Program Manager- Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Engagement (term-limited)

Salary range is $81k to $170k with a midpoint of $118k. 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.
• 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.
• 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.

This is a term-limited position with a work assignment of 5 years.

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

Under general direction develops overall program management of engagement activities and programs for Sound Transit’s Community Development Office (CDO), to support the implementation of the office’s updated strategic plan for transit-oriented development (TOD), including integrated joint development (JD), and community economic development. Responsibilities include managing and providing for the strategic development, implementation, and administration of engagement for programmatic goals and priorities derived from the strategic plan, as well as specific TOD sites and opportunities determined through the plan. Position implements engagement plans and activities that promote awareness of TOD projects and Community Development programs, highlight project and program milestones, and support division initiatives. Engages with agency staff, external partners, and stakeholders; manages and develops engagement program strategies, goals and objectives; manages office data systems, and produces reports and statistics derived from those systems. Develops materials and strategies that facilitate communication between Agency staff; consultants; local jurisdictions; affected community and business groups; affordable housing developers, funders, and advocates; established and emerging real estate developers, property owners, and stakeholders.  

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.

• Manages a strategic engagement program driven by goals/objectives derived from the program’s ongoing work and the TOD strategic plan; maximizing use of a variety of media sources; responds to a variety of public inquiries and constituent concerns. 
• Develops a deep understanding of Sound Transit’s TOD program and its policies, including the agency’s Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Policy, the state 80/80/80 statute, and the program’s guidelines. 
• Supports a team of 10 TOD professionals working on a variety of active real estate projects in various stages of being planned, offered, or developed into TOD, as they engage with communities, jurisdictions, political actors, and internal stakeholders. 
• Supports the Community Development Office management team by preparing executive-level briefings, coordinating Board of Directors reporting, and managing internal and external components of the division’s TOD strategic plan development. 
• Serves as an expert in community engagement with a specific focus in TOD, urban planning and land use to support and design engagement programs for upcoming TOD projects. This position will serve as an expert in interdepartmental and interagency teams and acts with autonomy and authority to align TOD objectives with communications business objectives. Uses collaboration and influence to move teams towards goals. 
• Closely partners with Sound Transit’s Capital Programs, Equity and Inclusion, Government and Community Relations, Passenger Experience, Safety, and other departments to develop and select strategies to ensure consistent application of equitable engagement principles for TOD projects and Community Development programs.   
• Serves as the point of contact for advocates, partner agencies, neighboring communities, emerging developers ,and regional non-profits and provides guidance on best practices for engagement with TOD projects. Participates in various external meetings and committees, responds to a variety of public inquiries and provides appropriate information to resolve issues; tracks issues/complaints. 
• Maintains awareness of new developments in the field of engagement and how to apply those in a TOD planning environment; communicates concepts to broad range of audiences and incorporates new developments as appropriate. 
• Works with TOD program managers and project teams to understand process and schedule information and be able to communicate and offer the opportunity to provide feedback on TOD projects. Apply a consistent approach to TOD engagement across many geographic areas while developing and managing specific plans that meet the needs of individual communities. 
• Ensures strategic, consistent processes and templates are used across TOD projects, and that lessons learned are applied iteratively to those processes and templates. 
• Envisions, oversees and participates in the development and maintenance of engagement materials; drafts and edits a variety of public information materials including, surveys, website content, email list updates, fact sheets, print material, presentations or other digital content. 
• Plans and staffs a variety of engagement activities including briefings and meetings, fairs/festivals, open houses, public hearings, and street team/staff volunteers. 
• Develops and maintains evaluation methods to assess program strengths and identify areas for improvement. Tracks, analyzes, and communicates key program metrics such as quarterly engagement reports, TOD data, discounted land value data, and GIS databases; recommends program changes and solutions. 
• Implements and manages changes and interventions to ensure project goals are achieved. 
• Manages program budget including scope of work and invoice management for a robust consultant contract for TOD engagement, and resources supporting the agency’s engagement and communication efforts. Manages and provides leadership to internal staff, and consultants to carry out and implement community engagement measures. 
• 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 Communications, Public Affairs, Public Administration, or closely related field. Four years of experience working in community engagement, community relations, or public relations; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:  

• Valid state driver's license. This position is responsible for attending frequent community events, which might not be accessible by transit.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Methods and techniques of community engagement, outreach and education.
• General principles, practices and strategies of land use development and urban planning.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Establishing and maintaining effective collaborative working relationships with internal partners, community members, community-based organizations, businesses, property owners and the general public.
• Developing and delivering compelling presentations to various audiences.
• Distilling highly technical information into concise, easy to understand messages for public consumption.
• Senior-level project management including ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and organizing work to meet challenging priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to right-size and grow a program to account for future growth and sustainability.
• Using influence and ownership across teams.
• Demonstrating strong interpersonal techniques and commitment to establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a diverse work group including other division staff, management, vendors and outside agencies.
• Resolving complex problems when collaborating with matrixed teams.
• Leading strategic conversations, chartering groups and creating planning documents.
• Conducting research and analysis and providing appropriate recommendations based on findings.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills including grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Excellent customer service.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Subject matter expertise in transit-oriented development, affordable housing, and real estate development principles.
• Knowledge of equitable engagement topics applicable to transit-oriented development, including anti-displacement, community-led development, transit passenger experience, and placemaking.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a hybrid office environment.
• This position is responsible for frequently attending community engagement events; may be subject to hearing, talking, seeing, lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds or less.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• 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.