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Sound Transit

Deputy Executive Director-Activation & Commissioning

Sound Transit, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127


Salary range is $160k to $280k, with a midpoint of $215k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.Employee Assistance Program.Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.Pet Insurance.ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.GENERAL PURPOSE:The position resides within the broader context of the newly created ATO (Asset Transition Office) division which consists of Systems Integrated Testing, Operational Readiness and Transition, Transit Expansion and Activation. This office was created to ensure a more coordinated systematic approach to activation activities by bringing an independent and objective view into our agency’s and partners’ readiness to begin new service.This position requires close partnership with peers within ATO and across the agency, including project leadership, safety, operations, information technology, service planning, passenger experience, and portfolio services. Together with peers, this position will lead a team and the agency through the activation phase of project delivery through a continuous improvement mindset, incorporation of industry best practices, and strategically deliver new assets in to service that fulfill the agency's service commitments to the region. This role leads a team accountable for activating several new rail extensions and other support transit assets including ensuring appropriate testing and commissioning of new assets perform to meet service expectations.The Deputy Executive Director will also coordinate with Sound Transit’s light rail operator King County Metro (KCM) Rail Division personnel through the Sound Transit Operations. As the operator, KCM is invested in providing adequate resources to the commissioning, testing and start-up efforts. The candidate must be comfortable working within a matrix organizational environment where the various ATO and agency divisions will supplement the specific expansion efforts with either full or part time staff as needs determine. The Deputy Executive Director must also be comfortable working with a team of consultants who are embedded within the organization.The Deputy Executive Director must be skilled in both civil and systems completion work, balancing the needs with the overall goal of completing the project on time. This role requires excellent communication, schedule-driven mindset, decision-making and influential leadership skills.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration or Management, Transportation, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Construction Management or closely related field; Ten years in project management of large engineering and/or construction projects, including professional experience in project controls, project planning, and program management responsibilities; Experience in activation and/or testing of new rail (preferably light rail) extensions; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Eight years of leadership, budgetary, planning, and workforce management experience.Required Licenses or Certifications:Valid state driver's license. This role will perform inspections on active construction sites, stations, and facilities, including locations that are not currently served by transit. Driving an agency vehicle will be necessary to monitor construction tasks and respond to emergent situations at any time of day, within assigned projects and project corridors.Required Knowledge and Skills:Managing and overseeing the progress and critical milestones of light rail and other major capital projects as a project moves from conceptual engineering through final design and construction to Operations and project closeout, applying advanced project management and program development techniques and principles.Operations, safety certification, maintenance, services, and other requirements of light rail and major capital projects.Federal and State requirements for testing, certifications, and approvals necessary to open a rail line or other major capital project.Principles of leadership, management, and mentoring/training.Critical and strategic problem solving and ability to identify and appropriately respond to sensitive community and organizational issues and concerns.Strong, clear written and verbal communication.Relationship management skills.Ability to develop, manage, communicate, and administer a clear program framework, along with appropriately scaled policies and procedures.Transit and transportation systems, operations, maintenance, facilities, and planning.Applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.Advanced principles and practices of governmental and capital project budget preparation and administration.Performing high-level negotiations and collaborating with Sound Transit departments and divisions and with federal and State oversight agencies.Risk assessment and management.Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as they apply to activation.Principles of financial management (expenditure tracking, variance identification, and revenue tracking).Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.Preferred Knowledge and Skills:Activation and/or testing of new light rail extensions.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.Position is responsible for being on construction sites for inspections, monitoring tasks, and responding to emergent situations; may be subject to bending, climbing, eye/hand coordination, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, sitting, standing, talking, seeing, walking and carrying objects up to 25 pounds.Position includes on call and weekend and/or night shifts to respond to situations 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.

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