Project/Program Manager I (SDA)

Special Duty Assignment (SDA) Project/Program Manager I

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division is seeking a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) Project/Program Manager I in the Organizational Strategy & Administration unit's Engagement Strategy Team. This position will help lead events and activities such as Take Our Children to Work Day and Transit Appreciation Week. In addition to established events, this role has an opportunity to help shape the future of employee engagement within the Rail Division.

As a PPM I with the Engagement Strategy Team, this role will work in collaboration with a team of Project/Program Managers and will have exposure to various projects that support the strategic priorities of the Rail Division and King County Metro. We are seeking someone skilled in organization, communication, and forward-thinking who is interested in learning about project and program management, event planning, and embraces the opportunity to contribute to building employee engagement programs and activities in the Rail Division. This person should be self-motivated with the ability to work independently, move forward ideas, and navigate fluidly in a dynamic organizational setting. Opportunities for training and development in all of these areas will be available to the selected candidate.

This recruitment process will be used to fill one (1) Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position. This SDA is expected to last 12 months in duration, with the possibility of extension. This recruitment may also be used to establish an eligibility list to fill future special duty assignment opportunities in this group that may occur over the next twelve months from the establishment of the list, at the discretion of the hiring authority.

King County Metro Transit is a regional leader in helping people move quickly throughout the region, reducing commuter stress, greening the environment and radically improving urban air quality, by providing comfortable, effective transit services for the thousands of commuters and other residents of King County, Washington. Working for Metro means working for a leader in this public transportation industry. Metro was named Outstanding Public Transportation System of 2018 by APTA, the American Public Transportation Association. King County Metro's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link Light Rail, a growing network spanning 60 miles and serving 38 stations across the Puget Sound region. Together with Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services, the Link Light Rail system is the backbone of an integrated regional transit network that gives people real freedom of movement.

This position is open to current Career Service King County Metro employees within the Rail division who have successfully passed their probation period and meet the requirements for the position. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore eligible for overtime pay. Work schedule is typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; however, work outside of business hours will occasionally be required, which may include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on business and operational needs. Primary location is at the Operations and Maintenance Facility - Central (OMFC) at 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA and subject to pending change to downtown Seattle office location. Some work at other Rail Division worksites may be required at times, including out of: Operations and Maintenance Facility - East (OMFE) at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA; Maintenance of Way Facility North (MOWN); Federal Way End of Line Facility; Maintenance of Way Facility South (MOWS); South Lake Union Streetcar Operations and Maintenance Facility located at 318 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA; First Hill Streetcar Operations and Maintenance Facility located at 848 7th Ave. S, Seattle, WA.

Job Duties

As a Project/Program Manager I within the Rail Division's Engagement Strategy team, you will:

• Support the Engagement Strategy Team in advancing the Rail Division's strategic priorities of fostering a culture of care, effectively expanding operations, ensuring a safe and effective operating environment, and strengthening partnerships.
• Lead the planning and facilitation of events focused on employee engagement, appreciation and recognition. Some of the established events and celebrations for the Rail Division include Take Our Children to Work Day, Transit Appreciation Week, and Annual Appreciation Event Celebrations.
• Ensure event-related AV technical needs are fully tested and operational.
• Proactively plan events which may include leading committee meetings, assisting in creating and tracking budgets, working with outside vendors, identifying when additional support is needed from the Rail Organizational Strategy & Administration teams, and being on-site during event.
• Conduct direct in-person outreach and use other communications strategies to advertise events and reach our frontline workforce.
• Help generate and gather ideas for future employee appreciation events and activities
• Closely collaborate and partner with the Rail Division's Internal Communications Team on employee engagement, appreciation and recognition events.
• Collaborate with partners from across King County Metro, which may include project managers or communications specialists from different sections or work groups.
• Collaborate with the Organizational Strategy & Administration Unit teams, including Data Analysts, Project/Program Managers, Continuous Improvement Specialists, Transit Administrative Support Specialists, and Administrators. This may include supporting projects that impact operations and efficiencies across the Rail Division.
• Serve as a representative of the Engagement Strategy Team during events, activities, and during daily operations. This includes gathering and responding to employee feedback.
• Help plan and facilitate on-site tours to Sound Transit, King County, and/or community partners who are interested in learning more about the Rail Division.
• Help plan, coordinate, and schedule quarterly job shadowing of our frontline workforce for members of the Engagement and Performance and Strategy teams.
• Work in collaboration with Engagement Strategy Team to write program proposals, event or project after-actions, and identify goals and scope for future engagement activities supporting the Rail Division strategic priorities.
• Support the logistical components of the employee recognition program as needed (i.e., creation of plaques and awards, presenting awards to winners).
• Assist with other projects as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

We are looking for candidates who possess these minimum qualifications:

• Commitment to helping build of a culture of care, equity and safety within the Division.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Teams.
• Enthusiasm for supporting employees within King County Metro and specifically the Rail Division.
• Experience with or willingness to learn project management tools and strategies.
• Experience or willingness to learn approaches to planning events. This includes drafting budgets, developing written documents to track priorities and action items, and facilitating events.
• Knowledge of and comfort with assessing, troubleshooting and managing AV needs and equipment.
• Comfortability leading discussions with employees from across the Division.
• Flexibility to shift priorities as needed.
• Willingness to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Experience in both written and oral communication.
• Strong writing skills to use in communications, project planning, report-writing
• Possesses problem-solving skills and is open to trying new approaches to solve problems.
• Willingness to perform other duties as assigned.
• Self-motivated and experience working independently.
• Comfort with ambiguity in a fast-paced working environment.

The most competitive candidates will also possess these desirable qualifications:

• Experience utilizing Microsoft Office tools to manage work plans or projects.
• Experience planning events or activities for large groups.
• Experience generating budgets and tracking expenditures.
• Experience drafting reports or other written documents.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

• Ability to adjust working hours to accommodate for early morning or late evening Engagement events.
• Ability to travel between work locations in a timely manner.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.

Supplemental Information

To Apply This Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position is currently open to King County Metro Rail Division career service employees who have successfully passed their probationary period. 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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement. Application and Selection Process Applicants should complete an application at which includes responding to the supplemental questions, a letter of interest (up to one page), and resume. The letter of interest should include detail on how you meet the minimum qualifications and explain how an opportunity to serve in the role of Project/Program Manager I (SDA) will support your career interests and goals.

Your application, letter of interest, responses to supplemental questions, and resume will be screened for qualifications