Transit Security Manager - SDA

Full Job Description

**This Special Duty Assignment (SDA) is only available to career service King County Metro Transit Employees who have passed the probationary period for their current position. **

Metro Transit’s Safety, Security, and Quality Assurance (SSQA) Division is seeking a Transit Security Manager to lead Metro’s security, life safety, and emergency management programs. This leadership role oversees highly specialized teams of professionals who work together to protect our employees, customers, and publicly owned resources.

Working collaboratively with employees, peers, and stakeholders, this position oversees the development and maintenance of security and emergency management training and education programs. In this role you will be responsible for identifying and mitigating risk and developing corrective action plans across all mobility services, construction projects, and operational environments. You will also translate mitigation strategies into clear policies, plans, and procedures while partnering across Metro to implement initiatives aligned with industry standards and best practices. This work is essential to ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of transit services each day.

In the first 90 days, the Transit Security Manager will focus on aligning employees and teams with Metro’s vision for security and emergency management, including clarifying how our programs work, what success looks like, and the outcomes we are driving toward, especially as we prepare for the FIFA World Cup. This includes onboarding new leaders and ensuring staff understand expectations, priorities, and the evolving needs of the system.

The SSQA Division’s vision is to create a community free from harm where all people can thrive. Its mission is to provide leadership and the highest level of support and strong customer focus to continuously improve Metro’s safety culture and security practices to best protect Metro employees, patrons, and the communities we serve from harm.

Recruitment Details: This recruitment will be used to fill one Special Duty Assignment (SDA) Transit Security Manager position that is expected to last 6 months with the possibility of extension. This recruitment may be used to generate an eligibility list for future Special Duty Assignment (SDA) positions that may occur in this classification and workgroup. If created, the list would be valid for 12 months from the posting date above and be utilized at the discretion of the hiring authority.

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.
• Plan and implement strategic goals and programs to ensure the security of Metro Transit’s customers, its workforce, and the general public as they interact with the transit system.
• Develop pro-equity, innovative management of Metro's security functions to deliver high-quality, timely service to customers.
• Hire, develop, supervise, mentor, and provide strategic direction for multiple teams, including:
  • Physical Security and over 250 contracted Transit Security Officers
  • Life Safety & Emergency Management programs, plans, and service delivery
• Lead and manage SaFE Reform programs, including SaFE Ambassadors, Behavior Health Specialist teams, and other initiatives.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external partners to deliver excellent service and build a community-oriented, diverse, and inclusive work environment.
• Ensure that employee and public safety continue to be Metro's highest priority, maintaining strict adherence to governing rules and regulations, and seeking to continually improve Metro’s security practices and culture.
• Work with Metro Transit Divisions to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies; analyze and interpret operating policies, procedures, guidelines, standards, and best practices; and approve recommendations for improvement.
• Lead and manage the development of new initiatives, continuous improvement efforts, and operational methods; determine and select related technology and equipment; and direct program and procedure development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate safety and security-related plans, assessments, and risk mitigations.
• Translate identified mitigations and strategies into policies, plans and procedures.
• Lead, guide, and motivate employees, helping them to recognize the important role they play in achieving the overall agency goals and empowering them to perform accordingly.
• Develop, approve, and monitor budget; and allocate resources.
• Serve as a member of SSQA’s Senior Leadership Team and Extended Leadership Team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

We are looking for candidates who have the following minimum qualifications:

• Any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position, such as 10 years of progressively responsible work experience in Security or Emergency Management Leadership and a bachelor's degree in emergency management, risk management, homeland security, public safety, or similar.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and inspire diverse, high-performing teams while fostering trust, accountability, and a strong and resilient readiness culture. Able to instill vision and purpose across multiple teams and foster open dialogue and engagement.
• Demonstrated skill in developing staff at all levels through coaching, performance support, goal setting, career growth, and meaningful stretch assignments.
• Demonstrated financial and operational acumen, including budget management, forecasting, and oversight of contracts and consultant performance.
• Strategic mindset with experience in long-range planning, prioritization, and translating vision into actionable and agile strategies.
• Advanced analytical capability, including qualitative and quantitative analysis, data interpretation, and oversight of complex investigations. Ability to assess situations holistically, anticipate risks, set priorities, and focus on what is most critical for organizational safety and resilience.
• Expertise in security and emergency management standards and best practices, and Safety Management Systems (SMS).
• Strong decision-making skills with the ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, anticipate future impacts, and adapt to changing conditions.
• Organizational savvy with the ability to navigate complex systems, leverage formal and informal networks, and influence outcomes.
• Emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal savvy with the ability to navigate conflict, facilitate difficult conversations, and build productive relationships across all levels, including labor partners and union leaders.
• Deep commitment to equity and social justice, King County and Metro Transit’s values, valuing diverse perspectives, and fostering inclusive, respectful work environments that create equitable opportunities for all employees.
• Ability to facilitate difficult conversations about race, equity, power, and privilege.
• Skill in process management, workflow optimization, and cultivating innovation to improve operational effectiveness.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively to varied audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to drive vision and purpose, motivating teams and partners toward shared goals and organizational success.

Highly competitive candidates will also have the following qualifications (desired, but not required):

• Experience with crisis / incident / emergency management and disaster preparedness, planning, and recovery at a mobility agency.
• Knowledge of specific programs, such as operational, industrial, security, law enforcement, emergency management, and fare enforcement.
• Knowledge of, and experience applying, local, state and federal regulations for transit system safety, security, and incident response for events, hazards, and emergencies.
• Knowledge of the complex operations, policies and procedures of a mobility organization.
• Knowledge of, and experience applying, local, state and federal regulations and industry best practices that apply to safety and security, including knowledge of safety risk management and threat/hazard vulnerability assessments.
• Skill in determining mitigations and corrective action plans.

Special Requirements:

• Possess a Washington State driver’s license within 30 days of hire and have the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely fashion to places where public transportation may not be readily available.

Additional Information

Work Location: The work associated with this position will primarily be performed or conducted onsite three to five days a week. The main work site for this postion is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104. The ratio of teleworking to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities, and Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County work site to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime-eligible. The typical work hours are normally 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Employees may be required to work extended hours, weekends, and holidays.

On-Call Requirement

This position is required to be on-call as needed. Typical duties include taking calls responding to incidents, assisting operations with determining reportability, coordinating after incident evidence collection, and the development of initial notifications.

How 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 an accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions, please contact: Senior Talent Advisor, Emily Clark (she/her) at emclark@kingcounty.gov.

The following application materials are required:

1. An online King County employment application, with detailed work history going back at least ten years or more to include all relevant experience and job duties.
2. Provide responses to supplemental questions.
3. Attach a letter of interest that addresses all of the following:

NOTE: Applications that do not include the required materials may be rejected as incomplete and will not advance in the process. Additional attachments, such as resumes, will not be reviewed. Please ensure all relevant information is included in the application materials listed above.

Selection Process and Pre-Employment Steps: Application materials will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills.

The selection process used to identify the most qualified candidates may involve a review of application materials only and/or an interview.

Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as internal record reviews or reference checks, driver’s abstract review, background check, etc.

Driver’s Abstract Review: The successful candidate must possess a valid driver's license with acceptable five-year driving record (to be verified via a Driver’s Abstract review prior to employment).

Any of the following violations in the last five years will automatically disqualify candidates under consideration:

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.

Need help with your application?

• Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions at Application FAQ’s- King County.
• For technical support related to accessing or completing your application, contact the Government Jobs' applicant support team for assistance during regular business hours: +1 855-524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.
• The King County Workforce Development page offers free guidance, resources, and checklists to help candidates present their skills and experience competitively for King County recruitments. We encourage you to visit the General Career Resources section on their website for more tips.
• For questions regarding this recruitment please contact the recruiter, Emily Clark (she/her), Senior Talent Advisor: emclark@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-8373.