Transit Grounds Specialist

The initial review of applications will begin on June 23, 2025 and will be on-going thereafter until the position is filled.

King County Metro Transit's Rail division is looking for qualified candidates to join our team as a Rail Grounds Specialist. Apply today!

Rail Grounds Specialists are responsible for a variety of landscape activities including overall care and maintenance of lawns, gardens and ornamental planting. They install, modify and perform routine maintenance and repair of irrigation systems and related gardening equipment.  Join a team where you can learn by doing, meet new challenges, work on an amazing team and enjoy the work and contributions you make to Metro! 

Position Information

This recruitment will be used to fill multiple career service positions. This recruitment may also be used to establish an eligibility list to fill future career service and/or fully benefited temporary vacancies that may occur over the next twelve months from establishment of the list.

This position is 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 incompliance with Federal DOT alcohol and controlled substance testing program protocols.

Who May Apply

This position is open to all qualified candidates internal and external.

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.

About King County Metro Transit

King County Metro Transit is a regional leader in helping people move quickly throughout the region, reducing commuter stress, greening the environment and radically improving urban air quality, by providing comfortable, effective transit services for the thousands of commuters and other residents of King County, Washington. Working for Metro means working for a leader in this public transportation industry. Metro was named Outstanding Public Transportation System of 2018 by APTA, the American Public Transportation Association.  #RailJobs

About Metro Transit's Link Light Rail Expansion

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.

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:

• Perform landscape maintenance of turf, ornamental plants, trees, soil and retention/detention ponds; install new turf and/or repair damaged areas.
• Perform skilled pruning and trimming of a variety of plants, ground covers, bushes and trees.
• Maintain, modify or repair irrigation systems; establish watering schedules and program controllers; analyze and/or modify system blueprints used in system installation.
• Prepare insecticides and/or pesticides; control pests using pesticides and plant growth using herbicides; maintain necessary records.
• Operate all equipment to include gardening tractors and power man lift equipment; maintain a variety of basic gardening equipment such as edger, mowers, pruning tools and tank spraying equipment.
• Perform minor repairs on small gas engines, including tune-ups.
• May instruct and coordinate the work of assigned landscaping crews; may inspect and assist in approval of contractor work.
• Perform other duties as assigned or needed, such as ice and snow removal; required to respond in case of adverse weather conditions and emergency situations
• Trash removal within landscaping.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years of professional work experience in the grounds keeping or gardening field. One year of college training in horticulture or botany may be exchanged for one year of work experience.
• Knowledge of the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems and effective watering schedules.
• Knowledge of turf management and law, garden, tree, and shrub plant species. 
• Knowledge of grounds maintenance needs, materials, equipment and practices, including but not limited to gardening and plant care principles, proper pruning and trimming techniques.
• Skill in the operation and maintenance of various grounds maintenance tools and equipment including: hand tools, power tools and gas fired equipment such as lawn mowers, blowers, edgers, hedgers, chain saws and line trimmers. 
• Knowledge of and ability to read/follow written instructions for the proper application and effective use of fertilizer, pesticides, and insecticides.
• Excellent customer service, oral and written communication skills.
• Skill in working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Basic computer skills required to enter and extract information from automated systems and related software applications.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Current or prior King County Metro Transit work experience

LICENSING, CERTICATION AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Washington State Driver's License and an acceptable driving record.
• Valid WA State Public Pesticide Operator's License or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Willingness and availability to work different shifts on weekdays, nights, weekends and holidays.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This work requires frequently working in a stooping or kneeling position. May be required to do a lot of twisting or bending. Physical effort is required to perform such tasks as weeding, lifting, shoveling and using heavy gardening equipment and tools.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Grounds Specialists work outside for the majority of the day and are exposed to all types of weather conditions. Will work in or around Light Rail Vehicles.

Other working environment requirements:

Independence: Since the work is in isolated or secluded areas, Grounds Specialists may be working alone or with a small team. This means you must be able to work independently and make decisions without direct supervision.

Limited Resources: Working in secluded areas may mean limited access to tools, equipment, or supplies. Grounds Specialists may need to be resourceful and well-prepared.

Safety Protocols: Grounds Specialists may be working in remote locations, adhering to safety protocols is crucial. Communication with supervisors and colleagues may be done via radios or phones, and safety gear (PPE) is often necessary.

Transportation/Travel: Grounds Specialists will be working in secluded areas, reliable transportation to and from work sites is important. In some cases, there may be a need to drive specialized vehicles or travel long distances with trailers.

Work Schedule

This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore eligible for overtime pay. The workweek is normally 40 hours, on day shift. You may work a 4/10s or 5/8s schedule depending on a seniority-based pick system. Shifts may include day, swing, night and weekends. The workweek and scheduled hours may vary. You must be willing and available to work any shift.

Location

The primary location for onsite work is Operations & Maintenance Facility Central at 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle. Some work out of other locations throughout King County may be required. 

How To Apply

Click on the ''Apply" link in the upper right of the job announcement on our website's job page (www.kingcounty.gov/jobs) and complete the employment application and supplemental questions thoroughly, with employment history going back at least ten years (or more to include all relevant experience).

Required Forms and Materials:

• Submit an online employment application, completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs, and complete all answers to the supplemental questions.
• Attach a resume.

Applications without the above required materials may not be considered.

It is important to fill out your application accurately. Applicants should complete the online application at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs as described above. Do NOT merely refer to your resume for indicating your employment history. 

NOTE: Please answer all relevant questions in the online employment application itself, with each of your jobs during the last 10 years listed (if you have ten years) (listing each position for each employer separately), duties explained, reasons for leaving, etc. Earlier jobs should be included here or in resume 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 answer to a Supplemental Question. 

Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions under Application Tips and FAQs at: Application FAQ’s- King County.

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.

Selection Process

Applications will be screened for completeness, clarity and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in an interview process. Employment offers will be finalized after a physical examination, drug screen, drug and alcohol background check, references and reviews of driving records.

Union Representation: This position is represented by Amalgamated Transit Union, Local587

Class Code: 9210100- Transit Grounds Specialist

For more information regarding this recruitment please contact: Brenna Burbank, Talent Advisor brburbank@kingcounty.gov

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.

Salary : $30 - $43