Senior Researcher (PPM III)

King County Metro Transit is seeking a Project/Program Manager III (Senior Researcher) to lead and support research, evaluation, and data collection efforts that inform policies, programs, and service design across Metro. This role is part of the Research & Innovation workgroup within the Mobility Division, supporting Metro’s commitment to equity, safety, sustainability, reliability, and customer-centered mobility. 

This role will independently manage small and large research projects, provide data and analytical insights for decision-making, and serve as a key project manager for Metro’s large-scale survey initiatives, including design, implementation, analysis, and translation of results into actionable recommendations. Responsibilities include coordinating cross-functional teams, consultants, and external partners.

Position Info: This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Project/Program Manager III (Senior Researcher). In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future Career Service, Special Duty Assignment, and Term Limited Temporary 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.

Who may apply: We are accepting applications from all qualified individuals including current King County employees and the public.
Applying equity and social justice 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 Senior Researcher, you will:

Project & Program Management

• Act as project manager for research, evaluation, and data collection projects, including large-scale and multi-phase efforts. 
• Coordinate roles across internal teams, external partners, consultants, academic research partners, and cross jurisdictional groups. 
• Manage project schedules, deliverables, budgets, and communications. 
• Support consultant solicitation processes, including RFP development and proposal evaluation (if applicable to classification).
  

Large-Scale Survey Project Leadership

• Lead the coordination, implementation, and oversight of a large-scale survey project, including sampling, instrument design, implementation best practices, segmentation, and weighting. 
• Manage multiple survey modes (e.g., online, mail, in-person, onboard). 
• Ensure methods and practices align with equitable research guidelines. 

Research & Analysis

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses using Census, administrative, customer survey, and other data sources. 
• Synthesize findings and prepare high quality reports, presentations, and visualizations (charts, dashboards, graphs, maps). 
• Develop tools that downstream users need to plan, develop, and manage transit services, programs, and products. 
• Facilitate interpretation of research findings by agency staff and leadership and support evidence-based decision making. 

Communication & Engagement

• Present research findings to diverse audiences, including senior management, community groups, and technical teams. 
• Translate technical and quantitative information into clear, accessible language for non-technical audiences. 
• Support community engaged research processes when applicable.
  

Other Responsibilities

• Represent the Research & Innovation section on assigned projects or committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

We'd love to hear from those who have:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Social Science, Statistics, Urban Planning, Marketing, or related field and 3 years relevant professional experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Experience independently managing small and large projects, including cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of research design, survey methods, and data collection approaches (quantitative and qualitative).
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret complex data and produce visualizations (charts, tables, dashboards).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports and presenting to senior audiences.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and common research/analysis tools (e.g., Power BI, Qualtrics, SPSS, R, Python, Tableau, ArcGIS).
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Desirable Qualifications

• Five or more years of related experience.
• Experience with advanced quantitative methods, including weighting, statistical testing, power calculations.
• Experience with community engagement or equity-focused research and evaluation.
• Experience conducting behavioral or attitudinal research, including segmentation, user testing, focus groups.
• Experience with mapping software such as ArcGIS.
• Experience managing consultant contracts or RFP processes.

Required Application Materials

• A completed Job Application (go back at least 10years if you have l0 years of employment (more to include all relevant). Resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed job application.
• Resume
• Complete the supplemental questions
• A cover letter that addresses why you are interested in this role and how your experience, skills and/or education have prepared you for this position.

NOTE: Applications that do not include the required materials may be rejected as incomplete and will not advance in the process.

Selection Process
All the application materials will be screened for qualifications, competitiveness, completeness, attention to detail and written communications kills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks.

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

Work Schedule
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay. Typical schedule Monday–Friday, with occasional hours outside standard business times depending on project needs. Position may require travel within King County for meetings, data collection oversight, and fieldwork coordination.

Work Location
This is a hybrid position. The team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. Currently the team is required to work 2 days in office each week. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104

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 tools and resources 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 workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

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, mtirhi@kingcounty.gov

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 "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 : $112,730 - $142,891