King County, WA
Rail Service Delivery Section Manager (Transit Section Manager)
King County, WA, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
Rail Service Delivery Section Manager (Transit Section Manager)
King County's Metro Transit Department has an exciting opportunity for a senior leader to manage rail service delivery. The Rail Service Delivery Section Manager will report to Rail’s Senior Operations Manager and work in partnership with employees, colleagues, and stakeholders to ensure that Metro provides world‑class service while advancing the following strategic priorities within Rail:
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
Who May Apply This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants. It will be used to fill one Career Service, Transit Section Manager vacancy and may also establish a list or pool of qualified candidates for future openings within the next six‑twelve months. Placement onto an eligibility list/pool is not a guarantee of placement.
Application Requirements
A complete online King County application, updated with accurate contact information and relevant work history going back at least 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all job duties.
Responses to the Supplemental Questions.
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 leadership experience in rail service delivery and progressively responsible experience in transit operations, strategic planning or project management.
Job Duties Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will:
Oversee the Link Control Center and Service Quality workgroups.
Oversee recruitment, development, and engagement of section employees. Lead, develop, and motivate employees. Foster a sustainable culture of care, teamwork and excellence; help employees understand the critical role they play in achieving agency goals.
Develop and implement innovation and strategic initiatives that strengthen the Section’s near‑term performance and long‑term effectiveness.
Lead strategic planning and performance management for Rail Service Delivery Section.
Analyze operational data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
Develop and oversee implementation of key initiatives, including service optimization, technology integration, and sustainability efforts.
Lead and coordinate service delivery oversight, upholding standards for reliability, quality, and customer experience across all rail services.
Collaborate with capital project teams and regional partners (e.g., Sound Transit) to ensure proper design and seamless integration of new extensions into existing operations.
Provide operational input during planning, design, testing, and construction phases of expansion projects.
Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to deliver excellent service, including key labor and Sound Transit partners.
Oversee budget and resources for the Section ensuring responsible stewardship and long‑term operational sustainability.
Develop and lead communication strategy for the Section ensuring clear, timely, and consistent information flow to staff, leaders, and partners.
Champion safety by ensuring that employee and public safety continue to be Metro’s highest priority. Maintain strict adherence to safety rules and procedures and continually seek to enhance safety practices.
Manage special projects and cross‑functional teams delivering high‑impact outcomes aligned with agency priorities.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to rail operations and expansions.
Other duties as assigned: May be assigned special projects or additional responsibilities at the discretion of the hiring authority.
Minimum Qualifications To be considered, applicants must meet one of the following options or a combination of the listed requirements:
Option 1:
Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Transportation Planning, Engineering, or related field and three (3) years of leadership experience in Rail Service Delivery.
Option 2:
Associate’s degree in Public Administration, Transportation Planning, Engineering, or related field and five (5) years of leadership experience in Rail Service Delivery.
Option 3:
Seven (7) or more years of leadership experience in Rail Service Delivery.
AND
Three (3) years of experience in leading and supervising people, including:
Supervising multidisciplinary staff.
Developing and leading direct reports, furthering people’s career goals, providing challenging and stretching tasks and assignments, and effectively developing all levels of staff.
Engaging, empowering, training, coaching and mentoring staff.
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in transit operations, strategic planning, or project management, including:
Knowledge of business planning techniques, principles, and practices.
Demonstrated leadership in managing complex projects and cross‑functional teams.
Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Ability to make timely, quality decisions and assign decision‑making to the appropriate staff level.
Ability to work on a number of high‑priority projects/tasks simultaneously.
Experience working with labor, within unionized environments, and ability to respect established processes, fostering an environment of mutual respect.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all employees.
Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and populations.
Passionate about creating positive and inclusive cultures that prioritize well‑being and belonging of employees in a diverse environment.
Ability to establish and maintain respectful, effective, and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders.
Knowledge of how to build relationships and treat all employees and customers equitably, with respect and dignity, and solve problems for the benefit of all.
Resilience, problem‑solving skills, and capacity to handle challenging situations with composure and effectiveness.
Demonstrated ability to give and receive feedback from employees across hierarchies, and to use employee input to inform decision‑making and build a trusting team culture.
Desired Qualifications
Experience in capital project delivery.
Experience working on or with large‑scale infrastructure or rail expansion projects.
Knowledge of and experience with the King County and Sound Transit relationship, working conditions, policies and procedures.
Experience translating King County’s policies and procedures into Rail’s unique operating environment.
Significant experience leading initiatives that contribute to more equitable outcomes, increased employee inclusion, and a felt sense of belonging among marginalized members of the workforce. Five (5) years is highly desired.
Benefits
Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options.
Life and disability insurance.
Retirement: pension plan through Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred‑compensation plan.
Transportation program and ORCA transit pass.
12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays.
Generous vacation and paid sick leave.
Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves.
Flexible Spending Account.
Wellness programs.
Onsite activity centers.
Employee Giving Program.
Employee assistance programs.
Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position.
Training and career development programs.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & EEO 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 recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
Union Representation This position is not represented by a union.
Class Code 113004 – Transit Section Manager
Application & Selection Process Submit an online employment application and attach a cover letter at
King County Jobs . The cover letter should describe why you are interested in this opportunity and how you meet the qualifications for this position; highlighting experience leading and supervising people and delivering complex organization/agency‑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 not complete or do not include the required attachments may be disqualified and not advance in the process.
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, contact
Skyler Jones .
Work Schedule Work schedule may include non‑standard work hours including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed. This position is part of a workgroup that provides coverage and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Incumbents will need to have the ability to be on call nights and weekends (rotational). This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay.
Work Location The primary location of this position will be 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98134 or 401 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104. This position will be expected to travel occasionally 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 The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly in a hybrid work environment working in the office and at home. The 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 to respond to workplace reporting requirements. Employees will be provided with a County‑issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is committed to reducing our carbon footprint. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.
Questions about this recruitment? Contact Skyler Jones, 206‑263‑0629, skjones@kingcounty.gov
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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
Who May Apply This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants. It will be used to fill one Career Service, Transit Section Manager vacancy and may also establish a list or pool of qualified candidates for future openings within the next six‑twelve months. Placement onto an eligibility list/pool is not a guarantee of placement.
Application Requirements
A complete online King County application, updated with accurate contact information and relevant work history going back at least 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all job duties.
Responses to the Supplemental Questions.
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 leadership experience in rail service delivery and progressively responsible experience in transit operations, strategic planning or project management.
Job Duties Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will:
Oversee the Link Control Center and Service Quality workgroups.
Oversee recruitment, development, and engagement of section employees. Lead, develop, and motivate employees. Foster a sustainable culture of care, teamwork and excellence; help employees understand the critical role they play in achieving agency goals.
Develop and implement innovation and strategic initiatives that strengthen the Section’s near‑term performance and long‑term effectiveness.
Lead strategic planning and performance management for Rail Service Delivery Section.
Analyze operational data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
Develop and oversee implementation of key initiatives, including service optimization, technology integration, and sustainability efforts.
Lead and coordinate service delivery oversight, upholding standards for reliability, quality, and customer experience across all rail services.
Collaborate with capital project teams and regional partners (e.g., Sound Transit) to ensure proper design and seamless integration of new extensions into existing operations.
Provide operational input during planning, design, testing, and construction phases of expansion projects.
Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to deliver excellent service, including key labor and Sound Transit partners.
Oversee budget and resources for the Section ensuring responsible stewardship and long‑term operational sustainability.
Develop and lead communication strategy for the Section ensuring clear, timely, and consistent information flow to staff, leaders, and partners.
Champion safety by ensuring that employee and public safety continue to be Metro’s highest priority. Maintain strict adherence to safety rules and procedures and continually seek to enhance safety practices.
Manage special projects and cross‑functional teams delivering high‑impact outcomes aligned with agency priorities.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to rail operations and expansions.
Other duties as assigned: May be assigned special projects or additional responsibilities at the discretion of the hiring authority.
Minimum Qualifications To be considered, applicants must meet one of the following options or a combination of the listed requirements:
Option 1:
Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Transportation Planning, Engineering, or related field and three (3) years of leadership experience in Rail Service Delivery.
Option 2:
Associate’s degree in Public Administration, Transportation Planning, Engineering, or related field and five (5) years of leadership experience in Rail Service Delivery.
Option 3:
Seven (7) or more years of leadership experience in Rail Service Delivery.
AND
Three (3) years of experience in leading and supervising people, including:
Supervising multidisciplinary staff.
Developing and leading direct reports, furthering people’s career goals, providing challenging and stretching tasks and assignments, and effectively developing all levels of staff.
Engaging, empowering, training, coaching and mentoring staff.
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in transit operations, strategic planning, or project management, including:
Knowledge of business planning techniques, principles, and practices.
Demonstrated leadership in managing complex projects and cross‑functional teams.
Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Ability to make timely, quality decisions and assign decision‑making to the appropriate staff level.
Ability to work on a number of high‑priority projects/tasks simultaneously.
Experience working with labor, within unionized environments, and ability to respect established processes, fostering an environment of mutual respect.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all employees.
Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and populations.
Passionate about creating positive and inclusive cultures that prioritize well‑being and belonging of employees in a diverse environment.
Ability to establish and maintain respectful, effective, and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders.
Knowledge of how to build relationships and treat all employees and customers equitably, with respect and dignity, and solve problems for the benefit of all.
Resilience, problem‑solving skills, and capacity to handle challenging situations with composure and effectiveness.
Demonstrated ability to give and receive feedback from employees across hierarchies, and to use employee input to inform decision‑making and build a trusting team culture.
Desired Qualifications
Experience in capital project delivery.
Experience working on or with large‑scale infrastructure or rail expansion projects.
Knowledge of and experience with the King County and Sound Transit relationship, working conditions, policies and procedures.
Experience translating King County’s policies and procedures into Rail’s unique operating environment.
Significant experience leading initiatives that contribute to more equitable outcomes, increased employee inclusion, and a felt sense of belonging among marginalized members of the workforce. Five (5) years is highly desired.
Benefits
Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options.
Life and disability insurance.
Retirement: pension plan through Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred‑compensation plan.
Transportation program and ORCA transit pass.
12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays.
Generous vacation and paid sick leave.
Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves.
Flexible Spending Account.
Wellness programs.
Onsite activity centers.
Employee Giving Program.
Employee assistance programs.
Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position.
Training and career development programs.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & EEO 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 recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
Union Representation This position is not represented by a union.
Class Code 113004 – Transit Section Manager
Application & Selection Process Submit an online employment application and attach a cover letter at
King County Jobs . The cover letter should describe why you are interested in this opportunity and how you meet the qualifications for this position; highlighting experience leading and supervising people and delivering complex organization/agency‑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 not complete or do not include the required attachments may be disqualified and not advance in the process.
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, contact
Skyler Jones .
Work Schedule Work schedule may include non‑standard work hours including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed. This position is part of a workgroup that provides coverage and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Incumbents will need to have the ability to be on call nights and weekends (rotational). This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay.
Work Location The primary location of this position will be 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98134 or 401 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104. This position will be expected to travel occasionally 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 The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly in a hybrid work environment working in the office and at home. The 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 to respond to workplace reporting requirements. Employees will be provided with a County‑issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is committed to reducing our carbon footprint. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.
Questions about this recruitment? Contact Skyler Jones, 206‑263‑0629, skjones@kingcounty.gov
#J-18808-Ljbffr