Light Rail Operator

King County Auburn, WA Full-time Manufacturing / Production / Operations

Posted on May 25, 2022

Summary

SUMMARY:

Safety Sensitive Position
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 in compliance with Federal DOT alcohol and controlled substance testing program protocols.

Rail Operator – A Career That Takes You Places
King County is seeking motivated individuals to join our team as rail operators. Rail operators interface with customers and the Link Control Center. Ideal candidates possess confidence, patience, good communications skills and consistently demonstrate sound judgment and good decision making.

Link Light Rail
Metro Transit's Rail Division is responsible for operating and maintaining Link Light Rail service on a 20.4 mile route from the Angle Lake Station south of Sea-Tac Airport to Northgate. Plans and/or construction are underway extending the system to the north, east, south, and west. Expansion over the next five years alone will include the addition of more than 20 stations and 40 miles of light rail track. The light rail line is a critical part of the region's transportation network and carries more than 79,000 daily weekday riders.

Great Benefits
King County provides our employees with a free transportation pass (good on most regional transit systems). We offer a competitive benefits package including medical, dental and vision benefits for the whole family and state-registered domestic partner. A competitive sick leave and vacation plan, twelve holidays a year, and participation in the State's popular Public Employees Retirement Plan (PERS) are provided, as well as the option of participating in the County's deferred compensation plan (a 457 plan). For more details, please see the next tab.

Who May Apply
This position is open to the general public and all King County employees. This recruitment will be used to establish an eligibility list to fill future career service vacancies, and Rail Operator Reserve list if needed, until the eligibility list is exhausted.

Internal applicants will receive an additional 5% on passing test scores. Internal applicants who interview will receive an additional 5% added to their test scores.

Work Schedule
All positions are non-exempt and work a 40-hour workweek. Must be available for day and night work, weekend and holiday work, and split shifts. Openings may occur on all shifts. Work schedules are based on a seniority "pick" system, which occurs three times a year.

Program Overview
• Training includes light rail vehicle (LRV) operation, rules & regulations, vehicle and wayside systems
• Hands-on training includes manual operation of system components in all weather conditions
• Closed book written exams require a passing score of 90%, some require 100%
• Performance exams conducted the final week of training requires 90% passing score
• Candidates successfully completing the training course will graduate as a certified LRV Operator and earn a Rail Card

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.

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. See Application Process below for additional important information on completing your application. For assistance with the online application process, please contact NEOGOV Customer Support toll free at: 1-877-204-4442 (Governmentjobs.com customer support).

Questions please reach out to:
Cody Buchanan, Talent Advisor
cobuchanan@kingcounty.gov

Job Duties

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:

Provide safe, professional, and courteous on-time light rail service for customers in King County.
Conduct self in an appropriate manner as a representative of KC Metro & Sound Transit using sound judgment at all times, working safely on the job, respecting co-workers and assuring the quality of services to all customers both internal and external.
Operate LRV in revenue and non-revenue service in strict compliance with King County Light Rail rules and procedures pertaining to operations.
Reports all unusual occurrences including vehicle and Right-of-Way to the Controller and follows all traffic, safety, emergency and standard rules and operating procedure.
Successfully communicate with and follow directions from LINK Control Center via radio.
Communicate effectively with all customers regarding service delays, disruptions, and during emergency situations.
Prepare, submit and maintain accident and incident reports and other documentation as determined by management.
Operate test trains as required for acceptance of equipment and all other tests required which specify the need for train operations.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Minimum Qualifications

Must be at least 21 years of age
Experience providing verifiable and exceptional customer service to the public
Reliable transportation to report to work
Ability to read, speak and write in English
Work history must be verifiable, including self-employment

The most competitive candidates will have experience performing safe driving techniques and principles in public transportation vehicles in accordance with schedules, skill in oral and written communications, managing multiple tasks simultaneously and working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Necessary Special Requirement

A valid Washington State driver's license is required.
Must have or be able to pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination and maintain certification and National Registry number
Ability to successfully complete the LRV Operator Training Program, obtain LRV Certification and maintain LRV Certification

Working Conditions

Able to climb stairs and board rail on elevated guide way
Sit for extended periods
Lift or pull up to thirty (30) pounds
Perform repetitive body movements to operate controls
Work independently with a minimum of breaks

Supplemental Information

Application Process
It is important to fill out your application accurately. Applications will be screened for completeness, clarity and competitiveness. Applicants should complete the online application at www.kingcounty.gov as described above. 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 if they are relevant in some way to this job and if they relate to our minimum qualifications. If you have questions about this, please contact the HR contact stated above.

Application Closing Date: Closing Date for Applications: 06/08/2022.

Information Session: We will offer informational sessions in virtual formats after the posting closes to interested candidates. The information sessions will go over the details of the posting and day in the life of a Light Rail Operator. Applicants are highly encouraged to participate in this information session.

Selection Process
Based on application content, the most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in competency based testing.

Online Competency based exam details:

Customer Service Aptitude Profile
Measure’s personality traits that are critical to success in customer service
Criteria Attention Skills Test
Measures the ability to sustain focus and maintain concentration

Candidates will need to have a passing individual score of 80% or higher/Recommended on the CSAP portion of the test and 75% or higher on the CAST portion to move forward in the selection process.

Note: Applicants will not be paid for the online pre-employment self-testing.

Interviews: Candidates that successfully pass both parts of the competency based testing will be invited to interview. Interviews will be completed the week of 7/04/2022-07/08/2022.

Those who pass the competency-based exam and successfully pass an initial record review will be placed on an eligibility list in seniority order as determined by ATU Local 587. Participation in upcoming classes for the purpose to fill existing vacancies and prepare operators for a reserve list will be done in accordance with a list. Once selected to enter a class from a list, each candidate must successfully pass a second record review. Those that do not pass the record review at this step will be disqualified and removed from the eligibility list.

Please note that record reviews will be completed and must be successfully passed prior to ATU 587 seniority verification and again prior to placement into a Rail Operator training class.

If an applicant chooses not to move forward with training when offered, they will be removed from eligibility list. Entry into an LRO training class by an internal candidate will be done in accordance with R19.3 Promotional Lists.

Rail Operator training is intensive and includes classroom and hands-on operating instruction. During the training period, no vacation is allowed. Any already arranged time-off will need to be postponed to a later date. Employees who complete Rail Operator training and become certified will enter a regular career service position or temporary assignment, if available. If not immediately needed to fill a regular career service vacancy or temporary assignment, internal candidates will become Rail Operators in reserve will return to their FTO/Streetcar/PTO positions.

As needed, Rail will offer temporary assignments to employees on the reserve list in order to fill temporary workforce shortages. The temporary assignment will be offered to operators on the reserve list in seniority order.

For operators on the reserve list, if a temporary assignment or career service position becomes available, the employee must accept the assignment.

Final Offers are contingent upon successful completion of:

Demonstrating acceptable driving history by obtaining your current Washington State Abstract of Driving Record – FULL (This is a date sensitive document and cannot be accepted early; please don't submit until requested.)
Successfully completing DOT Drug and Alcohol paperwork and passing a two-year drug and alcohol background check
Successfully passing reference checks/record review
Successfully passing the criminal background review
Satisfactorily completing the DOT physical exam against the Metro Transit Job Analysis to receive an acceptable DOT medical card and/or waiver that is approved by King County Metro Transit

Driving Record
An excellent driving record is a requirement to become a Light Rail Operator In Training. Applicants' driving records will be reviewed prior to selection. Metro Transit Human Resources will require a current Five-Year Driving Abstract from the Washington State Department of Licensing. Please do not provide this abstract until requested. Driving records will be assessed on an individual basis and will be reviewed for the following: Frequency and seriousness of moving violations, suspension of license, failures to appear (FTA'S), unpaid tickets, and at fault accidents.

Any of the following vehicle code violations within the last five years will automatically disqualify you from further consideration:

Hit and run incidents
Vehicular Homicide
Open Container Violation
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
Reckless driving
Negligent driving
More than one at fault accident

Record Review (Internal Applicants)
Employee records will be reviewed for the candidate's most recent 12 months of active operating service. Fifteen days of active operating service will be considered a full month. If the candidate does not have a full month of active service in the twelve month window we will look back a maximum of eighteen months to find twelve months of active service. Applicants will be screened out of the Rail Supervisor-In-Training selection process 1) if the candidate does not have twelve months of active service in an eighteen month window 2) the record review totals 18 or more points, assigned as follows:

Major Infraction (18 Points each)
Suspension or Decision Making Leave (10 Points each)
Written Reminder (5 Points each)
Oral Reminder (3 Points each)
Unexcused Absences (6 Points each)
Late Reports/Misses (purged misses will be counted, 3 Points each)
Preventable Accidents
- Severe = 18
- Major = 9
- 1st Minor Accident = 5
- Successive Minor Accidents = 7

Union Membership
This position is represented by Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 587.

Class Code: 9602000

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.

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
As of October 18, 2021, most* King County employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by October 18th. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
This directive applies to employees in the Executive branch*, the Assessor’s Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Executive Office.

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 your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

#RailJobs

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:

Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
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: King County employees are eligible to 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
10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
Generous vacation and paid sick leave
Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
Flexible Spending Account
Wellness programs
Onsite gyms and activity centers
Employee giving program
Employee assistance programs
Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits please 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. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.

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.

Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?

Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
No.

If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff

If you are a current King County Transit Local 587 employee, please state your PeopleSoft ID, current job title, and work location. in the order above. (If not a King County Transit Local 587 employee, please type "N/A")

Testing for this recruitment will be completed online. Please acknowledge that you have a valid email address that the testing will be sent to for completion.

Are you willing to undergo a pre-employment medical examination?

If required for the position you are seeking, are you willing and available to work at any hours/shift, including days, swing, graveyard, weekends and holidays?

If required for the position you are seeking, are you willing to work mandatory overtime?

Have you tested positive, or refused to test, on any pre-employment drug or alcohol test administered by an employer to which you applied for, but did not get hired, safety-sensitive transportation work covered by the DOT drug and alcohol testing rules during the past two years?

How many accidents have you had in the last five (5) years?

No accidents
Class A CDL/Permit
Class B CDL/Permit
Air Brake Endorsement
Passenger Endorsement
I do not have a driver's license

Have you had a license in another state besides Washington in the last 5 years?

If you indicated above that you have had a license in a state other than Washington in the last 5 years, list the state(s) and the years you had the license(s).

In the last 5 years, has your license been revoked or suspended?

If your license has been suspended in the last five years, please indicate how many times it has been suspended, regardless of reason.

Once
More than once
My license as not been suspended

How many traffic code (moving) violations have you had in the last 5 years?

1
2
3
4
5 or more
No Code Violations

How many at fault accidents have you had in the last 5 years?

No accidents
1
2
3
4
5 or more

If you have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, will you need accommodation in the testing process? If you check the "YES" box, the human resources staff person coordinating this recruitment will send you a request asking for additional information. (This confidential information is solicited for the purposes of providing reasonable accommodation only).

I have read the job announcement and understand the duties and requirements for this position. I also understand that the provisions of the job announcement do not constitute an express or implied contract. I further understand that any employment offer may be subject to successful completion and results for drug and alcohol background check, pre-employment physical, drug testing, reference checks, driver's record evaluation, and criminal history checks. Having applied for employment with King County, I give my consent that any person, firm or organization listed hereon is authorized to furnish King County with reference material concerning my character, past employment or any other information requested. I hereby authorize the full release of my employment and work record to the Transit Division of King County for the purpose of evaluation and consideration for employment including, but not limited to, specific reasons and details regarding my resignation and/or termination, attendance and punctuality, infractions or any disciplinary actions I may have received, and disclosure of all performance evaluations for the previous ten (10) years. I agree to hold current or former employers harmless from any claim or action based upon the release of information or documentation relating to my employment record. I acknowledge I have read and understand the above information. By checking this box and completing by name in the field below, I provide my consent for King County Metro Transit to obtain the above referenced information.

Required Question