Director - System Project Integration and Planning

Salary range is $149k to $255k, with a midpoint of $202k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Deputy Chief Planning and Development Officer, the Director - System Project Integration and Planning provides strategic direction and planning for future transit expansion and enhancement development. Plans, establishes, strategizes, supports, and guides the System Planning and Integration team. Responsible for providing direction through establishment of standards and procedures to support integration of operational planning considerations into long-range planning, system planning, and future capital investment decision-making through supporting analysis and collaborative decision-making to ensure operational needs of the system are fulfilled for future transit investments and planning initiatives.

Works closely in coordination with the Transit Operations Department leadership to define and implement the agency operational framework for the capital program. Requires a balanced interface with day-to-day operational issues and applying best practices to system planning and operational integration efforts. Expands individual and collective knowledge of the Operational needs for the Agency's future transit system to continually develop and implement lessons learned in close partnership with Transit Operations, and the planning and capital delivery leadership.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Leads development and coordination of key agency planning initiatives, including the System Investment Master Plan, Rail Fleet Management Plan (RFMP), and Concept of Operations (ConOps).
• Provides operational strategy, planning integration, and system performance guidance to support corridor studies, long-range planning efforts, and future transit investments.
• Aligns operational assumptions, service considerations, and system integration requirements across Operations, Capital Delivery, and partner departments to support agency-wide planning and investment decisions.
• Oversees cross-functional coordination related to operational impacts, system performance, service planning assumptions, and future operational needs associated with long-range transit planning initiatives.
• Collaborates with department leaders across agency departments, ST Executives, partner agency department/divisions, and outside agencies.
• Responsible for stewardship of operational assets through collaboratively establishing, translating, and implementing the operational requirements within the agency's long-range planning and future transit investment initiatives in order to achieve the service level and information requirements set forth by the Service Delivery.
• Accountable for establishing and implementing operational requirements of the agency in close collaboration with the agency asset owners, managers, and stewards through a strong understanding of agency service level requirements, current transit system performance, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Provides leadership to a team dedicated for system planning, operational integration, and long-range transit investment initiatives ensuring all light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit infrastructure needs, including but not limited to facilities, track, maintenance, systems, and future operations are planned to fulfill operational requirements.
• In collaboration with peers, guides and directs the team in development of processes and procedures to ensure that the System Planning and Integration team is integrated into the agency planning, corridor study, and future capital investment planning processes.
• Develops and administers a process by which total cost of ownership for capital projects, facilities, services, and systems is assessed to inform decision-making.
• In collaboration with the planning, operations, and capital delivery teams, organizes and documents decision-making across planning and investment initiatives for consistency and ensuring consistency and active management of lessons learned.
• Maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Develops short, mid, and long-range forecasts for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Responsible for developing, administering, and maintaining annual capital budgets for business unit expenditures and implementing adjustments. Includes administration of consultant contracts.
• Develops programs to assist in attainment of Agency and departmental goals, including establishment, execution, and oversight of business unit goals. Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal/external stakeholders including contractors, transit agency partners, federal, state, and local officials, and Sound Transit Board members.
• Translates agency-wide organizational goals and strategies into operational objectives with action plans. Provides high level direction in terms of department goals, strategic management supporting the goals and objectives.
• Coaches, trains, engages, and motivates staff. Develops work plans for staff and manages the workflow, prioritization of projects, and measures staff performance. Manages employee relations providing advice and counsel to staff, professional developmental plans, and implements or recommends corrective actions, discipline, and termination procedures as needed.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Planning, Engineering, Public Administration, Business Management, Business Administration or related field; Eight years of experience in rail or transit related projects, specifically in rail/bus, transit/transportation, including track, facilities, vehicle maintenance or control center operations preferred. Experience reviewing drawings, specifications and agency - jurisdictional agreements, providing input during design phases through construction and transitioning to operations. Experience working with stakeholders, and policy and procedures of development that includes total cost of ownership and management responsibility, preferably in a transit/transportation related environment; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Six years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong leadership, decision-making, communication, and analytical skills for success in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.
• Operational oversight and requirements for successfully implementing a long-range operating and capital plan.
• Project/program management in a capital heavy, schedule driven environment with foresight for future operations and maintenance requirements.
• Facility and track maintenance, life cycle analysis including total cost of ownership, and planning principles.
• Transit mode operations, facilities and maintenance characteristics, services, and activities with a particular focus on light rail and bus rapid transit.
• Service and asset planning and best practices in service delivery of public transportation.
• Principles of value engineering, risk assessments, and strategic planning.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as they apply to transit development and operations including the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs.
• Application of principles of transit safety and security, including fire, life, and safety committees.
• Procurement policies and procedures for goods and services and contract procurement strategies and management principles.
• Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
• Policy and procedure development.
• Advanced principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Advanced principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Strategic policy management principles and practices.
• Negotiation principles and practices.
• Advanced business letter and strategic writing and basic report preparation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid environment with an expectation of working in office a minimum of 3 days per week.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action 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.