Transportation Planner III (SEI)

This position is open to current King County employees and the general public.

King County Metro seeks a Senior Transportation Planner to manage complex projects lead multidisciplinary staff teams manage consultants and develop data-driven recommendations to help shape the growth of the transit system and improve the customer experience. The successful candidate will bring strong project management skills expertise in transit planning effective written and verbal communication skills and proficiency in analysis and evaluation while placing equity and social justice at the center of their work. This career service position classified as Transportation Planner III will work on the Transit Integration Team in the System Expansion and Integration Work Group. This position will play a pivotal role in shaping how Metro coordinates with other agencies helping deliver on the vision of an integrated regional transit network that provides an easy and seamless customer experience across modes and service providers. This position will lead project development and provide strategic oversight and coordination during design and delivery of customer-facing capital projects that support Metros current and future service needs. The Senior Transportation Planner will excel at collaborating with multifaceted teams and bring a mindset of continuously improving planning processes and outcomes to one of the most dynamic and innovative places in the country.

About System Expansion and Integration:

The System Expansion and Integration (SEI) Work Group guides transit service strategy and develops plans for Metros highest-ridership community investments such as RapidRide transit centers and regional bus and rail hubs delivered in partnership with Sound Transit. This position will sit on the Transit Integration Team one of three teams in SEI. The Transit Integration Team leads customer experience-focused capital programs and projects that ensure Metro services are well integrated with regional transit investments. The team manages interagency partnerships and agreements advances long-range capital planning for passenger amenities and off-street layover facilities and coordinates Metros role in major system expansion efforts particularly those associated with Sound Transits voter-approved capital programs. The Transit Integration team works on a variety of efforts including:

• Lead budget development of customer-facing capital projects for inclusion in King Countys 10-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP);
• Managing two Metro capital programs: Transit Hubs and Off-Street Layover;
• Leading capital projects and partnerships related to light rail bus rapid transit and commuter rail as part of Sound Transits Regional Transit System Plan (ST3);
• Developing and managing interagency agreements including letters of concurrence memoranda of understanding and funding agreements;
• Coordinating with subject matter experts across Metro to review environmental and other key documentation for major system expansion projects assess impacts and recommend mitigation strategies;
• Supporting capital coordination for major changes to transit service; and
• Advancing continuous improvement and innovation to improve the customer experience.

This recruitment will be used to fill one Career Service addition this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future career service term limited temporary and special duty assignment vacancies that may occur in this classification within this workgroup. The eligibility pool will be retained for 12 months from the date of posting and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County this role you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values behaviors and practices to all aspects of the work.

As a Senior Transportation Planner you will:

Plan and Manage Capital Projects:

• Develop lead and guide vital customer-facing projects that improve the customer experience and help achieve greater equity throughout the King County public transportation system.
• Actively manage scope schedule budget stakeholders resources risk and quality for assigned projects.
• Demonstrate excellent leadership interpersonal and communication skills and comfort managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Develop submit and manage Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget proposals.
• Oversee project transitions from Planning to Capital Project Delivery for design and construction of standard (non-partnership) capital projects.
• Lead development of partnership project funding agreements and oversee design and delivery of projects delivered by others.
• Oversee and review analysis performed by internal subject matter experts or by others (consultants or external agencies/jurisdictions).
• Promote equity by fostering an equitable diverse and inclusive work environment.

Manage Teams (Work Consultant & Stakeholder):

• Develop and manage matrixed project teams through all phases of project planning design and implementation.
• Lead participate in and facilitate project teams and internal and external committees including stakeholder advisory groups technical advisory committees and other groups.
• Support inclusive community and stakeholder engagement efforts related to projects that are aligned with Metro goals and objectives.
• Develop project scope negotiate cost and manage consultant teams supporting project planning activities.

Lead Interagency Coordination:

• Act as a primary trusted contact and problem solver with Metros transit integration counterparts at local agencies and jurisdictions.
• Negotiate and manage interlocal agreements on behalf of King County.
• Develop and execute memoranda of understanding letters of concurrence or other non-binding partnership agreements with Sound Transit and other jurisdictions.
• Prepare and present information to a variety of internal and external work groups project teams committees task forces and stakeholders including the King County Council local jurisdictions various agencies and the public.

Communicate and Collaborate Effectively:

• Represent Metro in wide range of settings including but not limited to technical committees County Council and Regional Transit Committee meetings; in various forums with other transit agencies local jurisdictions and elected officials; and in public meetings.
• Develop presentation and other communications materials to explain transit concepts and plans to a variety of audiences.
• Perform other duties responsibilities and activities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications for Senior Transportation Planner Include the Following:

• A Masters Degreein Planning (Land Use Urban Regional Transportation Environmental) Public Administration Environmental Studies Geography or related field and at least three (3) years of work experience in urban or transportation planning public policy environmental sustainability or related field OR a Bachelors Degree in a related field and at least five (5) yearsof work experience in urban or transportation planning or related field.
• Professional experience in transit or transportation planning.
• At least two (2) years of progressively responsible experience managing projects or programs.
• Experience managing consultant teams and providing direction on technical elements of transportation planning projects.
• Strong leadership communication and interpersonal skills demonstrating ability to solve problems negotiate differences and resolve conflicts among multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and successfully with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds and interests.
• Ability to manage projects and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to develop solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to manage and prioritize a diverse workload to accomplish tasks on defined timelines and in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to negotiate partnerships and develop agreements.
• Ability to combine big picture thinking with a solid understanding of technical details.
• Demonstrated technical writing skills showing ability to effectively translate and interpret quantitative and technical information to non-technical audiences including decision-makers.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite including Word Excel Outlook Teams and PowerPoint.
• Comfortable with a hybrid work environment.

Highly competitive candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Expertise in transit planning principles and practices and methodologies.
• Experience with capital planning for transit projects.
• Experience developing negotiating and managing consultant contracts.
• Strong understanding of how public transportation interrelates with land use sustainability multimodal and active transportation safety public health and environmental justice.

Who May Apply
This position is open to King County Employees and the General Public.

Required Application Materials

• An online King County application updated with accurate contact information and all relevant work history going back 10 years (or more if necessary) with all duties dates of employment and reasons for leaving explained clearly in the work experience section of the application.
• Answer supplemental questions.

Selection Process
Applicants will be screened for competitiveness completeness and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks and/or file review

Work Location:This is a hybrid position. The main work site for this position is King Street Center 201 S Jackson St. Seattle WA 98104. The team works in a hybrid model with days in the office as well as telecommuting. Currently there will be a minimum of one day per week required in the office. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. 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 work week is normally 40 hours Monday through Friday. Alternative work schedules may be possible. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and therefore is not eligible for overtime pay.

Union Membership: Protec17

Job Code: TP III241804

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: Tracy Bylund at .

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