Project Program Manager III

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division is seeking a transformational Program/Project Manager III. The Program/Project Manager III will lead high-impact programs and projects focused on performance improvement, organizational transformation, and innovative system enhancements. This role will lead projects that drive strategic priorities that support growth, strengthen partnerships, improve operations, and advance safety for both customers and staff. Reporting to the Performance Program Manager in the Rail Division’s Organizational Strategy and Administration Unit, you’ll collaborate with Sound Transit and with our internal Rail teams to implement cross-functional initiatives aligned with annual goals and performance metrics. Your work will play a key role in advancing long-term improvements and measurable results across the organization. 

About King County Metro Transit's Rail Division 
King County Metro Transit's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link light rail service and City of Seattle’s streetcar system. 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.  

Seattle Streetcar includes the 1.3 mile South Lake Union line and the 2.5 mile First Hill line, proudly serving the diverse and vibrant communities around Seattle’s downtown core. These rail services complement Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services. Puget Sound transit agencies are collaborating to create an integrated transit network that enables people to travel farther, faster, and more easily.  
 
Who may apply: 
This position is open to all King County employees and the general public. This recruitment process will be used to fill one (1) career service position. 

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: Madison Sta Ines, HR Analyst, at mstaines@kingcounty.gov.

To Apply: 

Required Application Materials: 

• 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. 
• Completed supplemental questions
• A 1-2 page cover letter/letter of interest, detailing the following: 
  • How your experience and background meet or exceed the qualifications for this position. 
  • Why you are interested in supporting Metro Transit’s Rail Division in this role
    • Note: Any portion of your cover letter exceeding the 2-page limit will not be considered during the review process.

Want to make sure your application materials are as competitive as possible?

We highly recommend visiting the Workforce Development Services website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective:

Workforce Development - King County, Washington

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. 

As a PPM III, you will:

• Manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects independently.
• Lead and coordinate project teams that span multiple Metro Rail Division and Sound Transit sections/departments to deliver on project goals.
• Write complex analytical or program evaluation findings for decision-maker guidance. 
• Use various tools, including project management software, to manage project timelines and deliverables. 
• Apply a lens of innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement to all projects. 
• Work with other members of the Performance Strategy Team, including data analysts and the continuous improvement specialist, to meet project, team, and Rail Division goals.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships, including with Sound Transit.
• Work with external consultants, including execution of contracts, managing project timelines and budgets, and ensuring thorough execution of the scope of work. 
• Identify key requirements for cross-functional projects.
• Work with other project and program managers to identify risks and opportunities across multiple projects within the department.
• Analyze, evaluate, and overcome program risks, and produce program reports for managers and stakeholders.
• Facilitate discussions with diverse teams from across the Division, across Metro, and with partner agencies to ensure that program and project results are fully implemented.
• Integrate social justice principles into strategic planning and desired outcomes. 
• Visualize information and data for decision making, assist in data collection and analysis, and make recommendations for improvements.
• Serve as mentor to other staff to develop program and project management acumen across the organization.
• Perform other related duties as required.

To be considered eligible for this role, applicants must possess these minimum qualifications: 

• Three (3) years of project or program management experience including initiating, planning, executing, and closing out projects to achieve specific goals.
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Office, including SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Teams. 
• Proven ability to manage a wide variety of project types, including setting priorities, meeting deadlines, organizing work assignments, and maintaining strong attention to detail.

Additional minimum competencies/qualifications include:
Project Management Skills:

• Experience with and demonstrated ability leading diverse program and project teams and working collaboratively with individuals from a variety of positions and backgrounds, including line-level staff and executive leadership.  
• Experience with and demonstrated ability leading projects involving internal and external stakeholders in a service delivery environment..
• Experience identifying and implementing creative solutions to persistent problems.
• Ability to roll up key project and team updates to the supervisor, take direction, and make adjustments based on evolving priorities. 
• Skill in analyzing information, solving complex and analytical challenges, and making recommendations based on analysis.
• Demonstrated experience managing and leading change, ensuring project execution and quality while successfully managing and mitigating risk.
• Comfortable working in environments with limited structure or evolving priorities.
• High adaptability with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Organizational and interpersonal savvy.

Communication Skills:

• Demonstrates clear, concise, and thoughtful verbal and written communication. 
• Actively listens and adapts messaging for internal and external stakeholders as well as technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience facilitating meetings, leading discussions, and presenting complex information in an accessible manner. 
• Knowledge of equity and social justice principles and an ability to effectively communicate those principles in projects and initiatives. 
• Understands the impact of behavior and communication on others, especially in high-stakes or sensitive environments.

The most competitive applicants will possess these DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Familiarity with local transit and mobility systems, including the business model and practices of Sound Transit and/or King County Metro.
• Experience with the public sector, either through consulting or employment within a government agency. 
• Skill, knowledge, or familiarity with Lean methodology. 
• Experience working in a union environment.
• Knowledge of qualitative research principles. 
• Knowledge of quantitative and quantitative research methods, data collection, and analysis.
  

Application Process: 
Forms and Materials Required
If you are interested in this position, follow the application instructions carefully. The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

1. An online employment application completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The employment history should go back at least 10 years if you have 10 years of employment, or more to include all relevant experience. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed work experience section on your application.
2. Responses to supplemental questions. Please submit complete responses to all supplemental questions, ensuring you follow the instructions outlined and fully address each question.
3. An attached cover letter addressing the outlined prompt. The employment history detailed in your application under the work experience section MUST correlate/support your responses to the supplemental questions and cover letter. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process.

Applications that do not follow the above instructions may be rejected as incomplete, and will not be advanced in the process. Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions under Application Tips and FAQs at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. 

Applications, supplemental question responses, and attached materials will be screened for clarity, 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 upon the successful completion of any necessary pre-employment processes, which may include a reference check and/or a record review.  
Work Schedule and Location:
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. The work schedule is normally Monday through Friday, between 6:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., however there is some flexibility in start and end time. This position may require working a flex schedule as necessary. 

The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly in a hybrid work environment with a minimum of 3 days on-site at one of our Rail division locations. Employee will have access to shared workspaces at various Rail facilities. Employee must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. Employee will be provided with a Sound Transit issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Location assignment is dependent on workgroup needs. Employees may be assigned to report to any of the following locations:

• Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) Central at 3407 Airport Way S., Seattle, WA.  
• Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) East at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA.
• Maintenance of Way North (MOW-N) at 920 N 137th St Seattle, WA 
• Union Station, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104
• And any future Sound Transit Link facilities.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Washington state driver’s license (or ability to obtain Washington state driver’s license upon hire) or alternate ability to travel to off-site locations.

Union Representation / Job Code / Grade
This position is represented by Protec17 / 243303 / Grade 64

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Madison Sta Ines, HR Analyst, at mstaines@kingcounty.gov
 

Forbes recently 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. 

Salary : $118,206 - $142,896