Project/Program Manager III

Non-Revenue Vehicle (NRV) Project/Program Manager IIIKing County Metro Transit's Rail Division is seeking to hire a collaborative and process-oriented Non-Revenue Vehicle (NRV) Project/Program Manager III. This Project/Program Manager (PPM III) role will lead the development of a holistic program that supports an existing fleet of nearly 200 Sound Transit-owned Non-Revenue Vehicles (NRVs) operated by King County Metro staff. This PPM III will apply project and program management skills to create a sustainable cross-agency NRV Program that has clearly defined roles, responsibilities, expectations, processes, and procedures for maintaining the NRV fleet.Reporting into the Performance Strategy Team, this PPM III will collaborate with Sound Transit and internal Rail teams, including Operational and Maintenance Crafts, Finance and Administration, Asset Management, Senior and Executive Leadership, and Contract-Support, to establish a cross-agency NRV Program with the purpose to advance operational efficiency and on-time expansions, along with cultivating healthy partnerships between King County Metro Rail and Sound Transit.This recruitment process will be used to fill one (1) Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or one (1) Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position. This PPM III SDA/TLT opportunity is anticipated to last until January 2028.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. As Puget Sound transit agencies work together to build a seamless, connected system, our light rail system plays a central role in expanding access, reducing barriers, and ensuring that everyone across our region can get where they need to go.Joining Metro's Rail Division means joining an organization that is shaping the future of public transportation in the Pacific Northwest and setting the standard for modern rail operations nationwide. This is a division that values strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and a deep commitment to the people we serve, both our riders and our teams. Whatever your role, your work here contributes to something that matters, a light rail system that thousands of people count on every day.This position is open to King County employees and the general public. King County Employees applying for the SDA need to have passed their six (6) month probationary period (or will complete it by the closing date of this posting) in their current career service position.Job DutiesApplying our ACTIVATE values: being Accountable, Collaborative, Timely, and Impactful; how we Value Employees; staying Accessible; building what's Trusted; and acting Equitably, is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. As a Project/Program Manager III, you will:Ideal future state: Identify all the processes, procedures, and roles and responsibilities necessary to develop a best-in-class NRV fleet management program; Utilize program management and change management tactics to successfully implement new processes and approaches across all the teams utilizing NRVs.Current State: Address backlog of projects and processes and determine what processes and documentation exist and where there are gaps for efficient NRV maintenance and procurement.Develop roadmap: Create a prioritized roadmap and plan for how to implement the ideal state processes and procedures over the course of this one-year assignment; Manage the projects identified in the prioritized roadmap.Stakeholder alignment: Establish and align agencies/teams on expectations for roles and responsibilities of NRV processes; Deliver plans and proposals outlining permanent placement and responsibilities for projects along with ongoing tasks and needs.Collect NRV requirements from work groups and establish processes to sustainably and permanently support the ongoing needs; identify necessary permanent resources for ongoing NRV management; Establish criteria for aligning usage expectations across agencies.Create a clear budget process that is agreeable to both agencies and identify a timeline that aligns with both Sound Transit and King County's budget processes.Apply a lens of innovation and continuous improvement to all programs and projects, with a focus on sustainability and system improvement.Manage a combination of in-person and virtual work spanning 4+ base locations across the Link Light Rail service area.Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, SkillsMinimum qualifications:Three (3) years of experience creating and managing programs and projects, including assessment, initiating, planning, executing, and monitoring initiatives with defined deliverables.Three (3) years of experience working with diverse stakeholders, demonstrating political savvy in navigating the perspectives and interests of different groups while maintaining focus on overarching objectives.Ability to manage a wide variety of needs within a program or project, including setting priorities, meeting deadlines, organizing work assignments, and maintaining strong attention to detail.Demonstrated experience applying change management and process improvement principles.Ability to develop clear, concise, and thoughtful verbal and written communication; comfort in facilitating meetings and leading discussions; and the ability to present information to both technical and non-technical audiences and adjust the communication based on audience needs.Ability to work through ambiguity, organize goals, and confirm alignment with multiple key stakeholders.Advanced skills with Microsoft Office, including SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Teams.Desirable qualifications:Familiarity with Sound Transit, King County Metro, or other regional transit operations and practices.Familiarity with a multi-agency work environment, including skill in relationship management and negotiation.Experience working in Operations, Maintenance, Procurement, Asset/Vehicle Management, or Service Delivery environments.Familiarity with FTA state of good repair and maintenance compliance programs.Experience working with technical, maintenance, or operational line-level staff.Experience working in a unionized environment.Experience with data management and/or budget monitoring.Supplemental InformationTo Apply, you Must Submit:An online King County application. Please include relevant work history going back 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly.A Cover Letter (2 page maximum) addressing:How your experience and background meet or exceed the qualifications for this positionWhy you are interested in supporting Metro Transit's Rail Division in this roleA current Resume, detailing experience and duties performed. Your resume and the work history section of the King County application should reflect the same experience.Answer the supplemental questions in their entirety.Applications that do not follow the above instructions may be rejected as incomplete and will not be advanced in the process.Application & Selection ProcessApplications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications, and for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above. Applications will then undergo a blind panel review. Highly competitive applicants may be invited to one or more interviews. 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 This position is full time, 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay.TeleworkThis position follows a hybrid work schedule requiring a minimum of 3 days per week onsite, consistent with King County Metro's hybrid work policy. Remote workdays may be adjusted based on operational or business needs. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various Sound Transit facilities. Upon hire, employees must reside in Washington state and must be able to travel to the below work locations in a timely manner to respond to operational needs and workplace reporting requirements.Work LocationsPrimary Work location: 315 5th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104, USAOperations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) Central at 3407 Airport Way S., Seattle, WA.Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) East at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA.Maintenance of Way North (MOW-N) at 920 N 137th St Seattle, WAOther possible work locations