Rail Operations Superintendent - Operations Support

The Rail Division is hiring a Rail Operations Superintendent - Operations Support [Rail Operations Support Superintendent]. The Superintendent manages the Rail Operations Support workgroup which is staffed by a combination of Rail Operations Chiefs and employees dedicated to work supporting Rail Operations Section. Key functions include responsibility for all aspects of transit service delivery and ensuring operational readiness to meet service demands. This also includes achieving operational goals and objectives, and establishing the systems and processes required to fulfill those goals.
This position will have a strong focus on operational elements including budget, and resource management, workforce, training, and functions that support rail operations.

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link light rail service. Link light rail currently spans a 33-mile route from SeaTac to Lynnwood and a 6.6-mile route from Redmond to South Bellevue. By the end of 2026, light rail is projected to expand to nearly 60 route miles, adding seven new stations. Additional expansions to the Link system will be coming online for years to come.

The Superintendent will lead by example and creates an environment which models customer service, works collaboratively with union leaders and other stakeholders, and is a resource to employees at the work site. This leadership role also requires the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse employee work group, proactively solve problems that impact service delivery, and motivate employees through building respect and trust. The Superintendent will demonstrate support for the goals of the organization in providing quality public service and collaboratively working with others, while recognizing the value of diversity of opinion, culture, and perspective. Work is performed independently under the general supervision of a higher-level transit manager.

This position is open to all King County employees and the public.

The 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.

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. You will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. As a Superintendent, you will:

• Establish rail operations support operating goals and objectives which include priorities, performance standards, staff development and resource needs to support efficient, customer-focused service; conduct analysis of performance metrics and report on progress achieved on expected operating outcomes and performance improvement goals; ensure efficient use of resources.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve service quality, reliability and operating efficiency; monitor performance indicators and take action to remedy below-goal performance; ensure staffing levels meet service demands while minimizing labor costs.
• Investigate and resolve customer complaints; mitigate high-profile service delivery issues with elected officials, other agencies and the public.
• Develop operating contingency plans and support 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 other team members; hire staff consistent with assigned hiring authority; create collaborative working relationships 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 improvements or modifications to higher-level management.
• Provide supporting data and recommendations to management in the formulation of the Operations operating and capital improvement budgets; manage and administer 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.

We are looking for candidates who possess these minimum qualifications: Three (3) years of experience in public transit operations AND three (3) years of increasingly responsible people supervision and/or management experience in a position relative to the Rail Operations - Support Superintendent.

Additional requirements include:

• Skilled in building trust and effectively communicating with individuals from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds, have strong problem-solving skills, and be adept at handling multiple competing priorities
• Skilled in use of management information systems, personal computers, word processing, spreadsheet, database management, presentation and similar applications
• Skill in developing and achieving performance and operational goals
• Skill in staff development and training
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of performance management
• Knowledge of human resources management, supervisory principles and federal, state and local laws related to employment, civil rights and affirmative action
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of labor relations including interest-based or collaborative labor negotiations as well as grievance and arbitration processes
• Knowledge of financial management, workforce planning and budget administration
• Experience maintaining and improving transit safety
• Skill in planning and delegating work assignments
• Skill in conflict resolution and negotiation
• Skill in statistical and operational analysis, and establishing and implementing operational policies procedures and performance goals
• Have the ability to work independently and as a team member
• Skill in establishing effective working relationships and communicating successfully with authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), elected officials, senior management, labor representatives, business and community groups, governmental agencies, staff and customers
• Ability to use applications for team communication and collaboration (such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.) and manage remote workers (telework and/or at other work locations).
• Ability to form an effective partnership with our oversight partner and funder, Sound Transit (ST). The hire for this recruitment must have concurrence from ST.

The most competitive candidates will possess the following desired qualifications:

• Rail Operations experience.
• Experience maintaining and improving Rail Operations safety
• Knowledge of the policies and procedures of the Rail Division and Rail Operations Section
• Knowledge of Local 587 and other relevant labor agreements
• Knowledge of automated scheduling systems, including HASTUS
• Knowledge of visual and data management systems and processes, including Power BI
• 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
• Skill in project management techniques
• 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 the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely fashion
• Work requires reporting for duty and directing base operations during adverse weather events and other emergencies
• Work requires on-call to respond to emergent critical needs, emergencies or other special circumstances

TO APPLY:
Those interested must submit:

• An online King County application , updated with accurate contact information, and relevant work history going back at least 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all job duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly.
• Completed supplemental questions
• A letter of interest (cover letter) that addresses all of the following
• Why you are interested and excited for this position
• How you have demonstrated your commitment to Metro's True North Values
• The top skills, abilities, and knowledge that you possess that makes you uniquely qualified for this leadership role

**NOTE: Please limit your letter of interest to no more than two pages. Resumes and additional documents will not be reviewed.
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 Neha Bansal, HR Analyst, at ...

Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes such as , drug and alcohol, physicals, driving abstract, reference checks, and/or internal record reviews.
This recruitment will be used to fill one current career service vacancy and may be used to establish a list to fill future opportunities that may occur over the next twelve months at the hiring manager's discretion.

WORK SCHEDULE:
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. Typical work hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Employees may be required to work extended hours, weekend, holidays and will be required to serve periodic 24/7 "on-call" in rotation. The Rail Operations Support Superintendent must have the ability to report to work in the event of adverse weather or other emergent/crisis situations and remain on hand during the event unless otherwise directed or relieved. There are no flex days or remote telework options for these positions, and work schedules will be determined by management.

UNION/JOB CODE/GRADE:
Protec17-Transit Superintendents/873310 /73

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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.

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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.