Transportation Planner IV - Speed and Reliability
- Summary
Metro Transit's Speed and Reliability is searching for two Transportation Planner IVs to manage highly political and visible projects and who will work as program managers to advance planning, design, and implementation of Speed and Reliability Corridor Improvements, Project Partnership, and Trolley Expansion programs. These positions are responsible for advancing active projects within each program to be handed off to Metro Capital Project Delivery or other agencies to design and implement. These positions will require close coordination and collaboration with other workgroups and various sections across Metro Transit Department. These position will report to Supervisor of Capital Planning – Speed and Reliability workgroup.
The ideal candidates will have ability to bring people together and demonstrate self-awareness while working to get consensus and resolve differences with internal and external stakeholders. They will also be flexible with changing priorities and competing demands and will monitor program performance and continue process improvements. Additionally, the ideal candidates will bring technical skills to ensure decisions based on data, develop strategic approaches in building partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, and have increasing work experience in transit capital planning related projects, strong project management skills, and have a track record of transforming project ideas into reality.
Candidates selected for these positions will advance:- Trolley Expansion Program and Special Projects – this program will work closely with City of Seattle to identify Metro service and various Metro facilities impacted by city led projects and will also work on Special Projects based on emerging needs.
- Corridor and Partnership Program – this program will build stronger partnership and work with local jurisdictions throughout King County outside the City of Seattle to improve transit speed and reliability to get people where they need to go and where the needs are greatest.
- Job Duties
Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.
Trolley Expansion Program and Special Projects- Develop Trolley Expansion Program/project goals and objectives and coordinate with Zero Emission and Fleet Planning programs stakeholders.
- Provide support and track progress for individual projects managed by other capital planners.
- Coordinate with SDOT vision zero program, bike lane master plan, paving program, safe to route school program, and other programs that might impact Metro service and facilities.
- Coordinate with System Impacts related to construction activities.
- Active participant in Trolley Working Group with SDOT and facilitate cross-disciplinary, inter- and intra-agency workgroups.
- Prepare meeting agenda for Trolley committees.
- Lead Special Project to meet emerging needs.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Develop strategy to advance METRO CONNECTS vision for Frequent Service and Core Network corridors improvements.
- Prioritize project partnerships with local jurisdiction to advance Metro's goals of equity, safety, and sustainability where the needs are the greatest.
- Lead Special Project to meet emerging needs.
- Act as a project manager for selected partnership projects.
- Maintain strong working relationship and partnership with cities with active projects and Washington Department of Transportation.
- Reach out to cities with planned capital project in targeted areas and identify opportunities for cities to plan, design, and implement transit improvements.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Utilize innovative and efficient approaches and techniques in order to keep up in a rapidly changing and complex environment.
- Provide tactical approach and guidance to project leads/teams.
- Participate, track and manage budget development for project and section.
- Establish and monitor performance program performance and drive results
- Demonstrate a commitment to social justice and sustainability; promote an equitable, diverse and inclusive work environment.
- Tap a variety of data sources to conduct and review analysis that are used as a basis for establishing specific policy or technical recommendations.
- Conduct briefings and presentations, translating challenging and complex concepts, data and information for diverse audiences, both orally and in writing.
- Serve as a technical advisor to internal and external partners and decisions makers.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders in developing strategies, work plans and scope of work for planning, design, and implementation.
- Seek opportunities to partner with cities to plan, design, and implement transit related improvements to improve mobility.
- Work with planners and engineers within Metro to seek conceptual project approval proposed by others.
- Negotiate roles and responsibilities and cost sharing for projects led by others.
- Develop financial strategies and funding options for new projects, including planning and preparation for grant applications.
- Develop business case for project partnership and implementation.
- Represent Capital Planning in a wide-range of settings including, but not limited to, technical advisory committees, management briefings, and various forums with other local jurisdictions.
- Represent King County Metro Transit at relevant meetings, forums, conferences and transportation related events and associations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in civil engineering, urban planning or transportation planning, or related planning field from accredited program; or an equivalent combination of a broad range of working experience with applicable knowledge and skills, and ability to perform the work.
- At least two years of experience leading or managing complex projects involving multi-disciplinary teams.
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and lead diverse teams of highly-skilled professionals, as well as, the ability to bring people together and resolve issues.
- Experience in preparing written reports that are effective at conveying sometimes complex materials to a variety of audiences.
- Demonstrate strategic thinking and ability to manage important details.
- Must have effective organizational skills, and ability to multitask.
- Ability to analyze complex data and presenting information to diverse audiences.
- Knowledge of transportation planning and analysis practices and techniques.
- Knowledge of traffic engineering and transit operation principles.
- At least three years of professional experience in transit/transportation planning or transportation engineering, or related field.
- Prior supervisory experience of professional staff.
- AICP or Professional Engineer License.
- Hands on experience in developing dashboard to monitor program performance.
- Knowledge of traffic simulation modeling and/or travel forecasting.
- Experience working with municipalities.
- Experience in a variety of transportation projects with transit emphasis.
- Supplemental Information
Position Information
This recruitment will be used to fill two career service positions. We are accepting applications from all qualified applicants. This recruitment will also create an eligibility pool for future Transportation Planner IV career service, TLT/SDA vacancies in the Speed and Reliability workgroup that occur in the next 6 months. The eligibility pool is valid for up to 6 months upon creation, at the discretion of the hiring authority.
Required Application Materials- King County application including the supplemental questionnaire
- Include (copy/paste) your cover letter in supplemental question #1 - The cover letter should summarize how your education and/or experience meets the position's qualifications and how it has prepared you to perform the responsibilities and duties of this job.
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 all 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. If you need an accommodation in the recruitment process or an alternate format of this announcement, please inquire directly with the Human Resources contact for this job announcement.
Selection Process
Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews and possibly other selection process elements such as a writing exercise and/or other test. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks.
About King County
As the only county in the United States named after Martin Luther King Jr, one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures. Together we are changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. We continue to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking and continuous improvement. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all of our residents, regardless of their race or income. All of these qualities make this King County one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
King County Metro Transit
King County Metro Transit is a regional and national leader in getting people to work quickly, reducing commuter stress, addressing climate change and improving urban air quality through sustainable transportation strategies, and by providing comfortable, effective and equitable regional mobility services for commuters, residents, and visitors of King County, Washington.
Competitive Benefits
King County provides our employees with a free transportation pass (good on most transit systems throughout the Puget Sound region) and access to the building gym, with lockers, showers and bike room. We offer a benefits package that includes a medical, dental and vision benefits plan with employer-paid premiums for the whole family and domestic partner, generous 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).
Work Schedule
Work schedule is normally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., 40 hours per week. Alternative work schedules may be considered. Work outside of the normal workday is required periodically. These positions are designated exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act, and are therefore not eligible for overtime pay.
Union Membership
The position is represented by PROTEC 17 bargaining unit.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Angela Alcaraz, HR Analyst, 206-263-2466, aalcaraz@kingcounty.gov
Class Code: 2421400
King County is an equal employment opportunity employer. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workplace and 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 values--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, we are responsible stewards. We welcome and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
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
- 10 paid 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.
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01Cover Letter - Please include (copy/paste) your cover letter here. Your cover letter should summarize how your education and/or experience meets the position's qualifications and how it has prepared you to perform the responsibilities and duties of this job. ***Please do not include your name, address, email, phone number employee ID number, or any personal identifiable information on your cover letter.***02Based on your careful review of the minimum qualifications in the posting, please check all of the minimum qualifications that you meet.
- Bachelor's Degree in civil engineering, urban planning or transportation planning, or related planning field from accredited program; or an equivalent combination of a broad range of working experience with applicable knowledge and skills, and ability to perform the work.
- At least two years of experience leading or managing complex projects involving multi-disciplinary teams.
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and lead diverse teams of highly-skilled professionals, as well as, the ability to bring people together and resolve issues.
- Experience in preparing written reports that are effective at conveying sometimes complex materials to a variety of audiences.
- Demonstrate strategic thinking and ability to manage important details.
- Must have effective organizational skills, and ability to multitask.
- Ability to analyze complex data and presenting information to diverse audiences.
- Knowledge of transportation planning and analysis practices and techniques.
- Knowledge of traffic engineering and transit operation principles.
03Based on your careful review of the desired qualifications in the posting, please check all of the desired qualifications that you meet.- At least three years of professional experience in transit/transportation planning or transportation engineering, or related field.
- Prior supervisory experience of professional staff.
- AICP or Professional Engineer License.
- Hands on experience in developing dashboard to monitor program performance.
- Knowledge of traffic simulation modeling and/or travel forecasting.
- Experience working with municipalities.
- Experience in a variety of transportation projects with transit emphasis.
04When applying for this position, please thoroughly complete the EDUCATION and WORK EXPERIENCE sections of your application. This includes a description of each position you have held in the last ten years if you have ten years of employment. Please include even earlier positions if they gave you work experience that relates to this job, or if you developed skills in those jobs that relate to the job you are now applying for. For each Employer listed, you must indicate your reason for leaving. If you have been terminated from any previous jobs, please state the specific reasons why. Your responses to the Supplemental Questions will be used in combination with your application and any additional attachments to determine whether you are a competitive candidate. I have read the above statement and certify that the statements made by me on the application and supplemental questions are, to the best of my knowledge, true, complete and correct. I understand that any misrepresentation or material omission of fact on this or any other document required by King County may constitute grounds for rejection, or if employed by King County, for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. I acknowledge I have read and understand the above information.- Yes
- No
05If you have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, will you need accommodation in the testing process? This confidential information is solicited for the purposes of providing reasonable accommodation for the testing process only.- Yes
- No
06I certify that the statements made by me on the application and supplemental questions are, to the best of my knowledge, true, complete and correct. I understand that any misrepresentation or material omission of fact on this or any other document required by King County may constitute grounds for rejection, or if employed by King County, for disciplinary measures, including dismissal.- Yes
- No
Required Question