Service Planner

Salary range is $65k to $150k, with a midpoint of $105k. 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 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: 25 days of paid time off annually; 12 paid holidays;
• 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.
• 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:

Under general direction, the Service Planner (Senior Transportation Planner) performs a full range of senior technical and/or team leader duties in planning, strategic thinking, and project management in support of the Office of Planning & Integration for assigned geographic area/function to ensure the Agency is positioned to accomplish its mission.

Specific to Service Planning, this position performs integration planning, service change public processes, and operational implementation of Light Rail, BRT, Commuter Rail, and Regional Express bus service; coordinates with other transit agencies to improve transit options and bus-rail integration in the Puget Sound Region; demonstrates ingenuity to develop agreements with other transit agencies and takes great care to build relationships based on mutual respect; and performs other tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility as assigned.

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.

* Performs and manages service integration planning, service change public processes, and operational implementation of light rail, BRT, commuter rail, and express bus service.

* Supports the successful implementation of a major transit expansion program including Link, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), ST Express, Sounder, and Tacoma Link.

* Manages scheduling and planning portions of Sound Transit's services and prepares service change packages describing all Sound Transit service and facility changes two times per year.

* Conducts analysis of potential service change scenarios for affordability and customer impact; analyzes performance measures and regional transportation data to recommend service revisions, schedule changes, and marketing areas to improve service productivity and customer experience.

* Supports inclusive public processes for proposed service changes, clearly presents and explains proposed alternatives, responds to customer service queries as needed; incorporates public and stakeholder feedback, and conducts Service Equity analysis.

* Collaboratively develops plans to support regional transit coordination by representing Sound Transit with partner agencies, municipal staff, community groups, and members of the public.

* Monitors monthly ridership, service performance, service quality, and customer experience following Sound Transit's Board adopted Performance Measures and Service Standards; responds to data queries from internal and external customers; reviews and analyzes monthly operating data.

* Serves as team leader and manages development of project plans in area of assignment; coordinates internal staff support, prepares transit operational plans, financing/cost strategies, service cost estimates, environmental documentation, and policy analysis; negotiates term sheets and partnership agreements with other transit agencies; briefs superiors and elected officials as needed; meets with Agency planning and policy team to discuss work underway, upcoming assignments and issues, and to strategize about next actions/steps.

* Supports and manages the development and implementation of regional transit system plans by preparing project scopes, work plans, and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for consultant services for assigned Agency projects; serves as technical resource on assigned plan projects; develops and coordinates planning and implementation activities with affected local jurisdictions and other agencies; identifies and implements appropriate tools to assist in tracking project scope, schedule, and budget.

* Negotiates agreements with other jurisdictions regarding assigned Agency projects; leads team of internal staff from other departments to draft, review, and negotiate with other jurisdictions in order to prepare term sheets and subsequent agreement for signature by the CEO.

* Represents the Agency at regular meetings of elected officials and local jurisdictions; provides presentations on Agency policies, projects, and planning activities in area of assignment, as necessary and when requested; addresses questions and concerns about Agency through direct responses or arranging venues with other staff and parties as necessary; and represents ST at public forums.

* Communicates and coordinates with the public, community groups, elected officials, other jurisdictions and their staff, the Sound Transit plan including the finance plan, schedule, scope, and budget for projects and services.

* Manages scheduling and planning portions of Sound Transit's services and prepares service change packages describing all Sound Transit service and facility changes.

* Monitors ridership, service performance, service quality, and customer experience following Sound Transit's adopted Performance Measures and Service Standards; reviews and analyzes data and integrates in planning activities.

* Manages and completes various policy, capital, and service studies and plans to support agency decision-making.

* Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, priorities, and budgets for assigned projects, services, and functional areas within the Division; and provides input into forecasts for future funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.

* 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.

* Provides support to the division/department on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; 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.

* 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in planning, civil engineering, urban planning, transportation planning, public administration, or closely related field and four years of experience and increasing responsibility in transportation planning that includes urban or regional planning, project management, policy analysis, preferably in a transit/transportation environment; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

None.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

* The organization and operation of Sound Transit and of local jurisdictions, King County Metro, and other transit agencies and the state department of transportation.

* Operational characteristics, services, and activities of the Planning & Integration Division as it relates to system integration, project planning & development, and service planning.

* Transportation history, technology, infrastructure, systems, performance; as well as planning concepts, practices, procedures, and policy issues.

* Transit operations and capital and service planning, including scheduling.

* Urban transportation systems analysis and management.

* Transit operations and infrastructure development.

* Analytical, strategic, and critical-thinking skills.

* Basic economic, budget, accounting, and public finance theory and applications.

* Laws and legal concepts related to transportation; land-use, environmental, urban, and regional planning principals and applications.

* Research methodologies and statistical/financial analysis.

* Negotiation principles and practices.

* Project planning and development, including long-range and strategic planning, and research methodologies.

* Transportation policy development and analysis.

* Project and contract management skills including preparation of scopes of work, schedules, budgets, public outreach plans, and other technical and informational documents.

* Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

* Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.

* English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

* Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

* Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.

* Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.

* Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.

* Effectively representing the Agency to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the project and preparing and presenting project and/or plan briefings and reports.

* Managing complex projects and making decisions in fast-paced, difficult environments.

* Technical writing.

* Translating technical information for lay audiences.

* Conducting research and analysis and providing appropriate recommendations based on findings.

* Responding tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, Agency staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in development of plans, policies, or issues.

* Communicating with news media and other public-information members.

* Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.

* Public speaking, including preparing and delivering presentations that include graphical information (map, graph, flowchart, timeline, etc.), preparation, and interpretation.

* Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication.

* Applying advanced project management techniques and principles.

* Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.

* Developing and monitoring departmental, and program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

* Work is performed in a standard office environment.

* 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.