Bus Operations Division Director

about the opportunity, you are invited to contact our HR Manager, Angela Alcaraz, at aalcaraz@kingcounty.gov or (206) 263-2466. To learn more about the Metro Transit Department, visit kingcounty.gov/en/dept/metro/about. Job Duties Applying our ACTIVATE values - being Accountable, Collaborative, Timely, and Impactful; how we Value Employees; staying Accessible; building what's Trusted; and acting Equitably - is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees.

Our Bus Operations Division Director will: Provide strategic direction and leadership to the Bus Operations Division and deliver results. Guide the Division in executing its four strategic priorities: Operations, Workforce Development, Strategy and Planning and Alignment with King County Executive's Focus Areas. For more information, please refer to the Bus Operations Strategic Plan (2026-2030), available here: Bus Ops Strategic Plan_2026-2030.pdf .

Align the work performed with the vision and strategic goals of the Metro Transit Department. Build teams and foster a positive environment in diverse work environments while creating strong morale, instilling vision and purpose, and fostering open dialogue within the Bus Operations Division. Cultivate employee engagement and create developmental opportunities for all employees.

Lead employees and maintain the highest level of service for customers in a growing organization while managing the expansion of facilities, infrastructure, fleet size, and service - including the service growth funded by Metro's 2026-2027 budget. Work with a variety of stakeholders including internal Metro staff, Sound Transit executive leadership and staff, the City of Seattle, elected officials, law enforcement, other governmental agencies, transit customers, and the broader community to maintain current high standards of operations and contribute to Metro's Long Game.

Partner and collaborate with Metro divisions and across King County service divisions with the ultimate goal of providing and maintaining the highest quality of customer service. Develop and foster a commitment to safety and security across Bus Operations and the organization as a whole, including continued implementation of the SaFE Reform initiative.

Solve complex operating challenges and develop strategic solutions to uphold the organization's commitment to customer experience. Understand and manage the technical aspects of passenger service and communicate technical details with both internal and external stakeholders in a clear and concise manner. Develop relationships and treat all employees and customers equitably, with respect and dignity, and solve problems for the good of all.

Partner with unions to resolve problems and address labor-management issues in a collaborative manner. Develop and oversee the division budget; determine and allocate resources. Continue to demonstrate the value of public transit to grow capacity and resources, resulting in more service and measurable outcomes.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills Our ideal candidate is an accomplished top-level transit leader who embodies our commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging. We need someone who is decisive, proactive, and collaborative, with a proven ability to implement strategic plans aligned with our county's vision.

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate the following: A successful track record in senior leadership within a transit agency, particularly in service delivery and operations, and experience navigating complex policies, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. High-level management experience in operations and/or service delivery.

Are responsible stewards. Demonstrate financial acumen and a commitment to cost control. Expertise and knowledge about managing operations to conform with established labor regulations.

Demonstrable ability to lead the delivery of smooth operations through political and organizational change. Experience providing oversight through the innovation and testing of new mobility service delivery models. Are able to see clearly ahead, anticipate future consequences, effectively set priorities, and have the broad knowledge and perspective to articulate possibilities and spend time on what is important.

Core Competencies - Aligned to Our ACTIVATE Values The competencies below describe what ACTIVATE looks like in this role - the observable, repeatable behaviors we expect from the leader of Bus Operations. Accountable - Ownership : Facilitates difficult conversations and creates a culture of accountability; owns commitments and outcomes even when circumstances are difficult.

Collaborative - Partnership: Is an outstanding colleague who strengthens the team; partners effectively with unions, Sound Transit, the City of Seattle, and other stakeholders to get results. Timely - Delivery: Takes a results-oriented, data-driven approach to building operational excellence and delivering on commitments as the organization and its service grow.

Impactful - Systems Thinking: Thinks holistically about how systems function; solves complex operating challenges and develops strategic solutions that move the needle. Value Employees - People Leadership: Inspires action in others and leads by example; cultivates employee engagement and creates developmental opportunities across a diverse workforce.

Accessible - Communication: Understands and manages the technical aspects of passenger service and communicates clearly with both internal and external stakeholders. Trusted - Integrity: Demonstrates transparency and builds trust; shows the strength of character to lead through change with resilience and endurance. Equitable - Equity in Action: Courageously and consistently acts upon a strong set of core values aligned with King County Metro Transit's values, including those related to equity, race and other protected classes, safety, and sustainability.

Supplemental Information Those interested must submit: An online King County application, updated with accurate contact information and relevant work history going back at least 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all job duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly. Completed supplemental questions.

A letter of interest (cover letter) detailing why you are interested in this position and how you meet or exceed the qualifications. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request an accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or have questions, please contact the recruiter, Angela Alcaraz, at aalcaraz@kingcounty.gov Work Schedule This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Typical work hours are between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Employees may be required to work extended hours, weekends, and holidays. Must be available to work an altered schedule, including swing and graveyard shifts as needed, and be willing to be on-call when deemed necessary to respond to job responsibilities.

Work Location This position requires a minimum of 3 days per week onsite at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson Street, Seattle, WA) to support team collaboration, coaching, and in-person leadership presence, consistent with King County Metro's hybrid work expectations for supervisory roles. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Safety Responsibility: Managers - Fully support this program and its proper implementation - Create a positive safety culture where employees are engaged in safety practices and processes - Resolve hazards and safety concerns within their purview - Ensure that SMS is implemented and executed within their area(s) of responsibility - Ensure that performance of SMS is measured and documented in all areas - Needs necessary for employees to perform job duties are communicated to the Accountable Executive and considered in resource requests - Provide time necessary for employees to receive sufficient training - Establish accountability and corrective actions Our Commitment to You Guided by our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE values, we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.

We value diversity, inclusion, and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal, we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest-quality workforce in our region - a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles: we are Accountable, we are Collaborative, we are Timely, we are Impactful, we Value Employees, we are Accessible, we are Trusted, and we are Equitable.

We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans. King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class.

However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us. King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact.

As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here .

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs: Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-com