Summary

Are you looking for a career in facilitation and engagement?
Do you have experience in developing public or employee involvement processes?
Do you feel at home in front of an audience?
Do you speak another language besides English?

If you are interested in helping the public have their say and make a difference in the services we offer, we have an opportunity for you!

King County Metro Transit seeks a communicator who can translate complex facts and figures into understandable messages. They will design and facilitate processes that engage people in shaping our decisions so we build our system and deliver transportation services that matter to our customers and the region.
Job Duties

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Build, strengthen, and manage collaborative and constructive relationships with our customers, stakeholders, and the diverse communities we serve to achieve important customer, community, and agency outcomes;
• Design and facilitate inclusive outreach and involvement programs which increase public participation, influence decision-making; and
• Ensure the diverse voices of King County’s marginalized populations are equitably heard and considered in capital, service, and program planning.
• Facilitate members of the public and employees, historically underrepresented people and organizations, and stakeholders in one-on-one conversation, small and large group settings, and through various participatory methods to provide meaningful feedback to decision-makers and make collaborative decisions.
• Use conflict management skills to manage diversity and understand others; deal effectively with all races, nationalities, cultures, disabilities, ages and both sexes; and understand why groups do what they do.
• Use your intellectual horsepower and political savvy to maneuver through complex political situations, anticipate where the land mines are, and plan communication and engagement approaches accordingly; deal comfortably with senior managers and the public without undue tension and nervousness.
• Use listening, facilitation, planning and organizing skills to both receive and deliver the creative ideas of others to the forefront; relate well to all kinds of people and get messages across in a variety of communication settings and styles.
• Use strategic agility to anticipate future consequences and trends accurately; and articulately paint credible pictures and visions of possibilities and likelihoods.
• Transform complex information in to simple, understandable words, digital, and print media to help people understand issues being considered, how their input will make a difference, provide informed feedback, and reflect back how their participation influenced outcomes.

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees.The Senior Communications & Public Engagement Planner IV will be expected to model and apply equity and social justice shared values, behaviors, and practices across all job duties.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

We are looking for candidates who have the following qualifications: 

• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in public engagement and community relations,
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience that provides the skills, knowledge and abilities perform the key roles and responsibilities of the position.

They must also be skilled people leaders who are/have: 

• Demonstrated experience building effective cross-functional teams in diverse work environments while creating strong morale, instilling vision and purpose, and fostering dialog.
• Skilled in dealing with paradox, and are very flexible and adaptable when facing tough calls.
• Knowledge and know how to build relationships and treat all employees and customers equitably, with respect and dignity, as well as solve problems for the good of all.

The following skills are desirable but not required:

• Fluency in one of King County’s top languages – referred to as Tier 1 or Tier 2 languages in the County’s Executive Order on Translation (Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Somali, Ukrainian, Amharic, Punjabi)
• Knowledge of local community issues and/or relationships with community-based organizations, community leaders and government agencies in the Puget Sound Region
• Knowledge of transportation issues and projects and experience involving the public in shaping transportation and capital planning.

Supplemental Information

King County values diverse perspectives, life experiences, and differences. King County Metro Transit encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.   We are committed to being equitable and fair in providing equal access to opportunities for all.

Who May Apply 
This position is open to all King County employees and the general public.

NOTE:  This posting will also be used to create a pool of qualified candidates for other similar career service or temporary positions in the event such positions arise in the ensuing twelve month period.