Sr. Continuous Improvement Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is open to current King County Metro Transit employees only

King County Metro Transit’s Facilities Division (TFD) is seeking an experienced and passionate Sr. Continuous Improvement Specialist to join our team.

In this role, you will ensure that TFD’s strategic work plan remains current, aligned with Metro Transit’s long-term goals, and grounded in our Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) commitments.

You will oversee the development and maintenance of the work plan, lead the TFD Continuous Improvement Program and help integrate ESJ principles into our strategic efforts.

King County is transforming its processes and management systems to improve customer results, integrate equity-centered decision-making, increase organizational capacity, and deliver greater value to the communities we serve.

The Senior Continuous Improvement Specialist will partner closely with TFD leadership and employees across TFD and Metro to apply change-management methodologies, strengthen business processes and support a healthy, adaptive workplace culture.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• A motivated self-starting approach and collaborative, can-do mindset

• Curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning

• Strong communication skills, openness and organizational discipline

• Adaptability and positive presence during change, helping others stay solutions-focused

• Resilience and receptiveness to feedback

• Ability to meet people where they are and grow together

About Metro Transit’s Facilities Division

The Transit Facilities Division (TFD) is responsible for maintaining Metro Transit properties, including bus bases, park & rides, bus shelters, offices and maintenance shops.

Our services span a wide range of essential functions such as bus shelter repairs and replacements, bus shelter cleaning, trolley wire repairs, radio maintenance for buses, environmental spill clean-up, bus sign replacement, graffiti removal, and other facilities maintenance duties.

In addition to daily operations, TFD delivers capital improvement and grant-funded projects that enhance the condition of County-owned facilities.

Who May Apply

We are only accepting applications from current King County Metro Transit employees. We are not considering external applicants at this time.

Recruitment Information

This recruitment will be used to fill one career service vacancy.

This selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future Career Service, Term-limited Temporary or Special Duty Assignment vacancies that may occur in this classification within TFD.

The eligibility pool will be retained 12 months from the time it is established and may be extended or used at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Questions? If you have questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact Angela Alcaraz, Sr. Talent Advisor at aalcaraz@kingcounty.gov.

Requirements

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees.

All employees are expected to model and apply our equity and social justice shared values, behaviors, and practices. As a Sr. Continuous Improvement Specialist, you will also:

• Facilitate Transit Facilities Division Strategy Workshops to identify significant business process improvements and provide strategy implementation coaching to leadership.
• Partner with multiple interest groups and stakeholders to effectively communicate, prepare for, implement, and sustain changes in business processes.
• Facilitate groups and lead project teams through process improvement initiatives, coaching them in applying process and system analysis methodologies to areas such as staffing, resource utilization, workload planning, workflow design, and organizational structure, and developing or refining policies, processes, and systems to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Implement or support the implementation of identified solutions using an equity-centered approach, collaborating with vendors and external partners as needed to ensure effective and sustainable problem resolution.
• Support the education and training of multidisciplinary teams, frontline staff, and leaders in process improvement principles, including Toyota Kata, Lean, Six Sigma, and Theory of Constraints, within a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul environment to help achieve business goals and identify solutions to critical operational challenges.
• Coach and mentor employees and leaders in continuous improvement and project management methodologies, including executive coaching, Leader Standard Work, and the Toyota Coaching Kata.
• Help design performance feedback systems and visual management tools to assess the resolution of business process deficiencies.
• Perform SDCA (Standardized, Do, Check, & Action) cycles and conduct internal audits to ensure the effective implementation of processes and continuous improvement.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Six (6) or more years of work experience dedicated to leading, coaching, and/or facilitating Continuous Improvement, Lean, or equivalent activities, or some combination of experience, education, and/or training totaling six (6) or more years that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification or equivalent certification may substitute for up to one (1) year of required experience.

Demonstrated knowledge in leading and facilitating Lean, Six Sigma, Toyota Kata, and Theory of Constraints methodologies, applying tools such as customer requirements analysis, Kata improvement routines, waste identification, standard work, visual management, process mapping, root cause analysis, 5S, daily management, intermediate Objective Maps, and A3 problem-solving.

Ability to integrate equity mindset and methodology into continuous improvement activities.

Ability to demonstrate authentic, inclusive, and professional behavior in interactions with staff and clients.

Ability to understand how basic business processes are relevant for specific county functions, and able to see how different county processes are connected or related to each other.

Knowledge and skills in facilitation, consulting, change management, and conflict resolution.

Strong organizational and project management abilities.

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals and groups from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the effective use of visual tools.

Ability to manage multiple and shifting priorities with an action-oriented approach.

Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure while maintaining strong problem-solving skills.

Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.

Desired Qualifications (not required):

• Experience in a manufacturing or maintenance setting.
• Experience with basic statistical analysis and the use of Six Sigma Toolkit.
• Experience with applying advanced equity tools and principles.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate strategy development and deployment across a division.
• Experience with developing a staffing model for budget proposal and future business needs while applying an equity mindset.

Additional Information

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 Angela Alcaraz, Sr.

Talent Advisor at aalcaraz@kingcounty.gov.

Required Application Materials:

• An online King County application, updated with accurate contact information, and relevant work history going back 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly.
• Completed supplemental questions.
• A cover letter/letter of interest, detailing how your experience and background meet or exceed the qualifications for this position.

A sample work product demonstrating your skillset related to applying problem-solving methodologies, ideally a complete A3 problem-solving document or similar project document (please ensure all confidential and/or proprietary details are redacted/removed, if any).

Please note: There may be a follow-up question related to presenting your submitted sample work product at the interview stage for this recruitment.

Note: A resume is highly encouraged but not required. Any additional attachments will not be considered.

Want to make sure your application materials are as competitive as possible?We highly recommend visiting the Career Support Services website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective: Career Support Services - King County.

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

Selection Process:

Applications and required documents will be reviewed for clarity, thoroughness, competitiveness, and writing skills.

Your application must confirm and support your answers to the supplemental questions and any experience mentioned in your resume.

If responses cannot be validated within your application, or if applications are missing the required materials listed in this job announcement, candidates may be removed from consideration.

The most competitive candidates may be asked to participate in one or more panel interviews.

Final scores may be weighted to consider overall application materials, relevant experience, and interview scores.

Offers and start dates will be finalized after completing any required pre-employment screenings, such as reference checks and/or internal record reviews.

Work Schedule:

Our regular business hours are 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. However, work outside of these hours may occasionally be required. This position is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Work Location:

Metro Transit works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is 201 S. Jackson Street, Seattle, WA.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.

The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.

Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Union Membership: This position is not represented by a union

Class Code: 2850200 – Continuous Improvement Specialist - Senior

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.