GENERAL PURPOSE: Under direction from the Operations Executive Director, the Deputy Executive Director provides strategic leadership while planning, directing, managing, and overseeing the operations, services, and functions of the Transportation & Maintenance Division of the Operations Department, including the daily operation and maintenance of the Sound Transit public transit programs (light rail, commuter rail, streetcar, express bus, and paratransit). The Deputy Executive Director provides leadership to the program functions, processes, and activities of the division and integrates work with other divisions/departments in support of department/agency goals.
The Deputy Executive Director will need to have strong leadership, decision-making, and communication skills to be successful in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment. In addition to managing the above public transit programs, this leader will need to collaborate with division leaders across the Operations department, along with other Agency departments/divisions and outside agencies. This is an executive leadership position requiring experience working with C-level executives, key stakeholders, contractors, and elected officials.
The Deputy Executive Director serves as acting Operations Executive Director when required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.
• Provides strategic leadership and vision to the Operations Department directors/managers and staff ensuring all public transit programs are performing to meet the department and agency standards for light rail, commuter rail, streetcar, express bus, paratransit, and facilities, and to exceed customer expectations. • Plans, directs, coordinates, reviews, and evaluates the work of assigned staff; assigns work activities and manages the prioritization of work; provides constructive feedback; makes effective suggestions and recommendations. • Coaches, develops, trains, and motivates staff; coordinates and/or provides staff training; and manages employee relations; implements or recommends corrective actions when necessary; and promotes a positive work environment for assigned staff. • Provides labor relations support to Tacoma Link and participates in labor relation activities and collective bargaining agreement negotiations alongside Human Resources and Legal. • Monitors compliance with identified division objectives and work scope commitments; conducts regular monthly operational reviews that focus on department and division goals; monitors and measures critical success factors and tracks the performance of the division. • Ensures the safe and efficient operation of service by overseeing the development of safety, emergency program plans, exercises, audits, and training; identifies opportunities for improvement; and directs and implements changes. • Provides assistance to Operations Executive Director; participates in development of risks and strategies; mitigates impact of issues that affect operation; and makes decisions and takes action regarding the administration and management of short and long term transit service plans. • Recommends appropriate service and staffing levels for assigned divisions, programs, and functional areas and allocates resources accordingly. • Oversees the administration and management of assigned contracts involving public and private contractors; manages, oversees, and participates in contract negotiations, monitors administration of terms and conditions, and budget performance monitoring; implements corrective actions when needed; manages third party partner agreements to maintain partnerships and ensure compliance and accountability; assists in the development of future contracting strategies and negotiation of terms and conditions; negotiates solutions to conceptual issues involving policy and direction change and effectively leads and influences internal and external decision makers and stakeholders; ensures agreed upon services are completed within the scope, schedule, and budget; and that all objectives are successfully met. • Coordinates and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to include C-level executives, governmental officials, and regulatory representatives of other local, state, and federal agencies; serves as primary contact for assigned divisions, projects and programs, as well as the Operations Executive Director, and negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues. • Provides effective strategic management and direction to support Agency, department, and division goals and objectives; participates in development and implementation of department goals, objectives, priorities, and action plans for each assigned division; translates broad organizational goals and strategies into operational objectives and practical action plans; and provides strategic level advice regarding major policy and problem solving issues. • Ensures Operations Executive Director is advised of the need to apprise the Agency Board of Directors of relevant policy issues and that direction is sought; and prepares and presents staff reports and other materials and correspondence as needed. • Develops, administers, maintains, and oversees the annual budgets for the division; makes recommendations and forecasts for future funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; reviews and approves department expenditures and implements adjustments; directs the preparation of and administration of capital budgets for divisions that align with organizational work plans and objectives; and prepares or approves budget presentations and make presentations to decision makers to gain approval for procurements. • Provides support to the Operations Executive Director and others on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; and incorporates new developments as appropriate. • Ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations. • 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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, public administration, engineering, or closely related field and eight years of experience in managing and directing transit operations and maintenance for large complex programs/organization that includes four years of staff supervisory, budgetary, and management responsibility, preferably in a transit/transportation related environment with multiple facility/office locations; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced degree preferred.
Required Licenses or Certifications: • Valid state driver’s license. • May be required to obtain National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100 & 700 certification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Rail Safety Certification.
Required Knowledge of: • Bus, commuter rail, light rail operations, and maintenance characteristics, services, and activities. • Technology and best practices in public transportation (service delivery). • Principles and practices of all modes of bus and rail safety and application of principles of transit safety and security. • Principles and practices of fleet maintenance and fleet planning. • Development of technical specifications for vehicles and associated equipment. • All modes of route and schedule planning. • Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs and reporting requirements. • Principles of risk assessment and strategic planning. • Conceptualizing, influencing, developing, and administering goals, objectives, guidelines, and procedures for the division. • Principles and practices of program development and administration. • Contract procurement strategies and management principles. • Policy and procedure development. • Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as they apply to transit operations. • Principles of collective bargaining, labor contract development, and negotiating strategy in public sector setting. • Principles of financial management (expenditure tracking, variance identification, revenue tracking). • Advanced principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration. • Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation. • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, Agency officials, community groups, and the general public. • Federal transit administration (FTA) capital grant procurement procedures. • National Transit Database reporting. • Applying advanced principles and practices of leading, coaching, and mentoring staff. • Complaint resolution and problem solving. • Critical and strategic problem solving. • Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports. • Effective oral and written communication. • Presentation development and public speaking skills. • Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
Physical Demands / Work Environment: • Work is performed in a standard office environment. • Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects up to 50 pounds; may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, and hazardous chemicals when conducting site visits and working in the field. • The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.
Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action 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.
About Sound Transit
Sound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit service throughout the urban region of Seattle. Sound Transit is currently experiencing major growth and is in the process of planning and building the most ambitious transit expansion in the country. Named by Kiplinger’s as one of the “10 Best Cities to live in the Next Decade”, Seattle is a vibrant city surrounded by unmatched natural beauty, economic opportunity, cultural events and educational excellence. It is home to a diverse and growing population with hundreds of thousands of commuters riding Sound Transit services daily.We contribute toward this growth by providing the community with quality service that will generate a better quality of life for commuters and Seattle as a whole. This is an exceptional opportunity with a progressive organization that offers growth potential both professionally and personally. We offer an attractive compensation package to include competitive benefits and a chance to have a positive impact on the environment as well as becoming a key contributor toward Seattle’s quality of life. Join Sound Transit and be a part of its culture which is built around inclusion and respect where everyone is treated fairly and every voice is heard.
