What are the responsibilities and job description for the Administrator III position at King County?
King County Metro's Transit Department has an exciting opportunity for a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) or Term Limited Temporary (TLT) Administrator III to work within the Rail Division's Business and Administrative Section. This position offers a hybrid work schedule, fantastic benefits, and a values-driven work environment.
The Administrator Ill manages a broad and varied range of division-wide administrative services and programs involving budgets, personnel updates for uniforms, account reconciliations, problem-solving, and uniform program development. The position's responsibilities will include assistance with budget preparations, developing and administering Rail's uniform program including vendor contracts and labor contracts, inventory and materials management, and managing administrative compliance issues.
This position will work in a team environment under minimal supervision of the Administrator IV while interacting with a variety of external vendors and internal employees including craft employees, administrative staff, management, and other inter-agency teams.
Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong analytical skills to interpret reports and trends to make data-driven recommendations, and skill in managing multiple administrative projects and programs simultaneously. They will also have skill and experience in building strong, productive working relationships with all types of internal or external customers, and the ability to continuously improve the efficiency and accuracy of business and administrative processes. #Railjobs
About Metro Transit's Link Light Rail ExpansionKing 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 InformationWho may apply: This position is open to all qualified candidates, both internal and external.
This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) SDA/TLT position within the Rail division's Business and Administration team and may be used to generate an eligibility list for future SDA/TLT vacancies that may occur in this classification. If an eligibility list is created, it will be used at the hiring authority's discretion for up to 12 months.
The duration of this position is anticipated to last through December 31, 2025 with the possibility of extension.Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and 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:
- Plan, develop, coordinate, and implement projects or programs across section lines within the Rail Division, such as uniform contracts, adverse weather gear orders, and Sound Transit project task orders.
- Participate in budget development and preparation of monthly vendor invoice reconciliations.
- Evaluate reports generated from various operating systems, reconcile report variances, provide recommendations to resolve variances, and improve system efficiency.
- Develop assessment and evaluation methods to analyze trends in business and administrative services being provided.
- Make recommendations on cost efficiency and customer service improvement methods.
- Evaluate industry/technology trends and make recommendations on business and administrative policies and procedures to improve customer service and work production; participate in solving issues and concerns and research issues for new policies.
- Manage and participate in the development of goods and/or service contracts.
- Analyze and evaluate issues relating to labor contract negotiations.
- May prepare presentation materials and publications for internal and external use, make presentations and participate in strategic and policy planning efforts.
- May manage the work of contractors and consultants for administrative issues.
- Act as a technical resource to internal and external staff on business and administrative services. Monitor and make sure the division complies with business and administrative policies and procedures.
- Coordinate and represent the section, division, or department in multi-agency (internal and external) committees or task forces.
- Cross-train on the projects and portfolios of other Administrators.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in a range of business and advanced administrative functions that pertain to this position.
- Demonstrated skill in project or program management, and the ability to apply principles and practices related to data collection, analysis, and program management into administrative duties.
- Demonstrated ability to document, prepare and communicate program information to key staff.
- Professional, courteous, and tactful customer service skills that demonstrate discretion, patience, and the ability to follow through on commitments.
- The proven ability to be a productive and collaborative team member who values the diversity of opinions, perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and cultures.
- Strong interpersonal skills to be able to foster effective working relationships built on trust and respect with an increasingly diverse team and external partners.
- Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented, organized, and show initiative and resourcefulness in independently resolving problems and ensuring a quality work product.
- Familiarity with vendor contracts and expectations and ability or skill in interpreting agreements, service contracts, union contracts, policies, regulations, and laws.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required, including negotiation and facilitation skills.
- 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 their ability to make data-driven decisions, 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, Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint.
- A positive, collaborative, flexible disposition; equally adept at working independently or as part of a team.
The most competitive candidates will also meet these desirable qualifications:
- Experience in reconciliation among various operating systems and the ability to explain and resolve variances.
- Experience with Enterprise Assets Management or similar workorder asset management system.
- Experience in implementing, initiating, and managing projects/programs.
- Skill in translating technical information to non-technical audiences.
- Knowledge of Lean/Continuous Improvement principles.
- Knowledge of Metro Transit Department's Rail Division or similar organization's business practices.
The base work schedule is 40 hours per week and work is typically performed between the hours of 6:30am and 3:00pm, however flexibility may be required at times to support the needs of Metro Transit and the uniform program. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.
Work Location
This position will onboard at the Operations and Maintenance Facility - Central location located at 3407 Airport Way S., Seattle, WA 98134 and will transition to the Operations and Maintenance Facility - East in Bellevue, Washington. The new Administrator Ill should expect to report onsite daily during onboarding, and a hybrid work schedule that incorporates teleworking and onsite rotations may be considered after that.
Temporary Telecommuting Requirement
The work associated with this position will be performed through a combination of teleworking complemented with onsite work. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County and Sound Transit facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their Sound Transit worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees 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. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.
How to Apply:If you are interested in this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. Applications without the below required materials may not be considered.
Required Forms and Application Materials:
- Submit an online King County application, updated with accurate contact information, and any/all relevant work history going back 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly in the work experience section of the application.
- Complete all required supplemental questions
- Attach a resume
- Attach a cover letter (or letter of interest) that describes your interest in this specific position and how your qualifications align with the requirements mentioned in this job announcement. Only the first two pages of your cover letter will be reviewed.
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 at brburbank@kingcounty.gov. Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions at Application FAQ’s- King County.
Selection ProcessApplicants will be screened for clarity, thoroughness, competitiveness, and written communication skills. Initial screening will be based on a review of application materials. The employment history detailed in your application MUST validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions and cover letter. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process. The most competitive candidates may be invited to complete skills testing and participate in one or more interviews. Employment offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed a reference check/internal employment record review.
Class Code: 2810300 - Administrator Ill
Union Representation: Professional & Technical Employees Local17 (Protec17)
Questions: Please contact Brenna Burbank at brburbank@kingcounty.gov
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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.
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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