Transportation Planner II (Urban Designer/Wayfinding Specialist)
King County
Pioneer Square, WA
Full-time
Design
Posted on March 25, 2023
Salary
$43.30 - $52.34 Hourly
Location
Seattle, WA
Job Type
Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department
MTD - Metro Transit
Job Number
2022AA17187
Division
Mobility
Closing
4/9/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Summary
Metro Transit has one exciting career service opportunity in our Service Development Section within the Mobility Division. We are hiring one Transportation Planner II in the System Expansion and Integration Work Group. This role is as an Urban Design and Wayfinding position and will plan and develop a holistic and scalable wayfinding program; implement that program through design of custom wayfinding elements for Metro passenger facilities at Sound Transit (ST) Link Light Rail, STride Bus Rapid Transit, and Sounder commuter rail stations, and at major transit hubs; support Transit Integration project managers with customer experience planning and design expertise and task level management; lead interagency wayfinding coordination efforts, and support the Customer Information team with service alert design and wayfinding map upkeep.
About the work group
The System Expansion and Integration Work Group leads the Service Development Section's work on RapidRide expansion, mid and long-range transit planning, and integrating Metro services and facilities with partner agencies. The Transportation Planner II will sit on the Transit Integration Team, which plans and manages a wide variety of customer-facing transit capital projects in initial planning and design in partnership with the Capital Division. Much of the work involves partnership with Sound Transit and local jurisdictions. Projects include transit passenger facilities, transit hubs, and RapidRide corridor improvements. The Team plays a key role in integrating bus/rail passenger facilities with Sound Transit's Link Light Rail, STride Bus Rapid Transit, and Sounder commuter rail. In addition, the Team is a core member on all ST Link-related service restructures and provides capital coordination, wayfinding, and branding support among other duties. The System Expansion and Integration work group is committed to developing products and services in a way that advances equity, inclusion, and social justice.
Competitive Benefits
King County provides our employees with a no-cost transportation pass (good on most transit systems throughout the Puget Sound region). We offer a benefits package that includes competitive medical, dental and vision benefits for the whole family and domestic partner, competitive vacation, sick, holiday and executive leave plans, and participation in the State's Public Employees Retirement Plan (PERS) are provided, as well as the option of participating in the County's deferred compensation plan (a 457 plan). For more information, please visit our benefits site: Benefits, Payroll and Retirement - King County .
We are accepting applications from all qualified applicants. This recruitment will be used to fill 1 career service vacancy. It will also be used to create an eligibility pool for future Career Service or Temporary (TLT/SDA/STT) vacancies that may become open in this classification in this division. The pool will be valid for 12 months and used at the discretion of the hiring manager or until exhausted.
Job Duties
Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. As a Transportation Planner II, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. King County's Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan can be found here .
We are looking for candidates who meet the following Minimum Qualifications:
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) 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. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Application Requirements
Submit an online employment application online at https://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs . Please answer the supplemental questions, attach a resume, attach a cover letter, and attach a work portfolio that demonstrates your urban design/wayfinding experience. The portfolio can be from your work, school, or volunteer projects within the last 10 years. Your portfolio must be attached as a PDF (or similar type of format) with your work samples. We will not review hyperlinks to external sites.
Portfolio Requirements
We are looking for a diverse array of examples that show skills focusing on customer information pieces, wayfinding, transcreated materials, or signage for work done within the last ten (10) years. Your portfolio submitted should demonstrate how you meet or exceed the requirements posted in this job post. You may include up to 10 related samples in your portfolio.
Selection Process
The application, resume and portfolio will be screened for qualifications, competitiveness, completeness, and communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.
NOTE: Please answer ALL questions in the online employment application itself, with each of your jobs during the last 10 years listed (listing each position for each employer separately), duties explained, reasons for leaving etc.
Applications that are not complete, or do not include the required materials, may be rejected as incomplete, and not advanced in the process. Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions under Application Tips and FAQs at: www.kingcounty.gov/jobs .
Work Schedule
This position has a work week that is 40 hours, Monday through Friday. This is an overtime eligible position that is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Work outside normal business hours may be required occasionally.
Work Location
The primary location of the position is at the King Street Center offices, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104. However, this is a hybrid position (teleworking and in office). The work associated with this position will be performed or conducted through a combination of teleworking and onsite work and meetings. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Union Representation: This position is represented by PROTEC17: Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17
Class Code: 2421200 Transportation Planner II
Questions about this recruitment? Contact Angela Alcaraz, Sr. HR Analyst, 206-263-2466, aalcaraz@kingcounty.gov
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
$43.30 - $52.34 Hourly
Location
Seattle, WA
Job Type
Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department
MTD - Metro Transit
Job Number
2022AA17187
Division
Mobility
Closing
4/9/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Summary
Metro Transit has one exciting career service opportunity in our Service Development Section within the Mobility Division. We are hiring one Transportation Planner II in the System Expansion and Integration Work Group. This role is as an Urban Design and Wayfinding position and will plan and develop a holistic and scalable wayfinding program; implement that program through design of custom wayfinding elements for Metro passenger facilities at Sound Transit (ST) Link Light Rail, STride Bus Rapid Transit, and Sounder commuter rail stations, and at major transit hubs; support Transit Integration project managers with customer experience planning and design expertise and task level management; lead interagency wayfinding coordination efforts, and support the Customer Information team with service alert design and wayfinding map upkeep.
About the work group
The System Expansion and Integration Work Group leads the Service Development Section's work on RapidRide expansion, mid and long-range transit planning, and integrating Metro services and facilities with partner agencies. The Transportation Planner II will sit on the Transit Integration Team, which plans and manages a wide variety of customer-facing transit capital projects in initial planning and design in partnership with the Capital Division. Much of the work involves partnership with Sound Transit and local jurisdictions. Projects include transit passenger facilities, transit hubs, and RapidRide corridor improvements. The Team plays a key role in integrating bus/rail passenger facilities with Sound Transit's Link Light Rail, STride Bus Rapid Transit, and Sounder commuter rail. In addition, the Team is a core member on all ST Link-related service restructures and provides capital coordination, wayfinding, and branding support among other duties. The System Expansion and Integration work group is committed to developing products and services in a way that advances equity, inclusion, and social justice.
Competitive Benefits
King County provides our employees with a no-cost transportation pass (good on most transit systems throughout the Puget Sound region). We offer a benefits package that includes competitive medical, dental and vision benefits for the whole family and domestic partner, competitive vacation, sick, holiday and executive leave plans, and participation in the State's Public Employees Retirement Plan (PERS) are provided, as well as the option of participating in the County's deferred compensation plan (a 457 plan). For more information, please visit our benefits site: Benefits, Payroll and Retirement - King County .
We are accepting applications from all qualified applicants. This recruitment will be used to fill 1 career service vacancy. It will also be used to create an eligibility pool for future Career Service or Temporary (TLT/SDA/STT) vacancies that may become open in this classification in this division. The pool will be valid for 12 months and used at the discretion of the hiring manager or until exhausted.
Job Duties
Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. As a Transportation Planner II, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. King County's Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan can be found here .
- Develop a holistic and scalable wayfinding program for Sound Transit stations and Metro transit hubs.
- Lead design and development of custom wayfinding elements for King County Metro.
- Recommend and oversee consistency among customer-facing wayfinding and other mapping products.
- Develop and implement a plan for upkeep of custom wayfinding elements.
- Support Transit Integration program managers (PMs) on ST Integration and Transit Hubs capital projects and major Metro restructures with planning and design expertise inclusive of task level management, with a focus on customer experience, wayfinding, and branding.
- Lead or support other capital planning efforts such as bus stop branding, supporting accessibility including tactile wayfinding for blind/deaf-blind riders, and Electronic "paperless" signage and electronic transit alerts planning.
- Act as Metro lead for interagency wayfinding coordination and work.
- Support other work groups with customer-facing mapping, rider alerts, restructure graphics, renderings, concept design, and other graphic work as needed.
- Provide expertise in urban design, placemaking, and wayfinding.
- Participate in design strategy sessions and presentations.
- Lead or participate in urban design projects with integrated, multidisciplinary teams.
- Prepare materials for presentations that communicate the design process and how/why concepts were developed.
- Interface with stakeholders and consultants.
- Network with other agencies, jurisdictions, and community-based organizations.
- Support development and implementation of planning processes that empower community as decision-makers, especially communities of color and indigenous communities, low-income communities, people with disabilities, linguistically diverse people, and immigrants and refugees.
- Build and foster relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, customers, community members, and partner agencies.
- Advance equity through consistently contributing to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment, and developing new or revised methods to advance equity.
- Attend in person evening community or local jurisdiction council or committee meetings as required.
- Perform field visits and local travel as needed.
- Perform other duties, responsibilities, and activities as assigned.
We are looking for candidates who meet the following Minimum Qualifications:
- At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience supporting transportation, planning, or urban design projects including project initiation, planning, design, implementation and closeout OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the skills, knowledge and abilities required to perform the work.
- Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (i.e., Adobe Illustrator) and ArcGIS.
- Strong drawing, graphic presentation, and technical writing skills.
- Proficiency in computer design software, including AutoCAD.
- Proficiency with project coordination of graphic design and wayfinding products, including:
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to develop solutions to complex problems.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and successfully with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to manage and prioritize a diverse workload to accomplish tasks on defined timelines and in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated familiarity with wayfinding best practice and mapping standards.
- Understanding of equity and social justice principles and ability to apply to tasks and projects in a deliberate and impactful manner.
- Ability to use multiple types of qualitative and quantitative data to draw conclusions and make recommendations.
- Experience with community engagement such as attending community meetings, helping to develop survey tools, or other forms of direct public interaction.
- A highly engaged and collaborative work style.
- A bachelor's degree in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design or other related design/built environment discipline and two years of related job experience.
- 3 or more years of increasingly responsible experience in planning and/or design related to transit and transportation planning.
- Understanding of urban planning, current trends, and issues in urban design as they relate to transportation.
- An innovative, creative, engaging, and comprehensive approach to design.
- Current knowledge of transit planning and project management principles, practices and methodologies and a strong understanding of how transit planning interacts with land use planning, sustainability, non-motorized travel options, and public health and environmental justice through an equity lens.
- Understanding of government processes and procedures such as regulation and policy development, legislative processes, etc.
- Experience designing products to be usable for as many people as possible, particularly groups who are traditionally excluded from being able to use a design product or navigate an environment (also known as inclusive design).
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) 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. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Application Requirements
Submit an online employment application online at https://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs . Please answer the supplemental questions, attach a resume, attach a cover letter, and attach a work portfolio that demonstrates your urban design/wayfinding experience. The portfolio can be from your work, school, or volunteer projects within the last 10 years. Your portfolio must be attached as a PDF (or similar type of format) with your work samples. We will not review hyperlinks to external sites.
Portfolio Requirements
We are looking for a diverse array of examples that show skills focusing on customer information pieces, wayfinding, transcreated materials, or signage for work done within the last ten (10) years. Your portfolio submitted should demonstrate how you meet or exceed the requirements posted in this job post. You may include up to 10 related samples in your portfolio.
Selection Process
The application, resume and portfolio will be screened for qualifications, competitiveness, completeness, and communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.
NOTE: Please answer ALL questions in the online employment application itself, with each of your jobs during the last 10 years listed (listing each position for each employer separately), duties explained, reasons for leaving etc.
Applications that are not complete, or do not include the required materials, may be rejected as incomplete, and not advanced in the process. Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions under Application Tips and FAQs at: www.kingcounty.gov/jobs .
Work Schedule
This position has a work week that is 40 hours, Monday through Friday. This is an overtime eligible position that is subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Work outside normal business hours may be required occasionally.
Work Location
The primary location of the position is at the King Street Center offices, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104. However, this is a hybrid position (teleworking and in office). The work associated with this position will be performed or conducted through a combination of teleworking and onsite work and meetings. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Union Representation: This position is represented by PROTEC17: Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17
Class Code: 2421200 Transportation Planner II
Questions about this recruitment? Contact Angela Alcaraz, Sr. HR Analyst, 206-263-2466, aalcaraz@kingcounty.gov
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 12paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.