King County
Project Program Manager IV
King County - Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
Work at King County
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Overview
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* This position is open to all King County employees and the general public. *
King County Metro Transit’s Rail Division has an exciting opportunity for a
Project Program Manager IV
.
The Project Program Manager IV
will be responsible for directing strategic priorities that will focus on improving the employee experience, delivering innovative systems and organizational improvements, and pursuing safer outcomes for customers and staff. This key leadership position will report to the Engagement Strategy Manager and work collaboratively with stakeholders to update and implement a comprehensive engagement strategy focused on internal continuous improvement and employee engagement. This plan will include yearly goals and metrics to ensure progress in retaining and empowering employees and developing innovative strategies for the future. This position will supervise a team of program managers and will be expected to foster a collaborative team culture while providing coaching and development opportunities to direct reports. This position may also support special projects as needed.
About Metro Transit's Expanding Rail Division King County Metro Transit's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link light rail service and City of Seattle’s streetcar system. Link light rail currently spans a 33-mile route from SeaTac to Lynnwood and a 6.6-mile route from Redmond to South Bellevue. By the end of 2026, light rail is projected to expand to nearly 60 route miles, adding seven new stations. Additional expansions to the Link system will be coming online for years to come. Seattle Streetcar includes the 1.3 mile South Lake Union line and the 2.5 mile First Hill line, proudly serving the diverse and vibrant communities around Seattle’s downtown core. These rail services complement Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services. Puget Sound transit agencies are collaborating to create an integrated transit network that enables people to travel farther, faster, and more easily. This recruitment may immediately fill one (1) Career Service position and may also be used to establish an eligibility pool for future Career Service vacancies in this classification, valid up to 12 months or until exhausted and at the discretion of the hiring authority.
Interviews are anticipated to occur during the week of
September 1
thr ough September 5
, 2025
,
but are subject to change. Who May Apply This position is open to King County employees and the general public.
To Apply: Those interested must submit: An 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. Completed supplemental questions. A cover letter, detailing how your experience and background meet or exceed the qualifications for this position. A current resume, detailing experience, and education.
Want to make sure your application materials are as competitive as possible? 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 .
Ap
plying
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.
As the
Project Program Manager IV
, you will:
Collaborate with senior leadership to identify priorities. Foster and support an effective team of project managers through on-boarding of new hires and supporting talent through coaching, training, and teaching. Use various tools, including project management software, to manage project timelines and deliverables. Conduct research on industry best practices and determine applicability to our operating environment. Apply a lens of innovation and continuous improvement to all projects. Develop, nurture, and advance strategic relationships across King County Metro, Sound Transit, and other external stakeholder groups. Support the creation and execution of strategic plans for the project team. Primary bodies of work for the team include employee engagement and retention, building and supporting a safety culture, improving organizational efficiencies, and other projects that align with the four strategic priorities of the Rail Division (foster a culture of care, provide operational excellence, deliver on time expansions, and maintain healthy and resilient partnerships with our partners in rail service delivery). Work with external consultants, including execution of contracts, managing project timelines and budgets, and ensuring thorough execution of scope of work. Act as lead project manager on specific projects, including but not limited to projects related to safety culture and employee retention, and internal communications. Facilitate discussions with diverse teams from across the Division to ensure that improvement ideas are fully implemented. Identify metrics to measure success of the project management team and the larger Division. Integrate social justice principles into strategic planning and desired outcomes. Visualize data for decision making, assist in data collection and analysis and make recommendations for improvements. Support teams in identifying and delivering significant and quantifiable process improvements through the application of process improvement methodologies. Perform special projects or other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Five years of project management experience including initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing out the work of a team to achieve specific goals
ORany combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work. Experience with and demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and work collaboratively with individuals from a variety of positions and backgrounds. Experience working closely with partner organizations in a service delivery environment.
Note : Preference will be given to internal Protec17 candidates.
Additional minimum qualifications include:
Project management skills:
Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, organize work assignments, and operate with strong attention to detail. Experience identifying and implementing creative solutions to persistent problems. Flexibility to shift priorities as needed.
Leadership skills:
Skill, knowledge or familiarity with change management, continuous improvement, and organizational development principles and practices. Demonstrated experience as a leader with the ability to represent senior leadership in various settings.
Communication skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated experience leading and implementing internal communications efforts for an organization. Knowledge of equity and social Justice principles and an ability to effectively communicate on these topics. Experience facilitating meetings and presenting information to both technical and non-technical audiences. Advanced skills with Microsoft Office, including SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Teams. Willingness to work in a team environment and perform other duties as assigned.
Desirable
Qualifications: At least three years of experience supervising other professionals. At least one year of experience leading a team. Experience creating or informing strategic plans for a large organization. Skill, knowledge, or familiarity with Lean methodology. Experience with the public sector, either through consulting or employment within a government agency. Knowledge of survey development and qualitative research principles. Knowledge of research methods, data collection, and analysis of quantitative data. Experience using project management software. Experience in budget development and identifying cost efficiencies. Knowledge of HR principles, labor contracts, and/or experience leading recruitments. Advanced degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Transportation Planning, or closely related field. Familiarity with local transit and mobility systems, including the business model and practices of Sound Transit and/or King County Metro. Necessary Special Requirements:
Applicants must possess a valid Washington state driver’s license (or ability to obtain Washington state driver’s license upon 30 days of hire into this position) or possess the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely fashion.
Application & Selection Process Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications, and for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above. Highly competitive applicants may be asked to interview. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as reference checks or internal record reviews.
Work Schedule
This position is anticipated to be full time, assigned 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay. This position is eligible for telework/remote work.
Union Membership:
This position is represented by
PROTEC17.
Work Location:
T
he primary location of this position is 3407 Airport Way South, Seattle, WA 98134.
Some work other Rail Division worksites may be required at times, including out of the Operations and Maintenance Facility – East at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, South Lake Union Streetcar Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) located at 318 Fairview Ave N. and/or First Hill Streetcar Operations and Maintenance Facility located at 848 7th Ave. S in Seattle.
Teleworking Requirement: The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly in a hybrid work environment with a minimum of 2 days in the office. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various Sound Transit facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a Sound Transit 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. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individuals selected for these opportunities will be joining innovative and progressive teams that are redefining how we work in the department's hybrid environment.
CLASS CODE / PAY GRADE: 2441400 /68
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Ebony Ware, Human Resource Analyst, at
eware@kingcounty.gov .
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our
" True North ",
we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to 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 principles--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; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
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.
TO APPLY: 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, please contact your recruiter listed on this
job announcement.
#RailJobs #TradesJobs #J-18808-Ljbffr
* This position is open to all King County employees and the general public. *
King County Metro Transit’s Rail Division has an exciting opportunity for a
Project Program Manager IV
.
The Project Program Manager IV
will be responsible for directing strategic priorities that will focus on improving the employee experience, delivering innovative systems and organizational improvements, and pursuing safer outcomes for customers and staff. This key leadership position will report to the Engagement Strategy Manager and work collaboratively with stakeholders to update and implement a comprehensive engagement strategy focused on internal continuous improvement and employee engagement. This plan will include yearly goals and metrics to ensure progress in retaining and empowering employees and developing innovative strategies for the future. This position will supervise a team of program managers and will be expected to foster a collaborative team culture while providing coaching and development opportunities to direct reports. This position may also support special projects as needed.
About Metro Transit's Expanding Rail Division King County Metro Transit's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link light rail service and City of Seattle’s streetcar system. Link light rail currently spans a 33-mile route from SeaTac to Lynnwood and a 6.6-mile route from Redmond to South Bellevue. By the end of 2026, light rail is projected to expand to nearly 60 route miles, adding seven new stations. Additional expansions to the Link system will be coming online for years to come. Seattle Streetcar includes the 1.3 mile South Lake Union line and the 2.5 mile First Hill line, proudly serving the diverse and vibrant communities around Seattle’s downtown core. These rail services complement Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services. Puget Sound transit agencies are collaborating to create an integrated transit network that enables people to travel farther, faster, and more easily. This recruitment may immediately fill one (1) Career Service position and may also be used to establish an eligibility pool for future Career Service vacancies in this classification, valid up to 12 months or until exhausted and at the discretion of the hiring authority.
Interviews are anticipated to occur during the week of
September 1
thr ough September 5
, 2025
,
but are subject to change. Who May Apply This position is open to King County employees and the general public.
To Apply: Those interested must submit: An 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. Completed supplemental questions. A cover letter, detailing how your experience and background meet or exceed the qualifications for this position. A current resume, detailing experience, and education.
Want to make sure your application materials are as competitive as possible? 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 .
Ap
plying
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.
As the
Project Program Manager IV
, you will:
Collaborate with senior leadership to identify priorities. Foster and support an effective team of project managers through on-boarding of new hires and supporting talent through coaching, training, and teaching. Use various tools, including project management software, to manage project timelines and deliverables. Conduct research on industry best practices and determine applicability to our operating environment. Apply a lens of innovation and continuous improvement to all projects. Develop, nurture, and advance strategic relationships across King County Metro, Sound Transit, and other external stakeholder groups. Support the creation and execution of strategic plans for the project team. Primary bodies of work for the team include employee engagement and retention, building and supporting a safety culture, improving organizational efficiencies, and other projects that align with the four strategic priorities of the Rail Division (foster a culture of care, provide operational excellence, deliver on time expansions, and maintain healthy and resilient partnerships with our partners in rail service delivery). Work with external consultants, including execution of contracts, managing project timelines and budgets, and ensuring thorough execution of scope of work. Act as lead project manager on specific projects, including but not limited to projects related to safety culture and employee retention, and internal communications. Facilitate discussions with diverse teams from across the Division to ensure that improvement ideas are fully implemented. Identify metrics to measure success of the project management team and the larger Division. Integrate social justice principles into strategic planning and desired outcomes. Visualize data for decision making, assist in data collection and analysis and make recommendations for improvements. Support teams in identifying and delivering significant and quantifiable process improvements through the application of process improvement methodologies. Perform special projects or other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Five years of project management experience including initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing out the work of a team to achieve specific goals
ORany combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work. Experience with and demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and work collaboratively with individuals from a variety of positions and backgrounds. Experience working closely with partner organizations in a service delivery environment.
Note : Preference will be given to internal Protec17 candidates.
Additional minimum qualifications include:
Project management skills:
Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, organize work assignments, and operate with strong attention to detail. Experience identifying and implementing creative solutions to persistent problems. Flexibility to shift priorities as needed.
Leadership skills:
Skill, knowledge or familiarity with change management, continuous improvement, and organizational development principles and practices. Demonstrated experience as a leader with the ability to represent senior leadership in various settings.
Communication skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated experience leading and implementing internal communications efforts for an organization. Knowledge of equity and social Justice principles and an ability to effectively communicate on these topics. Experience facilitating meetings and presenting information to both technical and non-technical audiences. Advanced skills with Microsoft Office, including SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Teams. Willingness to work in a team environment and perform other duties as assigned.
Desirable
Qualifications: At least three years of experience supervising other professionals. At least one year of experience leading a team. Experience creating or informing strategic plans for a large organization. Skill, knowledge, or familiarity with Lean methodology. Experience with the public sector, either through consulting or employment within a government agency. Knowledge of survey development and qualitative research principles. Knowledge of research methods, data collection, and analysis of quantitative data. Experience using project management software. Experience in budget development and identifying cost efficiencies. Knowledge of HR principles, labor contracts, and/or experience leading recruitments. Advanced degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Transportation Planning, or closely related field. Familiarity with local transit and mobility systems, including the business model and practices of Sound Transit and/or King County Metro. Necessary Special Requirements:
Applicants must possess a valid Washington state driver’s license (or ability to obtain Washington state driver’s license upon 30 days of hire into this position) or possess the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely fashion.
Application & Selection Process Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications, and for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above. Highly competitive applicants may be asked to interview. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as reference checks or internal record reviews.
Work Schedule
This position is anticipated to be full time, assigned 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay. This position is eligible for telework/remote work.
Union Membership:
This position is represented by
PROTEC17.
Work Location:
T
he primary location of this position is 3407 Airport Way South, Seattle, WA 98134.
Some work other Rail Division worksites may be required at times, including out of the Operations and Maintenance Facility – East at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, South Lake Union Streetcar Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) located at 318 Fairview Ave N. and/or First Hill Streetcar Operations and Maintenance Facility located at 848 7th Ave. S in Seattle.
Teleworking Requirement: The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly in a hybrid work environment with a minimum of 2 days in the office. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various Sound Transit facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a Sound Transit 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. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individuals selected for these opportunities will be joining innovative and progressive teams that are redefining how we work in the department's hybrid environment.
CLASS CODE / PAY GRADE: 2441400 /68
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Ebony Ware, Human Resource Analyst, at
eware@kingcounty.gov .
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our
" True North ",
we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to 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 principles--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; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
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.
TO APPLY: 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, please contact your recruiter listed on this
job announcement.
#RailJobs #TradesJobs #J-18808-Ljbffr