Rail Project/Program Manager III – Link Permitting (Operations)

King County • Multiple locations in King County, WA

18h • Hybrid

About The Position

King County Metro Transit’s Rail Division is seeking a Project/Program Manager III to join the Rail Operations team. This position will support and lead a new initiative for scheduling high priority work as a part of the Link Permitting process, with a focus on effective program management and cross-functional collaboration. The successful candidate will be highly detail-oriented, organized, and skilled at managing complex processes and projects across multiple stakeholders. They will also have a strong understanding of how decisions made within one phase of the permitting process can impact downstream activities, timelines, and outcomes. The ideal candidate will be proactive, collaborative, and able to navigate the interdependencies across the broader permitting process to help ensure successful delivery. This recruitment process will be used to fill one (1) Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or one (1) Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position. This PPM III SDA/TLT position is anticipated to last until November 2027. About Metro Transit’s Expanding Rail Division King County Metro's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link Light Rail, a growing network spanning 60 miles and serving 38 stations across the Puget Sound region. Together with Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services, the Link Light Rail system is the backbone of an integrated regional transit network that gives people real freedom of movement. As Puget Sound transit agencies work together to build a seamless, connected system, our light rail system plays a central role in expanding access, reducing barriers, and ensuring that everyone across our region can get where they need to go. Joining Metro's Rail Division means joining an organization that is shaping the future of public transportation in the Pacific Northwest and setting the standard for modern rail operations nationwide. This is a division that values strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and a deep commitment to the people we serve, both our riders and our teams. Whatever your role, your work here contributes to something that matters, a light rail system that thousands of people count on every day.

Requirements

• Three (3) years of project or program management experience including working with multiple workstreams, stakeholders, and interdependencies
• Three (3) years of experience using project management software/tools and office applications (including proficiency in Microsoft Office tools).
• Experience with leading continuous process improvements and program evaluation
• Must be able to set priorities, meet deadlines, organize work assignments, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and operate with strong attention to detail
• Ability to support leadership priorities, coordinate cross-functional efforts, and maintain alignment with divisional direction
• Must be able to work independently and in a collaborative team environment to accomplish work plans and deliverables within established timelines
• Be an effective communicator using both oral and written communications, including comfortability facilitating and presenting meetings with diverse stakeholder groups
• Knowledge of equity and social Justice principles and an ability to effectively communicate on these topics
• Willingness to take on other duties as assigned and support peers in advancing the goals of the team

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of standard Rail Permitting practices
• Experience with Power Automate, DotMaps/Coordinates
• Experience working in transit/transportation operations
• Familiarity with Sound Transit, King County Metro, or other regional transit operations and practices
• Experience working in an Operations, Maintenance, or Service Delivery environment with a large, deskless workforce
• Experience utilizing various technologies to improve project management, enhance program success, and measure impact (i.e., Miro, Microsoft Planner, Smartsheet, Tableau)
• Experience tracking outcomes using quantitative and qualitative measures
• Experience planning and facilitating workshops

Responsibilities

• Lead in the development of a planning/scheduling process for high priority work that will be a component of the standard Permitting process; coordinate the permits for the work being requested by the PRIME project teams.
• Provide leadership to a Rail Permitting PPM II dedicated to the PRIME process.
• Work in partnership with various stakeholders to manage permits, advance projects, identify needs, and support program and project success.
• Use various tools, including project management software and office applications to manage project timelines and deliverables.
• Ability to build collaborative working relationships across teams and functions and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Facilitate meetings and workgroups to gather input and translate ideas into action.
• Nurture and advance strategic relationships across King County Metro, Sound Transit, and other external stakeholder groups.
• Apply a lens of innovation and continuous improvement to all projects.
• Serve as a system of support and a critical problem-solver for leadership from across the Rail Division.
• Identify metrics to measure success of projects and programs.
• Write analytical or program evaluation reports.
• Support the scheduling and coordination of workshops, meetings, training sessions, and project teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• King County Metro Transit is a regional leader in helping people move quickly throughout the region, reducing commuter stress, greening the environment and radically improving urban air quality, by providing comfortable, effective transit services for the thousands of commuters and other residents of King County, Washington.
• Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
• Working for Metro means working for a leader in this public transportation industry.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed