Salary range is $95k to $175k, with a midpoint of $135k.  New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

The Station Area Planning Manager leads a high-performing team of staff to ensure that Sound Transit stations seamlessly integrate into the communities they serve, support the long-term land use visions of our city partners, and provide high-quality, safe, and convenient access to passengers.

Under general direction, manages the agency’s station area planning program and ensures the integration of programmatic elements into project development at the corridor level; supports capital program delivery by developing and executing plans and strategies to deliver station area planning, multimodal access, transit integration, vehicle parking, and early transit-oriented development (TOD) analysis; delivers a cohesive approach to transit agency station area planning, with emphasis on maintaining internal and external stakeholder relations; administers station area planning programs, including coordinating and managing consultant assignments; develops and coaches station area planning staff; and participates on Agency or external committees to address initiatives of broader Agency interest.

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.

• Manage the station area planning program to support and implement agency policies and applicable statutes regarding land use, urban design, multimodal access, transit integration, and equitable transit-oriented development. Ensure the program aligns with agency processes and procedures for project development and delivery.

• Identify, plan, and manage staff and consultant resources for station area planning program activities, with an emphasis on corridor land use planning, urban design, multimodal access, and transit integration throughout capital project development and inclusive of existing stations and facilities already in operation.

• Develop and deploy station area planning tools and processes, including stakeholder engagement activities like workshop and charrette facilitation.

• Ensure consistency on the development and implementation of station area planning approaches and strategies across all geographic corridors and focuses on integrating the agency’s equitable TOD and system access program goals into project planning and delivery.

• Coach, train, and motivate staff; coordinate and/or provide staff training; and manage employee relations; manage the workflow and prioritization of projects and measure the performance of the station area planning program; provide advice and counsel to staff; develop developmental work plans for staff; implement or recommend corrective actions, discipline, and termination procedures as appropriate/necessary.

• Engage and partner externally with cities, partner agencies, the real estate development community, and key stakeholders to implement the program.

• Serve on the Office of Planning & Integration’s management team and provide strategic support and leadership to the Office’s entire work program.

• Serve as Agency’s subject matter expert for station area planning procedures and guidelines across lines of business; work effectively across agency departments to align resources and activities to support program implementation.

• Coordinate with other Sound Transit staff on capital or planning projects with regional interests to land use, urban design, multimodal access, and transit integration activities; interacts, shares knowledge, and negotiates across organizational boundaries, with other local, state, and federal partners, and private developers to create collaborative relationships and completed projects.

• Develop methods, techniques, and processes for researching, evaluating, and/or obtaining project opportunities and results related to station area planning opportunities to increase potential transit ridership and create residential and employment densities at stations/facilities.

• Prepare periodic station area planning program reports for agency leadership, Board of Directors, elected officials, and external audiences; briefs superiors and elected officials as needed.

• Support Office leadership and Department Executive Director on strategic planning and project implementation; ensure processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensure accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.

• Serve as staff on a variety of committees; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to station area planning and multimodal access; incorporates new developments as appropriate.

• Champion and model Sound Transit’s core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.

• Contribute 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 urban planning, urban studies, land use planning, transportation planning, public administration, landscape architecture, architecture, or closely related field. Five years of experience in urban planning, urban design, transportation planning large-scale capital project development or implementation, community planning and three years of leadership, budgetary, planning, project and workforce management experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

None.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Urban and transportation planning concepts, practices, procedures, and policy issues, including station area planning, land use planning, urban design, and multimodal access.

• Local and national public policies applicable to station area planning.

• People management techniques and principles.

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

• Principles and practices of program development and administration.

• Meeting/charrette design and facilitation.

• General project management/coordination techniques and principles.

• Principles and practices of major transportation capital project development, design, and construction, including nuances between project delivery methods.

• Community engagement principles and approaches.

• Managing large, complex projects and making decisions in a fast-paced environment.

• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.

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

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

• Negotiation principles and practices.

• Principles and practices of customer service.

• 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.

• Overseeing, coordinating, and managing the services and activities of station area planning.

• Supporting projects and making decisions in fast-paced, difficult environments.

• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.

• Maintaining confidentiality and communicating with tact and diplomacy.

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

• Researching, analyzing, and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.

• Applying project management/coordinator techniques and principles.

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

• Monitoring and/or coordinating program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a standard office 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)