Metro Transit has exciting career service opportunity for a Transportation Planner III with our Transit Route Facilities group (TRF). The Transportation Planner III plans, develops, and implements transit facility improvement projects that ensure Metro’s bus stops are safe, comfortable, and accessible. This is an outstanding opportunity for a high performing individual to secure a senior-level planning and project management role with one of North America’s premier public transit agencies.

About Transit Route Facilities
TRF is responsible for the ongoing development and management of Metro's system of 7,000+ bus stops and layover facilities. TRF includes two teams: the Bus Stop Management team and the Project Improvements and Partnerships team. This Transportation Planner III will be assigned to the Project Improvements and Partnerships team and will be responsible for planning and supporting projects that improve existing bus stops or construct new bus stops to support the growth of Metro’s transit network. Responsibilities include leading project teams and managing project scopes, schedules, and budgets. Much of the work involves collaborating with staff from across multiple Metro divisions and developing partnerships with local jurisdictions.

This recruitment may be used to generate a pool for future Career Service, Term Limited Temporary (TLT), and Special Duty Assignment (SDA) positions that may occur in this classification . The pool would be valid for twelve months upon creation and may be extended at the discretion of the hiring authority.Applying 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 a Transportation Planner III, you will:

• Plan and develop customer-facing capital projects that improve the customer experience and help achieve greater equity throughout the King County public transportation system.
• Actively manage scope, schedule, budget, stakeholders, resources, risk, and quality for assigned projects.
• Develop and manage matrixed project teams through all phases of project planning, design, and implementation.
• Lead, participate in, and facilitate project teams and internal and external committees including stakeholder advisory groups, technical advisory committees, and other committees or groups.
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity and sustainability.
• Negotiate and manage partnership agreements on behalf of King County.
• Prepare and present information to a variety of internal and external work groups, project teams, committees, task forces, and stakeholders.
• Evaluate and plan transit programs, projects, and policy recommendations in line with the goals of the King County Strategic Plan, the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan, Mobility Framework, and the Metro Connects Long Range Plan.
• Procure services, negotiate agreements, and manage contracts as needed.
• Perform other duties, responsibilities, and activities as assigned.

We are looking for candidates who meet the following Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Planning (Land Use, Urban, Regional, Transportation, Environmental), Public Administration, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the skills, knowledge and abilities required to perform the work.
• At least two years of progressive responsible experience managing transportation projects including project initiation, planning, design, implementation, and/or closeout.
• Experience in planning related to transit and transportation planning.
• Experienced project manager, and relationship builder with:
  • Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to develop solutions to complex problems.
  • Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills including ability to build and lead work teams and the ability to manage and resolve issues involving multiple interests.
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and successfully with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  • Ability to manage and prioritize a diverse workload to accomplish tasks on defined timelines and in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to combine "big picture" thinking with a solid understanding of technical details.
  • Experience managing staff or consultant teams and providing direction on research, data analysis, modeling, and other technical elements of transportation planning projects.
  • Ability to negotiate partnerships and develop agreements.
  • Ability to integrate and manage diverse interests and problem-solve.
• Demonstrated technical writing skills showing ability to effectively translate and interpret quantitative and technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Experience working with the diverging opinions and viewpoints of elected officials, internal and external agency staff, and the public.

Key Job Competencies

• Action Oriented
• Collaborates
• Persuades
• Problem Solves
• Plans and Aligns
• Manges Complexity

Desirable Qualifications _

• Master's degree in Planning (Land Use, Urban, Regional, Transportation, Environmental), Public Administration, Engineering or closely related field, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Three or more years of increasingly responsible experience in planning related to transit and transportation planning.
• Current and strong knowledge of transit planning and project management principles and practices.
• Experience with GIS software, mapping, and analysis.
• Familiarity with the Project Management Body of Knowledge principles.

Application & Selection Process
Submit an online employment application online at https://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs, answer the supplemental questions, attach a resume and a cover letter. Your cover letter should include details on how you meet or exceed the knowledge, skills and abilities for this position and your experiences as it relates to the primary job functions and desired qualifications. You are encouraged to translate life experiences to show how they prepare you for this role.

All the application materials will be screened for qualifications, competitiveness, completeness, attention to detail and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks.

NOTE: Please answer ALL questions in the online employment application itself, with each of your jobs during the last 10 years listed (listing each position for each employer separately), duties explained, reasons for leaving etc.

Applications that are not complete, or do not include the required materials, may be rejected as incomplete, and not advanced in the process. Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions under Application Tips and FAQs at: www.kingcounty.gov/jobs.

Who May Apply
We are accepting applications from all qualified applicants, internal and external.

Work Schedule
The work week is normally 40 hours, Monday through Friday. Alternative work schedules may be possible. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and therefore is not eligible for overtime pay.

Work Location
The primary location of the position is at the King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104. However, this will be a hybrid position (teleworking and in office). The work associated with this position will be performed or conducted through a combination of teleworking and onsite work and meetings. 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.

Union Representation /Job Code/Grade
Protec 17 /Job Code 241804/Range 63

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: Manal Tirhi, mtirhi@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.