Rail Signals & Communications Chief [SDA]
hace 9 días
Seattle
Salary $121,576.00 - $146,972.80 Annually Location Multiple locations in King County, WA Job Type Temporary Job Number 2026NB26903 Department MTD - Metro Transit Division Rail Opening Date 04/17/2026 Closing Date 4/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific FLSA Exempt Bargaining Unit C3 : PROTEC17-Transit Chiefs Full- or Part-Time Full Time Applications are being accepted from King County employees within the Rail Division who are interested in a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) as a Rail Signals and Communications Chief within the Rail Wayside Maintenance Section. This SDA is expected to last through 6 months from the start date, however is subject to change. As a crucial member of the rapidly expanding Rail Division, you will oversee the coordination, direction, and supervision of personnel responsible for maintaining railway signals and communications equipment. Our ideal candidate will be able to utilize their strong knowledge of Rail Signals and Communications systems to provide technical expertise to the team and be able to effectively support and communicate with a diverse employee work group in order to proactively solve problems that impact service delivery. The most competitive candidate will demonstrate their ability to encourage a culture of safety, inspire high standards of customer service excellence, and be able to motivate employees through relationship building, respect, and trust. Our Chiefs promote teamwork, resolve conflicts that arise, and promote a collaborative environment. About Metro Transit's Rail Division King County Metro Transit's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link light rail service and City of Seattle's streetcar system. Link light rail currently spans a 33-mile route from SeaTac to Lynnwood and a 6.6-mile route from Redmond to South Bellevue. By the end of 2026, light rail is projected to expand to nearly 60 route miles, adding seven new stations. Additional expansions to the Link system will be coming online for years to come. Seattle Streetcar includes the 1.3 mile South Lake Union line and the 2.5 mile First Hill line, proudly serving the diverse and vibrant communities around Seattle's downtown core. These rail services complement Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services. Puget Sound transit agencies are collaborating to create an integrated transit network that enables people to travel farther, faster, and more easily. Who May Apply: We are only accepting applications from current career service Rail Division employees who have completed their current probationary period (are not currently on probation). Recruitment Information: This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) or more Signals & Communications Chief SDA positions within the Rail Wayside Maintenance Section and may be used to create an eligibility pool for future SDA vacancies that occur within 12 months and to be utilized at the discretion of the hiring authority. NOTE: These positions are considered safety sensitive. Applicants are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and subsequent to the commencement of employment, will be subject to random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal DOT alcohol and controlled substance testing program protocols. 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 a Rail Signals and Communication Chief, you will also perform the below: Management duties: • Build, support, and foster a culture of care within the Signals and Communication workgroup and Rail Division., • Supervise, develop, and direct the work of Rail Signal and Communications personnel and equipment at bases and out in the field. Provide management support for the training of staff., • Exhibit positive leadership and role modeling to encourage and support staff while managing employee performance., • Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in the Rail Division, with Sound Transit and in Metro., • Work closely with Human Resources and Labor Relations staff to track and resolve personnel issues and other related labor issues.In addition to the management duties listed, as the Rail Signals and Communications Chief, you will also:, • Plan, operate, and maintain Signals operation for the Rail Division., • Consult with engineering, warranty, safety, environmental, materials, transportation, contracts, and other staff in the development and implementation of maintenance programs and standard maintenance and operating procedures., • Collaborate with Sound Transit, Rail Division management, peers, and contractors to assure a safe, reliable, and efficient Light Rail operation., • Identify and participate in process improvement and other improvement efforts., • Lead safety and security, including coordinating and advising safety and security committees and make recommendations to management., • Respond to questions and provide technical advice on project requirements, specifications, and material requirements., • Maintain and verify various records regarding work performed, time spent, materials used, operating logs and related information; enter and extract data using automated systems; maintain manual records as required., • Respond to emergency situations. Prioritize and determine work priorities for emergency maintenance tasks., • Act as Project Manager for various projects and contracts., • Review and approve preventative maintenance records (EAMS Work Order Data)., • Review, approve and track attendance data and payroll/timesheet information., • Perform other duties as assigned. We are looking for candidates who have the below minimum qualifications: • One (1) year of experience in a lead or supervisory capacity which included leading and coaching a highly talented employee group; AND, • Two (2) years of experience performing railway signaling and communications maintenance, repair, or installation, preferably on transit systems;, • OR equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the work. Note: Education cannot replace a minimum of two years of experience performing railway signaling and communications maintenance, 1 year lead or supervisory experience in a related field. Additional Minimum Qualifications include:, • Strong motivation to manage a diverse employee team, promoting a culture of care, inclusion, and belonging while building relationships and trust with employees., • Experience with APTA, FRA, FTA, and AREMA standards and best practices., • Experience in analyzing, evaluating, and diagnosing malfunctions in electrical and electronic railway equipment, including determining repair requirements., • Knowledge of and skill in maintaining and troubleshooting mechanical and hydraulic equipment., • The ability to assess employees' technical proficiency and productivity issues and address them through coaching and training., • Skill in planning, scheduling, prioritizing, and organizing the work of maintenance functions to ensure optimal effectiveness and efficiency while meeting established standards and deadlines., • Strong problem-solving and time management skills, and the ability to effectively balance daily responsibilities, multiple simultaneous projects, and competing priorities from various internal and external stakeholders and partner agencies., • Ability or skill in managing a highly unionized workforce, building strong relationships with Union partners, and attaining mutually beneficial solutions., • Professional written and verbal communication skills, and strong interpersonal skills, • Experience using computer software such as Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint) and ability to use an Enterprise Asset Management System (EAMS, or similar asset management system.)Necessary Special Requirements:, • Ability to obtain Hi-Rail, bucket truck, forklift, mobile crane, fall protection certification as well as various other specialty certifications within the workgroup., • Valid driver's license (Washington license by date of hire) and an acceptable driving record., • Work requires remaining available for work 24 hours per day during scheduled rotational assignments as on-call Chiefs., • Willingness and availability to work varying shifts on weekdays, nights, weekends, and holidays as required to support staff and critical work and consistent with negotiated agreements., • Work may require reporting for extended duty hours during adverse weather events and other emergencies., • Must pass drug and alcohol testing provision for safety-sensitive positions as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation, 49 CFR Parts 40 and 655. Location and Schedule The work performed for this position is primarily on-site at any one or combination of Rail locations: Operations and Maintenance Facilities (OMF)-Central at 3407 Airport Way South, Seattle, OMF-East at 1925 120th Ave Bellevue WA, and Maintenance of Way (MOW)-North at 920 North 137th Street, Seattle, WA. Work locations may change in the future based on operational needs. This position may be assigned to work on various shifts (Day, Swing, or Graveyard) including weekends; days off may vary. This classification is exempt from the provisions of the FLSA and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay. This position will have on-call responsibilities and may require incumbents to remain available for work 24 hours per day during scheduled on-call rotational assignments, and work may require reporting for extended duty during adverse weather events and other emergencies. Work Conditions Work will be performed both indoors and outdoors and in inclement weather. This position requires the use of standard office equipment and supplies, and the field of work also requires working in high places from mechanical lifts and structures and in high-voltage environments. The position requires physical skill and effort to operate tools, equipment, vehicles, and supplies to demonstrate and teach repair procedures to others. Duties may require stooping or bending motions when inspecting work. To Apply The following application materials are required: • An online King County application, updated with all relevant work history going back 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly., • Responses to all required supplemental questions, • Attach a cover letter (or letter of interest) that responds to the following:, • Why does this job opportunity interest you? For guidance on how to complete these required materials, be sure to visit the Workforce Development - King County, Washington website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials more competitive for King County recruitments. Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions at Application FAQ's- King County . For technical support related to your application, contact the Government Jobs' applicant support team for assistance: 855-524-5627. Union Membership: PROTEC17: Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17 -- Transit Chiefs Class Code: 8730400 TRANSIT CHIEF - RAIL WAY, SIGNALS & FACILITIES Questions? Contact the recruiter, Neha Bansal, #RailJobs #TradesJobs Forbes named King County as 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 solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; 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, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. 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 accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement. King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs: • Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents, • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents, • Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan, • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass, • 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays, • Generous vacation and paid sick leave, • Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves, • Flexible Spending Account, • Wellness programs, • Onsite activity centers, • Employee Giving Program, • Employee assistance programs, • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position, • Training and career development programsFor additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page . This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass. For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting. recblid nx3q6ogxb0g7maklieoyn7byr0h56q