Training and Exercises Administrator

Metro Transit's Safety, Security, & Quality Assurance Division has an exciting opportunity for a skilled, mission-driven professional to join the Emergency Management Team as the Training and Exercises Administrator.

The Training and Exercises Administrator plays a key role within Metro Transit’s Emergency Management Team, leading the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of the agency’s emergency management training and exercise program. In this role, you will manage the full exercise cycle—from planning and design through facilitation, evaluation, and improvement planning. You will help strengthen Metro’s overall readiness by developing the Multi-Year Training and Exercise Plan, conducting drills and exercises, tracking corrective actions, and translating lessons learned into meaningful program enhancements. The Training and Exercises Administrator collaborates with departmental, regional, state, federal, military, and private partners on training and exercise initiatives and supports safety and security functions across Metro’s facilities and multi-modal transportation system, including Bus, Light Rail, Water Taxi, Streetcar, and Contracted Services. This position is well-suited for an individual who thrives in a collaborative, multi-agency environment and is committed to advancing safety, security, and preparedness across a diverse transit network.

About the Safety, Security & Quality Assurance (SSQA) Division: King County Metro Transit’s SSQA Division provides leadership and the highest level of support and customer focus to continuously improve Metro’s safety culture and security practices to best protect Metro employees, patrons, and the communities we serve from harm.

This is an exciting time to work at King County Metro Transit. We serve the fastest-growing transit market in the nation, enjoy a 93% customer satisfaction rate, and are creating an array of innovative mobility services for our riders. We are also building a zero-emission bus fleet and operating our region's light-rail system, which will expand three-fold in the next six years. Click here to see why it's worth working for King County. The diverse experiences and perspectives of our employees help us serve King County residents in an equitable and culturally responsive way.

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 Training and Exercises Administrator, you will also:

• Develop exercise objectives, scopes, scenarios, situation manuals, master scenario events lists, injects, controller/evaluator guides, exercise evaluation guides, hotwash materials, after-action reports, and improvement plans.
• Develop instructor-led, virtual, and just-in-time training materials.
• Deliver and participate in emergency management trainings, drills, and exercises.
• Track corrective actions from exercises, drills, and real-world incidents; assign owners; monitor due dates; report status to leadership; and translate lessons learned into updates to plans, training, procedures, and readiness activities.
• Plan and facilitate exercises involving transit operations, facilities, service disruption, communications failure, severe weather, security incidents, suspicious packages, special events, continuity of operations, evacuation, and coordination with department leadership. law enforcement, fire, emergency management, and regional transportation partners.
• Develop and administer emergency management programs, policies, and/or procedures.
• Recommend and implement division-wide performance measurement goals and work effectively with King County Metro staff to establish the programs, systems, and processes required to fulfill those goals.
• Forecast, track, and report on statistics, overall program effectiveness, and similar performance metrics.
• Conduct after-action reviews and write improvement plans.
• Provide guidance and direction on complex or sensitive issues and problems; review existing policies, plans, and procedures and recommend improvements or modifications to higher-level management.
• Participate in and represent the Emergency Management Section in a wide variety of internal and external work groups, project teams, committees, and task forces.
• Other duties as assigned.

At King County Metro Transit, the Training and Exercises Administrator should model the following critical competencies:  

• Emergency Management Expertise — Applies strong knowledge of emergency management frameworks to lead full cycle training and exercise programs.
• Program & Project Leadership — Manages complex, multi year programs and projects with effective planning, coordination, and performance tracking.
• Collaboration & Multi Agency Coordination — Builds productive partnerships with internal teams and external regional, state, and federal agencies.
• Communication & Facilitation Skills — Communicates clearly and facilitates training, exercises, and discussions for diverse audiences.
• Analytical & Continuous Improvement Skills — Evaluates data and exercise outcomes to identify gaps and drive measurable program improvements.

We are looking for candidates who meet the following minimum qualifications: 

• Three years of increasing responsible professional experience in roles dedicated to transportation security and/or emergency management, OR any combination of experience and education which provides the skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform the duties of the position.
• Proficient in program and project development, implementation, administration, and evaluation.
• Experience applying local, state, and federal emergency management standards, best practices, codes, and regulations.
• Knowledge of emergency management and disaster preparedness principles, including skill in analyzing emergency conditions and supporting appropriate resources coordination. 
• Experience applying emergency management communication best practices across diverse operational environments.
• Knowledge of Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) principles, National Incident Management System (NIMS) concepts, Incident Command System (ICS) roles, and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or Department Operations Center (DOC) coordination.
• Experience designing and delivering emergency management training, drills, tabletop exercises, functional exercises, full-scale exercises, and discussion-based readiness activities. 
• Skill in translating exercise findings, incident lessons, and operational gaps into corrective actions, training priorities, and measurable program improvements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience in report writing and delivering clear, effective presentations, while maintaining professionalism and a collaborative approach.
• Experience working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, maintaining strong working relationships across teams, and engaging partners outside the chain of command to secure cooperation and coordinated action.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a dynamic operational environment, including effectively planning and delegating work assignments and resolving conflicts.
• Skill in statistical, operational, and trend analysis to support data driven decision making. 
• Skill in use of automated information systems, Microsoft Office suite, database management, presentation software, and similar applications.

Highly competitive candidates will also possess the following (desired, but not required):

• Experience applying local, state, and federal regulations for bus and rail system security and emergency management.
• Knowledge of the operations, policies, and procedures of a transit organization.
• Skill in conducting Threat, Vulnerability, and Hazard Assessments.
• Training in National Incident Management System and/or Incident Command System.
• Training or experience with HSEEP, exercise design, evaluation, improvement planning, continuity planning, DOC/EOC operations, transit emergency response, or multiagency coordination.
• Master Exercise and Practitioner (MEP) Certification. 
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification.

Who may apply: We are accepting applications from all qualified candidates including current King County employees and the general public.

How 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 an accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions, please contact: Talent Advisor Sarah Ottele at sottele@kingcounty.gov.

The following application materials are required:

1. 1. 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.
   2. Completed supplemental questions. Responses to supplemental questions must be supported and verifiable by information found within your application materials.
   3. A cover letter no longer than two (2) pages demonstrating how your experience in transportation security and/or emergency management qualifies you for this position. Include specific examples that reflect your capabilities in program development, project management, application of emergency management standards, incident coordination, and/or delivery of training or exercises.

Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. Work hours are comprised of a 40-hour work week, typically between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Employees may be required to work extended hours, weekend, and holidays. 

Work Location: The work associated with this position will primarily be performed or conducted onsite three to five days a week. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary work location for this position is King Street Center, located at 201 S. Jackson Street in Seattle. Work may also be performed at various Metro facilities, including Transit and Rail bases and other locations throughout the Metro service area. 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 work site to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

On-Call Requirement: This position is required to participate in the 24/7/365 on-call rotation. Typical duties include taking calls from control centers, responding to incidents, assisting operations with determining reportability, coordinating after incident evidence collection, and the development of initial notifications.

Union/Classification/Job Code/Grade: Professional and Technical Employees Local 17 (PROTEC17 – C4) / Transportation Security Administrator / 245301 / 68

Necessary Special Requirements

Driver’s Abstract Review: Applicants must possess a valid driver's license with acceptable five-year driving record (to be verified via a Driver’s Abstract review prior to employment). Any of the following violations in the last five years will automatically disqualify candidates under consideration:

• Reckless or negligent driving
• Driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated 
• Hit and run accident citation
• Vehicular homicide or vehicular assault
• Open container citation
• More than one at-fault accident (does not include non at-fault accidents) 
• Any 1 suspension for a moving violation
• 3 or more moving violations
• Any license suspension, revocation, cancellation or disqualification based on a traffic or moving violation 
• License restrictions (such as an ignition interlock device requirement)
• Any convictions for reckless or negligent driving, hit and run, leaving the scene of an accident, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, vehicular assault or homicide
• Any alcohol, drug or test refusal related occurrences
• Any other driving record incidents or occurrences that provide a reasonable basis to question the applicant's ability to provide safe and public transportation

WA Drivers License: Employees must possess a Washington State driver’s license within 30 days of hire and possess the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely fashion to places where public transportation may not be readily available.

Background Check Requirement: Where the criminal conviction relates reasonably to the fitness to perform the job duties, Metro Transit has a responsibility to ensure a safe and reliable public transportation system for its passengers and its employees. The following criminal convictions may establish an impermissible nexus with positions that require interaction with the general public and/or, unsupervised access to other employees or the general public and/or, responsibility for the maintenance and safety of Metro Transit property:

• Crimes of a sexual nature committed against an individual including, but not limited to, rape, child molestation, and unlawful sexual acts.
• Any crime of a sexual nature that results in inclusion on the national sex offender registry.
• Crimes involving violent or assaultive behavior including, but not limited to, murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, assault, battery, kidnapping, extortion, carrying or use of a deadly weapon.
• Crimes involving the physical control, sale, use, transportation of controlled substances, and/or operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Note – the nexus of prior misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor convictions related to marijuana should be evaluated carefully in light of SB 5605, Misdemeanor Vacating for Marijuana.
• Crimes involving dishonesty such as fraud, embezzlement, the mishandling, theft, and/or the misappropriation of funds or property, or possession of stolen property.
• Crimes involving serious or repeated discrimination or harassment based on race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation (municipal law applies in Seattle).

The above do not constitute a comprehensive list of convictions with a potential nexus to Metro Transit classifications, nor do they automatically disqualify an applicant from further employment consideration. For additional information please refer to: RCW 43.43.830.



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 : $123,947 - $157,110