Program Manager- Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Engagement (term-limited)

Salary range is $81k to $170k with a midpoint of $118k. 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 competitivebenefits packagewith 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 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal addition to compensation and benefits youll find that we provide work-life balance opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

This is a term-limited position with a work assignment of 5 years.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction develops overall program management of engagement activities and programs for Sound Transits Community Development Office (CDO) to support the implementation of the offices updated strategic plan for transit-oriented development (TOD) including integrated joint development (JD) and community economic development. Responsibilities include managing and providing for the strategic development implementation and administration of engagement for programmatic goals and priorities derived from the strategic plan as well as specific TOD sites and opportunities determined through the plan. Position implements engagement plans and activities that promote awareness of TOD projects and Community Development programs highlight project and program milestones and support division initiatives. Engages with agency staff external partners and stakeholders; manages and develops engagement program strategies goals and objectives; manages office data systems and produces reports and statistics derived from those systems. Develops materials and strategies that facilitate communication between Agency staff; consultants; local jurisdictions; affected community and business groups; affordable housing developers funders and advocates; established and emerging real estate developers property owners and stakeholders.

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.

• Manages a strategic engagement program driven by goals/objectives derived from the programs ongoing work and the TOD strategic plan; maximizing use of a variety of media sources; responds to a variety of public inquiries and constituent concerns.
• Develops a deep understanding of Sound Transits TOD program and its policies including the agencys Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Policy the state 80/80/80 statute and the programs guidelines.
• Supports a team of 10 TOD professionals working on a variety of active real estate projects in various stages of being planned offered or developed into TOD as they engage with communities jurisdictions political actors and internal stakeholders.
• Supports the Community Development Office management team by preparing executive-level briefings coordinating Board of Directors reporting and managing internal and external components of the divisions TOD strategic plan development.
• Serves as an expert in community engagement with a specific focus in TOD urban planning and land use to support and design engagement programs for upcoming TOD projects. This position will serve as an expert in interdepartmental and interagency teams and acts with autonomy and authority to align TOD objectives with communications business objectives. Uses collaboration and influence to move teams towards goals.
• Closely partners with Sound Transits Capital Programs Equity and Inclusion Government and Community Relations Passenger Experience Safety and other departments to develop and select strategies to ensure consistent application of equitable engagement principles for TOD projects and Community Development programs.
• Serves as the point of contact for advocates partner agencies neighboring communities emerging developers and regional non-profits and provides guidance on best practices for engagement with TOD projects. Participates in various external meetings and committees responds to a variety of public inquiries and provides appropriate information to resolve issues; tracks issues/complaints.
• Maintains awareness of new developments in the field of engagement and how to apply those in a TOD planning environment; communicates concepts to broad range of audiences and incorporates new developments as appropriate.
• Works with TOD program managers and project teams to understand process and schedule information and be able to communicate and offer the opportunity to provide feedback on TOD projects. Apply a consistent approach to TOD engagement across many geographic areas while developing and managing specific plans that meet the needs of individual communities.
• Ensures strategic consistent processes and templates are used across TOD projects and that lessons learned are applied iteratively to those processes and templates.
• Envisions oversees and participates in the development and maintenance of engagement materials; drafts and edits a variety of public information materials including surveys website content email list updates fact sheets print material presentations or other digital content.
• Plans and staffs a variety of engagement activities including briefings and meetings fairs/festivals open houses public hearings and street team/staff volunteers.
• Develops and maintains evaluation methods to assess program strengths and identify areas for improvement. Tracks analyzes and communicates key program metrics such as quarterly engagement reports TOD data discounted land value data and GIS databases; recommends program changes and solutions.
• Implements and manages changes and interventions to ensure project goals are achieved.
• Manages program budget including scope of work and invoice management for a robust consultant contract for TOD engagement and resources supporting the agencys engagement and communication efforts. Manages and provides leadership to internal staff and consultants to carry out and implement community engagement measures.
• Champions and models Sound Transits 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 Transits 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:Bachelors degree in Communications Public Affairs Public Administration or closely related field. Four years of experience working in community engagement community relations or public relations; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid state drivers position is responsible for attending frequent community events which might not be accessible by transit.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Methods and techniques of community engagement outreach and education.
• General principles practices and strategies of land use development and urban planning.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Establishing and maintaining effective collaborative working relationships with internal partners community members community-based organizations businesses property owners and the general public.
• Developing and delivering compelling presentations to various audiences.
• Distilling highly technical information into concise easy to understand messages for public consumption.
• Senior-level project management including ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and organizing work to meet challenging priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to right-size and grow a program to account for future growth and sustainability.
• Using influence and ownership across teams.
• Demonstrating strong interpersonal techniques and commitment to establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a diverse work group including other division staff management vendors and outside agencies.
• Resolving complex problems when collaborating with matrixed teams.
• Leading strategic conversations chartering groups and creating planning documents.
• Conducting research and analysis and providing appropriate recommendations based on findings.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills including grammar punctuation and spelling.
• Excellent customer service.
• Modern office procedures methods and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing spreadsheets and statistical databases.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Subject matter expertise in transit-oriented development affordable housing and real estate development principles.
• Knowledge of equitable engagement topics applicable to transit-oriented development including anti-displacement community-led development transit passenger experience and placemaking.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office environment.
• This position is responsible for frequently attending community engagement events; may be subject to hearing talking seeing lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds or less.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery extreme weather conditions physical harm hazardous chemicals and/or extreme noise.
• 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.

Required Experience:

Manager