King County
Rail Senior Operations Manager (Transit Operations Manager)
King County, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
King County's Metro Transit Department has an exciting opportunity for a
Rail Senior Operations Manager
(Transit Operations Manager) in the Rail Division. This senior leader reports to Rail’s Division Director and works in partnership with employees, colleagues, and stakeholders to ensure that Metro provides world‑class service while advancing the following strategic priorities within Rail:
Strategic Priorities
Build a culture of care
Provide operational excellence
Deliver on‑time expansions
Maintain healthy and resilient partnerships with Sound Transit and the Seattle Department of Transportation, our partners in Rail Service Delivery.
This role coordinates the Rail operational and service delivery strategy between Sound Transit (ST) and King County Metro, leads and manages the implementation of this strategy for the Rail Division, and oversees the Rail Operations Unit, which includes the Rail Base Operations Section and the Rail Service Delivery Section. The position ensures coordination between ST and Metro operations/transportation teams that improves culture, efficiency, communication, implements key strategic policy initiatives, and tracks organizational performance metrics for continued improvement. It requires effective communication with diverse stakeholders across the Division, collaboration with leaders, administrative staff, employees, and ST to advance our collective operational strategy.
This leadership role requires the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, proactively solve problems, break down barriers, oversee change management, implement continuous improvement, and build employee engagement to improve operational performance. The ideal candidate will navigate ambiguous environments, manage multiple competing priorities, and deliver a large body of work in a fast‑paced environment. A strong background in equity and social justice, with experience improving outcomes for historically marginalized employee groups, is essential.
Who May Apply This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants. It will fill one Career Service, Rail Senior Operations Manager vacancy and may also establish a list or pool of qualified candidates for future openings in the Transit Operations Manager classification within the next six–twelve months. Placement onto a pool is not a guarantee of placement into a future position.
Application Requirements
A complete online King County application, updated with accurate contact information, and at least 10 years of relevant work history (or more, if necessary), listing all job duties.
Responses to the Supplemental Questions.
A Letter of Interest (1–2 pages) describing why you are interested in this opportunity and how you meet the qualifications for this position; highlighting your operational service delivery experience, including experience driving results and working on high‑priority tasks and projects.
Prepare Your Application We highly recommend visiting the Career Support Services website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective: Career Support Services – King County.
ABOUT METRO TRANSIT'S EXPANDING RAIL DIVISION Metro Transit's Rail Division operates and maintains Sound Transit's Link Light Rail service on a 24.5‑mile route from Angle Lake to Northgate. By the middle of 2026, Light Rail is expected to expand to nearly 60 route miles, adding 19 more stations. These services complement Metro's bus system and other mobility services, helping the Puget Sound agencies build an integrated system that lets people travel farther, faster, and more easily.
Role Responsibilities
Ensure operational execution : Translate ST requirements and KPIs into clear, strategic, and effective operational plans that drive measurable results across all functional areas.
Drive efficiency : Optimize processes, systems, and resources to meet performance goals efficiently.
Build and lead strong, people‑centered teams : Develop the Operations Unit for excellence by establishing business processes, clear expectations, and accountability measures. Strengthen and coach managers while fostering a sustainable culture of care, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Ensure stability : Oversee budgets, compliance, and risk management to maintain reliable, safe, and sustainable operations.
Support expansion and growth: Build the structure, systems, and leadership capacity needed to meet ST’s current and future expansion goals and targets.
Maintain partnerships : Foster strong collaborative partnerships with ST, KCM, and other key partners to ensure alignment and operational effectiveness.
Coordinate and align Rail's service delivery with other parts of Metro, King County, and Sound Transit.
Serve as an active and present member of Rail's Executive Leadership Team and Senior Leadership Team, providing counsel on operational priorities, employee engagement, continuous improvement, and implementation.
Lead and manage priority projects : Oversee projects related to service delivery and transportation priorities, ensuring all work complies with relevant laws, regulations, and policies.
Develop strategic objectives and work plans : Collaborate with ST and Rail’s Director's Office to establish strategic annual objectives, work priorities, and work plans for service delivery and operational excellence.
Other duties as assigned : May be assigned special projects or additional responsibilities at the discretion of the hiring authority.
Minimum Qualifications
Option 1 : Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of rail operational service delivery experience, including driving results, making recommendations, and working on high‑priority tasks and/or projects simultaneously.
Option 2 : Associate’s degree and seven (7) years of rail operational service delivery experience, including driving results, making recommendations, and working on high‑priority tasks and/or projects simultaneously.
Option 3 : Nine (9) or more years of rail operational service delivery experience, including driving results, making recommendations, and working on high‑priority tasks and/or projects simultaneously.
Leadership Experience : Five (5) years of leading and supervising people, including:
Supervising multidisciplinary staff.
Developing and leading direct reports, furthering career goals, and providing challenging and stretching tasks.
Engaging, empowering, training, coaching, and mentoring staff.
Experience working with labor in unionized environments and respecting established processes.
Additional Minimum Qualifications / Competencies
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all employees.
Passionate about creating positive and inclusive cultures that prioritize well‑being and belonging.
Ability to establish and maintain respectful, effective, and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders.
Knowledge of equitable treatment of employees and customers, and problem‑solving for the benefit of all.
Resilience, problem‑solving skills, and capacity to handle challenging situations with composure.
Demonstrated ability to give and receive feedback across hierarchies and use employee input to inform decision‑making and build a trusting team culture.
Desired Qualifications
Significant experience in a rail environment, including Rail Service Delivery and safety requirements and regulations. Five (5) years is highly desired.
Knowledge of and experience with the King County and Sound Transit relationship, including working conditions, policies, and procedures.
Experience translating King County's policies and procedures into Rail's unique operating environment.
Significant experience leading initiatives that promote equitable outcomes, increased employee inclusion, and a sense of belonging among marginalized workforce members. Five (5) years is highly desired.
Equal Employment Opportunity 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.
Application & Selection Process Submit an online employment application and attach a cover letter at https://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The cover letter should describe why you are interested in this opportunity and how you meet the qualifications; highlight experience leading and supervising people and delivering complex organization‑wide projects.
Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in a test and one or more interviews. Applications that are incomplete or do not include the required attachments may be disqualified and not advance.
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. For alternate language or format, accommodation, or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions, contact Skyler Jones at skjones@kingcounty.gov.
Work Schedule Work schedule may include non‑standard hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. This position is part of a workgroup that provides coverage and support 24 h a day, 7 days a week. Incumbents will need to be on call nights and weekends (rotational). This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay.
Work Location Primary location: 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98134 or 401 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104. Occasional travel to the Operations and Maintenance Facility – East, located in Bellevue (1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98005), and other rail locations as needed.
Teleworking Requirement Work is predominantly in a hybrid environment, working in the office and at home. Expectation is to be in the office 3 days a week. 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. A County‑issued laptop will be provided, and a workspace with internet connection is required. Safety precautions, including mask requirements in some situations, apply.
Union Representation This position is not represented by a union.
Contact Questions about this recruitment? Contact Skyler Jones, 206‑263‑0629, skjones@kingcounty.gov.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Rail Senior Operations Manager
(Transit Operations Manager) in the Rail Division. This senior leader reports to Rail’s Division Director and works in partnership with employees, colleagues, and stakeholders to ensure that Metro provides world‑class service while advancing the following strategic priorities within Rail:
Strategic Priorities
Build a culture of care
Provide operational excellence
Deliver on‑time expansions
Maintain healthy and resilient partnerships with Sound Transit and the Seattle Department of Transportation, our partners in Rail Service Delivery.
This role coordinates the Rail operational and service delivery strategy between Sound Transit (ST) and King County Metro, leads and manages the implementation of this strategy for the Rail Division, and oversees the Rail Operations Unit, which includes the Rail Base Operations Section and the Rail Service Delivery Section. The position ensures coordination between ST and Metro operations/transportation teams that improves culture, efficiency, communication, implements key strategic policy initiatives, and tracks organizational performance metrics for continued improvement. It requires effective communication with diverse stakeholders across the Division, collaboration with leaders, administrative staff, employees, and ST to advance our collective operational strategy.
This leadership role requires the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, proactively solve problems, break down barriers, oversee change management, implement continuous improvement, and build employee engagement to improve operational performance. The ideal candidate will navigate ambiguous environments, manage multiple competing priorities, and deliver a large body of work in a fast‑paced environment. A strong background in equity and social justice, with experience improving outcomes for historically marginalized employee groups, is essential.
Who May Apply This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants. It will fill one Career Service, Rail Senior Operations Manager vacancy and may also establish a list or pool of qualified candidates for future openings in the Transit Operations Manager classification within the next six–twelve months. Placement onto a pool is not a guarantee of placement into a future position.
Application Requirements
A complete online King County application, updated with accurate contact information, and at least 10 years of relevant work history (or more, if necessary), listing all job duties.
Responses to the Supplemental Questions.
A Letter of Interest (1–2 pages) describing why you are interested in this opportunity and how you meet the qualifications for this position; highlighting your operational service delivery experience, including experience driving results and working on high‑priority tasks and projects.
Prepare Your Application We highly recommend visiting the Career Support Services website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective: Career Support Services – King County.
ABOUT METRO TRANSIT'S EXPANDING RAIL DIVISION Metro Transit's Rail Division operates and maintains Sound Transit's Link Light Rail service on a 24.5‑mile route from Angle Lake to Northgate. By the middle of 2026, Light Rail is expected to expand to nearly 60 route miles, adding 19 more stations. These services complement Metro's bus system and other mobility services, helping the Puget Sound agencies build an integrated system that lets people travel farther, faster, and more easily.
Role Responsibilities
Ensure operational execution : Translate ST requirements and KPIs into clear, strategic, and effective operational plans that drive measurable results across all functional areas.
Drive efficiency : Optimize processes, systems, and resources to meet performance goals efficiently.
Build and lead strong, people‑centered teams : Develop the Operations Unit for excellence by establishing business processes, clear expectations, and accountability measures. Strengthen and coach managers while fostering a sustainable culture of care, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Ensure stability : Oversee budgets, compliance, and risk management to maintain reliable, safe, and sustainable operations.
Support expansion and growth: Build the structure, systems, and leadership capacity needed to meet ST’s current and future expansion goals and targets.
Maintain partnerships : Foster strong collaborative partnerships with ST, KCM, and other key partners to ensure alignment and operational effectiveness.
Coordinate and align Rail's service delivery with other parts of Metro, King County, and Sound Transit.
Serve as an active and present member of Rail's Executive Leadership Team and Senior Leadership Team, providing counsel on operational priorities, employee engagement, continuous improvement, and implementation.
Lead and manage priority projects : Oversee projects related to service delivery and transportation priorities, ensuring all work complies with relevant laws, regulations, and policies.
Develop strategic objectives and work plans : Collaborate with ST and Rail’s Director's Office to establish strategic annual objectives, work priorities, and work plans for service delivery and operational excellence.
Other duties as assigned : May be assigned special projects or additional responsibilities at the discretion of the hiring authority.
Minimum Qualifications
Option 1 : Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of rail operational service delivery experience, including driving results, making recommendations, and working on high‑priority tasks and/or projects simultaneously.
Option 2 : Associate’s degree and seven (7) years of rail operational service delivery experience, including driving results, making recommendations, and working on high‑priority tasks and/or projects simultaneously.
Option 3 : Nine (9) or more years of rail operational service delivery experience, including driving results, making recommendations, and working on high‑priority tasks and/or projects simultaneously.
Leadership Experience : Five (5) years of leading and supervising people, including:
Supervising multidisciplinary staff.
Developing and leading direct reports, furthering career goals, and providing challenging and stretching tasks.
Engaging, empowering, training, coaching, and mentoring staff.
Experience working with labor in unionized environments and respecting established processes.
Additional Minimum Qualifications / Competencies
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all employees.
Passionate about creating positive and inclusive cultures that prioritize well‑being and belonging.
Ability to establish and maintain respectful, effective, and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders.
Knowledge of equitable treatment of employees and customers, and problem‑solving for the benefit of all.
Resilience, problem‑solving skills, and capacity to handle challenging situations with composure.
Demonstrated ability to give and receive feedback across hierarchies and use employee input to inform decision‑making and build a trusting team culture.
Desired Qualifications
Significant experience in a rail environment, including Rail Service Delivery and safety requirements and regulations. Five (5) years is highly desired.
Knowledge of and experience with the King County and Sound Transit relationship, including working conditions, policies, and procedures.
Experience translating King County's policies and procedures into Rail's unique operating environment.
Significant experience leading initiatives that promote equitable outcomes, increased employee inclusion, and a sense of belonging among marginalized workforce members. Five (5) years is highly desired.
Equal Employment Opportunity 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.
Application & Selection Process Submit an online employment application and attach a cover letter at https://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The cover letter should describe why you are interested in this opportunity and how you meet the qualifications; highlight experience leading and supervising people and delivering complex organization‑wide projects.
Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in a test and one or more interviews. Applications that are incomplete or do not include the required attachments may be disqualified and not advance.
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. For alternate language or format, accommodation, or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions, contact Skyler Jones at skjones@kingcounty.gov.
Work Schedule Work schedule may include non‑standard hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. This position is part of a workgroup that provides coverage and support 24 h a day, 7 days a week. Incumbents will need to be on call nights and weekends (rotational). This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay.
Work Location Primary location: 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98134 or 401 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104. Occasional travel to the Operations and Maintenance Facility – East, located in Bellevue (1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98005), and other rail locations as needed.
Teleworking Requirement Work is predominantly in a hybrid environment, working in the office and at home. Expectation is to be in the office 3 days a week. 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. A County‑issued laptop will be provided, and a workspace with internet connection is required. Safety precautions, including mask requirements in some situations, apply.
Union Representation This position is not represented by a union.
Contact Questions about this recruitment? Contact Skyler Jones, 206‑263‑0629, skjones@kingcounty.gov.
#J-18808-Ljbffr