Rail Operations Communications Superintendent

Full Job Description

King County Metro Transit's Rail Operations Section has an exciting opportunity for a Career Service (CS) Rail Operations Communications Superintendent (Transit Superintendent – Control Center). The Rail Operations Communications Superintendent manages the Link Control Center (LCC) facility which is staffed by a combination of Rail Operations Chiefs, Rail Supervisors, and Traction Power & Maintenance personnel.

This leadership role requires the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse employee workgroup, proactively solve problems that impact service delivery, provide quality customer service, and motivate employees through building respect and trust. The Rail Operations Communications Superintendent leads by example, promotes teamwork, resolves conflicts that arise, and promotes a cooperative environment. The Rail Operations Communications Superintendent demonstrates support for the goals of the organization in providing quality public service and collaboratively working with other sections, departments, and partners while recognizing the value of diversity of opinion, culture, and perspective.

Our most competitive candidates will demonstrate their ability to build collaborative and supportive relationships with direct reports and internal partners as well as external agencies and community stakeholders. They will be comfortable with providing guidance and decision-making during times of uncertainty or emergent situations, and they will have the ability to actively create and maintain a positive working environment focused on safety, customer service, and exemplifying King County True North values.

About Link Light RailKing 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 is a 2-line operation of 55+ miles between Lynnwood, Federal Way, and Downtown Redmond. 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.

Requirements

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 a Rail Operations Communications Superintendent, you will also:

• Manage and supervise the operations of the Link Control Center (LCC), exhibiting positive leadership and role modeling
• Coordinate and lead the Link Control Center for all expansion related activities in partnership with the Link Expansion Team and other stakeholders
• Work with others to anticipate, identify, and implement opportunities for continuous improvement of LCC operations and associated technology
• Establish LCC operating goals and objectives which include priorities, performance standards, staff development, and resource needs to support efficient and customer-focused service; conduct analysis of performance metrics and report on progress achieved on expected operating outcomes and performance improvement goals; ensure safe and efficient use of resources
• Develop and implement strategies to improve safety and service quality, reliability and operating efficiency, monitor performance indicators and take action to remedy below-goal performance; oversee the determination of required staffing; ensure staffing levels meet service requirements while minimizing labor costs
• Participate in investigations and resolve accidents and incidents; mitigate high-profile service delivery issues with elected officials, other agencies and the public
• Develop operating contingency plans and direct LCC operations during emergencies, natural disasters, adverse weather or other events involving disruption of service delivery
• Supervise administrative support, professional staff, and Transit Chiefs directing the work of Rail Supervisors and Rail Operators; hire staff consistent with assigned hiring authority; create collaborative working relationship with multiple collective bargaining units and ensure consistent application of labor policies, contract provisions and hiring guidelines, investigate and respond to grievances; participate in and provide support to legal or contractual conflict resolution
• Provide guidance and direction to subordinate supervisors and other staff concerning complex or sensitive issues and problems, establish work performance standards and initiate corrective actions when required, review existing operational and administrative policies and procedures, and recommend improvement or modifications to higher-level management.
• Provide supporting data and recommendations to management in the formulation of the Operations operating and capital budgets; authorize expenditures within designated authority level; monitor budget and maintain expenditures within approved levels; manage and administer contractor and vendor service, supply and other related contracts as required.
• Participate and represent Operations in a wide variety of internal and external work groups, project teams, committees, and task forces.
• Act for higher-level managers as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

We are looking for candidates who possess these minimum qualifications:
Three years of experience in a Rail Control Center AND three years of increasingly responsible supervisory and/or management experience in Light or Heavy Rail operations. Additional requirements are:

• Ability to plan and direct the day-to-day activities of a large rail operations control center
• Ability to build a cohesive team in a diverse environment
• Experience maintaining and improving Rail Operations Safety
• Knowledge of the policies and procedures of the Rail Division and Rail Operations Section
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate complex problems related to ongoing rail operations
• Skill in establishing and implementing rail operations policies and procedures
• Experience in rail transit vehicle accident investigation
• Knowledge of grievance and arbitration processes
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills
• Excellent management, leadership, and supervisory skills which include ability to establish and maintain a participatory workplace by facilitating team development/behavior and promoting mutual respect, social equity, and the utilization of the abilities and viewpoints of all workers in a diverse work group
• Skill in conflict resolution and negotiation
• Skill in planning and delegating work assignments
• Working knowledge of train control SCADA systems
• Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements
• Knowledge of applicable FTA regulations governing Rail Transit Safety and Security
• Working knowledge of federal, state and local laws regarding ADA, EEO, FMLA, CDL, and D.O.T. Drug & Alcohol testing
• Have the ability to work independently and as a team member
• Ability to use applications for team communication and collaboration (such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.) and manage remote workers (other work locations and/or telework)
• Skill in the use of MS Outlook, Word, and Excel

The most competitive candidates will also possess these desirable qualifications:

• Ability to conduct staffing and budget planning, cost benefit analysis, and to initiate and evaluate the financial impact and technical feasibility of ideas, methods of operation, or capital projects
• Working knowledge of applicable APTA Rail Transit Standards and Industry Practices
• Working knowledge of tunnel ventilation procedures
• Skill in project management techniques.
• Knowledge of visual and data management systems and processes, including Power BI
• Skill in statistical and operational analysis, and establishing and implementing operational policies procedures and performance goals

Licensing, Certification and Other Requirements

• Washington State Driver License or if you possess an out-of-state driver’s license, you must obtain a WA state license within 30 days of hire.
• Work requires reporting for duty and directing Control Center operations during adverse weather events and other emergencies
• Work requires on-call to respond to emergent critical needs, emergencies, or other special circumstances

Additional Information

Selection Process
Applicants will be screened for clarity, thoroughness, competitiveness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to an interview.

Union Membership
This position is represented by the Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17, Transit Superintendents – Metro Transit (C5) bargaining unit.

Job Code: 873110 (Transit Superintendent – Control Center)

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 Americans 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.

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 Jacky Lu at jacky.lu@kingcounty.gov.

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