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 to all aspects of the work. You will:
 

• Develop, analyze, and implement policies and future updates to Metro’s guiding policies
  1. Use qualitative and quantitative data to make policy recommendations
  2. Make strategic judgements about which policies to implement first and how to balance tradeoffs, based on research, data, and other information 
  3. Draft legislation and move it through King County legislative processes 
• Lead agency-wide efforts related to the “Where Needs are Greatest” initiative, including: 
  1. Analyze and understand how Metro has already changed its practices to invest where needs are greatest.
  2. provide guidance and support to staff in all divisions (planning and operations) as they operationalize Metro’s pro-equity policies and measure the impact of those changes.
  3. Lead a matrixed, multidisciplinary team in developing a “toolkit” of data and other resources, as well as other process improvements and solutions, to implement and measure progress towards Metro’s policies 
  4. Partner with all levels of staff and management (i.e., front line staff and senior leaders) on how to use Metro’s values and policies to make budget, planning, and operational decisions. 
  5. Collaborate with data analysts and other staff throughout Metro on pro-equity performance metrics and reporting systems to understand where needs are greatest and demonstrate progress towards key policy outcomes.  
• Engage and communicate with King County employees, community partners, elected officials, and other interested parties in understanding and implementing Metro’s policies (especially where the need is greatest). 
  1. Build and strengthen trust and relationships with partners with whom Metro regularly engages on policy, such as the Regional Transit Committee and Metro’s Mobility Equity Cabinet. 
  2. Serve as Metro’s lead staff for engagement with the Regional Transit Committee, including preparing Metro’s General Manager for meetings and working with committee staff 
  3. Present to elected officials and community partners on policy issues  
  4. Use qualitative and quantitative data to tell a story and communicate progress and needs for further delivery on policy outcomes. 
• Support the Strategic Planning and Policy team in:
  1. Developing a department-wide business plan that guides future investments.
  2. Creating and implementing a new program management system to track progress towards Metro’s Strategic Plan for Public Transportation
  3. Ensuring Metro’s policies and values continue to influence future budget processes
  4. working on fares, regional planning efforts, supporting other King County policy work (i.e., 2024 updates to the King County Comprehensive Plan and Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan,) and other strategy and partnerships efforts as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education & Experience 
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Business Analytics, Equity and Social Justice, Policy, or equivalent degree, and a minimum of 2 years of experience in policy and equity and social justice OR any combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
• Strong knowledge of and commitment to equity and social justice
  • Current strong knowledge of equity and social justice principles, practices, research, and language.
  • Strong commitment to serving underserved populations and communities
  • Ability to interpret information and assess facets of a pro-equity program.
• Interpersonal savvy and government relations experience
  • Skilled at assessing risk and navigating political, high-impact situations 
  • Experience working with elected officials, external parties, and senior leaders
  • Ability to build relationships and work effectively at all levels in an organization.
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and lead matrixed teams.
  • Experience in facilitating discussions and negotiating solutions with people of diverse backgrounds and interests to deliver results (I.e., reach consensus on a policy recommendation)
• Strategic mindset, experience with strategic planning, and policy expertise 
  • Experience developing policy, writing legislation, and getting policies adopted
  • Ability to make independent strategic judgements related to legislation 
  • Ability to solve problems and think analytically, strategically, and creatively  
  • Acute business acumen and understanding of organizational dynamics and issues
  • Committed to continuous improvement to better deliver policy outcomes 
  • Experience researching issues, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and other information, and making recommendations on complex policy, political, and/or technical issues
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Strong writing ability
  • Experience presenting to management and elected officials
  • Experience tailoring messages and materials to different audiences, such as elected officials, community members, and employees.
  • Ability to make complex topics clear and accessible 
  • Skill at using data, research, and other information to tell a compelling story 
• Strong project and program management skills
  • Ability to take initiative, define work, move a project forward, and drive results
  • Experience collaborating with people from diverse workgroups and with varied skillsets on complex projects.
  • Ability to manage and prioritize a diverse workload to accomplish tasks on time

• Familiarity with Metro's policies, policy development process, strategic planning work, and enterprise initiatives
• Knowledge of legislative processes (especially at King County)
• Experience with large-scale organizational change.
• Proficient data skills

Application & Selection Process 
An online employment application, resume, cover letter, and answers to the supplemental questions 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. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks. 
 
NOTE: Please answer all applicable questions in the employment application portion, with each of your jobs listed (listing each position for each employer separately), duties explained, reasons for leaving, etc.
 
Work Schedule 
The work week is normally 40 hours, Monday through Friday. Alternative work schedules may be possible. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and therefore is not eligible for overtime pay.
 
Union Membership
Non-rep
 
Job Code: 285301
 
Work Location
The primary location of this position is in the King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA) Telecommuting is possible.
 
Teleworking Requirement
The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly in a hybrid work environment working in the office and at home. 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 worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
 
Employees may be provided with a County 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. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
 
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.  
 
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
 
As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:
         • submit proof of vaccination or
         • have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
 
People are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of a vaccination approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
 
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:  Sianna Weicuss, sweicuss@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.
 
The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor’s Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Executive Office. 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.