Senior Project Manager - Right of Way Engineering (Term-Limited)

Salary range is $81k to $186k with a midpoint of $133k. 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 discount.
• 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.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• 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.

This is a term-limited position of 5 years.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction of Principal ROW Manager and Project specific Corridor Design Managers, applies advanced level principles and practices related to Right-of-Way (ROW). Provides direction and oversight to Senior ROW Technical Project Specialists staff and Consultants in identification and determination of property rights, delivery of Civil Certification and appraisal deliverables, and other associated deliverables to secure necessary rights for construction, operation and maintenance of Sound Transit facilities. Performs advanced ROW duties such as standards development and process administration. May support assignments to multiple projects or division tasks as directed by the ROW Manager.

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.

• Serves as the agency lead in ensuring necessary and appropriate property rights are obtained to support design, construction, operation, and maintainability of ST facilities, modes and systems.
• Oversees ROW related scope-of-work task requirements for consultants based on design phases and construction delivery methods.
• Provides oversight and guidance to Consultants who are responsible for identification and determination of property rights, delivery of internal Civil Certification and the associated deliverables for appraisal, as well as review and verification of project deliverables such as plans, specifications, general and special conditions, project requirements, scope of work, estimates, schedules, and other documentation in conformance with the agency ROW manual and best practices.
• Provides technical ROW support and oversight of development of technical property acquisition documents needed for private property owners, third parties, including state and local agencies, and utilities for the delivery of assigned projects during the design phase and construction phase, and construction close-out phase.
• Establishes ROW standards development and process administration.
• Oversees other ST departments and staff in implementation of ROW practices and other Agency policies and processes.
• Ensures quality practices and ROW processes are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively.
• Ensures ROW rights are identified and addressed including street vacations, property transfers, and agency rights within State and City Right-of-Ways.
• Oversees and provides guidance on the Right-of-Entry (ROE) process, including identifying ROE types, modifying forms and approving ROE forms.
• Facilitates the development of WSDOT Temporary Construction Airspace Lease and Airspace Lease exhibits and supporting documents necessary for construction and operation of Sound Transit facilities.
• Supports preparation of the Real Property Acquisition Plan (RAP) in relation to ST, WSDOT, and other 3rd Party Agency ROW and interests.
• Represents ROW in negotiations with property owners, in mediations, and in trials; works with Construction Management and Outreach during construction to interpret property rights, interface with the private property owners, investigate property owner claims, and administer temporary construction easements.
• After construction, works with Agency Operations and Facilities to interpret property rights acquired from private properties, to develop property maintenance plans, and to negotiate access agreements with property owners.
• Champions & models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity & 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 Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Field Surveying, Land & Property Development or closely related field. Five years of experience in civil/architectural engineering design, construction, and/or land development experience that includes significant experience with developing and understanding project design plans, specifications, and property related documents such as deeds, easements, agreements, covenants and restrictions, plats, parcel maps, and legal descriptions; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid Professional Civil Engineer License or Land Surveyor License issued by the State of Washington.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to work independently and demonstrate effective time management skills
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Ability to collaborate with others and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Advanced skill in reviewing and interpreting complex engineering plans, drawings, specifications, contract documents, property agreements and easements and engineering reports for conformance to professional standards and approved budgets.
• Advanced ability to develop, interpret and administer ROW policies and procedures.
• Demonstrating a positive customer service orientation with both internal and external clients.
• Strong written and oral communication skills to effectively and accurately convey complex technical information them.
• Applying project management techniques and principles and defining a detailed project scope as a means of achieving overall project objectives.
• Presentation development and public speaking skills.
• Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong understanding of Real estate principles and practices, property rights, outside agency real estate practices, outside agency engineering practices and standards; property acquisition under condemnation, State Laws (RCWs) related to property rights.
• Operations, services, and activities of engineering and construction programs.
• Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of civil engineering.
• Advanced knowledge of engineering consulting services and methods including cost estimates, plans, and specifications.
• Advanced understanding of surveys, legal descriptions, parcel and assessors maps, title reports, and deeds.
• Performing negotiations and partnering with local jurisdictions and agencies, utilities, contractors, and community groups.
• Risk assessment and strategic planning.
• Advanced understanding of Federal, State, and local codes and regulations.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard office environment, in outside meetings, jurisdiction offices, and at construction jobsites.
• This position is responsible for visiting active construction sites; may be subject to bending, climbing, crawling, eye/hand coordination, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, sitting, standing, talking, seeing, walking, carrying and lifting of objects up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to safely navigate a construction site where surfaces are uneven, conditions are not yet to code, and alertness is required due to heavy equipment use in the vicinity.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• 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.