Transit Physical Security Superintendent (SDA)

King County -
Seattle, WA

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Job Details

$133,674.94 - $161,602.90 a year
11 days ago

Qualifications

Staff supervision
Managing physical security teams
Conducting hazard assessments
Strategic goal setting
National Incident Management System Introduction (NIMS-700)
Security team coordination
Incident management
Team supervision
Safety regulations
Coaching
CCTV
Incident management software
Software implementation
Software administration
Performance management
System maintenance
Inclusive leadership practices
Team development
Driver's License
Technology management
Continuous improvement
Physical security risk assessment
Public safety procedures
Microsoft Teams
SharePoint
System development
Systems & applications support
Occupational safety risk assessments
Legal compliance
Staffing management

Full Job Description

Summary

*This opportunity is open to King County Employees who have passed the probationary period for their current career service position.*

The Safety, Security, and Quality Assurance Division (SSQA) at King County Metro Transit is seeking an experienced leader to become the next Physical Security Superintendent. This Special Duty Assignment (SDA) is expected to have a duration of one year, with the possibility of extension.

The Physical Security Superintendent guides Metro’s systemwide physical security strategy and programs to ensure the protection of riders, employees, facilities, and transit assets. In this role, you will oversee key teams responsible for security assessment and implementation, fare adjudication, and contract security services, while advancing security technologies, coordinating responses to incidents, and fostering a culture of preparedness. By driving continuous improvement, maintaining regulatory compliance, and strengthening partnerships across Metro and with external agencies, you will help build a safe, resilient, and equitable transit system.

Safety, Security & Quality Assurance Mission: We provide leadership and the highest level of support and customer focus to continuously improve Metro’s safety culture and security practices in order to best protect Metro employees, patrons and the communities we serve from harm.

Recruitment info: This recruitment will be used to fill a one-year SDA as the Transit Physical Security Superintendent. This recruitment may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future SDA vacancies that may occur in this classification and workgroup. If created, the eligibility pool may be retained up to 12 months from the date of posting and utilized at the discretion of the hiring authority.

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:

Lead and manage the Physical Security workgroup by setting strategic direction, operational priorities, goals, and performance expectations.
Supervise, coach, and develop staff across multiple security-related programs, including hiring, performance management, development, and labor-relations support.
Oversee threat, hazard, and risk assessments related to workplace violence, criminal activity, system vulnerabilities, and other transit specific security concerns.
Direct the development and implementation of physical security plans, procedures, and protocols, including access control, surveillance, and CPTED strategies.
Manage the selection, deployment, and lifecycle of security technologies and systems related to access control, video surveillance, alarms, and related infrastructure.
Provide leadership during security incidents and emergency activations, ensuring coordinated response, timely decision-making, and effective communication.
Oversee Contract Security Services, including performance oversight of 200+ Transit Security Officers and administration of related service contracts.
Support the Fare Adjudication Program in ensuring fair, consistent, and equitable handling of fare citations and related customer concerns.
Conduct and review after-action reports to identify lessons learned and implement corrective actions that strengthen system safety and security.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations related to physical security, emergency management, and transit operations.
Administer and manage program budgets, including forecasting, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
Develop and deliver security-related training for employees, contractors, and partner agencies to promote preparedness and resilience.
Coordinate with law enforcement, emergency management agencies, transit operations, and other internal and external partners to support systemwide security initiatives.
Track and report on program performance, trends, and outcomes, preparing briefings and recommendations for Transit leadership.
Oversee investigations of security incidents involving threats, vandalism, workplace violence, or other events impacting Metro facilities, assets, employees, and/or riders.
Operate in accordance with federal, state, and local standards, NIMS (National Incident Management System) standards, and coordinate with Metro's agency partners (Police, Fire, Emergency Management Services, APTA, TSA, Homeland Security, etc.).
Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate the following minimum qualifications:

Progressively responsible experience in security operations, physical security, emergency management, or another closely related discipline, AND a bachelor's degree in Security Management, Emergency Management, and/or Public Safety, OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work.
Experience administering physical security systems and comprehensive security programs for a medium- to large-size agency, including the assessment, planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of security applications, software, and hardware.
Experience supervising teams, coaching staff, managing performance, and fostering an inclusive, high performing workplace culture.
Knowledge of physical security principles, including facility design, security systems, video storage and transmission, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations for transit security and preparedness.
Knowledge of the full scope of local, state, and federal codes and regulations that apply to bus and rail system security, employee security, and preparedness.
Ability to identify hazards, assess risk, and implement effective security mitigations in complex environments.
Skill in building partnerships and coordinating effectively with internal departments and external agencies during planning and response efforts.
Ability to clearly communicate complex information to diverse audiences, including frontline staff, leadership, and external partners.
Ability to develop actionable strategies that support organizational goals and continuous improvement.
Ability to stay calm, make sound decisions, and lead effectively during high-pressure situations.
Proficiency with technology and management platforms such as WebEOC, Power BI, and Microsoft Office (SharePoint, Teams, Excel, Word, Outlook).

License and Certification Requirements:

Must be certified in Incident Command System (ICS) courses 100, 200, and 700 by the time of offer. Courses may be taken online using the provided links, and at https://training.fema.gov (Course codes IS-100.c, IS-200.c, IS-700.b).
A Washington State driver’s license and an acceptable driving record is required.

Desirable qualifications include:

Additional training or credentials in incident management or security design, such as NIMS/ICS courses, Critical Incident Management, CPTED certification, or the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credential.
Knowledge of physical security frameworks, regulations, and best practices for transit or large public agencies, including experience applying local, state, and federal requirements for bus and rail security and emergency management.
Professional experience developing, implementing, and maintaining physical or operational security programs, including facility hardening, video surveillance, and access control systems.
Experience with transit agency operations, policies, and procedures, or security planning in a transportation environment.
Skill in planning, managing, and administering complex programs, projects, and budgets.

Supplemental Information

Who may apply: We are only accepting applications from King County Employees who have passed the probationary period for their current career service position.

How 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 an accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions, please contact: Emily Clark, Senior Talent Advisor, at [email protected]

The following application materials are required:

An online King County application, updated with accurate contact information, and all relevant work history going back 10 years (or more, if necessary), with thoroughly detailed job duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly.
Respond to all supplemental questions.
Write and attach a cover letter. Only the first two pages of your letter will be reviewed.

Applications submitted without the required application materials listed above will be deemed incomplete and be removed from consideration. Additional attachments, such as resumes or certificates, will not be reviewed. Please ensure all relevant information is included in the application materials listed above. Professional development resources such as trainings, tips, templates, and examples can be found on King County's Workforce Development website.

Selection Process:

Applications will be screened to determine whether eligible candidates meet the minimum qualifications, as well as for competitiveness, completeness, and responsiveness to the instructions within this job posting. The most competitive applicants may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any required pre-employment processes, such as an internal King County record review, a driver’s abstract review, and criminal background check. Pay for SDAs will be in accordance with the Personnel Guidelines or the selected employee's collective bargaining agreement.

Driver’s Abstract Review: Applicants must possess a valid driver's license with acceptable five-year driving record (to be verified via a Driver’s Abstract review prior to employment). Any of the following violations in the last five years will automatically disqualify candidates under consideration:

Reckless or negligent driving, including any conviction for reckless or negligent operation of a motor vehicle
Driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated, or any alcohol/drug-related driving offenses, including test refusals and open container violations.
Any citation or conviction for hit and run, or leaving the scene of an accident.
Vehicular homicide or vehicular assault.
Multiple at-fault accidents (does not include non-at fault accidents)
Multiple moving violations
Any license suspension, revocation, cancellation, restrictions, or disqualification based on a traffic or moving violation (such as an ignition interlock device requirement)
Any other driving record incidents or occurrences that provide a reasonable basis to question the applicant's ability to provide safe and public transportation

Background Check Requirement: Where the criminal conviction relates reasonably to the fitness to perform the job duties, Metro Transit has a responsibility to ensure a safe and reliable public transportation system for its passengers and its employees. The following criminal convictions may establish an impermissible nexus with positions that require interaction with the general public and/or, unsupervised access to other employees or the general public and/or, responsibility for the maintenance and safety of Metro Transit property:

Crimes of a sexual nature committed against an individual including, but not limited to, rape, child molestation, and unlawful sexual acts.
Any crime of a sexual nature that results in inclusion on the national sex offender registry.
Crimes involving violent or assaultive behavior including, but not limited to, murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, assault, battery, kidnapping, extortion, carrying or use of a deadly weapon.
Crimes involving the physical control, sale, use, transportation of controlled substances, and/or operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Note – the nexus of prior misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor
Convictions related to marijuana should be evaluated carefully in light of SB 5605, Misdemeanor Vacating for Marijuana.
Crimes involving dishonesty such as fraud, embezzlement, the mishandling, theft, and/or the misappropriation of funds or property, or possession of stolen property.
Crimes involving serious or repeated discrimination or harassment based on race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation (municipal law applies in Seattle).

The above do not constitute a comprehensive list of convictions with a potential nexus to Metro Transit classifications, nor do they automatically disqualify an applicant from further employment consideration. For additional information please refer to: RCW 43.43.830

Work Schedule and Location:
This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime. The standard schedule is a 40-hour workweek, normally 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with required afterhours and weekend availability as operational needs arise. This role also participates in the on-call rotation within the other KCM Safety and Security Sections.

This position requires a minimum of three (3) days per week onsite to support team collaboration, coaching, and in-person leadership presence, consistent with King County Metro's hybrid work expectations for supervisory roles. Onsite days will include Wednesdays, and either Monday or Friday each week. This schedule may change based on business needs. The primary onsite location is King Street Center (201 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104), although work requires travel throughout the Metro service area as required. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities and must reside in Washington State within a reasonable distance of their assigned worksite to meet reporting requirements.

Union membership: Professional and Technical Employees Local 17 - Superintendents Unit (C5)

Classification/ code: Transit Superintendent- Safety and Security 8712260

King County’s work is inspired and guided every day by our mission to make King County a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient region where every individual and community is safe, connected, housed, healthy, and empowered to succeed. 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.

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.

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Summary

Job Duties

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Supplemental Information

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