Transit Capital Project Manager III

Full Job Description

Advance your career with King County Metro, one of America’s premier transit agencies, serving one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States.

As a Transit Capital Project Manager III, you’ll play a vital role in delivering high-quality infrastructure projects that support safe, reliable, and equitable transit options throughout the region.

King County Metro is a recognized national transit leader working toward a 100% zero-emissions fleet. In 2023, the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) honored us as Washington State’s Public Agency of the Year for our unwavering commitment to equity and service.

Transit Capital Project Managers lead diverse portfolios that encompass planning, design, and delivery of infrastructure projects. We achieve success by employing established processes, strategic tools, and fostering deep collaboration and innovation.

The Capital Project Management Unit comprises approximately 25 professionals from various backgrounds and oversees Metro’s Capital Improvement Plan. As a Transit Capital Project Manager III, you’ll be involved in projects across several sub-portfolios, including:

• Facility Improvements and Building Modernization
• State of Good Repair
• Trolley Bus Infrastructure
• Passenger Infrastructure and Regional Transit Integration
• Speed and Reliability Improvements (RapidRide projects)
• Zero Emissions Infrastructure and Electrification
• Marine and Shoreline Infrastructure (Passenger Ferry Transit)
• Safety and Security Systems

This role involves close collaboration with Metro's Engineering and Construction Management Units, as well as the Capital Planning and Project Controls, Management & Performance (PCMP) sections.

Be part of a team driving innovation and building the future of transit!

Recruitment Information:

This recruitment will be used to fill 2 (two) Career Service vacancies.

In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future Career Service, Special Duty Assignment, or term-limited temporary vacancies that may occur in this classification and workgroup within the Capital Division.

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

Who may apply:

We welcome applications from all interested candidates, including current King County employees and the public. Please refer to the "Supplemental Information" section of this job bulletin for the required application materials.

Questions? If you have questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact Kam Kaur at kakaur@kingcounty.gov.

Important Note: This posting is being announced alongside a separate posting for the Transit Capital Project Manager IV Position.

Candidates interested in both the Transit Capital Project Manager III and IV roles MUST apply to both job postings separately.

Candidates are encouraged to apply for both positions if they believe their qualifications align with the requirements of both roles.

Requirements

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 the work.

As a Transit Capital Project Manager III, you will:

• Independently manage the planning, design, construction, and post-construction phases of high-risk transit projects, ensuring successful delivery within scope, schedule, and budget. Projects range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars.
• Assist in developing systems to improve scope management and reduce project delivery time and costs. Build communication channels with committees and officials, including Federal, State, City, and County agencies.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to address technical challenges, escalating critical matters to leadership as needed.
• Coordinate with internal, public, and political stakeholders to align project goals and address concerns.
• Measure project performance using appropriate tools and techniques, identify and quantify variances. Identify potential problems, recommend and implement corrective actions, and escalate unresolved issues appropriately.
• Prepare memos, reports, studies, correspondence, long range plan, and/or presentations. Compile reports related to project completions, revisions or changes and compare information with project schedules. Milestone reporting for project.
• Review, prepare and process documents necessary for applicable notices, permits, and approvals.
• Oversee the development and evaluation of RFPs, negotiate contracts, and manage vendor relationships. Participates in selection panels/processes, negotiates scope, schedule, and budget with consultants and contractors.
• Negotiate consultant and construction contracts, lead decisions on scope, schedule, cost, and other project-related matters.
• Ensure consultants and contractors meet industry standards for quality and compliance.
• Manage and update project schedules to ensure timely delivery.
• Develop, update, and manage detailed project cost estimates, applying effective cost-control measures throughout all delivery phases.
• Contribute to the Capital Improvement Program budget process by identifying scope, schedule, and costs.
• Cultivate a collaborative work environment that actively includes diverse viewpoints, embraces, and appreciates diversity, expects and ensures mutual respect, and promotes cooperation for both internal and external project team members.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in project management, engineering, architecture, construction management, business administration or closely related field with a minimum of four (4) years of experience as a project lead capital project delivery; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience in a capital project environment.
• Advanced knowledge of project management techniques, principles, budgeting, and scheduling methodologies, including development, analysis, and implementation.
• Proven experience in conflict resolution, decision-making, and analytical problem-solving.
• Knowledge of contract procurement, negotiation, and administration processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and facilitate diverse project teams effectively.
• Excellent communication skills and a strong ability to write and present technical reports clearly and concisely.
• Experience in fiscal management and project cost estimation, with accountability in settings with oversight. Knowledge of policy and regulatory analysis and interpretation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, equivalent, or ability to successfully complete the examination eligibility.
• Professional License (Professional Engineer, Registered Architect, etc.)
• Experience with alternative capital project delivery methods (General Contractor Construction Manager; Design Build; Progressive Design Build).
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure development, Transit or public infrastructure such as bus stops, roadway development and construction, public aerial and underground utilities, pedestrian, and active transportation enhancements, Experience in industrial/light commercial site and building development, such as bus bases/campuses or similar, Experience in implementing capital safety and security improvements at the building and campus scale, Experience working in a marine/shoreline focused capital delivery environment supporting Marine transit and/or maritime operations.
• Experience in managing a range of projects within the dollar value of $500,000 to $10M+.
• Skill in handling politically sensitive issues.
• Aware of Metro Transit initiatives.

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 Kam Kaur at kakaur@kingcounty.gov.

Required Application Materials:

• Submit an online application through our careers site. Update your application with all relevant work history going back at least 10 years (or more if necessary), including detailed job duties, dates of employment, and clear explanations for reasons for leaving.
• Attach a resume.
• Attach a cover letter that highlights how your experience, knowledge, and skills align with the position's responsibilities. Your cover letter should also clearly articulate your interest in this position.
• Thoroughly respond to all required Supplemental Questions within the application.

Please visit this page if you need assistance with your application, need links to Career Support Services, and for Application FAQs -Find a job with us - King County, Washington

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 and cover letter.

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 therefore, is not eligible for overtime pay. We may also consider flexible hours.

Work Location:

The main work site associated with these positions is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St, Seattle WA 98104.

This is a hybrid role, requiring a combination of remote and onsite work at various King County facilities.

Employees are currently expected to work onsite 3 days per week, though this requirement may be subject to change.

A County-issued laptop will be provided, and employees must maintain a dedicated workspace with reliable internet access to perform their duties efficiently and remain accessible during scheduled work hours.

Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance of their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a county worksite.

Union Membership: This position is represented by the Technical Employees Association (TEA).

Class Code: 714502 Transit Engineer IV

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.