Project/Program Manager III - Onboarding/Probationary Program Implementation

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Business Transformation Team at King County Metro as a Project/Program Manager III, where you will enhance HR processes while applying equity and social justice principles. This role offers the opportunity to develop solutions for a large, diverse workforce, ensuring engagement, transparency, and alignment with strategic HR goals.

Benefits

Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage

Generous vacation and sick leave

Retirement pension plan

Flexible Spending Account

Wellness programs

Employee development programs

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in continuous improvement and change management.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support HR process improvements.
• Translate strategic HR goals into actionable outcomes.
• Build trust and engage employees through collaboration.

Skills

Change management

Stakeholder communication

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Professional certification (such as PMP)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Project/Program Manager III - Onboarding/Probationary Program Implementation

Project/Program Manager III - Onboarding/Probationary Program Implementation

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Summary

• This SDA recruitment is open to current Career Services King County employees only**
  
  

Summary

Come make a difference and join team Metro!

• This SDA recruitment is open to current Career Services King County employees only**
  
  

Join the Business Transformation Team at King County Metro—the largest department in our agency—where we are leading the charge to transform Human Resources (HR) processes into standardized, equitable, and sustainable systems that support our workforce and operational excellence.

We are looking for a Project/Program Manager III who can lead and support change across complex systems, build trusting relationships, and translate strategic HR goals into actionable outcomes.

Position Info

This recruitment will be used to fill One (1) Special Duty Assignment (SDA) Project/Program Manager III. This SDA is open to current King County employees who have completed the probationary period in their current CS position. The SDA is anticipated to last through 12/31/2025 with a possibility of extension. In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future openings that may occur in this job type and classification within this workgroup. The eligibility pool will be retained for 12 months from creation and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Job Duties

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 that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. As a Project/Program Manager III – Onboarding & Probation Process Implementation, you will also:

• Improve and standardize HR processes—such as onboarding and probation to implement solutions that enhance consistency, compliance, and equity.
• Work collaboratively with key stakeholders and leaders to co-design solutions that promote alignment, shared understanding and ownership.
• Build trust and engage employees through transparency, inclusion, and respect.
• Translate change management recommendation into practical actions that support adoption and sustainability.
• Ensure process improvements are aligned with labor contracts, local, state, and federal policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Use data-driven insights to inform improvements, track progress, and support continuous learning.
• Collaborate with Metro and King County colleagues to problem solve and resolve issues that may impede success of day-to-day, short-term, and long-term goals.
  
  

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Three years of progressive experience in a position dedicated to continuous improvement and facilitating lean, change management, or equivalent activities for a complex and large organization OR any combination of work experience, training, and education that provides the skills to perform the work.
• Demonstrated knowledge of project management techniques and principles, including planning, coordination, and stakeholder communication.
• Experience with developing standard operating procedures.
• Ability to work through ambiguity effectively
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing priorities, tasks, and environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Effective time management and prioritization skills.
• Proficiency in compiling and preparing reports using spreadsheets or other software to tell a story.
• Self-motivated and resourceful.
• Ability to work at all transit sites throughout King County. Travel between sites throughout the day may be required.
• Excellent computer skills that include proficiency in: Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Share Point.
  
  

Highly competitive candidates will also have:

• Experience as a Human Resource professional.
• Experience leading and coordinating diverse teams and working across departments with staff at all levels in a large organization.
• Professional certification (such as PMP, AICP, PE, or similar), demonstrating strong knowledge of and application of project management best practices.
  
  

Note: Candidates are encouraged to translate life experiences to show how they meet the required experience, knowledge, education, and skills.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: The role combines remote work from home with onsite reporting typically once per week. Reporting frequency may vary based on business needs.
• Work Location: Onsite locations include various King County worksites, with primary space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104).
• Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and not overtime eligible. It is scheduled for 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Variations may occur based on operational demands.
• The work is currently performed through a blend of teleworking, onsite work, and in-person meetings. Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance of their King County worksite to meet onsite obligations.
  
  

Application and Selection Process

Who May Apply

This recruitment is only open to current Career Services King County employees who have completed the probationary period in their current Career Service position.

To Apply

Please submit a a Letter of interest (Cover Letter) no more than two pages, that addresses the following:

• Tell us why you’re interested in this opportunity and how your Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills match the requirements of the position, and address any desired qualifications you possess that make you a competitive candidate.
• Speak to your progressive experience in a position dedicated to continuous improvement and facilitating lean, change management, or equivalent activities in an ambiguous and change-heavy environment, OR any combination of work experience, training, and education that provides the skills to perform the work.
• Describe how you approach building trust, collaboration, and engagement when working on initiatives that impact the workforce.
  
  

Your Letter of Interest will be reviewed to assess both your relevant experience and your readiness to take on a role in advancing change initiatives that support our workforce and organizational goals.

Selection Process

All required application materials will be screened for qualifications, competitiveness, completeness, communication skills, and responsiveness to the above application instructions. The most competitive candidate will be selected based on their letter of interest. Management may require an interview to make a final selection. Management will make the final selection of the candidate to be placed in the special duty assignment. The SDA will also be dependent on approval from your current supervisor.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application/assessment process, or have questions, please contact: Aimee Higbee at [e-mail].

Other Position Information

• Union Membership: This position is not represented by a union.
• Job Code: 243301– Project/Program Manager III
  
  

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 team dedicated 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.

Thank You for Your Interest!

We appreciate your time and look forward to reviewing your application. If you’re ready to help us make a lasting impact on King County Metro’s Employee Services, apply today!

Benefits

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs
  
  

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01

This recruitment is open to King County career service employees only. Are you currently a King County career service employee?

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

How many years of experience do you have in a position dedicated to continuous improvement and facilitating lean, change management, or equivalent activities?

• None, but willing to learn
• 1-2 years experience
• 3 or more years of experience
  
  

03

MTD -Do you have any relatives who work for King County's METRO Transit Department?

• YES
• NO
  
  

04

MTD - If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please provide the Division of King County Metro that they currently work in. Select all that apply.

• a. Bus Operations Division
• b. Capital Division
• c. Employee Services Division
• d. Facilities Division
• e. Finance & Administration Division
• f. General Manager's Office
• g. Marine Division
• h. Mobility Division
• i. Rail Division (including Streetcar)
• j. Safety, Security & Quality Assurance
• k. Vehicle Maintenance
• l. I do not know which Division my relative works in at Metro Transit
• m. I do not have a relative that works for King County Metro
• Required Question

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Project Management and Information Technology

• Industries

  Government Administration

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