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Rail Operations Communications Superintendent

Government Jobs, Seattle, WA, United States


Rail Operations Communications Superintendent Learn how Metro connects you with what matters. King County Metro Transit's Rail Operations Section has an exciting opportunity for a Career Service (CS) Rail Operations Communications Superintendent (Transit Superintendent Control Center). The Rail Operations Communications Superintendent manages the Link Control Center (LCC) facility which is staffed by a combination of Rail Operations Chiefs, Rail Supervisors, and Traction Power & Maintenance personnel. This leadership role requires the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse employee workgroup, proactively solve problems that impact service delivery, provide quality customer service, and motivate employees through building respect and trust. The Rail Operations Communications Superintendent leads by example, promotes teamwork, resolves conflicts that arise, and promotes a cooperative environment. The Rail Operations Communications Superintendent demonstrates support for the goals of the organization in providing quality public service and collaboratively working with other sections, departments, and partners while recognizing the value of diversity of opinion, culture, and perspective. Our most competitive candidates will demonstrate their ability to build collaborative and supportive relationships with direct reports and internal partners as well as external agencies and community stakeholders. They will be comfortable with providing guidance and decision-making during times of uncertainty or emergent situations, and they will have the ability to actively create and maintain a positive working environment focused on safety, customer service, and exemplifying King County True North values.
About Link Light Rail King County Metro Transit's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link light rail service and City of Seattle's streetcar system. Link Light Rail is a 2-line operation of 55+ miles between Lynnwood, Federal Way, and Downtown Redmond. Additional expansions to the Link system will be coming online for years to come.
Seattle Streetcar includes the 1.3 mile South Lake Union line and the 2.5 mile First Hill line, proudly serving the diverse and vibrant communities around Seattle's downtown core. These rail services complement Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services. Puget Sound transit agencies are collaborating to create an integrated transit network that enables people to travel farther, faster, and more easily.
This position is open to the general public and all King County employees. This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Career Service position.
Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. Typical work hours are variable, Monday through Friday. This role supports a 24-hour workforce and all shifts (day, swing, and graveyard). Intermittent graveyard work will be required. Employees may be required to work extended hours, weekend, holidays and will be required to serve occasional 24/7 "on-call" in rotation. Rail Operations Communications Superintendents must have the ability to report to work in the event of adverse weather or other emergent/crisis situations and remain on hand during the event unless otherwise directed or relieved. There are no flex days or remote telework options for these positions, and work schedules will be determined by management. Location: This position will be based out of the Central Operations and Maintenance Facility located at 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98134 with the possibility of an alternative worksite at 1263 6th Ave S., Seattle, WA 98134. Other locations may be required based on business needs.
This position is considered safety sensitive. Applicants for these positions are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and subsequent to commencement of employment, will be subject to random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal DOT alcohol and controlled substance testing program protocols. For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact: Jacky Lu, Talent Advisor, jacky.lu@kingcounty.gov
Job Duties 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 a Rail Operations Communications Superintendent, you will also:
Manage and supervise the operations of the Link Control Center (LCC), exhibiting positive leadership and role modeling
Coordinate and lead the Link Control Center for all expansion related activities in partnership with the Link Expansion Team and other stakeholders
Work with others to anticipate, identify, and implement opportunities for continuous improvement of LCC operations and associated technology
Establish LCC operating goals and objectives which include priorities, performance standards, staff development, and resource needs to support efficient and customer-focused service; conduct analysis of performance metrics and report on progress achieved on expected operating outcomes and performance improvement goals; ensure safe and efficient use of resources
Develop and implement strategies to improve safety and service quality, reliability and operating efficiency, monitor performance indicators and take action to remedy below-goal performance; oversee the determination of required staffing; ensure staffing levels meet service requirements while minimizing labor costs
Participate in investigations and resolve accidents and incidents; mitigate high-profile service delivery issues with elected officials, other agencies and the public
Develop operating contingency plans and direct LCC operations during emergencies, natural disasters, adverse weather or other events involving disruption of service delivery
Supervise administrative support, professional staff, and Transit Chiefs directing the work of Rail Supervisors and Rail Operators; hire staff consistent with assigned hiring authority; create collaborative working relationship with multiple collective bargaining units and ensure consistent application of labor policies, contract provisions and hiring guidelines, investigate and respond to grievances; participate in and provide support to legal or contractual conflict resolution
Provide guidance and direction to subordinate supervisors and other staff concerning complex or sensitive issues and problems, establish work performance standards and initiate corrective actions when required, review existing operational and administrative policies and procedures, and recommend improvement or modifications to higher-level management.
Provide supporting data and recommendations to management in the formulation of the Operations operating and capital budgets; authorize expenditures within designated authority level; monitor budget and maintain expenditures within approved levels; manage and administer contractor and vendor service, supply and other related contracts as required.
Participate and represent Operations in a wide variety of internal and external work groups, project teams, committees, and task forces.
Act for higher-level managers as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills We are looking for candidates who possess these minimum qualifications: Three years of experience in a Rail Control Center AND three years of increasingly responsible supervisory and/or management experience in Light or Heavy Rail operations. Additional requirements are:
Ability to plan and direct the day-to-day activities of a large rail operations control center
Ability to build a cohesive team in a diverse environment
Experience maintaining and improving Rail Operations Safety
Knowledge of the policies and procedures of the Rail Division and Rail Operations Section
Strong analytical skills to evaluate complex problems related to ongoing rail operations
Skill in establishing and implementing rail operations policies and procedures
Experience in rail transit vehicle accident investigation
Knowledge of grievance and arbitration processes
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills
Excellent management, leadership, and supervisory skills which include ability to establish and maintain a participatory workplace by facilitating team development/behavior and promoting mutual respect, social equity, and the utilization of the abilities and viewpoints of all workers in a diverse work group
Skill in conflict resolution and negotiation
Skill in planning and delegating work assignments
Working knowledge of train control SCADA systems
Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements
Knowledge of applicable FTA regulations governing Rail Transit Safety and Security
Working knowledge of federal, state and local laws regarding ADA, EEO, FMLA, CDL, and D.O.T. Drug & Alcohol testing
Have the ability to work independently and as a team member
Ability to use applications for team communication and collaboration (such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.) and manage remote workers (other work locations and/or telework)
Skill in the use of MS Outlook, Word, and Excel
The most competitive candidates will also possess these desirable qualifications:
Ability to conduct staffing and budget planning, cost benefit analysis, and to initiate and evaluate the financial impact and technical feasibility of ideas, methods of operation, or capital projects
Working knowledge of applicable APTA Rail Transit Standards and Industry Practices
Working knowledge of tunnel ventilation procedures
Skill in project management techniques.
Knowledge of visual and data management systems and processes, including Power BI
Skill in statistical and operational analysis, and establishing and implementing