Salary range is $97K to $201K with a midpoint of $149K. Total compensation includes project-based premiums that reflect project complexity, political sensitivity, size, and strategic importance. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint of the base range, however, we may go higher based on experience, internal equity and market.
Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with 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 $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
- Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.
This is a Term-Limited position with an anticipated duration of 5 years.
GENERAL PURPOSE:
Under administrative direction, is responsible for establishing and managing a process to plan and design the high capacity transit (HCT) system in partnership with local governments, community groups, and citizens for an assigned segment/corridor of the HCT project; manages and oversees the project development and environmental process to build consensus and reach agreements between members of the affected communities and the design team regarding the alignment, station locations, design features, and environmental impact mitigation of the HCT system; manages the scope, budget, and schedule within policy direction established by the Board; collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop and maintain project support; works in concert with other Departments which will provide civil and system engineer, construction management, project control, real estate, and community outreach support to the assigned Corridor Team; and provides the Board and other decision makers with information needed to make timely policy decisions related to project implementation.
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.
- Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff; assigns work activities and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations.
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships and communication with project partners, including local, state, and federal government officials, oversight groups such as the Citizen Oversight Panel, and key community stakeholders; negotiates and manages third party agreements to ensure compliance and accountability.
- Develops partnerships with local jurisdictions to support station area planning and encourage innovation and opportunities for transit-oriented economic development, land use and urban design improvements, and joint use in association with HCT station locations and designs.
- Coaches, trains, and motivates staff; coordinates and/or provides staff training; and manages employee relations; manages the workflow and prioritization of projects and measures the performance of the division and all related staff and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; provides advice and counsel to staff; develops developmental work plans for staff; implements or recommends corrective actions, discipline, and termination procedures as appropriate/necessary.
- Provides leadership and direction for day-to-day management of the assigned corridor project team while working closely with the Design and Construction Department which will provide civil and system engineer, construction management, project control, real estate, and community outreach support; manages preliminary design budget and scope development for construction program; manages the engineering and cost-estimating used to develop the budget for the corridor project; and procures, directs, and manages consultant contract(s) for preliminary engineering, environmental review, and community outreach.
- Follows all FTA related guidelines for New Starts funding during the planning, environmental, and design phases of the corridor project.
- Establishes and manages a process for developing the design of the HCT system in partnership with local governments, community groups, and citizens; and analyzes problems, identifies alternative solutions, projects consequences of proposed actions, and implements recommendations in support of goals.
- Supports the Sound Transit Board’s decision-making by maintaining communications and managing the development of briefing materials with clear and concise written, oral, and visual information, responding to requests, and presenting project details as needed.
- Coordinates with Board administration and Communications and External Affairs staff to provide information about the light rail project and its importance to the region to Washington’s congressional delegation, other elected officials, and the Federal Transit Administration.
- Manages preliminary environmental review and outreach for a proposed HCT; manages internal staff and consultants in development of the engineering plans and environmental analysis; represents Sound Transit during the assessment; responds to issues and questions; oversees environmental analysis to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and that project impacts are identified and appropriate mitigations are developed during the project development and design phase, and monitor during construction.
- Works as a fully integrated team with other Agency departments to coordinate design and construction efforts and maintain established budget and schedule.
- Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, priorities, and budgets for assigned projects, services, and functional area within the Division; and makes recommendations and forecasts for future funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.
- Provides support to the Department on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
- Champions and models Sound Transit's 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 Transit’s 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: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Transportation, Business Administration, Public Administration, or closely related field. Six years of public transit related experience in project management of urban design, community planning, public involvements, engineering, architecture; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required Knowledge and Skills:
- Operational characteristics, services, and activities of the Division as it relates to area of assignment.
- Principles and practices of program development and administration.
- Transportation planning and traffic engineering concepts, practices, procedures, and policy issues.
- Transit technologies and their application to specific projects and services.
- Transportation planning, transit design, and SEPA/NEPA environmental law.
- Federal New Starts process for funding light rail projects.
- Governance processes at the local state and/or federal levels, including legislative and regulatory decision making processes.
- Development and third party negotiation and consensus building principles and practices and conflict resolution.
- Contract and agreement administration.
- Advanced project management techniques and principles.
- Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
- Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
- English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
- Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
- Advanced principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
- Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
- Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
- Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
- Transportation planning, transit design, and SEPA/NEPA environmental law is required, with demonstrated ability to read and understand engineering drawings and apply technical findings in planning, environmental, and engineering fields.
- Negotiation and partnering skills with local jurisdictions, contractors, and community groups and successful experience with consensus-building.
- Analyzing problems and identifying alternative solutions; projecting the consequences of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in the support of Agency goals.
- Preparing and administering large and complex public projects.
- Public speaking and in developing and delivering presentations and presenting ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
- Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
- Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication.
- Researching, analyzing, and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.
- Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.
- Developing and monitoring divisional and program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.
- Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority.
Physical Demands / Work Environment:
- Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
- Positions working in the field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, and extreme noise when visiting construction sites and when working in the field.
- This position is responsible for engaging and presenting to the community. May be subject to hearing, talking, seeing, and walking.
- This position is responsible for in-person collaboration with City Partners in the City of Tacoma, the City of Fife, the Puyallup Tribe Admin HQ, and the City of Federal Way about once a week.
- 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.
