Deputy Division Director

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King County Metro has an exciting opportunity for our next Safety, Security & Quality Assurance Deputy Division Director. This leadership role will contribute to improving processes, help the organization make data driven decisions, and implement innovative initiatives and transformational policy and practice ensuring the success of the division support. This senior leader will report directly to the Division Director, complementing the director, coordinating internal workgroups, and leading support functions such as administrative, data, training, and base support functions. 

This is an exciting time to work at King County Metro Transit. We serve the fastest-growing transit market in the nation, enjoy a 93% customer satisfaction rate, and are creating an array of innovative mobility services for our riders. We are also building a zero-emission bus fleet and operating our region's light-rail system, which will expand three-fold in the next six years. Click here to see why it's worth working for King County. The diverse experiences and perspectives of our employees help us serve King County residents in an equitable and culturally responsive way.

About the Safety, Security & Quality Assurance Division

Metro Transit's Safety, Security & Quality Assurance Division

This dynamic and diverse team of professionals oversees multiple lines of business, each contributing to the division’s overarching goal of ensuring a safe, secure, and supportive transit environment. The division's key responsibilities include:

• Drug & Alcohol Program: Oversees policies and programs to prevent substance abuse in the workplace, ensuring compliance with federal and local regulations while maintaining safety standards.
• Operations Safety: Ensures the safe and compliant operation of Metro’s bus, rail, streetcar, water taxi, and contracted services, focusing on risk mitigation and incident prevention.
• Employee Health & Safety: Develops programs to protect employees from workplace hazards, promoting well-being and compliance with occupational safety regulations.
• Wellness: Implements initiatives to support employees' physical, mental, and emotional health, fostering a positive work environment and enhancing productivity.
• Physical Security: Manages contract security operations and ensures the protection of facilities, infrastructure, and assets, including access control, video surveillance, and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies.
• Life Safety & Emergency Management: Oversees Metro’s workplace violence prevention program and leads emergency preparedness, fire safety, evacuation planning, and incident response coordination.
• Safety, Security & Fare Enforcement (SaFE) Reform Initiative: Focuses on equitable and community-driven security practices, enhancing non-transit resources for customers in crisis, including support related to fares, homelessness, and mental health.
• Safety & Security Support Services: Provides frontline employees and leadership with on-site operational support, facility inspections, committee participation, and data-driven technical assistance.
• Safety & Security Auditing, Data, and Training: Ensures compliance with internal policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements, while fostering continuous improvement and customer confidence.
• Transit Safety & Security Academy: A professional development program designed to train frontline personnel and create career pathways into entry-level transit safety and security roles.

Through these programs and initiatives, the Safety, Security & Quality Assurance Division upholds Metro Transit’s commitment to safety, equity, and continuous improvement, ensuring a secure and thriving transit environment for all.

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 (ESJ) that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. As a Deputy Director, Safety, Security & Quality Assurance you will:

• Drive Operational Excellence & Collaboration: Align day-to-day functions across the Safety, Security & Quality Assurance Division, break down silos, unite cross-functional teams, and foster a culture of transparency and accountability to achieve shared goals.
• Lead & Inspire Teams: Build strong, diverse leadership teams, cultivate a positive and inclusive workplace, instill vision and purpose, and promote open dialogue and morale across the organization.
• Strategically Align Programs & Services: Ensure new initiatives and existing lines of business work cohesively to maximize impact and support Metro’s overarching goals.
• Measure & Optimize Performance: Develop and oversee key operational metrics, using data to evaluate progress, drive improvements, and ensure accountability.
• Implement Strategic Direction: Planning, process improvements, and policy initiatives, ensuring the division is aligned with Metro’s long-term vision and strategic objectives.
• Strengthen Labor Partnerships: Collaborate with labor unions to resolve challenges, foster productive labor-management relations, and address issues through proactive and solutions-focused dialogue.
• Oversee Budget & Resource Allocation: Manage the SSQA Division’s budget, strategically organizing resources to enhance programs, support planning efforts, and ensure financial sustainability.
• Advance the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan: Work closely with internal teams to keep the SSQA Strategic Plan on track, ensuring milestones and deadlines are met.
• Improve Business Systems & Decision-Making: Lead the development of new systems and processes that streamline operations, improve efficiency, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Other duties as assigned.

This is a high-impact leadership role that requires vision, adaptability, and a commitment to innovation, ensuring Metro’s Safety, Security & Quality Assurance Division continues to serve and protect employees, passengers, and communities equitably and effectively.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced leader with a strong operational background and a commitment to innovation, efficiency, and collaboration. The ideal candidate will bring:

• Proven Leadership in Operations & Service Adaptation: Experience leading operational functions and adapting products and services to effectively meet customer needs.
• Strong Financial Acumen: Expertise in developing, managing, and optimizing operating budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Commitment to Continuous Improvement: A track record of enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, and performance in alignment with strategic goals.
• Change Leadership & Trust Building: Demonstrated ability to navigate and lead teams through change, fostering transparency and building trust at all levels.
• Collaborative Relationship Management: A history of cultivating strong partnerships with internal teams, external stakeholders, and vendors to drive shared success.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting operational performance data to inform strategy and improvements.
• Courageous & Accountable Leadership: The ability to facilitate difficult conversations, create a culture of mutual accountability, and ensure teams are aligned in achieving goals.

This role requires strategic thinking, adaptability, and a strong leadership presence, ensuring operational excellence and continuous growth within the organization.

• Expertise in Project & Financial Management: Proven ability to lead complex projects, oversee budgets, and manage resources effectively to achieve organizational goals.
• Knowledge of Transit Safety & Security: Experience in public transportation systems, safety protocols, security operations, and governance.
• Commitment to Equity & Inclusion: A strong track record of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives with measurable, impactful outcomes.
• Political Acumen & Strategic Navigation: Skilled at operating within complex political environments, ensuring decisions align with organizational principles and values while driving positive change.
• Professional Certification: Possesses or can obtain Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) certification within three (3) years.

• Proven Change Leader: Skilled in driving organizational culture shifts that foster a healthier, more productive workplace.
• Safety & Security Expertise: Deep experience in managing safety and security programs, with a strong focus on frontline employee engagement.
• Growth-Oriented Mindset: Committed to continuous learning and professional development, both personally and for their teams.
• High Emotional Intelligence: Strong self-awareness, empathy, and active listening skills to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics.
• Transit Industry Experience: Background in large, multimodal transit agencies, adept at operating in politically sensitive and complex environments.
• Resilient & Adaptable: Thrives in dynamic, fast-paced settings, demonstrating agility in the face of ambiguity.
• Effective Communicator & Mediator: Excellent public speaking and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences. 

Core Competencies of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Customer-Centric Focus: Deep commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences and prioritizing stakeholder needs.
• Inspiring Cross-Functional Leadership: Skilled at uniting and motivating teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
• Resilient Change Agent: Leads with strength, endurance, and integrity, inspiring action and navigating challenges with composure.
• Servant Leadership Approach: Leads with empathy, transparency, and a people-first mindset, building trust and engagement.
• Agile & Adaptive: Quickly learns, adapts, and thrives within complex organizational structures, effectively managing change and uncertainty.

• Expert Facilitator & Accountability Driver: Skilled in leading tough conversations, fostering alignment, and ensuring follow-through.
• People-Centered Leadership: Strong track record of managing teams, building high-performing groups, and effectively engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Results-Driven & Data-Informed: Committed to operational excellence through a strategic, metrics-based approach.
• Large-Scale Project & Budget Management: Experienced in overseeing complex initiatives, optimizing processes, and implementing impactful programs.
• Adaptive & Agile Operator: Quickly learns and navigates intricate internal structures, adjusting strategies to drive success.
• Strategic Problem-Solver: Breaks down organizational silos, balances labor relations, and manages competing priorities with clarity and focus.
• Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of operating budgets, from creation to management and execution.
• Systems Thinker: Approaches challenges holistically, ensuring seamless integration across functions and teams.

• Trust Builder & Effective Communicator: Fosters strong relationships through approachability, emotional intelligence, and clear, open communication.
• Values-Driven Leadership: Acts with courage and integrity, consistently upholding King County Metro Transit's values of equity, inclusion, safety, and sustainability.
• Champion of Inclusion & Growth: Creates a respectful, inclusive culture that promotes team development, shared ownership, and continuous learning.
• Collaborative & Engaging Partner: Works seamlessly across teams and with external stakeholders to drive shared success.
• Transparent & Trustworthy Leader: Leads with honesty and accountability, building confidence and credibility at all levels.
• Team-Oriented & Supportive Colleague: Strengthens the organization by fostering collaboration, camaraderie, and collective success.

Application & Selection Process

• A completed Job Application (employment history should go back at least 10 years if you have 10 years of employment (or more to include all relevant experience). Resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed job application.
• Cover Letter detailing your background and describing how you meet or exceed the requirements (No more than 2 pages).
• Resume

All the application materials will be screened for qualifications, competitiveness, completeness, attention to detail and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks. 

This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. Regular work hours are Monday to Friday with occasional evening and weekend work required.

Non-Rep /Job Code 122010 /Grade 82 

The primary location of this position is in King Street Center (201 S. Jackson, Seattle, WA)

Teleworking Requirement

The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly in a hybrid work environment working in the office and at home. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact: Manal Tirhi, mtirhi@kingcounty.gov

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work, and play.

Guided by our "True North", 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 one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way, and we are responsible stewards. 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 race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. 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.