Workforce Operations & Engagement Manager

The King County Metro Transit Facilities Division is seeking an energetic and visionary Workforce Operations & Engagement Manager(Special Project Manager I) dedicated to advancing Metros core values of delivering clean safe and reliable service to our this essential role you will design and lead innovative workforce pathways and foster meaningful community partnershipsensuring our teams are empowered to uphold the highest standards of operational excellence. By building strong collaborative frameworks across internal teams and external partners you will strengthen our commitment to a workplace where safety reliability and environmental stewardship are at the forefront.

As a strategic connector youll bring together Metros operational leadership labor educational institutions and community organizations to create integrated workforce initiatives that directly support our mission. Your work will drive cross-functional projects that enhance workforce development reinforce safe and efficient facilities operations and champion inclusive community-driven solutions.

Join us in making a lasting impacthelp us grow a skilled engaged workforce that keeps Metros promise: providing clean safe and reliable transit services for all.

About Metros Facilities Division

King County Metro Transits Facilities Division maintains all Metro Transit properties such as bus bases park & rides bus shelters and offices and maintenance shops. Services include bus shelter repairs and replacements bus shelter cleaning trolley wire repairs radio maintenance for buses environmental spill clean-up bus sign replacement graffiti removal and other facilities maintenance duties. Internally team provides division-wide support functions for finance budget environmental compliance safety training administrative services and new employee orientation. Planning inventory/materials management work center workforce management functional asset management general/maintenance agreements systems support capital infrastructure sustainable resources/energy.

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. All employees are expected to model and apply our equity and social justice shared values behaviors and practices. As the Workforce Operations & Engagement Manager you will also:

Operational Workforce Pathways Design & Implementation

• Lead the development and execution of operational workforce pathway programs (e.g. job shadowing pre-apprenticeship technical upskilling) tailored to facilities maintenance and skilled trades.
• Collaborate with operations and maintenance leaders to identify current and future workforce needs and align pathway programs with operational priorities.
• Develop scalable models and toolkits for workforce pathways that can be adopted across other Metro divisions.

Community & Stakeholder Partnership Management

• Build and sustain collaborative partnerships with community-based organizations labor unions technical colleges high schools and apprenticeship sponsors to co-design and deliver operational workforce initiatives.
• Convene and facilitate cross-functional advisory groups and project teams to ensure shared decision-making and alignment with Metros operational goals.
• Serve as a liaison between Metro Facilities leadership and external partners ensuring transparent communication and mutual accountability.

Project Management & Cross-Division Collaboration

• Lead special projects that advance operational workforce development including pilot programs process improvements and grant-funded initiatives.
• Coordinate with internal teams (operations maintenance safety training HR labor) to ensure project integration and operational impact.
• Support change management and organizational learning related to workforce innovation and operational excellence.

Talent Attraction & Retention Strategy

• Partnering in community engagement outreach and workforce branding initiatives with your Talent Acquisition Partner to enhance Metros visibility and appeal as a high-quality employer. This includes participating in community events building relationships with local organizations and promoting Metros values and opportunities to diverse audiences.

• Supporting inclusive hiring practices by working with Talent Acquisition HR and operational leaders to identify and reduce barriers to entry while upholding safety skill and performance standards. Your role is to provide operational insights and help design pathways that make Metros skilled trades and technical roles more accessible to underrepresented groups.
• Collaborating with HR Labor and Facilities leadership to identify retention challenges and implement workforce-informed solutions. You will facilitate cross-functional discussions gather operational feedback and help pilot new retention strategies ensuring that solutions are informed by both frontline experience and HR expertise.

Equity Access & Inclusion in Operations

• Embed equity access and inclusion principles into all operational workforce pathway and partnership initiatives.
• Identify and address barriers to participation for underrepresented groups (e.g. women in trades opportunity youth justice-impacted individuals) in collaboration with community partners.
• Ensure all programs support fair access skill development and long-term career stability.

Metrics Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and track operational metrics (e.g. program participation completion advancement operational impact) to evaluate project effectiveness.
• Use data and stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement and inform resource allocation.
• Prepare clear actionable reports and presentations for Metro leadership labor partners and community stakeholders.

Please Note: This role is operational and collaborative in nature. It does not perform or duplicate HR functions such as recruitment hiring compensation employee relations or benefits administration.

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

• Bachelors degree in public administration business project management operations or a related field OR equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading operational projects cross-functional teams or community partnership initiatives in a public sector transit or facilities environment.
• Strong project management stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Experience developing and using metrics and evaluation frameworks for operational programs.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience in transit public sector operations facilities maintenance or skilled trades environments.
• Knowledge of apprenticeship standards labor agreements and operational workforce regulations.
• Experience implementing equity-focused operational strategies and evaluating outcomes for specific populations.
• Familiarity with collaborative governance cross-functional advisory boards and labor-management partnership models.
• Knowledge of how to coach and support continuous improvement training and activities including Kata coaching 5S standard work PDCA cycles Leader Standard Work and other continuous improvement tools and practices.

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 Daniel Russell Talent Advisor at

Required Application Material:

• An online employment applicationwith employment history going back at least ten years if you have ten years of employment (or more to include all relevant experience). Be sure to list all job duties dates of employment and reasons for leaving.
• Attach a cover letter/letter of interest
• Completed supplemental questions

Selection Process:

Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications and for clarity completeness and responsiveness to the application instructions above. Highly competitive applicants may be asked to interview. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes such as reference checks or internal record reviews.

Work Schedule:

For more information regarding this recruitment please contact:Daniel Russell Talent Advisor at .