Senior Business Analyst-Operations Engineering & Technology

Salary range is $65k to $150k, with a midpoint of $105k. 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.
• 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:

The Senior Business Analyst - Operations Engineering & Technology (OE&T) works within the Operations Engineering and Technology group to support the implementation of the Operations Department business plan and Service Implementation Plan. Under general direction, this position acts as a liaison between Sound Transit Operations Engineering & Technology, Procurement & Contracts, Operations Business Support, Finance, and other Agency Departments. This position will perform financial and business activities and analysis in support of and the development of alternative Agency business and contracting strategies. This position will perform detailed review of reports and will provide direction for the management of agreements, contracts, Intergovernmental Agreements, and negotiations with third parties. This position will take direction from the Director of Operations Engineering & Technology and other leadership team members as directed.

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.

• Supervise the creation and analysis of monthly reports to monitor budget versus actual financial performance of the OE&T group. Prepares summaries of the analysis with recommendations to the management team on a regular basis. Oversees the integrity of charges on a monthly basis with an analysis summarizing the results.
• Leads the annual OE&T operations and capital budget process both internal and contractor/owner budgets.
• Ensure the timely reporting of OE&T's performance metrics.
• Verifies receipt of performance metrics from internal and external suppliers to OE&T.
• Supports the start-up budget development, expenditure, billing, tracking, and internal budget transfers as necessary.
• Monitors allocated charges from various projects, Employee In Charge escorts through track access permit process, and start-up work to ensure that hours and costs charged are as agreed; this may include monitoring timesheet charges, charges to capital projects, or validating allocation rules are being applied correctly and accurately reflect agreements.
• Analyzes, researches, and resolves discrepancies noted on a timely basis. Work with staff and contractor to ensure that third party billing is accurate and timely.
• Continually update and keep current both internal and external contractual labor rates for billing purposes.
• Perform ad-hoc financial analysis and audits on complicated business issues such as competitive procurement opportunities, interlocal agreement development and negotiations, and alternative service delivery scenarios as requested. Ability to compile and track information attained through interviews with internal constituents, internet research, peer comparisons, and obtaining an understanding of current contract and agreement terms and conditions.
• Analyze and review annual Base Line cost submittals from the contractor: reflecting Sound Transit service plans; identify, analyze, and document variances in budget areas and obtain explanations from the contractor for significant differences; evaluate the allocation rules applied for overhead to determine the reasonableness for payment by Sound Transit; and review monthly invoices/reports to ensure that agreement terms are being followed.
• Evaluate the services provided to determine if there are implications for budget performance, may include an analysis of overtime labor, labor contractual changes, changes in management structure, contractor provided incentive programs, etc. Assist with cost estimating and tracking of service levels outside of the established base line.
• Perform the annual reconciliation of costs for the IGA to confirm the reasonableness of the actual service statistics and ensure that allocation rules applied are reasonable to established contract standards.
• Support the internal processes in the negotiation of new inter-local agreements for OE&T operations.
• Administer the OE&T capital program to include compiling the annual budget materials, monitoring monthly capital budget variance reports; and supporting the Department in the Phase Gate process.
• 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 Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Operations Management or closely related field. Four years of experience in business analysis that includes project analysis, negotiations support in a medium to large organization; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Prefer experience in transit operations or other service delivery field.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Basic operations, services, and activities of a budget program.
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a financial planning and budget division and associated fiscal functions.
• Pertinent state and federal regulations; Agency policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Basic budget development, monitoring, and reporting principles and practices.
• Principles of financial analysis, cash flow modeling, and cost forecasting, especially as these apply to a large-scale rapid transit project.
• General accounting principles and practices.
• Financial analysis and modeling methods and tools.
• Automated financial systems.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Business/industry principles and practices for the area of responsibility.
• Integrated use of a variety of project database and report writing software applications.
• Governmental budget preparation and administration principles and practices.
• External and management reporting requirements and report preparation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Developing and monitoring divisional and program/project operating and capital project budgets, costs, and schedules.
• Formulating, planning, and executing financial and budgetary analyses and studies.
• Analyzing and reviewing financial plans and models and related budgetary information to determine the impact on the Agency-wide Program/division.
• Analyzing complex financial and policy issues.
• Planning and organizing work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Preparing and analyzing complex data and numerical computations and comprehensive reports.
• Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication.
• Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.
• Analyze and synthesize information in a concise manner and make recommendations on strategies to resolve issues.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office environment.
• Position is responsible for analyzing large quantities of data. May be subject to seeing.
• 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.