Transit Superintendent - Streetcar
- Summary
Metro is seeking to fill a Transit Superintendent position supervising the daily operation of the Streetcar Section in its Rail Division.
Metro Transit Rail Division operates the Sound Transit light rail system, which will grow three-fold in the near future. We also operate 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 all three organizations are working together to build an integrated system that lets people travel farther, faster, and more easily.
Metro is striving to build an enduring legacy of diversity and inclusion, equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovation, continuous improvement, safety, and environmental sustainability. King County government and Metro Transit have adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance this legacy. We are actively developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all of our residents and our employees. We are changing the way government delivers service--for example by actively engaging the people we serve in our planning processes. Through innovations like these Metro has won national recognition as a model of excellence.
Job Summary
Responsibilities of this assignment include supervising and directing all operations, maintenance, and repair of Streetcar equipment, facilities, infrastructure, and related systems. The incumbent provides leadership and direction to staff in all facets of Streetcar operations and maintenance. Transit Superintendents provide policy direction, create an environment that models customer service, work collaboratively with union leaders and others within the organization, and are a resource to employees at the worksite.
This leadership role requires the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse employee work group, proactively solve problems that impact service delivery, provide quality customer service, and motivate employees through building respect and trust. Our Superintendents demonstrate support for the goals of the organization in providing quality public service and collaboratively working with other sections and departments, while recognizing the value of diversity of opinion, culture, and perspective.
Who May Apply
This career service position is open to King County employees and the general public.
Work Schedule
The work schedule is normally day shift Monday through Friday, however, due to the 24 hour/7 day a week operation of public transit service, this position may require off-shift (swing and graveyard) meetings as well as weekend work. The Superintendent is on-call 24 hours a day to respond to emergency circumstances. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.
How To Apply
An online employment application completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs AND a cover letter that specifically explains your interest in the position and how your background supplies you with the key required and desirable competencies stated is required. Your application should include at least your last 10 years of employment if you have 10 years of employment. All relevant experience should be included in either the application or a résumé. NOTE: A résumé is not required but may also be uploaded into your application package.
Note: Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to translate their life experiences to show how they meet required the experience, knowledge, education and skills.
Selection Process
Application materials will be screened for completeness, clarity and competitiveness. The most competitive applicants may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.
Skype options may be available for out-of-state candidates for the initial interviews only. We are unfortunately not able to provide interviewing or relocation expenses.
Union Representation
The position is represented by PROTEC17's Transit Superintendents bargaining unit.
Questions
For answers to questions about this recruitment, please contact:
Deandra Stanley
Talent Advisor
destanley@kingcounty.gov- Job Duties
Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. All Superintendents are expected to model and apply our equity and social justice shared values, behaviors and practices across all of the job duties listed below.
Job duties include but are not limited to:
- Oversee approximately 60 employees, including operations and maintenance employees, who are responsible for the daily operations of Seattle Streetcar.
- Develop, supervise and mentor employees that deliver high-quality, timely service to customers; manage and allocate resources to support the work;
- Hire, lead, help develop, and motivate employees, helping them to recognize the important role they each play in achieving the overall agency goals and empowering them to perform accordingly. Demonstrate positive leadership and role modeling to encourage and support staff while managing employee performance.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships within and between the Rail Division, Streetcar Section, and the City of Seattle as well as throughout King County. Participate and represent Streetcar in a wide variety of internal and external work groups, project teams, committees, and task forces.
- Partner with unions and other stakeholders to deliver excellent service and build a community-oriented, diverse, and inclusive environment; investigate and resolve customer complaints; mitigate high-profile service delivery issues.
- To continuously improve our services, lead the development of new initiatives, efficiencies, and operational methods to meet strategic goals; determine and select technology and equipment; write reports and budget requests; supervise program and procedure development and implementation.
- Develop and implement strategies to help create a culture focused on improved safety, service quality, reliability/operating efficiency and employee morale. Monitor and assist with the development of the section budget; ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies; analyze and interpret operating policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- With a strong level of comfort managing a highly unionized workforce, create harmonious working relationships with multiple collective bargaining units and ensure consistent application of labor policies, labor contract provisions and hiring guidelines; resolve grievances and other labor and performance issues.
- Establish Streetcar operating goals and objectives, which include performance standards, staff development and resource needs to support efficient, customer-focused service; develop and direct the use of performance metrics; recommend corrective actions as needed; manage data collection and reporting.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
We are looking for candidates who meet the following qualifications:
- Supervisory or comparable leadership experience in transit operations, public administration, human resources, or other relevant fields, that provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the key roles and responsibilities of the position.
- Are skilled people leaders who:
- Have demonstrated experience building effective teams in diverse work environments while inspiring trust, creating strong morale, instilling vision and purpose, and fostering open dialogue
- Are interested in and inspired to develop and lead direct reports, furthering people's career goals, providing challenging and stretching tasks and assignments, and effectively developing all levels of staff
- Know how to build relationships and treat all employees and customers equitably, with respect and dignity, as well as solve problems for the good of all
- Have 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
- Have high integrity and a commitment to continuous improvement
- Are excellent communicators, in both oral and written communications
- Skill in conflict and problem resolution and negotiation
- Demonstrated critical thinking skills, particularly as they relate to performance management and process and continuous improvement.
- Skill in time management, timely decision making, planning and delegating work assignments, and managing multiple projects efficiently
- Skill in use of standard MS Office Suite applications
- Valid Driver's License (Washington license by date of hire) or the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely fashion
The most competitive candidates will possess the following desired qualifications:- Supervisory experience, preferably in rail or streetcar operations for a public transit agency
- Experience applying a high degree of professionalism in an environment that contains ambiguity and political sensitivity
- Skill in evaluating all business using an equity and social justice lens
- Supplemental Information
Working for King County Metro Transit
In 2018, KC Metro Transit was named Outstanding Public Transportation System of the Year among the nation's largest transit agencies. This award recognizes achievements like record-breaking growth, 93 percent customer satisfaction, adoption of green technologies, and leadership in modeling new mobility services.
Metro's Superintendents work in partnership with employees, colleagues and stakeholders to ensure that Metro provides world-class service while advancing the following:
- Health and safety of our workforce
- Strength and sustainability of our environment
- Forward-looking development of our employees
- Equity and social justice in our workplace
Renowned for its natural beauty and vibrant communities, the Central Puget Sound region is growing faster than any place in the United States--and demand for transit is at an all-time high. Metro Transit is the largest public transportation agency in the region, and will play an increasingly important role in reducing congestion, protecting our environment, building strong communities, and getting more people where they need to go.
Competitive Benefits
King County provides our employees with a free 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, including state-registered domestic partner, competitive vacation, sick, holiday and executive leave plans, and participation in the State's Public Employees Retirement Plan (PERS), as well as the option of participating in the County's deferred compensation plan (a 457 plan).
At King County Metro Transit we believe:
Our diverse culture encompasses unique perspectives, knowledge, skills and abilities, and the rich dimensions of their unique identity that each member of the Metro community brings to work every day. 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, and religious beliefs).
The diverse experiences and perspectives of our employees help us serve King County residents in an equitable, and culturally responsive way.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, we value diverse perspectives, life experiences, and differences. We encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people of all ages, and veterans. We are committed to being equitable and fair in providing equal access to opportunities for all.
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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01Will you need an accommodation in this selection process due to having a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? If you select YES on this question, you will be contacted by our Human Resources staff if you are invited to proceed in the selection process. All disability status information will be treated as confidential.
- Yes
- No
02This posting requires a cover letter as described more fully in the How To Apply section of the posting. Have you included your cover letter?Required Question