Transit Chief -Rail Ops (base)

King County•Multiple locations in King County, WA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

King County Metro Transit’s Rail Division has an exciting opportunity for a Transit Chief - Rail Ops (base). This leadership role requires the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse employee workgroup, proactively solve problems that impact service delivery, provide quality customer service, and motivate employees through building respect and trust. Base Chiefs promote teamwork and resolve conflicts that arise, promoting a cooperative environment, and effective communication. Base Chiefs are proactive in facilitating good working relationships, demonstrating cooperative interactions, and promoting teamwork with new members, facilitating inclusion, and demonstrating flexibility in accomplishing shared goals. The ideal candidate for this position will be able to communicate effectively with a diverse employee work group, proactively solve problems that impact service delivery, and encourage a safety culture while inspiring high standards of customer service excellence, as well as the ability to motivate employees through building respect and trust. 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. This recruitment may immediately fill up to one (1) Career Service positions and may also be used to establish an eligibility pool for future Career Service, as well as any fully-benefitted Term-Limited Temporary (TLT)/Special Duty Assignment (SDA), vacancies, valid up to 12 months or until the pool is exhausted, and at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Requirements

Two (2) or more years of rail management or rail supervisory experience, including decisiveness, good judgment, integrity, and a strong commitment to equity and fairness.
Demonstrated knowledge, experience, and/or ability to effectively manage transit operational, in-service, real-time situations, and emergencies.
Demonstrated experience coaching employees toward performance improvement, such as poor customer service, policy violation, safety violation, etc.
Demonstrated experience managing competing priorities, multiple projects, and daily responsibilities in an effective and efficient manner.
Demonstrated ability to research and utilize multiple sources of information to draw logical conclusions using basic data analysis methods to make defensible determinations, relating to conducting investigations, including customer complaints, employee misconduct, employee complaints, as well as external regulatory agency complaints.
Effective communication skills, both written and oral, that mirror Metro’s expectations and values.
Experience effectively using programs and software such as MS Office suite (including Outlook, Word, and Excel), Power BI, HASTUS, etc.
Valid Washington State Driver License and the ability to operate a fleet motor vehicle, or alternate ability to travel to locations for which public transportation is not regularly available.
Work requires reporting for duty and directing Rail operators and supervisors, including during adverse weather events and other emergencies.

Nice To Haves

Relevant emergency management certifications and/or other relevant training and/or certification in applying emergency management principles (such as FEMA/ISO)
Experience with and knowledge of basic human resources principles and practices as they relate to hiring and employee management.
Experience working within, managing, or supervising a unionized workforce and the grievance process (or equivalent working knowledge).
Knowledge of the regulatory and statutory requirements that govern Rail operations and delivery of mass transit services
Working experience in an operating unit of a public transit agency.
Working knowledge of King County Metro Transit Rail Operations.
Project management training and/or experience.
Working knowledge of King County Metro Transit Rail Operations.

Responsibilities

Supervise and direct the work of Rail supervisors and operators, exhibiting positive leadership and role modeling, encouraging and supporting staff development and training, and conducting performance evaluations.
Develop and implement programs to manage employee performance, including providing progressive discipline, taking disciplinary action, and making referrals to training.
Address specific employee performance deficiencies: counsel, direct, assist the employee in problem solving the deficiencies, establish and communicate performance expectations.
Conduct grievance hearings and make decisions regarding resolution of grievances.
Investigate and resolve customer complaints; mitigate high-profile service delivery issues with elected officials, other agencies, and the public.
Apply consistent guidance and decision-making in consideration of applicable labor agreements, King County personnel guidelines, and established Metro Transit Division (MTD) and Rail policies and procedures.
Establish and maintain a collaborative and effective labor relations environment, ensuring that daily operations and personnel actions conform with the terms of negotiated labor agreements.
Investigate and respond to allegations of employee misconduct to determine and administer appropriate discipline and/or corrective actions.
Lead workforce planning to ensure that adequate staff exists to meet scheduling requirements; ensure coverage for planned absences; ensure timely and accurate payroll/timesheet approval for direct reports.
Investigate, advise, or participate in activities to resolve investigations, grievances, customer complaints, and/or safety concerns.
Effectively collaborate and communicate with internal and external groups within King County Metro, union officers and stewards, community partners, and outside entities.
Use project management skills to lead or participate in projects as assigned.
Implement safety-related initiatives within the section and make safety and security recommendations to upper management.
Work with others to anticipate, identify, and implement opportunities for service quality, workplace, and business process improvements.
Work may require remaining available for work 24 hours per day during rotational assignments as on-call Base Chief and reporting for extended duty during adverse weather events and other emergencies.