Deputy Executive Director - Community Engagement

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.
• 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 Deputy Executive Director - Community Engagement plans, directs, and manages the activities of the Community Engagement team, providing equitable, comprehensive, and strategic outreach and public involvement targeting stakeholder organizations, transit passengers, and community members to further advance the mission and goals of Sound Transit. Directs, prioritizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of Engagement managers and program leads to meet a high standard of performance. Establishes annual and long-term goals and objectives. Collaborates with project staff to ensure that all capital programs have appropriate support and resourcing for effective public involvement, community engagement, and outreach for all project phases from planning through construction and service activation. Oversees engagement functions and programs focused on new services and service changes, fare policy, safety, youth, transit-oriented development, and community engagement in operating corridors. Acts as a consultant to the Executive Director of Communications, Marketing, and Engagement (ED-CME) and the Chief Strategy Officer on matters related to public involvement and community outreach.

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.

• Develops and implements long-term public involvement and outreach strategy in collaboration with senior management, including Communications, Capital Delivery, Service Delivery, and Government Relations leadership, aligned to the agency's overall external affairs strategy.
• Establishes and oversees agency strategy for public involvement, engagement, and outreach for capital program activities in all corridors. Collaborates to ensure strategic alignment with internal partners including senior executives as appropriate.
• Ensures that community members affected by Sound Transit's capital program are provided clear and transparent communication, inclusive and meaningful opportunities for participation, and responsive customer service.
• Establishes and oversees agency strategy for public outreach and engagement for non-capital program areas including safety, fares, parking, transit-oriented development, youth-focused engagement, as well as community engagement in operating corridors.
• Oversees programmatic models and business processes to ensure that strong and consistent emphasis is placed on equitable and inclusive public participation and engagement.
• Manages the day-to-day performance of managers and program leads. Sets clear expectations, provides regular feedback on performance, and coaches employees for short- and long-term growth. Empowers direct reports and builds and maintains authentic relationships based on mutual trust.
• Holds employees accountable for results and deliverables. Ensures managers reporting to this position meet these same high standards for managing their direct reports.
• Supports the ED-CME by acting as a strategic partner for Department initiatives including annual budget creation, goal setting, and workforce planning.
• Works with Project Directors in Capital Delivery to develop annual budgets and forecast long-term community engagement needs: administers, maintains, and oversees the engagement budget; makes recommendations for staffing, equipment, technology, materials, and supplies; reviews and approves expenditures and implements adjustments.
• Develops the scope of consultant needs to create RFP/RFQ documents, guides procurement activities, tracks schedules and budgets, and coordinates with selected vendors to deliver needed products and services.
• Establishes effective peer-to-peer relationships and represents the Communications, Marketing and Engagement Department in Agency-wide forums as assigned.
• 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 Communications, Public Affairs, Public Administration, or closely related field; Ten years of experience in developing and implementing community outreach and public involvement plans including field work in construction and public involvement in planning and design; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Eight years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Deep understanding of the stakeholder communities within the central Puget Sound region which are affected by Sound Transit's capital program and service operations.
• Operations, services, activities, and best practices of public involvement/community outreach programs.
• Managing complex projects and issues in the public sphere; ability to use good judgment and adapt to rapidly changing political environment.
• Ability to produce high quality work in a timely way and to work on several projects simultaneously; and strong interpersonal skills required and ability to work cooperatively with other Sound Transit staff and diverse groups and individuals.
• Principles and practices of equitable and inclusive community engagement.
• Principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Public speaking principles and techniques for effective presentations to various audiences.
• Compliance regulations and standards including NEPA/SEPA.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Public sector procurement and contracting requirements.
• Customer service principles and practices.
• Methods and techniques of data collection, research, and report preparation.
• Principles and practices of program and project development and administration.
• 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.
• Developing and monitoring divisional and program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.
• 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.
• Developing and maintaining community partnerships.
• Responding tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, Agency staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility.
• Working effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
• Adapting appropriate oral and written communication techniques to various individuals ranging from Agency employees, the general public, elected officials, community leaders, and local, state, and federal agencies.

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 may require weekend and night shifts when construction issues arises at night or over a weekend.
• 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.