Senior Community Engagement Specialist

Salary range is $60k to $140k, with a midpoint of $95k. 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.
• 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.
• 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.

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

Under general direction, the Senior Community Engagement Specialist devises, coordinates, and oversees passenger-focused engagement and public involvement initiatives with a focus on major changes to passenger experience; serves as subject matter expert on Sound Transit fares and services; may act as lead for the Agency’s Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program; develops and project manages comprehensive public involvement/engagement plans related to major service changes, activation of new service lines, or fare changes; creates materials for communicating complex technical information to the public via a variety of channels; manages consultant resources as needed on specific projects and programs; builds and maintains relationships with transit partners, major employers, and stakeholder groups as assigned; serves as a liaison and point of contact between Sound Transit and members of the community; responds to public inquiries and constituent concerns; manages engagement budget for assigned projects and programs, and plans and staffs a variety of outreach and engagement events. 

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.

• Oversees engagement and public involvement initiatives with multi-disciplinary teams in assigned areas including proposed service changes and fare changes; serves as lead and project manager for assigned projects and develops and implements strategic communications and outreach plans including for public comment processes.
• Evaluates their work through a lens of social and racial equity. Applies equity and social justice principles. In this role, Senior Engagement Specialists will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work on a daily basis.
• Develops and leads strategies, goals, and objectives for public involvement, public information, and community relations programs and activities; coordinates, schedules, assigns, and inspects work activities and project deliverables to meet established standards. 
• Serves as subject-matter expert on Sound Transit services, including deep knowledge of transit network, as well as regional ORCA card program, including pass types and pricing structures.
• Keeps abreast of agency service expansions, service change proposals, fare changes, ORCA program changes, agency developments, marketing opportunities, major business relocations and transit partner changes; identifies opportunities to promote Sound Transit services in a timely manner.
• Attends and participates in meetings and committees related to engagement projects; represents assigned projects by parti