What are the responsibilities and job description for the Rail Signal & Communications Technician position at King County?
King County Metro Transit's Rail Division has exciting opportunities for Signal and Communications Technicians! These positions will perform maintenance on railway signal and communications equipment such as motorized switch machines, vital relays, microprocessor controlled interlockings, programmable logic controllers, fiber optic links, failsafe railroad crossing equipment, stand-alone computers and power supplies.
About Metro Transit’s Expanding Rail Division
King County Metro's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link Light Rail, a growing network spanning 60 miles and serving 38 stations across the Puget Sound region. Together with Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services, the Link Light Rail system is the backbone of an integrated regional transit network that gives people real freedom of movement. As Puget Sound transit agencies work together to build a seamless, connected system, our light rail system plays a central role in expanding access, reducing barriers, and ensuring that everyone across our region can get where they need to go.
Joining Metro's Rail Division means joining an organization that is shaping the future of public transportation in the Pacific Northwest and setting the standard for modern rail operations nationwide. This is a division that values strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and a deep commitment to the people we serve, both our riders and our teams. Whatever your role, your work here contributes to something that matters, a light rail system that thousands of people count on every day.
Who May Apply
This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants internal and external and will be used to fill current Career Service vacancies and may be used to establish an eligibility list to fill future career service vacancies in this classification and within this division over the next twelve months.
These positions are considered safety sensitive. Applicants for these positions 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 substance testing program protocols.
Work Schedule
These positions are non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and are overtime eligible. Employees will work a 40-hour per week schedule. The work schedules include non- standard work hours including evenings, weekends and holidays. Schedules are based on a seniority "pick" system and includes a mix of shift types, including 5x8 and 4x10 shifts. Per the union contract shift differentials are paid to those working second and third shifts. Shift pay is 7.5% for third shift, on top of hourly pay. Per the union contract the current hourly rates are:
Day Shift: $41.94-$59.91
Swing/2nd Shift: $44.04-$62.91
Graveyard/3rd Shift: $45.09-$64.40
Work Location
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. You will:
- Conduct fault diagnosis; inspect, test, modify, maintain and repair ail way signal and communications equipment
- Inspect, repair and maintain electrical, electronic, mechanical, and hydraulic equipment including grade crossing mechanisms, switch machines, multiplexers, microprocessor controlled interlockings, vital relays, power supplies, battery systems, audio systems, and other complex machinery and equipment
- Operate common and specialized tools and equipment such as mechanical lift devices, hand tools, and electronic measurement devices
- Access aerial support structures and poles to perform inspections, maintenance and repair tasks
- Determine work priorities for emergency maintenance tasks in the absence of on-site supervision; respond to emergency calls as necessary
- Operate switch machines by hand and by Local Control Panels under revenue and non-revenue conditions
- Plan, schedule, communicate and coordinate activities and work with other trades and sections; assist other trades as necessary
- Operate assigned vehicles, including Hi-Rail and Aerial Lift equipment
- Perform snow and ice removal
- Flag trackway to provide safer ail work zones; set up work zone traffic control areas
- Record and document maintenance and diagnostic data
- Other duties as assigned
Application Process
- An online King County application. NOTE: Please include each of your jobs during the last 10 years listed (if you have ten years of employment history), duties explained, reasons for leaving, etc. Earlier jobs should be included here if they are relevant in some way to this job and if they relate to our minimum qualifications and MUST be included in the employment application if cited in an answer to a Supplemental Question.
- Answer the supplemental questions in their entirety.
- Attach documented completion of a Journey Level Signal Training program (FRA or Transit equivalent).
Want to make sure your application materials are as competitive as possible? We highly recommend visiting the Workforce Development Services website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective: Workforce Development - King County, Washington
Need Assistance?
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 Marwa Alansi, HR Talent Advisor at malansi@kingcounty.gov
Selection Process
Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications, and for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above. Applications that are not complete may be rejected and not advanced in the process. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in a panel interview. Employment offers will be finalized only after candidates have successfully passed a physical examination, drug and alcohol check, reference check, and a driver's abstract review.Union Membership: This position is represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 587
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Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
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.
Salary : $42 - $60