Innovative Mobility Program Lead

King County; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Innovative Mobility Program Lead to spearhead transformative projects in transportation. This role offers the chance to shape equitable and sustainable mobility solutions through strategic partnerships and innovative pilot programs. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in project management, stakeholder engagement, and a commitment to equity. Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to redefining mobility in the community, where your contributions will directly impact the future of public transportation and enhance travel experiences for all residents.

Benefits

County issued laptop

Flexible work schedule

Teleworking options

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of relevant work experience in mobility or transportation.
• Experience managing teams and developing partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and implementation of mobility innovations.
• Develop partnerships with governmental and non-profit entities.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Communication Skills

Equity and Social Justice

Partnership Development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in planning, social science, statistics, business, marketing, communications, mathematics, or a related field

Tools

Data Analysis Tools

Project Management Software

Job description

Open to all King County Employees and the General Public.

King County Metro Transit’s Research & Innovation team is hiring an Innovative Mobility Program Lead (Program/Project Manager IV) to lead strategy, development, and implementation of mobility innovations that expand equitable, sustainable, and integrated transportation options. This position will drive forward Metro’s vision for innovative mobility through pilot projects, cross-sector partnerships, and integration of new technologies and services. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills, along with a commitment to equity and continuous improvement. This is a full-time, career service position with the opportunity to shape the future of mobility in King County.

About Metro’s Research & Innovation work group

Metro’s Research & Innovation (R&I) work group, situated within Metro’s Mobility Division, helps Metro colleagues to pursue and learn about new, innovative, meaningful solutions that advance agency priorities and result in modernization, improvement, and effectiveness. R&I supports a range of efforts related to:

• Development and testing of new mobility options (first/last mile pilots, alternatives to Access Paratransit, creation of mobility hubs).
• Investments in initiatives meant to ease and enhance mobility (Safe Routes to Transit; integration of biking, walking, and scootering with transit; physical audits that highlight opportunities to enhance active transit connections).
• Development and promotion of data and evidence so that Metro teams and business units understand and can powerfully communicate their effectiveness, pursue improvement, and make more strategic decisions.

R&I’s work is grounded in Metro's values of equity, sustainability, and safety. Drawing on data and evidence, R&I surfaces and describes root problems and propose projects or solutions to address them, then works to broaden visibility and shared agreement about real problems and promising solutions. Often serving as conveners and facilitators, R&I teams support advancement of multi-disciplinary enterprise-level initiatives. Through diligent evaluation that accompanies innovative solutions, R&I generates insights about effectiveness, areas for improvement, and what it will take to effectively scale promising solutions.

The Innovative Mobility (IM) team’s work is driven by a deep understanding of customer experiences and needs, regional travel patterns, and advances in technology and the industry and is fueled by partnerships. IM works with a range of internal and external partners and service providers, influencing them toward refined or new practices or policies that have the power to address real problems and advance mobility goals. The IM team has been recognized nationally for its work developing and managing transit rewards campaigns.

This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Career Service vacancy. This recruitment may also be used to create an eligibility pool to fill future career service vacancies in this classification that may occur over the next twelve months. The list will be valid for 12 months upon creation and used 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 to all aspects of the work.

As the Innovative Mobility Program Lead, you will:

• Develop a vision and strategy for Metro’s Innovative Mobility (IM) Program and oversee the pursuit of vision and strategy throughout the IM Program’s regular work.
• Provide oversight and guidance regarding development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative concepts or pilot projects that have the potential to lead to (1) deeper integration of transit and other modes of transportation, (2) reduced drive-alone travel, and/or (3) enhanced mobility.
• Develop or support development of partnerships with governmental, for-profit, and non-profit entities working in the mobility space.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners—including jurisdictions, transit agencies, and businesses—regarding product licensing or regulation.
• Lead procurement that integrates technological tools or resources, operational enhancements, or new applications to Metro and its teams.
• Assess and describe or provide insights about the relevance, utility, and value to Metro of new mobility applications and/or the service providers engaged in such applications.
• Supervise and support program staff engaged in any or all of the above efforts.
• Build capacity of Metro teams so that they are better able to leverage, integrate new mobility applications, or otherwise advance goals.
• Prepare communications for Metro staff, Metro’s upper management, partners, and King County Council members to brief these audiences on key concepts/plans or convey recommendations.
• Support, advise, and provide materials to working groups, task forces, mobility boards, and cross-team/cross-agency working groups looking to enhance mobility and mobility-related outcomes via innovative strategies.
• Represent the Innovative Mobility Program and Metro in a wide range of settings including stakeholder advisory groups, technical advisory committees, project meetings, and professional conferences and webinars.
• Collaborate and work effectively with a diverse group of individuals from a variety of different positions and backgrounds.
• Communicate effectively with an array of internal and external partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

To be considered for the IM Program Lead role, candidates will have the following REQUIRED qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, social science, statistics, business, marketing, communications, mathematics, or a related field, and 3-5 years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated experience, knowledge, and skills to successfully perform the kinds of work described above.
• Demonstrated commitment to pursue solutions that promise safe, equitable, and sustainable mobility.
• Experience managing people and teams, including experience establishing mission, vision, and goals.
• Strong experience with development and management of partnerships—including partnerships focused on technologies, applications, or digital platforms that enhance travel and mobility.
• Strong facilitation skills, and the ability to effectively guide groups that include individuals with diverse roles—implementers, directors, executives, and elected officials.
• Strong project and program management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment tocontinuous improvement.
• At least some familiarity with the transit industry, relevant industry trends and mobility tools—e.g., open-loop payment; online ticketing platforms and digital mobility wallets; service integrations, etc.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good organization and other relevant soft skills.

The following qualifications are DESIRED:

• Skills in empathic listening, inter-personal communication, healthy conflict management, andcollaborative leadership; experience with developing and strengthening teams.
• Experience and relationships in the public transit field.
• Experience with tools or solutions aimed at enhancing mobility and encouraging transit use.
• Experience writing requests for proposals aimed at engaging consultant or vendor services; writing grant proposals and/or managing grants; and negotiating satisfactory contracts and work agreements.
• Able to speak a language other than English.

Application & Selection Process

Who May Apply:
We are accepting application from King County Employees and the general public.

Required Application Materials:

• An online employment application
• Resume
• Cover Letter. Please tell us how your education, experience, and skills make you a good fit and position you well to lead King County Metro’s Innovative Mobility. Please limit to two pages.
• Answers to the supplemental questions

Selection Process:
Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Formal offers are contingent on successful references or record review.

NOTE: Please answer all applicable questions in the employment application portion, with each of your jobs listed (listing each position for each employer separately), duties explained, reasons for leaving, etc.

Work Schedule:
The work week is normally 40 hours, Monday through Friday. Work hours generally fall between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., subject to adjustment according to the demands of preparing for the service change and other business needs. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and therefore is noteligible for overtime pay.

Work Location(s):
King Street Center 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA

Teleworking Requirement

The work associated with this position is currently being performed in a hybrid fashion including teleworking, complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a home work space with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Union Membership:Protec 17

Classification:2421400 Transportation Planner IV

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: Tracy Bylund at [e-mail].

Forbes 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 teamdedicated 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.

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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.