Metro Transit Chief of Staff

King County   Auburn, WA   Full-time
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Summary

**This position is open to current King County Employees only**  
 
Metro has an exciting opportunity for a Chief of Staff who will be responsible for providing strategic guidance and leadership to the Metro Transit Department, working in close partnership with the General Manager and Deputy General Manager to convene and coordinate key policy and strategic issues facing the agency, understand an issue from multiple perspectives, and work collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure positive interaction between Metro and the community it serves.
 
The Chief of Staff oversees Metro's internal and external relations, partnerships, strategic communications, and brand management functions. This executive-level leader will report directly to the General Manager and will work to ensure that Metro provides world-class service while advancing the following:
  • Pro-equity, inclusion, and belonging in our workplace
  • Health and safety of our workforce 
  • Strength and sustainability of our environment 
  • Forward-looking development of our workforce
The Chief of Staff will do this through engaging with key stakeholders, anticipating and proactively getting ahead of needs that will arise, directing effective and innovative teams, helping develop a vibrant Metro community of committed professionals, leading people, and providing strategic oversight for Metro's communications, brand management, partnerships and engagement with internal and external stakeholders.

Job Duties

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 the Chief of Staff, you will:
 

  • Provide strategic direction and leadership to functions in the General Manager’s Office including agency-wide Strategic Communications and Brand Management and Partnership and Engagement functions of the agency. Align the work performed with the overall vision and strategic goals of the Metro Transit Department. 
  • On behalf of the General Manager and Deputy General Manager, convene and coordinate key efforts by working with a variety of stakeholders including internal Metro staff, elected officials, other governmental agencies, transit customers, and the broader community to provide the best service and customer experience possible. 
  • Identify and manage critical issues that have a significant internal and public impact which require the attention of the General Manager and Deputy General Manager. 
  • Oversee and manage the flow and exchange of information, streamline operations, and coordinate internal communications across the department.
  • Support and sustain the department as a high-performing organization which models excellent organizational performance and exemplary customer service.
  • Contribute to the vision, mission, and values of the department through responsible and effective leadership and work performance; serve as a key member of the department’s leadership team.
  • Lead the development of strategies and operational plans for external affairs, including business and community relationships, government and legislative affairs, and public relations and communications in order that the public have knowledge of a cohesive and comprehensive Department.
  • Build teams and provide an environment that fosters employee engagement and creates developmental opportunities. 
  • Develop and oversee the department budget; determine and allocate resources.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

This internal recruitment is open to current King County career service and Term-Limited Temporary employees only.  Applications from the public are not being considered at this time.
 
 We are looking for candidates who:

  •  Have 10 years of high level management and leadership experience in a large public setting, operating within a complex multicultural and diverse environment. 
  • Are knowledgeable about how public sector organizations work and how to get things done both through formal channels and informal networks. 
  • Understand how to build and sustain community and public relations.
  • Have demonstrated knowledge of local government issues and regulations at the City, County, State, and Federal level.
  • Are skilled in analytical and critical thinking, with strategic agility around sensitive issues and an ability to foster creativity and encourage problem-solving.
  • Are skilled in consensus building, policy analyses, informed debate and interaction, and effective decision-making.
  • Are skilled in identifying key business issues from multiple perspectives.
  • Demonstrate transparency and build trust, courageously and consistently acting upon a strong set of core values that are aligned with King County Metro Transit's values. 
  • Have the ability as a leader to facilitate difficult conversations, particularly related to race (and other protected classes), power, and privilege. 
  • Have the leadership courage and an ability to manage change as well as to identify and take steps necessary to ensure that all have equitable opportunities to thrive. 
  • Have demonstrated experience developing direct reports, setting clear expectations, and building effective teams in diverse work environments while creating strong morale, instilling vision and purpose, and fostering open dialogue.
Note: Candidates are encouraged to translate life experiences to show how they meet the required experience, knowledge, education, and skills.

Supplemental Information

Application & Selection Process
An online employment application a cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position, and a resume are required.
 
Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.
 
Work Location
During the mandatory telecommute order, work will be done remotely, but the assignment may include on-site visits to Metro facilities. Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite.
 
Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer.
 
Work Schedule
The work week is 40 hours, Monday through Friday. This position not subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and therefore not eligible for overtime pay if scheduled.
 
Union Representation
This position is not represented
 
Job Code/Grade 
115201/ 87
 
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:
Aimee Higbee, ahigbee@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.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being.  Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite gyms and activity centers
  • Employee giving program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits please visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.  If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.  Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
 
NOTE:  Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
 
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01
This internal recruitment is open to current King County career service and term-limited temporary employees only. Are you a current King County Employee?
  • Yes
  • No
02
If you responded yes, what department do you currently work in? If no, please write N/A.
03
Did you attach the required resume and cover letter describing your interest and qualifications?
  • Yes
  • No
04
Does your application provide details of how you have at least 10 years of high-level management and leadership experience in a large public setting, operating within a complex multicultural and diverse environment?
  • Yes
  • No
05
Describe what you have done recently to develop your knowledge of Equity & Social Justice
06
Are you applying to this position as an eligible Current or Previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant And Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
  • Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
  • No.
07
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff
08
I have read the job announcement and understand the duties and requirements for this position. I also understand that the provisions of the job announcement do not constitute an express or implied contract. Having applied for employment with King County, I give my consent that any person, firm, or organization listed hereon is authorized to furnish King County with reference material concerning my character, past employment, or any other information requested. By checking this box, I provide my consent for King County Metro Transit to obtain the above-referenced information
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

This job is no longer available.

King County

Auburn, WA