Seattle, Washington, Summary
We are seeking two highly motivated, detail-oriented individuals to join Metro’s Transit Speed and Reliability unit. These positions will work as subject matter experts pertaining to transportation engineering solutions and traffic operation analysis on transit capital projects. The ideal candidates have knowledge of both traffic engineering principles and transit operations and are great at problem solving. We are looking for results driven individuals who can work collaboratively with others across the organization and comfortably work in a team environment. Project management skills and experiences are a plus. The Engineer positions may involve project management for small to medium-sized projects related to next-gen TSP (Transit Signal Priority), hot spot Improvements, corridor improvements, trolley expansion and modification, and represent Metro in working on projects led by other jurisdictions to enhance existing or future bus operations and infrastructures. We currently have an opening for two positions as Engineer III/Engineer II depending on the skills of the applicant pool. This recruitment will also be used to establish an eligibility pool to fill future career service or vacated position, short term temporary, term-limited temporary, and/or special duty assignment opportunities within the Capital Division. The eligibility pool will be valid for 12 months upon creation, or until exhausted, at the discretion of the hiring authority. About Metro’s Transit Speed and Reliability Team The Transit Speed and Reliability team, in the Capital Planning section of Metro’s Capital Division, is a small team functioning in a high paced work environment. The team consists of transportation engineers and transportation planners with skills in project management, traffic operations engineering, traffic simulation modeling, transit planning, and capital planning. The team works with local jurisdictions on the implementation of transit preferential treatments along transit corridors, at spot locations, around transit hubs, and to support Metro’s service changes. The team has authored Metro’s Transit Speed & Reliability Guidelines & Strategies (Download PDF reader) and uses this document as a playbook for getting these types of projects built. The Engineers provide consultation to other Metro units/sections for transportation/traffic engineering solutions and also plan, design and implement Metro’s transit signal priority (TSP). Engineers are expected to work with local jurisdictions to negotiate TSP timings and strategies, working alongside Planners who identify needs and advocate for transit priority treatments on capital projects led by other agencies/partners. The Transit Speed and Reliability team conducts near and mid-term capital planning activities for projects related to the expansion and modification of Metro’s trolley bus network.
Job Duties
Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. You will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. In this role, you will: Engineer II
Conduct field observations, identify problems, develop improvement options for further analysis.
Conduct or review traffic analysis, travel time studies, intersection queuing analyses and level-of-service calculations using Synchro traffic signal optimization modeling or other modeling software consistent with accepted traffic engineering practice.
Under direction of the supervisor or senior staff, provide technical support and expertise in transportation engineering disciplines and apply concepts and techniques to unconventional engineering problems.
Use analysis results to lead the development of transit preferential improvements and low- cost operational improvements.
Act as a work-order project manager in working with on-call consultant(s). Develop a scope of work for analysis, review, negotiate consultant work orders and deliverables.
Prepare written reports, presentations, or summaries of traffic study results.
Prepare project recommendations to project leads, Program Managers, or Metro management for design and implementation.
Review engineering plans, drawings, specifications, contract documents, and engineering reports to identify potential transit improvement opportunities and/or incompatibilities with transit operations.
Plan, develop, negotiate, and administer formal agreements with local agencies, as required for the delivery of projects.
Uphold engineering ethics and standards of conduct in the performance of the job.
Gather technical information to help others in preparing grant applications seeking capital funding.
Actively engage in traffic engineering communities and participate in ongoing professional development to enhance technical skills.
Apply knowledge of MUTCD, HCM, NTCIP, and traffic engineering practices, codes and regulations
This position may be required to perform other related duties as assigned.
Engineer III (in addition to the above Engineer II duties)
Carry out complex or novel assignments requiring diversified knowledge of traffic engineering and/or planning principles and practices in broad areas of assignments.
Apply advanced traffic engineering and analysis techniques and the modification and extension of current theories, principles and practices.
Manage small to large scale speed and reliability corridor projects and trolley expansion/modification projects while interacting with others with a variety of backgrounds and disciplines (both within and external to Metro).
Lead an interdisciplinary team in technical matters pertaining to transit corridor planning, conceptual plan development, transportation engineering solutions, and trolley expansion/modification planning.
Interpret and administer policies and procedures to discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
Write reports and make presentations to large groups such as Metro management, Executive staff, and citizen groups.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, management, vendors, and staff from cities who partner with King County.
Influence stakeholder expectations through direct relationships
May function as a technical specialist or project lead.
This position may be required to perform other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications: Engineer II A Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering, or electrical engineering, or equivalent degree with focus on transportation, and a minimum of 2 years of hands on experience in design and/or implementation of transportation related projects, OR an equivalent of at least 6 years of professional experience related to one or more of the following kinds of improvements: development of coordinated signal timings; signal modifications and intersection reconfiguration; corridor rechannelization; parking impact studies; transit priority treatments including transit signal priority; traffic signal controller upgrades; and traffic communication system/ITS design.
Familiarity with transportation planning and traffic engineering techniques, principles, practices and issues.
Demonstrated ability to work independently on job tasks with guidance from senior Engineers.
Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information in written and visual forms to a variety of audiences (e.g. the public, co-workers, local jurisdictions, elected officials).
Demonstrated ability to facilitate work groups, lead technical work teams and effectively communicate with a variety of internal work groups and external audiences.
Ability to work as a team member in a supporting role in flexible environment
Ability to work with diverse individuals and customers and maintain effective relationships.
Candidates with the following skills will be given priority
Familiarity with transit operations, route planning, and bus scheduling fundamentals will be given priority.
Strong time management skills, ability to meet deadlines, and ability to respond to frequently changing work responsibilities
Experience in the preparation of engineering plans, technical specifications, cost estimates and bid documents.
Demonstrated skills in planning, facilitation, decision-making, analysis and reporting of transportation data, and the ability to apply analytical skills.
Minimum Qualifications: Engineer III (in addition to the above Engineer II qualifications) A Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering, or electrical engineering, or equivalent degree with focus on transportation, and a minimum of 4 years of increasing responsibilities in project management and hands on experience in design and/or implementation of transportation related projects, OR an equivalent of at least 9 years of professional experience related to one or more of the following kinds of improvements: development of coordinated signal timings; signal modification and intersection reconfiguration, corridor rechannelization; parking impact studies; transit priority treatments including transit signal priority; traffic signal controller upgrade; and traffic control center communication system design.
Experience and skill leading a multi-disciplinary project team.
Demonstrated skill in project management techniques and principles.
Ability to handle leading multiple projects simultaneously.
Knowledge of MUTCD, HCM, NTCIP, ITS standards and traffic engineering practices, codes and regulations.
Demonstrated hands on analytical capabilities and sound engineering judgment.
Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Ability to be innovative and make independent decisions.
Experience in the preparation of engineering plans, technical specifications, cost estimates and bid documents.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an ability to adjust communication style to fit the audience (which could range from City traffic engineers to members of the public).
Ability to handle politically sensitive issues.
Desired Qualifications: For Engineer II & Engineer III: Candidates with the following experiences will be given more consideration:
Experience in developing signal timing using Synchro and/or VISSIM
Experience in roadway geometry design and/or construction
Experience with the specific traffic signal systems used within King County, including Siemens, Econolite, and Intelight signal systems
Familiarity with MUTCD, HCM, NTCIP, ITS standards and traffic engineering practices, codes and regulations.
Engineering in Training (EIT) and/or Professional Engineering (PE) license
Actively involved in traffic engineering professional affiliations (e.g. Institute of Transportation Engineers)
Exhibit maturity and self-control, even in situations involving conflict or stress
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: A valid Washington State driver’s license or the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely manner. Please Note Specific Hourly Ranges Below
Engineer II: $40.7745 - $49.2934
Engineer III: $45.9079 - $55.4992