What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Transit Auto Body Technician position at King County?
**This is an internal recruitment for King County Metro Transit. Applications will be accepted from current King County Metro Employees in the Transit Sheet Metal Worker classification who have, as of the last day applications are accepted, a minimum of two years’ experience in the classification. **
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Metro Transit’s Vehicle Maintenance division is seeking applications from motivated leaders in the Sheet Metal Worker classification to become the next Lead Transit Auto Body Technician.
This is a working lead position that is responsible for assigning, coordinating, and overseeing the work of Metro’s Transit Auto Body Technicians (Transit Sheet Metal Workers), while also performing the full scope of duties defined in the Transit Sheet Metal Worker classification.
The work in this role involves providing technical guidance and day-to-day direction to an assigned team. Although this position works under the supervision of a Transit Vehicle Maintenance Chief, Leads are expected to operate with a high degree of independence in directing daily activities and solving issues at the lowest level possible. Key responsibilities include:
- Coordinate work assignments by organizing tasks, distributing workloads, and ensuring staff have what they need to complete repairs efficiently.
- Monitor workflow by tracking progress, resolving bottlenecks, and ensuring repairs are completed on schedule and to standards in a timely manner.
- Maintain quality standards by reviewing the team’s work for accuracy, safety, and compliance with technical requirements, and coaching team members to improve their performance and skills.
- Ensure preventive maintenance compliance by checking that all work aligns with established maintenance schedules and operational needs.
- Uphold Vehicle Maintenance Division policies and procedures by ensuring all tasks follow required operating standards and federally mandated safety-sensitive regulations.
The Vehicle Maintenance division operates three shifts (day, swing, and graveyard) seven days a week at various locations throughout King County. Vacancies may occur on any shift or base location so interested candidates must be willing to accept any work assignment if selected for hire.
Safety Sensitive Position
This position is considered safety sensitive. Applicants for positions defined as safety sensitive are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment, and subsequent to 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 substances testing program protocols.
Vacancy Information: This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) immediate career service Transit Sheet Metal Worker Lead vacancy within the Vehicle Maintenance division. An eligibility list may be created to fill future career service, term-limited temporary, or special duty assignment vacancies in this classification and workgroup. If created, the eligibility list would be active for 12 months from the posting date above and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact the recruiter: Emily Clark (she/her)emclark@kingcounty.govor 206-477-8373.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 addition to performing the full range of responsibilities of the Transit Sheet Metal Worker classification, as the Lead Transit Auto Body Technician you will:
- Coordinate and provide technical assistance to sheet metal workers in structural and body repairs of transit equipment and sheet metal fabrication for a variety of transit facilities and auxiliary components.
- Monitor work orders and assign work to sheet metal workers and other personnel in accordance with work order requirements, preventive maintenance schedules, and operating requirements; control and monitor workflow; monitor warranty work performed and ensure defective parts are submitted for warranty processing as required.
- Respond to questions and provide advice on all coach related problems and repair; provide lead direction to other skilled employees on assigned projects.
- Keep current with the latest service bulletins and advisories as well as equipment modifications and enhancements and advise sheet metal workers accordingly.
- Provide feedback to higher-level staff on employee and teamwork performance, behavioral and attendance issues, and updates about projects, assignments, and communication with vendors and other work groups.
- Inspect completed work assignments to ensure work has been completed in a quality manner and equipment is in proper working order.
- Observe and inspect transit coaches for any required repairs, schedule repairs as necessary.
- Train new and current personnel in required aspects of maintenance, repair and base safety procedures.
- Ensure all shop equipment is maintained appropriately and is in proper operating condition.
- Advise Transit Sheet Metal Workers when their work is deficient or in violation of established regulations and procedures; recommend corrective actions to higher-level staff when required.
- Maintain shop records including work orders, completed repairs and materials used; enter and extract data in automated vehicle maintenance systems.
- Resolve workflow, supply, and interpersonal problems at the lowest level possible.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
- Must be a current King County Metro Transit employee who has, as of the closing date for this job posting, two (2) years of working experience in the Transit Sheet Metal Worker classification within Metro’s Vehicle Maintenance Division.
- Demonstrates safety knowledge and skill in operating related shop equipment, and in coaching others on the safe Transit Sheet Metal Worker practices.
- Knowledge of applicable service standards, operating policies and regulations, and current equipment service bulletins, advisories, enhancements, and modifications.
- Proficiency in using Vehicle Maintenance’s work order software (data entry, extraction, and equipment dispatching) and basic computer operations using MS Outlook, Word, and Excel.
- Skill in prioritizing deliverables and instilling a sense of urgency within the team around the work they are doing, and the services affected by that work.
- Skill in evaluating, guiding, directing, training, and assisting employees to meet quality expectations, including planning, assigning, prioritizing, reviewing work, and setting clear expectations.
- Ability to give, receive, and apply feedback respectfully and effectively, including providing clear, corrective direction when needed.
- Skill in recognizing and leveraging employee’s strengths, as well as identifying growth and development opportunities for staff.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to relay information and concerns to leadership and hold meaningful conversations that connects our employee's daily work to Metro’s mission and goals.
- Skill in motivating others, fostering positive team morale, and creating a customer- and service-oriented work environment.
- Ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate with individuals and teams across diverse backgrounds and trades.
- Commitment to King County's core values of inclusion, equity, and social justice. Able to demonstrate integrity, accountability, fairness, confidentiality, and consistent follow through in all actions.
- Effective conflict management and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency with workload planning, scheduling, assigning, balancing, and tracking multiple projects.
- Additional experience, education, training, or coursework related to auto body repair, sheet metal fabrication, frame straightening, collision repair, fiberglass repair, welding, etc.
- Demonstrated ability to understand, interpret, and apply Collective Bargaining Agreement and contract language in decision-making processes and workplace practices.
- Previous experience leading or supervising trades teams, especially in a unionized environment.
- Process improvement skills and knowledge of continuous improvement methods and approaches.
- Possession of a valid Class B CDL and an acceptable five-year driving record.
- Must pass drug and alcohol testing provisions for safety-sensitive positions as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation, 49 CFR Parts 40 and 655.
- Willingness and availability to work varying shifts on weekdays, nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Willingness and availability to work at any base location assigned.
- Willingness and ability to report to work during inclement weather and in emergency situations.
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 process, or if you have questions, please contact emclark@kingcounty.gov.
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.
- Complete all required supplemental questions.
- Write and attach a cover letter that responds to both ALL three of the writing prompts below:
- What motivated you to apply for this recruitment?
- Which qualifications and experiences make you uniquely qualified to lead others in this trade?
- What do you hope to achieve during your time in this leadership role?
The most competitive candidates may be invited to complete a phone interview, skills testing, and/or participate in one or more panel interviews. Final offer letters are issued only after the selected candidate successfully completes all required preemployment steps, including: a job related physical, a driving abstract review, drug and alcohol testing, and a King County Personnel Record Review that evaluates any discipline or performance documentation from the most recent 24 months of King County employment. Performance evaluations in this date range with ratings below “satisfactory” (or lower than a score of 3 out of 5) in any category may result in the job offer being withdrawn.
Work Schedule and Location: Work is performed at the worksite 5 days per week with two consecutive days off, but not necessarily Saturday and Sunday. Work schedules and locations are based on a seniority pick system, with shakeups scheduled to occur once yearly. The Vehicle Maintenance division operates 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, across three shifts (day, swing, and graveyard.). Vacancies may occur on any of the three shifts, with graveyard and/or swing shift vacancies being the most likely openings. This position is not exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime.
Pay: When working graveyard and swing shifts, additional shift differentials apply to the hourly day shift rate posted above (Swing is 5%, Graveyard is 7.5%).
Union / Classification Code: This position is represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 587. Classification Code 8445200 (Sheet Metal Worker-Lead).
Forbes 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 Americans, people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans.
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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.
Need help with your application?
- Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions at Application FAQ’s- King County.
- For technical support related to accessing or completing your application, contact the Government Jobs' applicant support team for assistance during regular business hours: 1 855-524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.
- The King County Workforce Development page offers free guidance, resources, and checklists to help candidates present their skills and experience competitively for King County recruitments. We encourage you to visit the General Career Resources section on their website for more tips.
- For questions regarding this recruitment please contact the recruiter, Emily Clark (she/her), Senior Talent Advisor: emclark@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-8373.