Government Relations Supervisor: Jurisdictions and Interagency Partners Unit

This recruitment is open to King County employees only.

King County Metro is looking for a dedicated leader to join our team as a Government Relations Supervisor. In this role you will oversee the jurisdictional and interagency partnerships work units. These units encompass critical areas such as government relations, partnerships and relationship building with external partners.

As a Transit Supervisor of Government Relations, you will play a pivotal role in shaping deliberate and transparent jurisdictional and interagency strategies. Responsibilities include supervising unit operations, developing and implementing comprehensive plans and developing and monitoring performance metrics. This position requires a results-oriented individual with the ability to establish systems and processes that achieves Metros government relations goals of engaging external partners, delivering on agency goals, values and priorities.

This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Government Relations Supervisor . In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future career service vacancies that may occur in this classification within this workgroup. The eligibility pool will be retained for 12 months from the date of posting and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Applying principles is a daily responsibility and 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 this work. As the Transit Supervisor - Partnerships and Engagement, you will report to and work with the Director of Partnerships and Engagement to:

• Supervise, develop, and implement short- and long-range plans to expand, enhance, and maintain jurisdictional and interagency engagement, coordinate development plans with regional jurisdictions, public agencies, elected officials, community engagement team, property owners, and internal staff.
• Establish processes and methodologies required to develop and implement equity-driven approaches to develop, program, and evaluate government relations goals that center priority populations in decision making processes.
• Supervise the evaluation, negotiation, and resolution of internal and external requests for jurisdictional and interagency partnerships; approve plans for agreements reached; identify, plan, coordinate, and implement plans while complying with regulatory requirements.
• Research and provide program and project recommendations centered in jurisdictional and interagency engagement to meet agency goals.
• Represent PE on a wide variety of internal and external work groups, project teams, committees, and task forces; prepare and deliver presentations to elected officials, regional transportation authorities, subarea transportation boards, and related groups.
• Supervise administrative support, professional staff, and subordinate supervisors; create harmonious working relationships with multiple collective bargaining units and ensure consistent application of labor policies, contract provisions, and hiring guidelines; fulfill required responsibilities in grievance and arbitration processing and adjudication.
• Support employee growth and development through regular performance discussions, employee development plans, and annual performance appraisals.
• Supervise, oversee, and coordinate project development and design activities; coordinate contracting processes and assure compliance with all mandated requirements; authorize contract expenditures.
• Manage resources including staff time, consultant resources, and project and program budgets. Identify resource gaps and propose solutions through additional staffing or consultant support. Lead recruitment work to fill vacant positions in unit.
• 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 policies and procedures and recommend improvements or modifications to higher-level management.
• Direct and supervise staff conducting various jurisdictional and interagency engagement projects; ensure appropriate project scope and methodology; supervise and coordinate the development, presentation, and communication of jurisdictional and interagency outcomes and resulting recommendations.
• Provide supporting data and recommendations to management to develop the government relations operating budget; authorize expenditures within designated authority level; monitor budget and maintain expenditures within approved levels; negotiate, manage, and administer contracts as required.
• Work with leadership to oversee partnerships with local jurisdictions, and partner transit agencies to improve regional transit operations and funding; prepare grant applications to support initiatives; manage grants awarded and associated coordination with granting agencies.
• Act for higher-level managers as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

We are looking for candidates who have:

• A Bachelor's degree in a related field AND at least five (5) years of progressive experience in a position involving leadership, jurisdictional and interagency engagement and designing and implementing engagement strategies in a large complex organizational setting, OR any equivalent combination of experience, training and education which provides the applicant with the skills, knowledge, and abilities required to perform the work duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Experience in managing teams, fostering collaboration, and mentoring employees as a direct supervisor or lead.
• Skills in staff development and training
• Skills in planning and delegating work assignments.
• Ability to effectively engage in and sustain relationships with people from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Knowledge of equity and social justice principles and their practical application in community-driven programs.
• Knowledge of regional jurisdiction and interagency infrastructures and policies.
• Knowledge of regional transportation planning processes and legislative authorities.
• Knowledge of helping decisionmakers navigate programs and make decisions
• Knowledge of transportation engagement policies, practices, and techniques.
• Knowledge of regional transportation infrastructures, entities and service providers.
• Expertise in creating and implementing short- and long-term plans for jurisdictional and interagency engagement and operational improvements.
• Proficiency in coordinating projects, meeting deadlines, and managing resources effectively.
• Capacity to resolve complex issues and develop solutions for operational improvement.
• Familiarity with managing budgets and negotiating contracts and MOUs.
• Ability to represent the organization in committees, task forces, and to elected officials.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including preparing and delivering presentations.
• Strong ability to develop issue briefings to support decision-makers in removing jurisdiction and partner barriers and maximizing opportunities with them.
• Knowledge of working with local jurisdictions, public agencies, and external stakeholders to build partnerships.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.

Highly competitive candidates will have (desired, but not required):

• Professional experience in a governmental agency
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in working with jurisdictions and agency partners
• Knowledge of King County systems, policies, and budget processes.
• Experience working in the transit industry.
• Knowledge of and experience in Metro programs, policies and procedures.
• Three years of direct supervisory experience.

Application & Selection Process

The following application materials are required:

• 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 cover letter. In your cover letter please tell us why you are interested in this job and how your experience, skills and/or education have prepared you for this position.

Applications without the above required materials will not be considered. Application materials will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews and possibly other selection process elements. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks and/or a record review.

Work Schedule
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and not overtime eligible. Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule, every other Thursday. Work hours are comprised of a 40-hour work week with typically office hours of Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Work Location
This position will be located in the King Street Center Building - 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104

Teleworking Requirement
The work associated with this position is currently performed or conducted through a combination of teleworking, onsite work, and meetings. Current typical schedule includes two days in office weekly. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Union Membership

This position is not represented by a union

Class Code: 285401 __ Government Relations Officer

Who May Apply
We are accepting applications only from King County employees.

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: Manal Tirhi, ...

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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.

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.