King County

Summary

Learn how Metro connects you with what matters

King County Metro Transit’s Rail Division has a great opportunity for an innovative communications specialist to fulfill the role of Internal Communications Manager (Communications Specialist IV). If you are ready to make a significant impact in the public transit sector by driving effective change through internal communications, we want to hear from you!

We are looking for someone to act as a key leader for internal communication efforts within the Rail Division. The most competitive candidates will use their application to demonstrate an ability to identify the communication needs of the Division, create and implement a communications strategic plan, delegate and lead a small team for success, and utilize creative approaches to communicate effectively to diverse audiences.

In this role, you will provide a high level of communications expertise and supervise a team focused on internal communications. This role is responsible for developing and implementing strategic communication plans to effectively share information across a large, primarily deskless workforce and utilize communications as a tool support employee engagement and foster a culture of care. The focus is on ensuring that all messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned with the organization's values and strategic goals.

Acting as a key leader in communication efforts, this position works closely with employees from across the Rail Division and partners with stakeholders from King County Metro and Sound Transit. Collaboration across these groups seeks to create communication frameworks that foster engagement, transparency, and alignment. This role is critical to advancing Metro’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging, ensuring that these principles guide both our internal operations and external services. You will apply equity, inclusion, and belonging principles to all aspects of your work, exemplifying shared values and fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and supported.

About King County Metro Transit

King County Metro Transit is a regional leader in helping people move quickly throughout the region, reducing commuter stress, greening the environment and radically improving urban air quality, by providing comfortable, effective transit services for the thousands of commuters and other residents of King County, Washington. Working for Metro means working for a leader in this public transportation industry. Metro was named Outstanding Public Transportation System of 2018 by APTA, the American Public Transportation Association.

About Link Light Rail

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link light rail service and City of Seattle’s streetcar system. Link light rail currently spans a 33-mile route from SeaTac to Lynnwood and a 6.6-mile route from Redmond to South Bellevue. By the end of 2026, light rail is projected to expand to nearly 60 route miles, adding seven new stations. Additional expansions to the Link system will be coming online for years to come.

Seattle Streetcar includes the 1.3 mile South Lake Union line and the 2.5 mile First Hill line, proudly serving the diverse and vibrant communities around Seattle’s downtown core. These rail services complement Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services. Puget Sound transit agencies are collaborating to create an integrated transit network that enables people to travel farther, faster, and easier.

Who May Apply

This opportunity is for one (1) career service position and is open to internal candidates and the general public. This recruitment may be used to establish an eligibility list to fill future career service vacancies in this classification that may occur over the next twelve (12) months, at the hiring manager's discretion.

King County is a vibrant community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures. Together, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. We continue to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking, and continuous improvement.

With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all our residents, regardless of their race or income. All these qualities make this King County one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Job Duties

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 that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of this work. As the Internal Communications Manager, you will also:

• Develop and Execute Internal Communications Strategies
  • Formulate and implement comprehensive strategic communication plans that include talking points, employee messages, newsletters, and other materials to enhance transparency and engagement.
  • Proactively identify opportunities to expand communication and improve employee morale.
  • Ensure all communication efforts align with the Rail Division values, mission, and strategic priorities
  • Identify opportunities to adopt new technology and/or innovative approaches to internal communication.
• Create and Manage Employee Communication
  • Research, write, edit, and coordinate the production of internal communication materials, ensuring they are clear, consistent, and aligned with agency goals.
  • Coordinate content review and approvals from key collaborators.
  • Plan and facilitate employee engagement activities such as town halls and focus groups.
• Foster Collaboration
  • Build strong partnerships with teams from across the Rail Division. This includes being in the field and engaging in-person with employees who work multiple shifts and report to multiple bases.
  • Act as a connector between teams to promote collaboration and alignment across the Rail Division.
  • Identify efficiencies in communication methods across the Rail Division to achieve the maximum value of each communication product.
  • Apply a holistic lens to internal communications, seeking opportunities to tell a “big picture” story that employees can see themselves within.
• Support Change Management
  • Foster a culture of open communication, collaboration, and innovation that supports ongoing organizational change.
  • Develop strategies to support and engage employees during transitions or new initiatives.
  • Coach leaders and executive sponsors on effective communication during periods of change or uncertainty.
• Drive Continuous Improvement
  • Identify opportunities for process enhancements and implement best practices to improve organizational effectiveness.
  • Lead efforts to leverage data, employee feedback, and lessons learned to drive meaningful improvements across the division.
• Supervise Direct Reports, Delegate Tasks, and Manage Deliverables
  • Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of communication projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and meet organizational objectives.
  • Mentor and coach direct reports, support the creation of reasonable and obtainable work plans, and delegate tasks.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

We are looking for candidates who have the following:

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communications and employee engagement OR a combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties effectively.

Supervision

• Experience supervising direct reports, including coaching and delegation of tasks OR a combination of experience that demonstrates the ability to supervise others
• Experience leading projects and/or work groups that include members from diverse audiences.

Communication & Collaboration

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences, including employees, consultants, and leadership.
• Ability to translate technical information for non-technical audiences.
• Experience creating and utilizing style guides and branding standards in written and graphic communications.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive projects

Project & Time Management

• Proven ability to manage complex projects involving diverse teams and colleagues while ensuring effective communication across multiple audiences.
• Strong project management skills, including time management, organization, and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to take initiative, multitask, and work effectively in high-pressure situations with shifting priorities.

Equity & Inclusion

• Deep understanding of equity and social justice principles, including the impact of race, gender, policy, and systemic inequities on marginalized communities.
• Commitment to applying an equity lens to communication strategies and organizational change efforts.

Collaboration & Problem-Solving

• Demonstrated ability to work independently while also fostering strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external colleagues.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to evolving priorities.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse colleagues.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Teams, SharePoint, and PowerPoint.
• Experience using up-to-date communications technology and platforms that support engagement with a large, primarily deskless workforce.

Highly competitive candidates will have (desired, but not required):

• Professional experience in a non-profit/public organization and/or in a unionized environment.
• Advanced knowledge of and experience in internal communications, employee engagement, change management and/or project management.
• Proven experience applying equity and social justice principles and practices within a, public sector setting.
• Proven experience communicating with a deskless workforce and/or employees with limited computer proficiency.
• Proven experience in writing and developing clear, concise, and impactful communications for senior leadership, including reports, presentations, and strategic documents.
• Experience in continuous improvement, strategic planning, and program development, with a focus on integrating anti-bias and pro-equity practices related to gender, race, and other protected classes.
• Project/Program Management or Change Management certifications.

Licensing, Certification, and Other Requirements

• Travel to work locations throughout King County with limited or no public transportation services is required. A valid Washington State Driver's License is required to operate King County vehicles.
• Some licenses, certifications, and other requirements determined necessary to meet the business needs of the employing unit may be required.

Supplemental Information

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).
• Resume
• Letter of Interest indicating how you meet the qualifications, why you are interested in this position and in working for Rail (no more than 2 pages).
• Answer the supplemental questions

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

Work Schedule

This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay. The workweek is normally Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, with additional hours as necessary, including evenings and weekends.

Work Location

Primary location is at the Operations and Maintenance Facility - Central (OMFC) at 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA. Some work at other Rail Division worksites may be required at times, including out of Operations and Maintenance Facility - East (OMFE) at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA.

This position is eligible for hybrid work with approximately three (3) days on-site required per week.

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.

Union Representation/Job Code/Grade

PROTEC17/252405/64

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: Jacky Lu at jacky.lu@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.

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-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

Read Full Description