Senior Transportation Planner III (TP Iii)

Summary

This position is open to all King County Employees and the General Public.

Metro Transit has an exciting career service opportunity in our Market Innovation section within Metro's Mobility Division. The Connecting to Transit team is hiring one Senior Transportation Planner (Transportation Planner Ill). This Senior Transportation Planner will plan, develop, and implement customer-facing transportation programs and projects within Metro Transit and in partnership with local jurisdictions to improve regional mobility and advance equity, safety, and climate action. The Connecting to Transit program leads projects and implements strategies that give Metro customers safe, comfortable, easy ways to get to transit. Increasing the number and quality of choices that customers have to reach transit eliminates barriers, connects people to opportunities, and supports an integrated regional transportation network.

This recruitment will also be used to establish an eligibility pool to fill future career service opportunities in this classification within the Mobility Division. The eligibility pool will be valid for 12 months upon creation, or until exhausted, at the discretion of the hiring authority.

About Research & Innovation work group and Connecting to Transit team:

The Research & Innovation work group helps Metro and the traveling public adapt to an ever-changing transportation landscape through strategic research and evaluation, new connections to transit, and expanded mobility options. This team of researchers, planners, and innovators focus on gathering and helping Metro use evidence, developing innovative mobility concepts, and improving access to mobility. The Research and Innovation work group is comprised of three teams: Research, Innovative Mobility, and Connecting to Transit. The Research and Innovation work group is committed to developing products and services in a way that advances equity, inclusion, and social justice.

The Transportation Planner III will join the Connecting to Transit team. Connecting to Transit is a team of five that is responsible for managing programs and services that help people connect to and from transit service, including the Safe Routes to Transit Program, managing and reimagining Metro's park-and-rides as multimodal mobility hubs, and serving as access to transit subject matter experts to support capital planning and design projects. The Senior Transportation Planner (Transportation Planner III) will manage the Safe Routes to Transit program, provide significant contributions to mobility hub planning and design, and serve as the access to transit lead for forthcoming RapidRide capital planning projects.

Job Duties

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. As a Transportation Planner Ill, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

Job Duties for Transportation Planner Ill:

• Manage and/or support transportation planning projects and strategic initiatives.
• Actively manage scope, schedule, resources, risk, and quality for planning projects and programs
• Prepare and recommend project management plans, including objectives, scope, schedule, and budget.

Manage Work Teams:

• Lead, participate in, and facilitate matrixed project teams and internal and external committees, including advisory groups, technical advisory committees, and other groups.
• Manage consultant teams and review deliverables for small to large-sized planning efforts.
• Lead, participate in, and facilitate project teams and internal and external committees including advisory groups, technical advisory committees, and other committees or groups.

Transportation Planning:

• Conduct analysis, planning, and performance monitoring of transit services and transportation conditions.
• Evaluate and plan transit programs, projects, and policy recommendations in line with King County's goals.
• Support inclusive community engagement efforts related to transit and transportation planning projects and programs.

Communicate and Collaborate Effectively:

• Participate in or lead collaborative processes with internal and external partners to develop solutions to complex transportation problems, such as issues involving transit operations and service plans, connections to transit, safety and security, and capital planning and delivery.
• Prepare and present information to explain transportation concepts and plans to a variety of internal and external teams, committees, task forces, and partners, including the King County Council, local jurisdictions, various agencies, and the public.
• Promote equity by fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Job Duties specific to the Connecting to Transit team:

• Lead the development of the Safe Routes to Transit Implementation Guide to inventory access to transit needs, develop and prioritize improvements concepts, and integrate findings and recommendations into a phased work plan.
• Evaluate access barriers and site/street conditions, including systemic safety analysis findings to identify appropriate safety countermeasures and other infrastructure improvements that improve customer access to transit.
• Build partnerships with internal partners at Metro and local jurisdictions to develop, fund and implement Safe Routes to Transit projects.
• Support capital planning and delivery teams at Metro as an access to transit subject matter expert, including informing project design and prioritization to create safe, intuitive, accessible ways for customers to access transit.
• Support the planning, prioritization, and design of mobility hubs across King County. Mobility hubs include multimodal infrastructure, traveler information, and community-serving elements that improve access to and understandability of a variety of mobility choices and connections near transit stops and stations.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Minimum Qualifications for Transportation Planner Ill

• Bachelor's degree in planning (Land Use, Urban, Regional, Transportation, Environmental), Public Administration, Engineering OR any equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the applicant with the skills, knowledge, and abilities required to perform the work.
• At least two years of progressive experience managing transportation projects, including project initiation, planning, design, implementation, and/or closeout.
• Experience related to transit integration, active transportation, and multimodal planning.
• Experienced project manager and proactive relationship-builder with the skills listed below.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners to develop solutions to complex problems.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills including the ability to build and lead project teams and the ability to manage and resolve issues involving multiple interests.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and successfully with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to manage and prioritize a diverse workload to accomplish tasks on defined timelines and in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to combine "big picture" thinking with a solid understanding of technical details.
• Ability to integrate and manage diverse interests and problem-solve.

Demonstrated technical writing and visual communication skills showing the ability to effectively translate and interpret quantitative and technical information to non-technical audiences.Experience working with the diverging opinions and viewpoints of elected officials, internal and external agency staff, and the public.Able to communicate complex information effectively and simplistically (e.g., verbally, written, and visually) and adapt quickly to a multitude of interpersonal situations.

Desired Qualifications for Transportation Planner Ill:

• Master's degree in planning (Land Use, Urban, Regional, Transportation, Environmental), Public Administration, Engineering or closely related field, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Three or more years of increasingly responsible experience in planning related to transit and transportation planning.
• Experience using an equity and social justice lens in transportation planning and managing projects.
• Current knowledge and applied professional planning and project management experience in transit integration, active transportation design and multimodal planning principles, practices, and methodologies.
• Strong working understanding of how transit planning and integration interacts with land use, sustainability, active transportation, safety, public health and environmental justice.
• Familiarity and applied professional experience in active transportation design, including but not limited to conducting and applying the findings of systemic safety analyses, safety countermeasure identification, and design alternatives development and analysis.
• Familiarity with capital project development processes, including transit, multimodal and active transportation design best practices, feasibility analysis, and cost estimation.
• Strong understanding of government processes and procedures, including regulation, policy development, grant funding, and capital planning.
• Experience collaborating community members in inclusive, equity-forward engagement processes that often touch sensitive topics.
• Experience using GIS, Adobe Suite, Remix, Excel, Power BI, CAD and other relevant programs to conduct planning analysis and design documentation.
• Familiarity with King County Metro and key agency partners and proactive interpersonal skills to develop internal and external partnerships.

Supplemental Information

Application & Selection Process

Submit an online employment application at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs, answer the supplemental questions and attach a cover letter and resume. Your cover letter should tell us how you meet or exceed the qualifications posted and why you are interested in these positions.

NOTE: Please answer ALL questions in the online employment application itself, with each of your jobs during the last 10 years listed (listing each position for each employer separately), duties explained, reasons for leaving etc.

Applications that are not complete, or do not include all required materials may be rejected as incomplete, and not advanced in the process. Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions under Application Tips and FAQs at: www.kingcounty.gov/jobs.

Selection Process

All the application materials will be screened for qualifications, competitiveness, completeness, attention to detail and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Reference checks will be conducted.

Work Location

The primary location of the position is at the King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104. However, this is a hybrid position (teleworking and in office). The work associated with this position will be performed or conducted through a combination of teleworking and onsite work and meetings. In office days are usually on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Work Schedule

The Transportation Planner Ill position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay. The work schedule is typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., but work outside of the normal workday will be required for meetings, events, and public outreach. Alternative work schedules such as a compressed work week will be considered on an individual basis.

Teleworking Requirement

The work associated with this position will be performed through a combination of onsite and remote work. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a county-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

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

Union Membership: The position is represented by PROTEC17: Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17

Class Code: 2421300 Transportation Planner Ill

Questions about this recruitment? Contact Tracy Bylund at tbylund@kingcounty.gov.

Forbes 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.

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.

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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01

Select all the desired qualifications that you meet (these should be reflected in your application materials).

• Master's degree in planning (Land Use, Urban, Regional, Transportation, Environmental), Public Administration, Engineering or closely related field, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Three or more years of increasingly responsible experience in planning related to transit and transportation planning.
• Experience using an equity and social justice lens in transportation planning and managing projects.
• Current knowledge and applied professional planning and project management experience in transit integration, active transportation design and multimodal planning principles, practices, and methodologies.
• Strong working understanding of how transit planning and integration interacts with land use, sustainability, active transportation, safety, public health and environmental justice.
• Familiarity and applied professional experience in active transportation design, including but not limited to conducting and applying the findings of systemic safety analyses, safety countermeasure identification, and design alternatives to evaluation and development.
• Familiarity with capital project development processes, including transit, multimodal and active transportation design best practices, feasibility analysis, and cost estimation.
• Strong understanding of government processes and procedures, including regulation, policy development, grant funding, and capital planning.
• Experience collaborating community members in inclusive, equity-forward engagement processes that often touch sensitive topics.
• Experience using GIS, Adobe Suite, Remix, Excel, Power BI, CAD and other relevant programs to conduct planning analysis and design documentation.
• Familiarity with King County Metro and key agency partners and proactive interpersonal skills to develop internal and external partnerships.
• I do not meet any of the desired qualifications.

02

Please use tangible examples to describe how you will apply working knowledge and lessons learned from your prior professional experience to fulfill the job duties of Senior Transportation Planner and advance the goals of the Connecting to Transit team. (Please keep your answer under 300 words)

03

What is your professional "why"? Please describe how King County's vision for the future of mobility and its core values inspire and motivate you in your career? (Please keep your answer under 300 words)

04

Please describe up to three priorities (e.g., strategies, policies, projects, partnerships) that you would be excited to explore in your first year on the job should you step into the role of Senior Transportation Planner on the Connecting to Transit team. (Please keep your answer to under 300 words)

05

I certify that the statements made by me on the application and supplemental questions are, to the best of my knowledge, true, complete and correct. I understand that any misrepresentation or material omission of fact on this or any other document required by King County may constitute grounds for rejection, or if employed by King County, for disciplinary measures, including dismissal.

• Yes
• No

06

Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?

• Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
• No.

07

If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff

08

MTD - Do you have any relatives employed by King County? A relative is defined as a parent, child, sibling, spouse or domestic partner, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, grandparent, grandchild, in-laws, children, or relatives of a domestic partner.

• Yes
• No

09

MTD - If you answered yes to the previous question, please provide the employee's name, position, and your relationship.

10

MTD - If you answered yes to the previous question, does your relative work for King County's METRO Transit Department?

• Yes
• No

11

MTD - If you answered yes to the previous question, please provide the Division of King County Metro that they currently work in. Select one.

• a. Bus Operations Division
• b. Capital Division
• c. Employee Services Division
• d. General Manager's Office
• e. Facilities Division
• f. Finance & Administration Division
• g. Marine Division
• h. Mobility Division
• i. Rail Division (including Streetcar)
• j. Safety, Security & Quality Assurance

Required Question

Agency King County

Address King Street Center

201 South Jackson Street

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Phone 206-477-3404

Website http://www.kingcounty.gov/