Transit Strategy and Policy Lead
Apply NowCompany: King County, WA
Location: Seattle, WA 98115
Description:
Salary : $125,257.60 - $151,424.00 Annually
Location : Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Job Number: 2025TB23826
Department: MTD - Metro Transit
Division: Mobility
Opening Date: 03/28/2025
Closing Date: 4/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: C4 : PROTEC17-P&T-MTD
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Summary
King County Metro seeks a highly organized, visionary, and strategic leader to serve as the Transit Strategy and Policy Lead. This career service position, which is classified as Transportation Planner IV, will lead the Planning and Policy Team in the System Expansion and Integration work group. In this role, you will shape the future of Metro's transit network by leading updates to Metro Connects, the agency's long-range plan, and assisting in the development of other Metro and County policies. This position will play a central role in developing Metro's future service network, with a focus on growing transit service as we plan for expansion of the RapidRide (arterial bus rapid transit) system and Sound Transit's light rail system.
About System Expansion and Integration
The System Expansion and Integration group leads work on RapidRide expansion, mid- and long-range transit planning, and integrating Metro services and facilities with partner agencies. The group is composed of three teams, one of which is the Planning and Policy Team that this position will lead. The Planning and Policy Team is responsible for leading mid- and long-range planning, policy development, and performance management for Metro services. The team works on a variety of unique efforts including:
This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Career Service vacancy. This recruitment may also be used to create an eligibility pool to fill future career service vacancies in this classification that may occur over the next twelve months. The pool will be valid for 12 months upon creation and used at the discretion of the hiring authority.
Job Duties
Applying is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role you will apply equity and social justice principles to all aspects of the work.
As the Transit Strategy and Policy Lead, you will:
Leadership and Team Management
Project Management
Communicate and Collaborate Effectively
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Highly competitive candidates will have the following qualifications:
Supplemental Information
Who May Apply:
We are accepting application from King County Employees and the general public.
Required Application Materials:
Selection Process:
Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Formal offers are contingent on successful references or record review.
NOTE: Please answer all applicable questions in the employment application portion, with each of your jobs listed (listing each position for each employer separately), duties explained, reasons for leaving, etc.
Work Schedule:
The work week is normally 40 hours, Monday through Friday. Work hours generally fall between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., subject to adjustment according to the demands of preparing for the service change and other business needs. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and therefore is not eligible for overtime pay.
Work Location(s):
King Street Center 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA
Teleworking Requirement
The work associated with this position is currently being performed in a hybrid fashion including teleworking, complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. 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 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 work space with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
Union Membership: Protec 17
Classification: 2421400 Transportation Planner IV
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: Tracy Bylund at
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 , 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.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
01
Did you attach the required letter of interest and resume? Your letter should detail how your knowledge, skills, and abilities position you to lead the development of the future transit network in King County. Please limit to two pages.
02
Do you have three or more years of experience leading project teams including project initiation, planning, implementation, and/or closeout?
03
Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? ANDIs this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? ANDDo you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
04
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided:1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice2. The department you worked in3. The effective date of your layoff
05
MTD - Do you have any relatives employed by King County? A relative is defined as a parent, child, sibling, spouse or domestic partner, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, grandparent, grandchild, in-laws, children, or relatives of a domestic partner.
06
MTD - If you answered yes to the previous question, please provide the employee's name, position, and your relationship.
07
MTD - If you answered yes to the previous question, does your relative work for King County's METRO Transit Department?
08
MTD - If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please provide the Division of King County Metro that they currently work in. Select all that apply.
Required Question
Location : Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Job Number: 2025TB23826
Department: MTD - Metro Transit
Division: Mobility
Opening Date: 03/28/2025
Closing Date: 4/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: C4 : PROTEC17-P&T-MTD
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Summary
King County Metro seeks a highly organized, visionary, and strategic leader to serve as the Transit Strategy and Policy Lead. This career service position, which is classified as Transportation Planner IV, will lead the Planning and Policy Team in the System Expansion and Integration work group. In this role, you will shape the future of Metro's transit network by leading updates to Metro Connects, the agency's long-range plan, and assisting in the development of other Metro and County policies. This position will play a central role in developing Metro's future service network, with a focus on growing transit service as we plan for expansion of the RapidRide (arterial bus rapid transit) system and Sound Transit's light rail system.
About System Expansion and Integration
The System Expansion and Integration group leads work on RapidRide expansion, mid- and long-range transit planning, and integrating Metro services and facilities with partner agencies. The group is composed of three teams, one of which is the Planning and Policy Team that this position will lead. The Planning and Policy Team is responsible for leading mid- and long-range planning, policy development, and performance management for Metro services. The team works on a variety of unique efforts including:
- policy development for updates to Metro's service guidelines
- transit network development for mid- and long-range planning efforts
- performance monitoring and evaluation for fixed-route bus service
- regional and local planning coordination
- legislative policy review, coordination, and analysis
- RapidRide expansion planning
- international transit best practices
This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Career Service vacancy. This recruitment may also be used to create an eligibility pool to fill future career service vacancies in this classification that may occur over the next twelve months. The pool will be valid for 12 months upon creation and used at the discretion of the hiring authority.
Job Duties
Applying is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role you will apply equity and social justice principles to all aspects of the work.
As the Transit Strategy and Policy Lead, you will:
Leadership and Team Management
- Lead and manage the Planning and Policy Team, providing strategic direction and oversight.
- Supervise staff by developing work plans, mentoring, and providing guidance and review of technical work products.
- Build a collaborative team environment and develop capacity within each team member.
- Demonstrate a commitment to racial equity and social justice, safety, and sustainability, while promoting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment.
- Work collaboratively with a diverse group of individuals from a variety of different positions and backgrounds.
Project Management
- Lead cross-functional planning teams through all phases of project planning and implementation.
- Demonstrate excellent leadership, interpersonal and communication skills, and comfort managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Manage complex projects and programs, including change processes to incorporate feedback.
- Manage project scopes of work, schedules, and budgets.
- Support inclusive community engagement efforts related to projects that are aligned with Metro goals and objectives.
Communicate and Collaborate Effectively
- Represent Metro in a wide range of settings including but not limited to technical committees, King County Council and Regional Transit Committee meetings; in various forums with other transit agencies, local jurisdictions, and elected officials; and in public meetings.
- Prepare legislation to go before the King County Council.
- Develop presentations and other communications materials to explain transit concepts and plans to variety of audiences.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Bachelor's degree in public policy, public administration, planning OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the skills, knowledge, and abilities required to perform the work.
- At least five years of work experience in transportation, land use, environmental planning, or a related field.
- At least three years of experience leading project teams.
- Strong understanding of transportation planning, mid- and long-range planning, and policy development.
- Ability to analyze transit service performance data, develop benchmarks, and make data-driven recommendations.
- Knowledge of transportation policy, legislative processes, and regulatory frameworks affecting public transportation.
- Ability to lead and develop a high-performing team, including coaching, mentoring, and workload management.
- Ability to align team efforts with broader agency goals and make informed decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex quantitative and technical information into clear, accessible content for non-technical audiences.
- Experience working with the diverging opinions and viewpoints of elected officials, internal and external agency staff, and the public.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely (verbally, in writing, and visually) while adapting quickly to a multitude of interpersonal situations.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to lead discussions, resolve conflicts, and drive consensus in planning and policy processes.
- Ability to evaluate and implement best practices in transit planning and policy.
- Experienced project manager and relationship builder with a proven ability to manage competing priorities, drive results, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint.
- Comfortable with a hybrid work environment.
Highly competitive candidates will have the following qualifications:
- Master's degree in public policy, public administration, planning or closely related field, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
- Experience managing direct reports.
- Experience developing, negotiating, and managing consultant contracts.
- Strong understanding of transit planning principles, service guidelines, and network development.
- Experience with policy development and analysis, including legislative review and coordination.
- Knowledge of transit performance monitoring and benchmarking methodologies.
- Familiarity with regional and local transportation policy frameworks and interagency coordination.
- Understanding the best practices in international transit planning.
- Proficiency in GIS, transit planning software, or data visualization tools.
- Strong data analysis and performance evaluation skills to support planning and policy decisions.
- Experience leading mid- and long-range transit planning efforts.
- Familiarity with equity-focused transit policies and inclusive service planning approaches.
- Experience working on projects with a high degree of political and public scrutiny.
- Experience presenting to elected officials, executive leadership, or public stakeholders.
- Experience leading, organizing, and motivating multidisciplinary teams and working with matrixed workgroups at all levels within a large organization.
Supplemental Information
Who May Apply:
We are accepting application from King County Employees and the general public.
Required Application Materials:
- An online employment application
- Resume
- Letter of interest (detailing how your knowledge, skills, and abilities position you to lead the development of the future transit network in King County). Please limit to two pages.
- Answers to the supplemental questions.
Selection Process:
Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Formal offers are contingent on successful references or record review.
NOTE: Please answer all applicable questions in the employment application portion, with each of your jobs listed (listing each position for each employer separately), duties explained, reasons for leaving, etc.
Work Schedule:
The work week is normally 40 hours, Monday through Friday. Work hours generally fall between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., subject to adjustment according to the demands of preparing for the service change and other business needs. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and therefore is not eligible for overtime pay.
Work Location(s):
King Street Center 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA
Teleworking Requirement
The work associated with this position is currently being performed in a hybrid fashion including teleworking, complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. 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 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 work space with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
Union Membership: Protec 17
Classification: 2421400 Transportation Planner IV
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: Tracy Bylund at
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 , 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.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite activity centers
- Employee Giving Program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
01
Did you attach the required letter of interest and resume? Your letter should detail how your knowledge, skills, and abilities position you to lead the development of the future transit network in King County. Please limit to two pages.
- Yes
- No
02
Do you have three or more years of experience leading project teams including project initiation, planning, implementation, and/or closeout?
- Yes
- No
03
Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? ANDIs this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? ANDDo you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
04
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided:1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice2. The department you worked in3. The effective date of your layoff
05
MTD - Do you have any relatives employed by King County? A relative is defined as a parent, child, sibling, spouse or domestic partner, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, grandparent, grandchild, in-laws, children, or relatives of a domestic partner.
- Yes
- No
06
MTD - If you answered yes to the previous question, please provide the employee's name, position, and your relationship.
07
MTD - If you answered yes to the previous question, does your relative work for King County's METRO Transit Department?
- Yes
- No
08
MTD - If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please provide the Division of King County Metro that they currently work in. Select all that apply.
- a. Bus Operations Division
- b. Capital Division
- c. Employee Services Division
- d. Facilities Division
- e. Finance & Administration Division
- f. General Manager's Office
- g. Marine Division
- h. Mobility Division
- i. Rail Division (including Streetcar)
- j. Safety, Security & Quality Assurance
- k. Vehicle Maintenance
- l. I do not know which Division my relative works in at Metro Transit
- m. I do not have a relative that works for King County Metro
Required Question