Track Access Project/Program Manager IV

Summary

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division has an exciting Track Access Program/Project Manager IV Career Service opportunity. The successful candidate will play a critical role in coordinating and facilitating the permitting process for contractors working on the Link Light Rail system. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the Link Rail system's state of good repair and successful delivery of new Link extensions.

About Metro Transit's Expanding Rail Division

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link light rail service and City of Seattle's streetcar system. Link light rail currently spans a 33-mile route from SeaTac to Lynnwood and a 6.6-mile route from Redmond to South Bellevue. By the end of 2026, light rail is projected to expand to nearly 60 route miles, adding seven new stations. Additional expansions to the Link system will be coming online for years to come.

Seattle Streetcar includes the 1.3 mile South Lake Union line and the 2.5 mile First Hill line, proudly serving the diverse and vibrant communities around Seattle's downtown core. These rail services complement Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services. Puget Sound transit agencies are collaborating to create an integrated transit network that enables people to travel farther, faster, and more easily.

Position Information

This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Career Service vacancy.

Who May Apply: This exciting Career Service opportunity is open to King County Employees and the general public.

Job Duties

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and foundational expectation for all King County employees. As a Track Access Program/Project Manager IV, your job duties will entail:

Track Access Program Management:

• Oversee and implement strategic design and development of the Track Access program, including Track Access materials and software.
• Serve as a technical expert for the Track Access program and collaborate with stakeholders to optimize the safety and effectiveness of the Track Access program.
• Manage a team responsible for reviewing and preparing Track Access Permit Requests, ensuring compliance with governing documents and safety measures, and obtaining necessary approvals.
• Ensure Track Access program maintains compliance with all relevant governing laws, regulations, and other governing documents.
• Address inquiries related to the Track Access Program, providing guidance and direction to internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist with determining the Track Access program budget and resourcing needs.

Reporting and Communication:

• Oversee the production of weekly and periodic Track Access reports, ensuring accuracy and quality control of distributed materials.
• Present program information and reports to senior management and represent Track Access at internal and external meetings.
• Act as the chief liaison with Sound Transit's Portfolio Services Office, coordinating and prioritizing permit requests.
• Represent Track Access in strategic and long-range forecasting meetings, fostering collaboration with diverse interest groups.

Personnel Management:

• Supervise, plan, and review the work of the Track Access program work group.
• Provide training, professional development support, and performance management for the Track Access work group.
• Manage payroll and employee attendance and leave requests related ADA/FMLA/KCMFL/WFLA processes for assigned employees.
• Ensure daily operations and personnel actions conform with negotiated agreements, confer with labor representatives to discuss and resolve issues, and escalate issues to Superintendent as needed.
• Participate in investigations and disciplinary proceedings and may be delegated authority for grievance hearings.

Process Coordination and Subject Matter Expertise:

• Advocate for Track Access requirements during lease negotiations, property management discussions, and right-of- entry applications.
• Provide subject matter expertise for the procurement of software solutions related to the track access program.
• Monitor program scope and schedule, conduct data analysis, and report results to ensure program success.
• Manage track access tools, including databases and webpages, to facilitate efficient program operations.

May be assigned to participate in internal and external work groups, project teams, committees, and task forces.

May perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Across all levels, we are looking for candidates who meet the below minimum qualifications:

• Five (5) years of project management experience, including leading multidisciplinary teams, achieving specific goals, and managing multiple tasks and associated timelines effectively.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven recommendations.
• Skill in developing and achieving performance and operational goals.
• Demonstrated experience managing and leading change, mitigating risks, and ensuring project execution and quality.
• Ability to work collaboratively with individuals at all levels within a large organization and adapt to Rail's unique operating environment.
• Skilled at building trust and staff development
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of personnel and performance management.
• Skill in using management information systems, personal computers, word processing, spreadsheet database management, presentation, and similar applications.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Skill in navigating ambiguity and politically sensitive situations.
• Experience in policy and negotiated agreement development and interpretation.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to use applications for team communication and collaboration (such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.) and management of remote workers (telework and/or at other work locations).

Desired qualifications for the Track Access PPM IV include:

• Experience working in the Rail transit industry.
• Familiarity with Sound Transit and Link Light Rail business models and practices.
• Training and curriculum development.
• Skill in establishing effective working relationships and communicating successfully with diverse stakeholders, including senior management, governmental agencies, staff, and customers.
• Knowledge of visual and data management systems and processes, including GIS and power Bl.
• Proficiency in process improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma.

Special Requirements:

• Washington State Driver's License or the ability to travel through the county in a timely fashion
• Work requires on-call to respond to emergent critical needs, emergencies, or other special circumstances

Supplemental Information

Work Schedule

The work week is 40 hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 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 Location

Teleworking Requirement

The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly in a hybrid work environment that is predominately remote telework completed with occasional on-site attendance as needed at Operations and Maintenance Facility Central located at 3407 Airport Way South, Seattle, WA 98134. Some work out of other locations may be required, including the Operations and Maintenance Facility - East at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA and any future Sound Transit Link facilities.

Employee will have access to shared workspaces at various Sound Transit facilities. Employee must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employee will be provided with a Sound Transit issued laptop and must maintain a 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.

Who may apply: This recruitment is open to all King County employees and the general public.

To Apply

If you are interested in 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 general questions) please contact Brenna Burbank at brburbank@kingcounty.gov.

Required Forms and Application Materials:

• Submit an online employment application, completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs, and complete all answers to the supplemental questions.
• Attach a letter of interest that:
• Describes your interest in the Track Access PPM IV position and how your experiences and abilities have prepared you to take on the job duties, including why you are the best fit for the position. Include a brief description of your skills, experience, and knowledge.
• Only the first two pages of your letter of interest will be reviewed.

Applications that do not include the 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

Letters of interest are required in order to be considered for the role. Your letter of interest, and responses to supplemental questions will be screened for qualifications, competitiveness, clarity, written communication skills and completeness. A selection process will be used to determine the most qualified candidates. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in a one or more interviews.

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

Class Code: Project/Program Manager IV 2441400

Union Representation: PROTEC17: Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17

Questions

If you have questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Brenna Burbank, HR Analyst, brburbank@kingcounty.gov.

#RailJobs

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.

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

Did you attach the required letter of interest (also known as cover letter)? If not, you may still go back to that section of the application and attach it. Applications that do not include all required materials may be rejected as incomplete, and not advanced in the process.

• Yes
• No

02

Are you willing and able to respond to emergent critical needs, emergencies, or other special circumstances outside of regular work hours?

• Yes
• No

03

If you have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, will you need accommodation in the recruitment process? This confidential information is solicited for the purposes of providing reasonable accommodation for the recruitment process only.

• YES
• NO

04

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.

05

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

06

MTD - Where did you first hear about this employment opportunity?

• a. King County Metro Employment Site
• b. King County Metro Employee
• c. Indeed
• d. LinkedIn
• e. King County Careers/Government Jobs.com
• f. Job Fair - if selected, answer the following question
• g. Other - if selected, answer the following question

07

MTD - If you selected "f" or "g" to the previous question, indicate which job fair or "other" source where you found out about this opportunity.

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, does your relative work for King County's METRO Transit Department?

• Yes
• No

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/