Wellness Program Manager

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We are only accepting applications from current King County Employees.

King County Metro Transit's Safety, Security, and Quality Assurance Division is seeking an innovative and collaborative individual to join the Wellness Program team as a Wellness Program Manager (PPM III). This role offers the opportunity to shape innovative wellness services, partner across divisions and countywide programs, and champion a culture of health that supports Metro employees in bringing their best selves to work every day.

Reporting to the Transit Safety and Security Manager, the Wellness Program Manager (PPM III) is part of a team responsible for overseeing, leading, and managing Metro's wellness program. This includes setting a vision and direction for employee wellness needs and programming, leading and collaborating with staff in developing and delivering work plans, and partnering with King County's employee wellness, benefit programs, and Metro divisions. This position will be responsible for working directly with the Employee Services Division and leaders to translate vision into actionable work plans, timelines, and deliverables.

This is an exciting time to work at King County Metro Transit. We serve the fastest-growing transit market in the nation, enjoy a 93% customer satisfaction rate, and are creating an array of innovative mobility services for our riders. We are also building a zero-emission bus fleet and operating our region's light-rail system. Click here to see why it's worth working for King County Metro Transit.

This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Career Service position. In addition, this recruitments selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future Career Service, Term-Limited Temporary (TLT), and Special Duty Assignment (SDA) positions that may occur in this classification. The eligibility pool will be retained for 12 months from the date of posting and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a 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 the work. As the Wellness Program Manager (PPM III) you will:

• Develop a work plan for and provide pro-equity, innovative management of Metro's worksite wellness services, ensuring effective operations, communications, partnerships, reporting, and continuous improvements.
• Arrange for and refine culturally appropriate and accessible wellness services that respond to priority areas of interest and need among Metro employees.
• Coordinate with Metro staff at transit bases and other transit worksites to arrange on-site wellness activities and events.
• Develop and provide program reports, updates, and presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in procurement activities and contract management ensuring positive working relationships with external vendors and coordinate with employee health and benefits staff in King County Human Resources, risk management, and other partners.
• Gather and analyze data to track project progress and conduct independent research to design recommendations for future wellness needs based on industry trends, tailoring strategies for different types of workers.
• Develop, manage, and optimize digital media content and wellness-focused marketing campaigns across web and social platforms, leveraging analytics tools to track performance, identify trends, and drive data-informed strategies that enhance employee engagement and promote a culture of well-being.
• Organize and staff committees and work groups involving Metro, labor union partners, and other County agencies involved in Metro Wellness approach and outcomes.
• Collaborate with the King County Employee Health & Safety, Balanced You teams, and Benefits (Department of Human Resources) to stay current on countywide programs, coordinate shared priorities and initiatives, and access technical support or content expertise.
• Raise awareness of comprehensive health and well-being issues to help employees make informed and healthy lifestyle choices, moving them and the organization toward a state of optimal health and productivity.
• Identify and recruit employee wellness champions to assist in the organization and promotion of health and well-being programs.
• Build trust and engage employees through transparency, inclusion, and respect.
• Develop and deliver education, communication, and outreach tactics using flyers, posters, bulletins, emails, video, website, special events, and other channels based on employee input.
• Coordinate and promote the Metro Wellness website, assuring content is relevant, up-to-date, and aligned with Countywide wellness program and benefits.
• Lead, mentor, and assign work to other Metro team members in a matrixed organizational structure, as needed.

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

• Eligible applicants must possess a minimum of FIVE (5) YEARS of experience managing projects, designing curricula, coordinating programs, intergroup training and/or education course facilitation OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the work.

Additional minimum qualifications:

• Advanced technical skills in supporting program operations, including managing digital tools, troubleshooting system issues, optimizing workflows, and implementing technology-based solutions that improve efficiency, accuracy, and user experience.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills, with the ability to engage groups of varying sizes using creative techniques that foster safe, inclusive, and accessible learning environments.
• Experience creating and managing content across social media and digital platforms, with the ability to navigate emerging technologies and use online tools to support wellness communications and engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively to meet the dynamic wellness needs of Metro employees.
• Proven success as a lead collaborator, project manager, and team contributor.
• Understanding of best practices in wellness programming and needs for transit or other similar essential workforces.
• Experience engaging with a represented workforce.
• Ability to build and manage relationships with leaders and sponsors, including comfort working with people in leadership roles.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, collaboration, and presentation skills, including the effective use of visuals and graphics.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), Zoom and other online platforms for delivering presentations and data analytics.
• Ability to lift and carry boxes, A-V equipment, and other supplies as required. (Occasional lifting is required to load, transport, and unload boxes of educational materials and equipment for presentations at Transit bases throughout the County.)

The most competitive candidates will have the following desirable qualifications and skills (not required to apply):

• Professional experience working within a transit environment, with direct exposure to the needs, schedules, and operational realities of frontline and support staff.
• Experience developing, coordinating, or supporting employee wellness, health promotion, or workforce well-being initiatives, ideally within a unionized or 24/7 operational setting.
• Strong understanding of transit workplace culture, including shift work, safety-sensitive roles, and the unique physical and mental well-being challenges faced by transit employees.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with operators, maintenance staff, field supervisors, and administrative teams to support wellness engagement.
• Skill in problem-solving, conflict resolution, negotiating, and decision making; handling multiple competing priorities.

Who may apply: We are only accepting applications from current King County Employees.

How to apply and Selection Process: 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 Talent Advisor, Sarah Ottele at

Applications will be screened to determine whether eligible candidates meet the minimum qualifications, as well as for competitiveness, completeness, and responsiveness to the required application materials information below. The most competitive applicants may be invited to participate in one or more interviews and/or other selection process elements. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as internal record review or reference check, driver's abstract review, and background check.

Required Application Materials: Applications submitted without the following required application materials will be deemed incomplete and be removed from consideration:

• An online King County application updated with accurate contact information and relevant work history with job duties going back at least 10 years (or more, if necessary).
• Completed supplemental questions answered thoroughly and accurately.
• A cover letter no longer than 2 pages describing how your education, experience, and skills make you a good fit for this specific position including details of your experience in project management, curricula design, program coordination, intergroup training and/or education course facilitation.

Position Details: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule, every other Thursday.

Classification / Job Code / Grade / Union: Project/Program Manager III / / 63 / Protec17 C4

Work Schedule Details: Typical work hours are comprised of a 40-hour workweek and will require availability after hours and weekends with the need to flex schedules based on operational needs.

Work Location: The work associated with this position will be performed or conducted through a combination of teleworking and onsite work and meetings. This position will work onsite three days a week, subject to change. The primary onsite work location will be King Street Center. Travel to various locations within the Metro service area is required. 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.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Required Special Requirements:

WA State Driver's License: This position involves traveling to various locations within the Metro service area to provide programs, services, and education outreach to employees which may require the use of a County vehicle. Employees must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License within 30 days of hire and have the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely fashion to locations where public transportation may not be readily available.

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
• Driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated Hit and run accident citation
• Vehicular homicide or vehicular assault Open container citation
• More than one at-fault accident (does not include non at-fault accidents) Any 1 suspension for a moving violation
• 2 or more moving violations
• Any license suspension, revocation, cancellation or disqualification based on a traffic or moving violation License restrictions (such as an ignition interlock device requirement)
• Any convictions for reckless or negligent driving, hit and run, leaving the scene of an accident, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, vehicular assault or homicide
• Any alcohol, drug or test refusal related occurrences
• 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

Forbes recently named King County 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 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,