Salary range is $160k to $280k, with a midpoint of $215k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

Sound Transit is seeking an experienced leader in integrating and ensuring operational readiness of new transit systems from planning, design, and through construction of new transit extensions and supporting infrastructure. With extensive collaboration across the agency and key partners, this leader is accountable to provide independent and objective view of the agency’s people and infrastructure readiness at key milestones in project delivery with the authority to ensure operational readiness is integrated at each phase of project delivery. This role leads a team that drives the agency to ensure operational readiness in capital project delivery supporting nation’s largest transit expansion in the Puget Sound region. 

• Sound Transit has an annual capital and operating budget of $3 billion and is in the process of delivering one of the largest transit expansion programs in the country.
• Voters in the greater Seattle region approved three-system expansion plans defined in the ballot initiatives known as Sound Move (1996), Sound Transit 2 (ST2 in 2008), and Sound Transit 3 (ST3 in 2016).

These programs authorize ongoing funding for the design, construction, and operations of a fully integrated network of Light Rail, Commuter Rail, Bus Rapid Transit, and Commuter Express Bus systems which, together, will:

• Reshape the landscape of the entire Western-Washington region, enhance economic development.
• Help combat climate change, and improve mobility, livability, smart growth, affordability, and accessibility across the region.

The Sound Transit Team includes highly experienced capital program and service delivery leadership and staff who have successfully delivered and operated the Sound Move program and are moving toward completion of the ST2 program. As the size of the Sound Transit light rail system will more than double over the next two decades, Sound Transit needs to grow its leadership capacity and expertise to deliver on commitments to voters.

Sound Move (1996-2007) represented the first phase of a long-term vision for high-capacity regional transit. The public vote for this initial phase:

1. Authorized the creation of Sound Transit
2. Enacted tax collections for funding the expansion.
3. Established the first set of regional transit projects. These projects were a success and included:

• • 26 miles of light rail service between Seattle-Tacoma Airport and the University of Washington, with a northward extension to Northgate dependent upon additional funding.
  • Peak period commuter rail from Lakewood and Everett to Seattle.
  • ST Express bus routes linking the region’s population and employment centers.
  • Capital investments in transit facilities (such as transit centers and park-and-ride lots) plus HOV direct access ramps that improve bus speed and reliability.

Sound Transit 2 (2008-2026) includes substantial additions and betterments to ST Express bus, Sounder commuter rail service, and Link light rail service. Several of these projects are in or nearing the testing, commissioning and pre-revenue operations as we approach revenue operations for each over the next few years. These projects include:

• 36 added miles of Link light rail service north to Lynnwood, east to Mercer Island, Bellevue, and Redmond's Overlake area, as well as south of Seatle-Tacoma Airport.
• Extra service on the busiest ST Express bus routes.
• 4 new daily Sounder round trips on its popular South Line, along with heightened station access and more parking.

Sound Transit 3 (2016-2041 which was realigned to 2046 by the Sound Transit board in 2021), is determined to connect the region's cities and to expand its light rail spine. This program is intended to expand the mass transit network and connect 16 cities with light rail; 30 cities with Bus Rapid Transit and ST Express bus service; and 12 cities with commuter rail. These projects include:

• 62 added miles of light rail that will link a 116-mile system with extensions to:
• Everett via the Paine Field Industrial Center (known as Boeing Field);
• Tacoma via Federal Way and Fife.
• downtown Redmond; Ballard via South Lake Union and Seattle Center.
• West Seattle; and a new light rail line from south Kirkland through Bellevue to Issaquah.
• 46 miles of Bus Rapid Transit on major highways to the north, east, and south of Lake Washington – with service every 10 minutes during peak hours.
• Sounder South capacity expansion – with platform extensions to accommodate trains of up to 10 car lengths and serving some 40 percent more passengers, while extending service from Lakewood to DuPont and installing access improvements at stations along the north and south lines.

Under executive direction, provides strategic direction and planning for future transit expansion and enhancement development. Plans, establishes, strategizes, supports, and guides the Operations Readiness and Asset Transition team. Responsible for providing direction through establishment of standards and procedures to support integration of operational readiness into capital program delivery through supporting analysis and collaborative decision making to ensure operational needs of the system are fulfilled for all future capital projects . Self-starter able to assertively represent the Portfolio Management and Oversight Office on behalf of the Asset Transition Office Executive Director in capital project development. Must daylight issues, elevate as appropriate, drive through to completion, document results, and strive for consistency across the capital program. Works closely in coordination with the Service Delivery Department leadership to define and implement the agency operational framework for the capital program. Requires balancing interface with day-to-day operational issues and applying best practices to capital project development. Expands individual and collective knowledge of the Operational needs for the Capital Program to continually develop and implement lessons learned in close partnership with the Service Delivery and the Program Management and Oversight leadership. The Deputy Executive Director will need to have strong leadership, decision-making, communication, and analytical skills for success in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment. In addition to supporting the above team, this leader will need to collaborate with department leaders across agency departments, ST Executives, partner agency department/divisions, and outside agencies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Responsible for stewardship of operational assets through collaboratively establishing, translating, and implementing the operational requirements within the capital program in order to achieve the service level and information requirements set forth by the Service Delivery department.
• Accountable for establishing and implementing operational requirements of the agency in close collaboration with the agency asset owners, managers and stewards through a strong understanding of agency service level requirements, current transit system performance, regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Provides leadership to a team dedicated for capital projects ensuring all light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit infrastructure needs, including but not limited to facilities, track, maintenance, systems, and future operations are planned, perform, and constructed to fulfill operational requirements.
• In collaboration with peers, guides and directs the team in development of processes and procedures to ensure that the Asset Transition Office is integrated into the agency capital program delivery process from project initiation, design, construction, activation, revenue operations and closeout.
• Develops and administers a process by which total cost of ownership for capital projects, facilities, services, and systems is assessed to inform decision making. 
• In collaboration with the capital program delivery teams, organizes and documents decision-making across capital projects for consistency and ensuring consistency and actively management of lessons learned.
• Maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations. 
• Develops short, mid and long-range forecasts for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies. 
• Responsible for developing, administering, and maintaining annual capital budgets for business unit expenditures and implements adjustments. Includes administration of consultant contracts.
• Develops programs to assist in attainment of Agency and departmental goals, including establishment, execution, and oversight of business unit goals. Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal/external stakeholders including contractors, transit agency partners, federal, state, and local officials, and Sound Transit Board members. 
• Translates agency-wide organizational goals and strategies into operational objectives with action plans. Provides high level direction in terms of department goals, strategic management supporting the goals and objectives.
• Coaches, trains, engages, and motivates staff. Develops work plans for staff and manages the workflow, prioritization of projects, and measures staff performance. Manages employee relations providing advice and counsel to staff, professional developmental plans, and implements or recommends corrective actions, discipline, and termination procedures as needed.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Planning, Engineering, Public Administration, Business Management, Business Administration. Ten years' experience in managing transit operations, capital project development in transit, long-range transit planning, or transit maintenance/facilities programs and services; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Eight years supervisory experience in leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Operational oversight and requirements for successfully implementing a long-range operating and capital plan. 
• Project/program management in a capital heavy, schedule driven environment with foresight for future operations and maintenance requirements. 
• Facility and track maintenance, life cycle analysis including total cost of ownership, and planning principles. 
• Transit mode operations, facilities and maintenance characteristics, services, and activities with a particular focus on light rail and bus rapid transit. 
• Service and asset planning and best practices in service delivery of public transportation. 
• Principles of value engineering, risk assessments, and strategic planning. 
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as they apply to transit development and operations including the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs. 
• Application of principles of transit safety and security, including fire, life, and safety committees. 
• Procurement policies and procedures for goods and services and contract procurement strategies & management principles. 
• Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities. 
• Policy and procedure development. 
• Advanced principles and practices of program development and administration. 
• Advanced principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration. 
• Strategic policy management principles and practices. 
• Negotiation principles and practices. 
• Advanced business letter and strategic writing and basic report preparation. 
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases. 
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation. 
• Familiarity with alternative contract delivery methods such as design build, progressive design build, and public-private partnerships.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Daily operations and maintenance of transit infrastructure and resources.
• Standard operating and maintenance procedures of light rail transit mode, and other modes.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• Positions is responsible for maneuvering around construction sites; may be subject to bending, climbing, crawling, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, sitting, standing, talking, seeing, walking, and carrying and lifting up to 25 pounds. 
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required. 

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action 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.