Business Specialist - Landscaping - SoundTransit : Job Details

Salary range is $24.04/hour to $52.88/hour, with a midpoint of $36.06/hour. 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 spouseor 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.
• 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.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction of the Landscaping Sr. Program Manager, the Business Specialist - Landscaping, performs a full range of administrative and professional duties involved in the preparation, finalization, and administration of multi-transit agency collaboration, interdepartmental organization, and data entry, analysis, and presentation. This position serves as support for complex administrative functions for assigned projects within the Landscaping program and wider Facilities & System Maintenance team (FSM). Responsible for essential programmatic duties including tracking and updating program activities and project schedules, recordkeeping, SharePoint administration, process documentation, meeting facilitation, action item and decision tracking, data entry, vendor quality control, field inspections, and other tasks in support of the Landscaping program.

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.

• Works with the program team to provide guidance, proofreading consultation, research, and analysis in preparing and reviewing documents and deliverables.
• Supports activities of Sound Transit's Facilities Landscape program in the fields of arboriculture, irrigation, storm water ponds, and vegetation management.
• Performs research and analytical duties in support of assigned projects, programs, and functions.
• May perform or assist with regular site visits to inspect and evaluate the condition of landscaping and other assets under the management of the Facilities Landscape program.
• Develops, maintains, and reports program metrics to re-evaluate and assess program effectiveness and efficiencies; ensures effective communication of performance metrics.
• Maintains official records, as required and in compliance with state laws and regulations, and department policies and procedures.
• Supports and participates in a motivated team through an environment that promotes positive communication, encourages bonding of team members, and demonstrates flexibility.
• Evaluates vendor performance to verify quality control and ensure compliance and accountability match contractual agreements. This work may require project site visits.
• Processes vendor invoices in preparation for regional billing, including reviewing invoices for accuracy; researching, preparing, and issuing invoices for project manager approval, communicating, and following up with vendors if invoices must be resubmitted.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to serve as the primary point of contact for the Facilities Landscape program.
• Protects public funds through clear cost estimates, review of contractor pay applications and change orders for accuracy and adherence to contract requirements.
• Demonstrates strong writing abilities to produce high quality output.
• Serves as program liaison for external program inquiries; coordinates and follows through on responses, for assigned areas.
• Participates in regional record document management, storage, sharing, and tracking; assists in the administration of regional SharePoint sites (SharePoint online) for regional program administration and for ORCA operations, in addition to Microsoft Teams sites.
• Provides support in the development of organizational process improvements, policies and procedures; recommends developing new processes where applicable.
• Analyzes, tracks, and reports on trends in project development, schedule, and budget.
• Helps foster a positive and collaborative working environment, supporting diversity of opinions, shared innovation, and ownership of program success among team members.
• Responds to and resolves inquiries and complaints related to project and program activities; collaborates with project partners, local agencies, and jurisdictions.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and 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 Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management, Business Management, Business Administration, Business Management, Office Management, Project Management, or closely related field. Three years of experience providing administrative support including coordinating and participating in business operations and/or project management, or closely related experience; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid state driver's license. Position is responsible for driving ST marked vehicles to worksites that can be located on the sides of highways, on on/off ramps, and in non-public or transit only station areas.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Business operations, services, and activities of assigned area of responsibility.
• General principles, practices, and procedures of business administration.
• Data gathering, analysis, and visualization for decision-making and transparency of decisions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and active listening.
• Principles of SharePoint online administration.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Organizational skills and an attention to detail in coordinating and prioritizing multiple projects and tasks and re-prioritizing as needed.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports, i.e. Windows and Microsoft Office applications.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, and community groups.
• Critical and analytical thinking in facilitating administrative functions for departments and outside agencies.
• Performing analytical and project work associated with performing a full range of duties to support the Facilities Landscaping program.
• Contractual concepts, terms, and conditions.
• Providing information and organizing material in compliance with Sound Transit and Facilities & Systems maintenance policies and procedures.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard hybrid office and field environment.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• Position is responsible for inspecting landscaping, assessing plant and soil conditions, and coordinating vendor performed landscaping work. Some landscaping will be along the sides of freeways. May be subject to bending, eye/hand coordination, grasping, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, sitting, standing, talking, seeing, walking, and carrying and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• 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.