Administrator III

King County Metro's Transit Department has an exciting opportunity for one Administrator III position to work within the Rail Division's Business and Administration section. This leadership role reports to the Rail Administrative Services Superintendent or Chief, and collaborates with employees, colleagues, and stakeholders to deliver exceptional service while advancing the following strategic priorities within the division:

• Developing a Culture of Care
• Providing operational excellence
• Delivering on time expansions
• Maintaining healthy and resilient partnerships with Sound Transit, our partners in Rail Service Delivery

This Administrator Ill position will lead a high-performing team responsible for managing various administrative functions to support Metro Transit's Rail Division.

This role also requires effective communication with diverse stakeholders, proactive problem-solving, breaking down barriers, change management oversight, continuous improvement implementation, and fostering employee engagement to create a culture of care within the Division. The ideal candidate will excel in navigating an ambiguous work environment, possess leadership experience, and manage multiple competing priorities to deliver substantial results in a fast-paced setting. Additionally, the candidate should have a solid background in equity and social justice, with experience in enhancing opportunities and support for historically disadvantaged employee groups.

About Metro Transit's Link Light Rail Expansion

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link light rail service and City of Seattle’s streetcar system. Link light rail currently spans a 33-mile route from SeaTac to Lynnwood and a 6.6-mile route from Redmond to South Bellevue. By the end of 2026, light rail is projected to expand to nearly 60 route miles, adding seven new stations. Additional expansions to the Link system will be coming online for years to come.  

Seattle Streetcar includes the 1.3 mile South Lake Union line and the 2.5 mile First Hill line, proudly serving the diverse and vibrant communities around Seattle’s downtown core. These rail services complement Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services. Puget Sound transit agencies are collaborating to create an integrated transit network that enables people to travel farther, faster, and more easily.

Position Information

Who May Apply: This recruitment is open to current King County employees as well as the general public. 

This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Career Service vacancy.

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 this work. As an Administrator Ill, you will also:

Lead a team to implement and oversee administrative support for the Division by:

• Overseeing daily operations and supervising administrative staff. Act as a key strategic and technical adviser to the Rail Administrative Services Superintendent and other management staff, to provide administrative solutions.
• Directing the development and implementation of strategic goals, vision, workforce management, performance measures, strategies, and policies.
• Supporting the development of a skilled and effective team, managing, and mentoring staff, and providing expertise in administrative best practices.
• Addressing staffing resource gaps by allocating work assignments among administrative team.

Deliver high quality administrative services to the division by:

• Establishing performance standards, initiating corrective actions as needed, and reviewing operational and administrative policies to recommend improvements to the Rail Division's leadership team.
• Developing and clarifying administrative policies and procedures in collaboration with Rail leadership, King County Metro Employee Services and Sound Transit personnel.
• Representing the section in various internal and external groups, project teams, committees and task forces on topics that affect section systems and service delivery.

Determine effectiveness and drive continuous improvement by:

• Developing and managing administrative guidelines, processes, and procedures for administrative functions using tools like excel, word, PowerPoint, that assists administrative staff and evaluate performance and identify resource gaps.
• Supporting business teams in implementing significant administrative business process improvements through process improvement methodologies.
• Analyzing operational trends to optimize work assignments, staffing, absenteeism, leave usage, and forecasting future staffing needs.

Furthering partnerships and relationships by:

• Building collaborative relationships with collective bargaining units (Unions), ensure consistent application of labor policies and contract provisions, investigating grievances, and support legal or contractual conflict resolution.
• Providing guidance on complex or sensitive issues to subordinate supervisors and staff.

Act on behalf of higher-level supervisors as needed and perform other duties as required.

We are looking for candidates who have:

• An associate degree or equivalent in Business Administration (or a related field)

• Experience in developing, supervising, and overseeing administrative functions performed for a workgroup, section and/or division or three (3) or more years of experience leading people in an advanced Business Administrative work group.

OR any combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.

Additional minimum qualifications include:

• Strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all employees.
• Proven experience in communication and internal employee engagement, including:
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work well with diverse individuals and populations.
  • Experience and passion for fostering positive, inclusive cultures that prioritize employee well-being and belonging.
• Demonstrated skill and experience in leading and supervising people, including:
  • Developing and leading direct reports, supporting career growth, assigning challenging tasks, and effectively supervising administrative staff.
  • Commitment to empowering, mentoring, and training staff, with a focus on process improvement and employee engagement.
  • Building respectful, equitable relationship with employees and customers and solving problems for collective benefit.
  • Demonstrating resilience, problem-solving skills, and capacity to handle challenging situations with composure and effectiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented, organized, and show initiative involving matters internal to Metro, as well as external matters involving suppliers, contractors, and vendors. 
• Skill in maintaining strict confidentiality in the handling of sensitive data and information involving matters internal to Metro, as well as external matters involving suppliers, contractors, and vendors.
• Data analysis skills that support the ability to make data-driven decision, identify trends, and track program effectiveness.

• Demonstrated strong attention to detail. Proven ability to multi-task and remain organized in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines and changing priorities.

• Time management skills that demonstrate the ability to manage competing priorities, multiple projects, and daily responsibilities in an effective and efficient manner.
• Intermediate level proficiency with software and tools generally used by business and administrative staff, including Office products such as Outlook, Work, Excel, Teams and Sharepoint.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• A valid Washington State Driver's License with acceptable driving record.

Work Schedule

The base work schedule is 40 hours per week, and normally day shift Monday through Friday, however, due to the 24 hour/7 day a week operation of a public transit service, this position may require off-shift work. The position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay. 

Work Location

The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly in a hybrid work environment working both in the office and at home. The expectation is to be working on site 2-3 days a week. Employee will have access to shared workspaces at various Sound Transit facilities. Employee must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

The primary location for onsite work is the Operations and Maintenance Facility at 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA. Some work out of other locations may be required, including the Operations and Maintenance Facility - East at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA and any future Sound Transit Link facilities.

Employee will be provided with a Sound Transit issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.

Required forms and application materials:

• Submit an online employment application, completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs, and complete all answers to the supplemental questions.
• Attach a resume.
• Attach a cover letter that describes your interest in this position and how you meet or exceed qualifications. 

Applications without the above required materials may not be considered.

NOTE: Please answer ALL questions in the online employment application itself, with each of your jobs during the last 10 years listed (listing each position for each employer separately), duties explained, reasons for leaving etc. 

Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions under Application Tips and FAQs at: Application FAQ’s- King County.

Selection Process

Applicants will be screened for clarity, thoroughness, competitiveness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in a one or more interviews. Applications that are not complete or do not include the required attachments may be disqualified and not advance in the process.

Employment offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed a reference check.

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. 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 Brenna Burbank Brenna, HR Analyst at brburbank@kingcounty.gov

Class Code:  Administrator Ill 2810300

Union Representation: PROTEC17: Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17

If you have questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Brenna Burbank, HR Analyst at brburbank@kingcounty.gov.

#RailJobs

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.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. 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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Salary : $111,259 - $134,493