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Deputy Executive Director-Operations Readiness

  • Job
    Full-time
    Expert Level

AI generated summary

  • You must have a bachelor's degree and 10 years in transit operations/management, plus 8 years of supervisory experience, with knowledge of project management, safety, and budgeting practices.
  • You will oversee operational asset stewardship, enforce requirements for capital projects, manage budgets, guide team processes, develop forecasts, and foster relationships with stakeholders.

Requirements

  • MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Planning, Engineering, Public Administration, Business Management, Business Administration. Ten years' experience in managing transit operations, capital project development in transit, long-range transit planning, or transit maintenance/facilities programs and services; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Eight years supervisory experience in leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management.
  • Required Knowledge and Skills:
  • Operational oversight and requirements for successfully implementing a long-range operating and capital plan.
  • Project/program management in a capital heavy, schedule driven environment with foresight for future operations and maintenance requirements.
  • Facility and track maintenance, life cycle analysis including total cost of ownership, and planning principles.
  • Transit mode operations, facilities and maintenance characteristics, services, and activities with a particular focus on light rail and bus rapid transit.
  • Service and asset planning and best practices in service delivery of public transportation.
  • Principles of value engineering, risk assessments, and strategic planning.
  • Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as they apply to transit development and operations including the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs.
  • Application of principles of transit safety and security, including fire, life, and safety committees.
  • Procurement policies and procedures for goods and services and contract procurement strategies & management principles.
  • Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
  • Policy and procedure development.
  • Advanced principles and practices of program development and administration.
  • Advanced principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
  • Strategic policy management principles and practices.
  • Negotiation principles and practices.
  • Advanced business letter and strategic writing and basic report preparation.
  • Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
  • Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
  • Familiarity with alternative contract delivery methods such as design build, progressive design build, and public-private partnerships.
  • Preferred Knowledge and Skills:
  • Daily operations and maintenance of transit infrastructure and resources.
  • Standard operating and maintenance procedures of light rail transit mode, and other modes.
  • Physical Demands / Work Environment:
  • Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
  • Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
  • Positions is responsible for maneuvering around construction sites; may be subject to bending, climbing, crawling, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, sitting, standing, talking, seeing, walking, and carrying and lifting up to 25 pounds.
  • The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Responsibilities

  • Responsible for stewardship of operational assets through collaboratively establishing, translating, and implementing the operational requirements within the capital program in order to achieve the service level and information requirements set forth by the Service Delivery department.
  • Accountable for establishing and implementing operational requirements of the agency in close collaboration with the agency asset owners, managers and stewards through a strong understanding of agency service level requirements, current transit system performance, regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
  • Provides leadership to a team dedicated for capital projects ensuring all light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit infrastructure needs, including but not limited to facilities, track, maintenance, systems, and future operations are planned, perform, and constructed to fulfill operational requirements.
  • In collaboration with peers, guides and directs the team in development of processes and procedures to ensure that the Asset Transition Office is integrated into the agency capital program delivery process from project initiation, design, construction, activation, revenue operations and closeout.
  • Develops and administers a process by which total cost of ownership for capital projects, facilities, services, and systems is assessed to inform decision making.
  • In collaboration with the capital program delivery teams, organizes and documents decision-making across capital projects for consistency and ensuring consistency and actively management of lessons learned.
  • Maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
  • Develops short, mid and long-range forecasts for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.
  • Responsible for developing, administering, and maintaining annual capital budgets for business unit expenditures and implements adjustments. Includes administration of consultant contracts.
  • Develops programs to assist in attainment of Agency and departmental goals, including establishment, execution, and oversight of business unit goals. Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal/external stakeholders including contractors, transit agency partners, federal, state, and local officials, and Sound Transit Board members.
  • Translates agency-wide organizational goals and strategies into operational objectives with action plans. Provides high level direction in terms of department goals, strategic management supporting the goals and objectives.
  • Coaches, trains, engages, and motivates staff. Develops work plans for staff and manages the workflow, prioritization of projects, and measures staff performance. Manages employee relations providing advice and counsel to staff, professional developmental plans, and implements or recommends corrective actions, discipline, and termination procedures as needed.
  • Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
  • Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
  • It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
  • It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
  • Other duties as assigned.

FAQs

What is the salary range for the Deputy Executive Director-Operations Readiness position?

The salary range for this position is $160,000 to $280,000, with a midpoint of $215,000. New hires typically receive between the minimum and midpoint, but may receive slightly higher based on experience, internal equity, and market factors.

What kind of benefits does Sound Transit offer?

Sound Transit offers a competitive benefits package that includes health benefits, long-term disability and life insurance, an employee assistance program, retirement plans, paid time off, parental leave, pet insurance, an ORCA card, tuition reimbursement, and inclusive reproductive health support services.

What are the essential functions of the Deputy Executive Director role?

Essential functions include providing leadership and direction for operational readiness, establishing operational requirements, overseeing capital project delivery, ensuring consistency in decision-making across projects, and fostering collaboration with various stakeholders.

What minimum qualifications are required for this position?

Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Planning, Engineering, Public Administration, Business Management, or a related field, along with ten years of experience in managing transit operations or capital project development, and eight years of supervisory experience.

Is experience working in transit management required?

Yes, the position requires significant experience in managing transit operations, capital project development in transit, long-range transit planning, or transit maintenance and facilities programs.

What key skills are necessary for success in this role?

Key skills include operational oversight, project/program management, facility and track maintenance knowledge, understanding of transit mode operations, strategic planning, negotiation abilities, and effective communication and leadership skills.

How will this position contribute to Sound Transit’s goals?

The Deputy Executive Director will help ensure operational readiness and successful delivery of capital projects, which is critical for supporting the agency's role in the transit expansion program and meeting the needs of the greater Seattle region.

What is the work environment like for this role?

The work environment is primarily a hybrid office and field setting, with responsibilities that may include exposure to construction sites and varying weather conditions.

What does operational readiness entail for this position?

Operational readiness involves ensuring that new transit systems and infrastructure are ready and able to operate effectively through all phases of project delivery, including planning, design, construction, activation, and revenue operations.

How does Sound Transit promote workplace culture?

Sound Transit promotes a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and champions core values that ensure positive and respectful interactions across the agency.

Connecting more people to more places.

Transportation
Industry
501-1000
Employees
1996
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

Sound Transit is transforming how the Central Puget Sound region moves by planning, building and operating regional transit systems that give millions of riders an alternative to sitting in traffic. As the agency prepares for nearly a million new Central Puget Sound residents by 2040, transit services are expanding to meet today’s growing needs. Thanks to voter approval of the largest mass transit expansion in the region’s history, Sound Transit’s light rail system will grow to four times the size it is today. When complete, the 116-mile light rail system will stretch from Everett to Tacoma and connect major job and population centers in Seattle including South Lake Union, Seattle Center, Ballard and West Seattle. It will also extend east to Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah and Mercer Island. As Sound Transit grows, we seek innovative, technical and creative professionals who are ready to come on board and make a difference. Career opportunities include information technology, finance, construction management and engineering positions. Apply today at www.soundtransit.org/jobs.