Administrator III [SDA]

This position is open to current career service King County Metro - Rail employees that have completed the six (6) month probationary period (or will complete it by the closing date of this posting) in their current career service position. King County Metro's Transit Department has an exciting opportunity for one Administrator III -SDA position to work within the Rail Division's Business and Administration section. This leadership role reports to the Administrator IV, and collaborates with employees, colleagues, and stakeholders to deliver exceptional service while advancing the following strategic priorities within the division: Strategic Priorities Develop a Culture of Care Provide operational excellence Deliver on-time expansions Maintain healthy and resilient partnerships with Sound Transit, our partners in Rail Service Delivery This Administrator III position will lead a high-performing team responsible for managing various administrative functions to support Metro Transit's Rail Division. This role also requires effective communication with diverse stakeholders, proactive problem solving, breaking down barriers, change management oversight, continuous improvement implementation, and fostering employee engagement to create a culture of care within the Division. The ideal candidate will excel in navigating an ambiguous work environment, possess leadership experience, and manage multiple competing priorities to deliver substantial results in a fast‑paced setting. Additionally, the candidate should have a solid background in equity and social justice, with experience in enhancing opportunities and support for historically disadvantaged employee groups. Responsibilities Lead a team to implement and oversee administrative support for the Division Oversee daily operations and supervise administrative staff. Act as a key strategic and technical adviser to the Rail Administrative Services Superintendent and other management staff. Direct the development and implementation of strategic goals, vision, workforce management, performance measures, strategies, and policies. Support the development of a skilled and effective team, managing and mentoring staff, and providing expertise in administrative best practices. Address staffing resource gaps by allocating work assignments among administrative team. Deliver high quality administrative services to the division Establish performance standards, initiate corrective actions as needed, and review operational and administrative policies to recommend improvements. Develop and clarify administrative policies and procedures in collaboration with Rail leadership, King County Metro Employee Services and Sound Transit personnel. Represent the section in internal and external groups, project teams, committees and task forces on topics that affect section systems and service delivery. Determine effectiveness and drive continuous improvement Develop and manage administrative guidelines, processes, and procedures for administrative functions using tools like Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc. Support business teams in implementing significant administrative business process improvements through process improvement methodologies. Analyze operational trends to optimize work assignments, staffing, absenteeism, leave usage, and forecast future staffing needs. Further partnerships and relationships Build collaborative relationships with collective bargaining units (Unions), ensure consistent application of labor policies and contract provisions, investigate grievances, and support legal or contractual conflict resolution. Provide guidance on complex or sensitive issues to subordinate supervisors and staff. Act on behalf of higher‑level supervisors as needed and perform other duties as required. Qualifications Required minimum qualifications Associate degree or equivalent in Business Administration (or a related field). Experience in developing, supervising, and overseeing administrative functions performed for a workgroup, section and/or division, or at least one year of experience leading people in an advanced Business Administrative work group. Strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all employees. Preferred qualifications or additional experience Proven experience in communication and internal employee engagement, including effective verbal and written communication skills, ability to work well with diverse individuals and populations, and passion for fostering positive, inclusive cultures that prioritize employee well‑being and belonging. Demonstrated skill and experience in leading and supervising people, including developing direct reports, supporting career growth, assigning challenging tasks, empowering, mentoring, and training staff, solving problems for collective benefit, demonstrating resilience, problem‑solving skills, and capacity to handle challenging situations with composure and effectiveness. Demonstrated ability to be detail‑oriented, organized, show initiative, and manage competing priorities with multiple deadlines and changing priorities. Strong attention to detail and proven multi‑tasking ability in a fast‑paced environment. Time management skills to manage competing priorities and multiple projects. Intermediate level proficiency with Office products such as Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint. Data analysis skills that support data‑driven decisions, identify trends, and track program effectiveness. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in handling sensitive data and information internally and externally. Work Schedule The base work schedule is 40 hours per week, normally day shift Monday through Friday. Due to the 24‑hour/7‑day operation of a public transit service, this position may require off‑shift work. The position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay. Work Location The work is performed in a hybrid environment, both in the office and at home. The expectation is to work on site 2–3 days a week. Employee will have access to shared workspaces at Sound Transit facilities and must reside in Washington State within a reasonable distance to the worksite. Primary onsite location: Operations and Maintenance Facility at 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA. Other sites may include Operations and Maintenance Facility – East at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, and any future Sound Transit Link facilities. Union Representation PROTEC17: Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17. Equal Employment Opportunity King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities 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. Class Code: Administrator III 2810300 #J-18808-Ljbffr King County