Organizational Change Management and Communication Specialist IV

B Townblog; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

King County is seeking an Organizational Change Management and Communication Specialist IV to lead change management and internal communications for the Enterprise Asset Management Solution (EAMS) deployment. The role requires collaborating with divisions, consultants and employees to apply Prosci/ADKAR style methodologies, ensure stakeholder engagement and drive sustained transformation across the agency.

You will report to the Director of Asset Management and help shape readiness, engagement

Qualifications

• Minimum five (5) years coaching or facilitating process improvement or cultural transformation.
• Experience with Prosci, ADKAR or William Bridges frameworks for change management.
• Experience building cross-functional teams in diverse environments and fostering dialogue.
• Flexible and adaptable when facing tough decisions.
• Ability to build relationships and resolve conflicts to achieve positive outcomes.
• Experience leading community engagement projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with effective visuals.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic internal communications and people-side change management for the EAMS implementation.
• Facilitate one-on-one and group conversations to gather feedback and inform decision-makers.
• Develop readiness assessments and action plans for stakeholders prior to implementation.
• Guide teams through staffing, resource challenges and enterprise initiatives.
• Recommend changes to processes or structures to support desired outcomes.
• Prepare reports, charts and visuals summarizing findings and recommendations.

Skills

Change management

Communication

Facilitation

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Equity & social justice

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Prosci framework

ADKAR framework

Job description

This position is open to King County Employees and the general public. Eligible career service employees that have completed their probationary period (or will complete it by the closing date of this posting) in their current career service position may take the assignment as an SDA. Final selection for the SDA is subject to reference checks, record review, and approval from the candidate’s current supervisor.

Metro seeks one (1) TLT/SDA Organizational Change Management and Communication Specialist IV (OCM/Communication Specialist IV) for the Enterprise of Asset Management Solution (EAMS) implementation project. Thisrole provides strategic internal communications, people side change management, employee engagement, transformation design and facilitation to ensure Metro’s integrated EAMS is effectively implemented across the agency. Reporting directly to the Director of Asset Management and be part of the key members of EAMS implementation team, OCM/Communications Specialist IV will work in partnership with divisions, and external consultants, as well as the employees affected by the EAMS across Metro to apply change management methodologies to improve business processes and transform workplace culture.

Candidates will bring experience in reviewing functional business processes, gap analysis, employee engagement facilitation, strong communications skills, and expertise in change management and transition principles. They will have a solid knowledge base around creating effective conversations to engage teams, foster continuous improvement, and bring proven/demonstrated ability to implement equity and social justice principles into all aspects of their work. The individuals for this role will have the ability to manage multiple and shifting priorities, be action-oriented, meet deadlines and work under pressure. They will be looked to as problem-solvers.

This position will be filled as a Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty Assignment (SDA)position within the department with a projected end date of December 2028, with the possibility of being extended. In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future Career Service, Special Duty Assignment, and Term Limited Temporary vacancies that may occur in this classification within this workgroup. The eligibility pool will be retained for 12 months from the date of posting and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Applying our ACTIVATE values: being Accountable, Collaborative, Timely, and Impactful; how we Value Employees; staying Accessible; building what's Trusted; and acting Equitably, is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees.

As the Organizational Change Management and Communication Specialist IV, you will:

• Use Prosci, ADKAR (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and Reinforcement) and William Bridges Change and Transition frameworks or similar background and experiences to implement approaches that allow for change and transformation that will honor both the business mechanics and human dynamics of change and transition.
• Facilitate employees and stakeholders in one-on-one conversations, small and large group settings, and through various participatory methods to provide meaningful feedback to decision-makers.
• Build action plans to engage and prepare all stakeholders prior to implementation and perform organizational readiness assessments for change and transition activities.
• Facilitate teams to creatively address issues such as staffing and resource utilization, transformational improvement projects and enterprise initiatives.
• Make recommendations to Metro and teams on work processes and organizational structures that support desired changes, policies or systems that will create lasting change.
• Use listening, facilitation, planning and conflict management skills to both receive and deliver the creative ideas of others to the forefront; relate well to all kinds of people and get messages across in a variety of communication settings and styles.
• Prepare reports, flow charts, organizational charts, graphs, and other communication products summarizing findings and recommendations; present to stakeholders.
• Implement or assist in implementing identified solutions; work with internal and external resources where required to ensure successful problem resolution.
• Work with leaders, internal customers and/or key stakeholders to assess communications and employee engagement needs, target audience and objectives; design special activities to meet those needs.
• Research, coordinate, design, write, edit and coordinate the production of project communications strategies and people side change management plans.
• Collaborate and follow all Metro communication protocols and review processes for development and distribution of communications materials to all stakeholders.
• Use multiple communication methods to ensure all stakeholders receive project information in an effective, efficient and timely manner.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of project communications and adjust as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of five (5) years in a position dedicated to coaching and/or facilitating process improvement or cultural transformation or equivalent activities OR any combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
• Have knowledge and demonstrated experience with Prosci, ADKAR (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement) framework for change management and/or William Bridges Change and Transition frameworks or similar background and experiences implementing approaches that allow for organizations to change and transform.
• Demonstrated experience building effective cross-functional teams in diverse work environments while creating strong morale, instilling vision and purpose, and fostering dialog.
• Skilled in dealing with paradox and are very flexible and adaptable when facing tough calls.
• Ability to build effective working relationships and treat employees and customers with fairness, respect, and dignity while identifying and implementing solutions that achieve positive outcomes for all parties.
• Demonstrated experience with leading others on community engagement projects.
• Skilled in facilitation, consulting, change management and conflict resolution.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including the effective use of visuals in communication.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of King County government.
• Knowledge of complexity of an enterprise system implementation and transit operations and optimization.
• Experience in engagement planning.

Who may apply

This recruitment is open to all King County employees and the general public. Eligible career service employees that have completed their probationary period (or will complete it by the closing date of this posting) in their current career service position may take the assignment as an SDA. Final selection for the SDA is subject to reference checks, record review, and approval from the candidate’s current supervisor.

Selection Process

Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills to determine the most qualified candidates. The process may include the following: a review of the application and supplemental questions, testing and/or panel interview, and references.

Work Location

This position follows a hybrid work schedule requiring a minimum of [2] days per week onsite at King Street Center consistent with King County Metro's hybrid work policy. Remote workdays may be adjusted based on operational or business needs. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Work Schedule

The work week is normally 40 hours, Monday through Friday. Alternative work schedules may be possible. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and therefore is not eligible for overtime pay.

Union Representation

This position is represented by Protec17.

Classification

2501400

Safety Responsibilities: Employees

• Responsible for understanding The Metro Transit Safety Policy and their role in safety.
• Report all safety concerns.
• Follow safety practices and procedures as necessary to maintain a safe work environment and in conformance with applicable regulations, policies, and training.
• Report safety and security concerns and ideas to supervisors or anonymously through data collection system.

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

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.