Project/Program Manager IV

King-County,-W; Washington; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

King County Metro Transit’s Rail Division is seeking a collaborative and solutions‑oriented Link Maintenance Desk (LMD) Program Manager IV to lead a 24/7/365 team of Power Controllers and Wayside Coordinators, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient rail operations in the Puget Sound region.

In this full‑time hybrid role, you will supervise staff, define KPIs, coordinate cross‑agency work with Sound Transit and internal stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement to enhance performance,

Qualifications

• Four years of experience in rail, transit, or similar operational leadership.
• Three years of leadership experience supervising staff and managing performance.
• Strong written and verbal communication across multiple agencies.
• Experience with data interpretation, reporting, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to respond effectively to 24/7 operational demands.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Maintenance Desk operations and staff to meet standards.
• Define KPIs, monitor performance, and coordinate with craft leadership.
• Lead risk mitigation and incident response coordination.
• Provide strategic planning, workforce development, and cross-agency collaboration.

Skills

Rail/Transit Operations

Leadership experience

Communication skills

Data interpretation

Facilitation

24/7 operations

Job description

* This position is open to all King County employees and the general public *

King County Metro Transit’s Rail Division is seeking to hire a collaborative and solutions-oriented Link Maintenance Desk (LMD) Program Manager IV. This Project/Program Manager IV (PPM IV) role will provide operational leadership, strategic coordination, and cross-agency alignment to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient Rail operations. This PPM IV will lead a team of Power Controllers and Wayside Coordinators in a fast-paced, 24/7/365 environment, while serving as a key liaison between Wayside, Power, and Service Delivery Section Managers, craft Superintendents, and Sound Transit partners. This position requires exceptional judgement, leadership, and operational awareness, with responsibility for day-to-day oversight of LMD staff, processes, and communication pathways.

The position reports to the Performance Strategy Manager for supervision, program governance, implementation oversight, performance management, and program administration. Technical and operational direction and decision-making authority, however, will be in partnership with the Senior Maintenance Unit Manager and appropriate Maintenance craft leadership.

This recruitment process will be used to fill one (1) Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or one (1) Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position. This PPM IV SDA/TLT position is anticipated to last until June 2028.

About King County Metro Transit's Rail Division

King County Metro's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link Light Rail, a growing network spanning 60 miles and serving 38 stations across the Puget Sound region. Together with Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services, the Link Light Rail system is the backbone of an integrated regional transit network that gives people real freedom of movement. As Puget Sound transit agencies work together to build a seamless, connected system, our light rail system plays a central role in expanding access, reducing barriers, and ensuring that everyone across our region can get where they need to go.

Joining Metro's Rail Division means joining an organization that is shaping the future of public transportation in the Pacific Northwest and setting the standard for modern rail operations nationwide. This is a division that values strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and a deep commitment to the people we serve, both our riders and our teams. Whatever your role, your work here contributes to something that matters, a light rail system that thousands of people count on every day.

Who May Apply

This position is open to King County employees and the general public.

King County Employees applying for the SDA need to have passed their six (6) month probationary period (or will complete it by the closing date of this posting) in their current career service position.

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 a Project/Program Manager IV, you will:

Operational Functions

• Maintenance Desk Operations — Provide day to day management of LMD activities and staff, ensuring alignment with Sound Transit and King County Metro-Rail operational standards.
• Performance Management — Establish KPIs, monitor performance, and implement corrective actions in coordination with craft leadership.
• Risk Mitigation — Identify operational risks, elevate concerns appropriately, and develop mitigation plans to ensure continuity of service.
• LMD Support — Respond to employee escalations as needed 24/7/365 and provide timely report-outs to Section Managers.

Cross-Agency Coordination

• Stakeholder Engagement — Serve as the primary liaison between Maintenance, Operations, Facilities, Safety, and external partners.
• Interagency Collaboration — Coordinate work across multiple agencies with clear roles, shared expectations, and unified communication.
• Issue Resolution — Lead resolution of escalated maintenance concerns and operational conflicts.

Workforce Leadership & Support

• Team Guidance — Oversee a team of 14 Power Controllers and Wayside Coordinators and provide direction to frontline staff on priorities, communication standards, and professional conduct.
• Training & Development — Identify skill gaps, coordinate training, and reinforce continuous improvement.
• Culture & Conduct — Promote respectful engagement and proactively address performance concerns.
• Administrative Oversight — Review payroll entries, maintain attendance records, approve leave requests, and manage employee files in secured SharePoint environments.

Maintenance Desk Strategy & Planning

• Strategic Alignment — Define objectives that align LMD activities with organizational priorities.
• Program Development — Coordinate workflows and procedures to improve efficiency and reliability.
• Long-Range Planning — Support multi-year growth strategies, resource planning, and training needs.

Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Data Utilization — Oversee collection, validation, and interpretation of LMD data for craft leadership.
• Program Reporting — Deliver reports highlighting performance trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Process Improvement — Lead initiatives to streamline workflows and enhance service reliability.

Operational Readiness & Service Disruption Support

• Incident Coordination — Capture lessons learned from service disruptions and implement process improvements.
• Communication Management — Establish protocols for timely and accurate communication during disruptions.
• After-Action Reviews — Facilitate evaluations, draft action items, and ensure corrective actions are completed.

Strategic Communication & Leadership Support

• Clear Communication Channels — Maintain reliable information flows across crafts, leadership, and stakeholders.
• Change Management — Lead and support rollout of new procedures, technologies, and organizational changes.
• Collaborative Problem Solving — Facilitate discussions that integrate diverse perspectives and drive coordinated solutions.
• Stakeholder Relations — Handle any sensitive inquiries about the program or work being done.

Perform other related duties as assigned, including special projects and emerging needs

Minimum Qualifications

• Four (4) years of experience in Rail/Transit/Transportation Operations, Maintenance Coordination, or comparable operational leadership roles.
• Three (3) years of leadership experience, including supervising staff, managing performance, and supporting workforce development.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to coordinate and collaborate across multiple agencies and stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated proficiency in data interpretation, reporting, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrates clear, concise, and thoughtful verbal and written communication and comfort in facilitating meetings and leading discussions.
• Ability to respond to emergent issues in a 24/7 operational environment.

Desirable qualifications

• Experience working within King County Metro, Sound Transit, or similar transit agencies.
• Familiarity with APTA, FTA, and AREMA standards.
• Background in maintenance program development or operational planning.
• Experience leading change management initiatives.

Application & Selection Process

Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications, and for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above. Applications will then undergo a blind panel review. Highly competitive applicants may be invited to one or more interviews. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as reference checks or internal record reviews.

Work Schedule

This position is full time, 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay.

Telework

This position follows a hybrid work schedule requiring a minimum of 3 days per week onsite, 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 Sound Transit facilities. Upon hire, employees must reside in Washington state and must be able to travel to the below work locations in a timely manner to respond to operational needs and workplace reporting requirements.

Work Location

Primary Work Locations will be:

• Operations and Maintenance Facility- Central: 3407 Airport Way South, Seattle, WA 98134
• Union Station: 401 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104

However, employees may need to report to any of the following locations:

• Operations and Maintenance Facility – East: 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98005
• First Hill Streetcar Operations and Maintenance Facility: 848 7th Ave. S Seattle 98134
• South Lake Union Streetcar Operations and Maintenance Facility: 318 Fairview Ave N., 98109
• King Street Center: 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104
• And any future Sound Transit Link facilities

Safety Responsibilities for a Manager

• Fully support this program and its proper implementation
• Create a positive safety culture where employees are engaged in safety practices and processes
• Resolve hazards and safety concerns within their purview
• Ensure that SMS is implemented and executed within their area(s) of responsibility
• Ensure that performance of SMS is measured and documented in all areas
• Needs necessary for employees to perform job duties are communicated to the accountable Executive and considered in resource requests
• Provide time necessary for employees to receive sufficient training
• Establish accountability and corrective actions

Union Membership

This position is represented by PROTEC17 : C4 union.

Class Code/ Pay Grade

2441400 / 69

Need Assistance?

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 Marwa Alansi, HR Talent Advisor, at [e-mail]

An Employer to Be Proud Of

King County Metro Transit is a regional leader in helping people move quickly throughout the region, reducing commuter stress, greening the environment and radically improving urban air quality, by providing comfortable, effective transit services for the thousands of commuters and other residents of King County, Washington. Working for Metro means working for a leader in this public transportation industry.

Forbes recently 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.

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 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.