Rail Division Director
- Summary
Metro is continuing to build our leadership team! We are hiring one Division Director who will be responsible for overseeing the Rail Division. This dynamic, executive level leader will report directly to the Deputy General Manager and will work to ensure that Metro provides world-class rail service while advancing the following as it relates to Rail Operations and Maintenance:
- Health and safety of our workforce
- Strength and sustainability of our environment
- Internal and external capacity to deliver
- Equity and social justice in our workplace and in the communities we serve.
About the Rail Division
High-capacity light rail is emerging as the backbone of our region's public transportation system, and the Rail Division will be essential to its success. Metro Transit operates Sound Transit's light rail system, which will grow three-fold in the near future. Metro also operates two streetcar lines for the City of Seattle, which is evaluating expansion. These rail services complement Metro's robust fixed-route bus system and other mobility services, and the agencies are working together to build an integrated system that lets people travel farther, faster, and more easily. The Rail Division is critically important to attaining that vision by operating high-quality rail service today and by building a strong foundation for future growth. The division emphasizes safety, diversity and inclusion, workforce development, and continuous improvement. The Rail Division has five sections with about 300 employees:
- Rail Operations, which manages light rail operations and oversees the Rail Operations Control Center, Service Quality, Planning and Technical Support and Systems Impacts.
- Rail Maintenance, which manages light rail maintenance and oversees the Traction Power unit, Vehicle Maintenance unit, and the Track, Signals and Structures Unit.
- Rail Facilities which manages light rail facilities and works closely with Sound Transit's facilities oversight group.
- Streetcar, which manages the Seattle streetcar operations and develop relationships with the Seattle Department of Transportation.
- Business and Administrative Services, which oversees financial accounts and purchasing, manages contract services and ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Who May Apply
This position is open to all qualified applicants.
Forms and Materials Required
An online application is required. Written responses to the supplemental questions and a cover letter that summarizes your unique qualifications for this position are also required. Resumes are optional.
- Job Duties
Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. The Division Director is expected to model and apply equity and social justice shared values, behaviors and practices across all the job duties listed below:
- Provide strategic direction to the Rail Division and align the work performed with the vision and strategic goals of the Metro Transit Department and Sound Transit.
- Work with a variety of stakeholders including internal Metro staff, Sound Transit executive leadership and staff, City of Seattle, elected officials, law enforcement, other governmental agencies, transit customers, and the broader community to maintain current high standards of operations and oversee Rail expansion.
- Build teams and provide an environment, within the Rail Division that fosters employee engagement and creates developmental opportunities.
- Partner with unions to resolve problems and address labor-management issues in a collaborative manner.
- Develop and oversee the division budget; determine and allocate resources.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
The ideal candidate meets the following qualifications:
- Has 10 years of high level management experience in the public transportation field, with preference given to Rail Operations, Rail Maintenance, and/or Rail Facilities management.
- Is knowledgeable about how organizations work and how to get things done both through formal channels and informal networks.
- Is able to navigate the complexity of operating a contracted service and can be flexible and adaptable to meet various stakeholder needs.
- Demonstrates transparency and builds trust, courageously and consistently acting upon a strong set of core values that are aligned with King County Metro Transit's values.
- Has the ability as a leader to facilitate difficult conversations, particularly related to race (and other protected classes), power, and privilege.
- Has the leadership courage and ability to identify and take steps necessary to ensure that all have equitable opportunities to thrive.
- Has demonstrated experience developing direct reports and building effective teams in diverse work environments while creating strong morale, instilling vision and purpose, and fostering open dialogue.
- Has experience working with labor and ability to develop and nurture strong, productive relationships with union leadership, respecting established processes and fostering an environment of mutual respect.
- Supplemental Information
- About King County and Metro
This is an exciting time to work at King County Metro Transit. We serve the fastest growing transit market in the nation, enjoy a 93% customer satisfaction rate, and are creating an array of innovative mobility services for our riders. We're building a zero-emission bus fleet and operating our region's light-rail system, which will expand three-fold in the next six years. Acting on our strong commitment to social equity, we're pioneering income-based fares to help make our services affordable for everyone. In recognition of our many achievements and progressive approach to public transportation, Metro Transit was named the 2018 Outstanding Public Transportation System among the nation's largest agencies.
At King County Metro Transit we believe:
Diversity encompasses the unique perspectives, knowledge, skills and abilities and the rich dimensions of identity each member of the Metro community brings to work on a daily basis. These perspectives and human dimensions are built through life experiences and membership in socially defined groups (including, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, etc).
The diverse experiences and perspectives of our employees help us serve King County residents in an equitable, and culturally responsive way.
King County Metro Transit is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and values diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce. We want you to apply and to know that you will not be excluded from job opportunities based on your race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.
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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01Do you have at least ten (10) years of high level management experience in the public transportation field, with preference given to Rail Operations, Rail Maintenance, and/or Rail Facilities management?
- Yes
- No
02Describe what you believe to be the greatest challenge facing the Rail Division of Metro Transit. As Division Director, how will you address the challenge?Required Question