process will be used to fill one (1) Career Service position. This requisition may be used to generate an eligibility list for future similar Career Service, Term Limited Temporary (TLT) and Special Duty Assignment (SDA) positions that may occur in this classification within the Rail Division. The eligibility list would be valid for twelve months upon creation and may be extended at the discretion of the hiring authority.

About King County Metro Transit's Rail Division

King County Metro is the exclusive partner and operations and maintenance provider to Sound Transit's Link Light Rail system. Light Rail is the backbone of Puget Sound's mobility future. With fast, frequent, reliable connections, the system is poised for significant expansion during this decade.

As the alignment continues to grow, it will influence and inform Metro's investments of resources well into the future. In order to strategically and effectively manage such a significant, accelerated rate of growth, the Division Director's Office has established the following strategic priorities to address what matters most:

• Meet our obligation to Sound Transit and the region through effective expansion of staff who operate and maintain the light rail system

• Build a culture of care, belonging and inclusion where all employees can thrive

• Ensure safe, high-quality operations for employees and customers

• Strengthen partnerships with Sound Transit (Link) & Seattle Dept of Transportation (Streetcar)

King County is a vibrant community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures. Together, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. We continue to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking, and continuous improvement.

With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all our residents, regardless of their race or income. All these qualities make this King County one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Job Duties

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and foundational expectation for all King County employees. As a Program/Project Manager IV, you will:

Lead a team of Project Managers to improve system efficiencies and support groups within the Rail Division of King County Metro:

• Collaborate with senior leadership to identify priorities.

• Build an effective team of project managers through on-boarding of new hires and supporting talent through coaching, training, and teaching.

• Use various tools, including project management software, to manage project timelines and deliverables.

• Conduct research on industry best practices and determine applicability to our operating environment.

• Apply a lens of innovation and continuous improvement to all projects.

• Develop, nurture, and advance strategic relationships across King County Metro, Sound Transit, and other external stakeholder groups.

• Support the creation and execution of strategic plans for the project team. Primary bodies of work for the team include employee engagement and retention, improving operational efficiencies, and other projects that align with the four strategic priorities of the Rail Division (foster a culture of care, provide operational excellence, deliver on time expansions, and maintain healthy and resilient partnerships with our partners in rail service delivery).

Manage projects that are often multi-disciplinary and technically challenging:

• Work with external consultants, including execution of contracts, managing project timelines, and ensuring thorough execution of scope of work.

• Act as lead project manager on specific projects, including but not limited to projects related to safety culture and employee retention, internal communications, and implementing new technology systems.

Support and implement continuous improvement efforts:

• Lead and participate in after action efforts to learn from operational experiences that come up and improve on the delivery of service.

• Facilitate discussions with diverse teams from across the Division to ensure that improvement ideas are fully implemented.

• Identify metrics to measure success of the project management team and the larger Division.

• Integrate social justice principles into strategic planning and desired outcomes.

• Visualize data for decision making, assist in data collection and analysis and make recommendations for improvements.

• Support teams in identifying and delivering significant and quantifiable process improvements through the application of process improvement methodologies.

Perform other related duties as required; may be assigned to special projects.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

To be considered eligible for this role, applicants must possess these MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five years of project management experience including initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing out the work of a team to achieve specific goals OR equivalent knowledge/experience to be successful in this role.

• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and work collaboratively with individuals from a variety of positions and backgrounds.

• Must be able to set priorities, meet deadlines, organize work assignments, and operate with strong attention to detail.

• Skill, knowledge or familiarity with change management, continuous improvement, and organizational development principles and practices.

• Experience identifying and implementing creative solutions to persistent problems.

• Demonstrated experience as a leader with the ability to represent senior leadership in various settings.

• Strong oral and written communication skills and demonstrated experience leading and implementing internal communications efforts for an organization.

• Knowledge of equity and social Justice principles and an ability to effectively communicate on these topics.

• Experience facilitating meetings and presenting information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Advanced skills with Microsoft Office, including SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Teams.

• Flexibility to shift priorities as needed.

• Willingness to work in a team environment and perform other duties as assigned.

• Possess a valid Washington state driver's license (or ability to obtain Washington state driver's license upon hire) or alternate ability to travel to off-site locations.

The most competitive applicants will possess these DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Transportation Planning, or closely related field.

• At least three years of experience supervising other professionals.

• At least one year of experience leading a team.

• Experience creating or informing strategic plans for a large organization.

• Skill, knowledge, or familiarity with Lean methodology.

• Experience with the public sector, either through consulting or employment within a government agency.

• Familiarity with local transit and mobility systems, including the business model and practices of Sound Transit and/or King County Metro.

• Knowledge of survey development and qualitative research principles.

• Knowledge of research methods, data collection, and analysis of quantitative data.

• Experience using project management software.

• Experience in budget development and identifying cost efficiencies.

• Knowledge of HR principles, labor contracts, and/or experience leading recruitments.

Supplemental Information

Application & Selection Process

Applicants should complete an application at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs, which includes responding to the supplemental questions, a letter of interest and resume. The letter of interest should detail which how you meet the qualifications and how the Project/Program Manager IV will fit into your career goals.

Your application, letter of interest, responses to supplemental questions and resume will be screened for qualifications, competitiveness, clarity, written communication skills and completeness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. A selection process will be used to determine the most qualified candidates. This process may include any or all the following: A review of your application, letter of interest, resume and/or an interview.

Final offers will be contingent upon successful completion of reference checks which may include internal employee personnel file review and/or contacting professional references.

Who May Apply

This recruitment is open to current King County employees and general public. King County values diverse perspectives and life experiences. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans.

Work Schedule

The Project/Program Manager IV position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay. Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.

• 5:00 p.m. Work outside of business hours may be required.

Union Representation/Job Code/Grade

PPM IV: PROTEC 17/243403/Grade 68

Work Location

Primary location is the Operations and Maintenance Facility at 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA. Some work other Rail Division worksites may be required at times, including out of the Operations and Maintenance Facility

• East at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, South Lake Union Streetcar Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) located at 318 Fairview Ave N. and/or First Hill Streetcar Operations and Maintenance Facility located at 848 7th Ave. S in Seattle.

Teleworking Requirement

The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly in a hybrid work environment working in the office and at home. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various facilities managed by either Sound Transit or City of Seattle. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their primary worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees may be provided with a Sound Transit-issued laptop and must maintain a remote workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact: Neha Bansal, nbansal@kingcounty.gov

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office. King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities 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. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.