Director-Revenue Vehicles Project Delivery

Salary range is $130k to $230k, with a midpoint of $175k.  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.
• 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, assists the Revenue Vehicles Executive Project Director in directing, managing, supervising, and coordinating the activities of Revenue Vehicles projects within the Operations department, coordinates assigned activities with other programs and divisions throughout the Agency and major external partners including Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), State Safety Oversight (SSO), Federal Transit administration (FTA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), King County Metro and numerous local cities and other jurisdictions; provides highly responsible and complex project management, technical, policy, and administrative leadership in support of the Revenue Vehicles Executive Project Director and the Revenue Vehicles projects.

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.

• The primary function of this position will be to assist the Revenue Vehicles Executive Project Director by providing direct oversight, direction, monitoring, tracking, and reporting of the light rail vehicles contracts, schedules, activities, status, and issues with the objectives of delivering a quality fleet safely, on schedule and within budget. The emphasis for this role will be on commissioning of the light rail vehicles (LRVs), stakeholder management for onsite field work, and oversight of technical resources.
• The Vehicles Director will have responsibility as assigned for vehicles contract budget and schedule, cost forecasting and change order management, managing interfaces between car builders and consultants and developing work around plans to maintain schedule, particularly testing and commissioning.
• The Revenue Vehicles Project Director will be a leader in promoting quality and safety awareness and adherence to safety policies and procedures and will have accountability for ensuring vehicles’ contracts comply with safety certification requirements.
• This position will administer and direct the activities of technical resources, including Engineering staff, matrixed to the revenue Vehicles Project team. The Director of Revenue Vehicle Project Delivery will also manage and control Engineering and Inspection consultants, as assigned, and will assist the Revenue Vehicles Executive Project Director to have quality oversight on all Design, Midlife Overhauls, critical system retrofits, Manufacturing and Commissioning activities on Vehicles Projects.
• This position will prepare and lead discussions and presentations on vehicles delivery strategies, status and issues to the Revenue Vehicles Executive Project Director, the Operations Executive Director, the Sound Transit CEO, the Sound Transit Board, municipalities, King County, WSDOT, community groups, media, and federal agencies including the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration.
• In conjunction with the Revenue Vehicles Executive Project Director and the Deputy Executive Director of Transportation and Maintenance, manage vehicle procurement contract issues to resolution; lead and support contractor negotiations for contracts, change orders, and contract claims.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, reviews, and assesses the work of assigned staff, consultants and contractors; assigns and monitors work activities and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and provides input on work evaluations of matrixed staff, and makes effective suggestions and recommendations to the Executive Project Director and the Deputy Executive Director of Transportation and Maintenance.
• Assembles, directs, plans, and oversees major vehicles delivery management and project control teams consisting of staff and consultants to ensure achievement of key project milestones and quality within the project budget.
• Coaches, trains and motivates the project team; coordinates and/or provides staff training; and manages project team relations; manages the workflow and prioritization of work and measures the performance of the project scope, schedule and budget; manages staff and consultants and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; provides advice and counsel to staff and the Executive Project Director; develops work plans, budgets and schedules for staff, consultant, and contractor work; implements or recommends corrective actions, discipline and termination procedures as appropriate/necessary to effectively and efficiently deliver the project.
• Supports the community outreach and public information effort(s) applicable to the Vehicles Projects and to the Agency in general; responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive stakeholder and project partner inquiries and complaints.
• Provides policy and staff assistance to the Executive Project Director; summarizes and analyzes program issues and provides recommendations to the Executive Project Director on strategies to resolve these issues; recommends and implements modifications to functional areas, policies, standards and procedures as appropriate; and conducts follow-up to ensure that the issues have been resolved and that the project remains on schedule.
• Provides support to the department and others on matters as directed.
• 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 Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Vehicles Engineering, or closely related field. Eight years of experience in managing design, manufacturing, and commissioning of rolling stock for large, complex public transit projects; OR a combination of education and experience. Six years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:  

• A valid Professional Civil Engineer license issued by the State of Washington.
• Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Certification.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Principles and standards of vehicles design, manufacturing, commissioning, and safety certification for light rail vehicle fleets.
• Project management principles and practices for a range of Vehicles Project Delivery phases and wayside interfaces that are critical for vehicle compatibility in the maintenance shop and the mainline.
• Principles of engineering change orders, field modification implementation, root cause analysis techniques, quality oversight, qualification testing, routine static and dynamic testing, vehicle burn-in, open item list management, and warranty programs.
• Principles of delivery and inventory management for capital spares, warranty spares, special tools, and spare parts. 
• Transit systems safety certification.
• Advanced principles and practices of governmental project controls, budget preparation, contract administration, change management and contract performance assessment.
• Project development and management processes and operations and maintenance of public transit fleet, preferably light rail.
• Procurement and Management of design consultant and other professional services contracts, vehicles contract procurement, contract management and evaluation.
• Policy, procedure, and best practices development and implementation.
• Risk assessment and strategic planning.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as they apply to transit operations.
• Principles of financial management (expenditure tracking, earned value, variance identification, revenue tracking).
• Operations, services, and activities of assigned division programs and functional areas.
• Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
• Advanced principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, effective presentation skills, and familiarity and comfort engaging with elected officials and the media.
• 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.
• Managing large, complex vehicles delivery projects during commissioning, preferably light rail.
• Performing high-level negotiations and partnering with project partners and key stakeholders, consultants, and contractors.
• Applying excellent oral and written communication techniques to inform and address concerns from various individuals ranging from Agency employees, consultants, contractors, the general public, elected officials, community leaders, and local, state, and federal agencies, and the media.
• Applying advanced project management, program development, and project control techniques and principles.
• 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.
• Conceptualizing, influencing, developing, and administering goals, objectives, guidelines, and procedures for the Vehicles Project.
• Identifying and responding to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs.
• Interpreting and applying applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Complaint resolution and problem solving.
• Presentation development and public speaking skills.
• Critical and strategic thinking.
• Preparing clear and concise administrative and financial data and reports.
• Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies and stakeholders.
• Developing and monitoring project budget, cost, and schedule.
• Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority.
• Researching accounts payable transactions and reconciling accounts payable problems.
• Ability to be onsite to oversee testing and commissioning activities, when appropriate.
• Planning and organizing work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Identifying and resolving general issues in a timely manner using sound judgment and effective oral and written communication.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Domain expertise in rail vehicles commissioning.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a hybrid and field environment.
• Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects 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. 

 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.