Reduced Fares Transit Project Program Manager II (PPM II)

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement plan (pension + 457b)

ORCA transit pass and transportation

Job summary

King County seeks a Project/Program Manager II to lead the Reduced Fares cashless initiative, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to shift riders toward ORCA and digital payments. The role emphasizes equity, outreach, data-driven recommendations, and cross-team coordination within Fare Media Sales.

The position supports a hybrid work model, with on-site presence at King Street Center as needed, and requires strong communication, planning, and organizational skills to manage

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of project/program management experience.
• Community engagement experience.
• Experience removing barriers for and supporting diverse communities.
• Knowledge of transit and ORCA products and services.
• Experience managing programs, projects, or initiatives, including work planning, scheduling, budgeting, contract management, and financial tracking.
• Strong understanding of project management principles and the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and competing demands.
• Strong communication skills to identify customer and business needs and develop solutions.
• Promotion of an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a matrixed environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects related to the Reduced Fares cashless work.
• Collaborate with project stakeholders, including workgroups, agency leadership, external agency partners and Metro’s customers.
• Respond to inquiries related to program or project.
• Support rider education training for human service agencies and community-based organizations.
• Educate and support outreach activities.
• Collaborate with other project/program managers within Fare Media Sales.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to make informed recommendations.
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity and an inclusive work environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Project management

Community engagement

ORCA knowledge

Communication skills

Equity and inclusion

Budgeting

Scheduling

Contract management

Financial tracking

Organizational skills

Tools

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Excel)

Job description

Summary

This position is open to King County Employees and the General Public. This role supports King County’s efforts to simplify reduced fare programs and transition riders from cash payments and paper tickets to ORCA and other modern payment methods. The position focuses on understanding rider needs, encouraging behavior change, and improving engagement with fare programs.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Supporting initiatives that simplify reduced fare structures and improve rider access.
• Encouraging and facilitating the shift from cash payments to ORCA or other electronic fare options.
• Engaging riders through outreach, education, focus groups, and program adjustments that support successful transitions.
• Assisting with ad hoc distribution tasks related to fare media and exploring new approaches to replace paper tickets.
• Helping organize, track, and coordinate activities involved in the transition from paper fare products to alternative solutions.
• Providing quick, on demand support when urgent program needs arise.
• Support Metro customer service teams as the cashless work develops.

The ideal candidate is organized, adaptable, and comfortable with both operational tasks and community engagement. They will play a key role in modernizing fare processes and supporting riders and human service agency partners through these changes.

This recruitment will be used to fill 1 Special Duty Assignment/Term Limited Temporary position expected to last through December 2027.

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. You will also:

• Lead projects related to the Reduced Fares cashless work.
• Collaborate with project stakeholders, including workgroups, agency leadership, external agency partners and Metro’s customers.
• Respond to inquiries related to program or project.
• Support rider education training for human service agencies and community-based organizations.
• Educate and support outreach activities.
• Collaborate and consult with other project/program managers within Fare Media Sales
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to make informed recommendations.
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity. Promote an equitable, diverse and inclusive work environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• 1-2 years of project/program management experience.
• Community engagement experience.
• Experience removing barriers for and supporting diverse communities, including individuals with disabilities, elderly, and people living in poverty.
• Knowledge of transit and ORCA products and services.
• Experience managing programs, projects, or initiatives, including work planning, scheduling, budgeting, contract management, and financial tracking.
• Strong understanding of project management principles and the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and competing demands.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to identify customer and business needs, understand barriers to mobility, and develop solutions that address those needs.
• Demonstrated ability to promote an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment while collaborating effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds, positions, and perspectives.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a matrixed environment while managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, value-driven organization.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to establish priorities, delegate work, meet deadlines, and proactively address challenges.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present persuasive information, develop partnerships, negotiate agreements, and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Teams, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Supplemental Information

Who May Apply

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

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. It is important to note that you must get approval from your current supervisor/manager to accept a Special Duty Assignment. Pay for SDA will be in accordance with the Personnel Guidelines or the selected employee’s collective bargaining agreement.

Work Location

This position follows a hybrid work schedule requiring a minimum of 2 days per week onsite at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA, consistent with King County Metro's hybrid work policy. Remote workdays may be adjusted based on operational or business needs. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance of their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Work Schedule

Normal work hours are between 8 am – 5pm, Monday through Friday. Alternative work schedules may be possible. This position is non-exempt and therefore is eligible for overtime pay.

Union Membership

Protec17

Job Code

243207 Project/Program Manager II

Safety Responsibilities For An Employee

• Responsible for understanding this 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.

Benefits

• 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

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.