Manager-Light Rail Development

Salary range is $109k to $211k with a midpoint of $160k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:  
Under administrative direction, is responsible for establishing and managing a process to plan, design, and construct the Link light rail system in partnership with local governments, community groups, and citizens for the Link light rail project; manages and oversees the process to build consensus and reach, maintain, and manage agreements between members of the affected communities and the design and construction team regarding the alignment, station locations, design features, environmental impact mitigation, and construction of the Link light rail system; manages specific elements of the scope, budget, and schedule under the direction of the Executive Project Director and within policy direction established by the Board; collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop and maintain project support; works in concert with other Departments and Divisions which will provide project development, environmental, civil and system engineering, construction management, project control, real estate, community outreach, and operations support to the assigned Corridor Team; represents the Agency on a local and regional level to inform and educate the public on current and future regional transit projects; and provides the Board and other decision makers with information needed to make timely policy decisions related to project implementation. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Participates on the Link Project Leadership team, providing advice and recommendations to the Executive Project Director. Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff; assigns work activities and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations. 
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships and communications with project partners, including local, state (WSDOT), and federal government officials, oversight groups such as the Citizen Oversight Panel, and key community stakeholders; negotiates and manages third party agreements to ensure compliance and accountability. 
• Develops partnerships with local jurisdictions to support station area planning and encourage innovation and opportunities for transit-oriented economic development, land use and urban design improvements, and joint use in association with Link station locations and designs.
• Coordinates and supports the construction management teams in the delivery of the project.
• Coaches, trains, and motivates staff; coordinates and/or provides staff training; and manages employee relations; manages the workflow and prioritization of projects and measures the performance of the division and all related staff and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; provides advice and counsel to staff; develops developmental work plans for staff; implements or recommends corrective actions, discipline, and termination procedures as appropriate/necessary working closely with Human Resources.
• Supervises and provides leadership and direction for day-to-day management of the assigned corridor project management team while working closely with other agency departments, consultants, and contractors. 
• Follows all FTA related guidelines for federal funding during the planning, environmental, design, and construction phases of the corridor project.  
• Establishes and manages a process for developing the design and construction of the Link light rail system in partnership with local governments, community groups, and citizens; and analyzes problems, identifies alternative solutions, projects consequences of proposed actions, and implements recommendations in support of goals.   
• Supports the Sound Transit Board’s decision-making by maintaining communications and managing the development of briefing materials with clear and concise written, oral, and visual information, responding to requests, and providing project presentations as needed. 
• Coordinates with Board Administration and Communications staff to provide information about the light rail project and its importance to the region to key public and private stakeholders.
• Manages internal staff and consultants in development of the engineering plans and environmental analysis; represents Sound Transit and the project; responds to issues and questions; oversees environmental analysis to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and that project impacts are identified and appropriate mitigations are developed during the project development and design phase, and monitor during construction. 
• Oversees the management of commitments and agreements related to the light rail project including agreements with local jurisdictions, project partners, and developers. Works as a fully integrated team with other Agency departments to coordinate design and construction efforts and maintain established scope, budget, schedule, safety, quality, and environmental stewardship requirements and commitments.
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, priorities, and budgets for assigned projects, services, and functional area within the Division; and makes recommendations and forecasts for future funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Provides support to the Department on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.  
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Transportation, Business Administration, Public Administration or closely related field. Five years of public transit related experience in project management, transportation, transit, urban design, community planning, public involvement, engineering, architecture or construction; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• General principles of light rail design and construction.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Transportation planning and traffic engineering concepts, practices, procedures, and policy issues.
• Transit technologies and their application to specific projects and services.
• Transportation planning, transit design, and SEPA/NEPA environmental law experience.
• Federal process for funding light rail projects.
• Governance processes at the local state and/or federal levels, including legislative and regulatory decision making processes.  
• Third party negotiation and consensus building principles and practices and conflict resolution.
• Contract and agreement administration.
• Advanced project management techniques and principles.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Principles of business letter writing and advanced report preparation and presentations.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Advanced principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports. 
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public. 
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies. 
• Transportation planning, transit design, and SEPA/NEPA environmental experience, with demonstrated ability to read and understand engineering drawings and apply technical findings in planning, environmental, and engineering fields. 
• Negotiation and partnering skills with local jurisdictions, contractors, and community groups and successful experience with consensus-building, 
• Analyzing problems and identifying alternative solutions; projecting the consequences of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in the support of Agency goals.  
• Preparing and administering large and complex public projects. 
• Public speaking and in developing and delivering presentations and presenting ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
• Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication.
• Researching, analyzing, and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.
• Developing and monitoring divisional and program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.
• Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment. 
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required. 

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action 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.