Rail Signals and Communications Chief (Special Duty Assignment)
- Summary
Metro Transit’s Rail Division is seeking letters of interest for 1 Special Duty Assignment as a Signals and Communications Chief. This leadership position is critical in ensuring the delivery of light rail transit services and the day-to-day coordination, direction and supervision of personnel that perform maintenance on railway signal and communications equipment.
Our ideal candidates will be able to communicate effectively with a diverse employee work group, to proactively solve problems that impact service delivery, encourage a safety culture while inspiring high standards of customer service excellence, as well as the ability to motivate employees through building respect and trust. Our Chiefs promote teamwork, resolve conflicts that arise, and promote a collaborative environment. #RailJobs #TradesJobs
Who May Apply: We are only accepting applications from current Rail Signal and Communications Technicians and Lead Rail Signal and Communications Technicians. To be eligible for the Special Duty Assignment (SDA), you must be a current Career Service King County employee and have passed your initial probationary period.
Position Information: This recruitment will be used to fill 1 SDA vacancy, expected to last up to 6 months, but could be extended up to 12 months. We will also be establishing an eligibility pool for future SDA opportunities as they become open in this classification. The eligibility pool will be valid for 6 months from the establishment of the pool at the discretion of the hiring authority.
Please note: This position is considered safety sensitive. Applicants for these positions are required to undergo a physical and 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.
- 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.
Management duties:
- Supervise, develop, and direct the work of Rail Signal and Communications personnel and equipment at bases and out in the field as well as management support for the training of staff.
- Exhibit positive leadership and role modeling to encourage and support staff while managing employee performance. Chiefs assist in the selection of staff, coordinate, and assign work, counsel, and discipline subordinates in accordance with labor contracts and agreement provisions and Light Rail rules and procedures.
- Represent management at disciplinary hearings and grievances, interpret labor contract provisions in support of supervisory role, including grievance resolution, establishing, and developing collaborative relationships with Union leadership, and assist in labor negotiations and contract changes as needed.
- Work closely with Human Resources and Labor Relations staff to track and resolve personnel issues and other related labor issues.
- Respond to questions and provide technical advice on project requirements, specifications, and material requirements.
- Verify data and 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.
- Participate in the development and implementation of a comprehensive preventative maintenance program for signals & communications and associated features of the light rail system; prepare records and document maintenance and diagnostic data.
- Respond to emergency situations. Prioritize and determine work priorities for emergency maintenance tasks.
- Perform snow/ice removal during inclement weather to maintain the system.
- Manage and coordinate with outside contractors.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
We are looking for candidates who have:
- Knowledge of union contracts.
- Ability to problem solve and attain mutually beneficial solutions.
- Ability to learn principles and techniques of curriculum planning, training needs assessments, testing and training program development; ability to assess employees' technical proficiency and productivity issues that may be addressed through coaching and training.
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills including the ability to listen carefully to others with an open mind while giving and receiving feedback.
- Experience using a computer and Microsoft Office software products and knowledge of experience and ability to use an Enterprise Asset Management System (EAMS).
- Skill in planning, scheduling, prioritizing, and organizing the work of maintenance functions for optimal effectiveness and efficiency while meeting established standards and deadlines.
- Advanced skill in reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, and drawings.
- Knowledge of and skill in industrial safety techniques, principles, and procedures.
- Knowledge of and skill in maintaining and troubleshooting mechanical and hydraulic equipment.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Knowledge of budget monitoring.
Necessary Special Requirements:
- Ability to Hi-Rail certification as well as various other specialty certifications within the work group.
- Valid driver's license (Washington license by date-of-hire) and an acceptable driving record.
- Class B CDL with air brake endorsement or able to obtain one.
- Work requires remaining available for work 24 hours per day.
- 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.
- Experience overseeing project management coordination between departments/division (Construction, Contracts, etc.) through all project phases.
- Supplemental Information
Forbes recently 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.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:- submit proof of vaccination, or
- have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
People are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of a vaccination approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Executive Branch includes 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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.Application and Selection Process
Submit a letter of interest. In the letter of interest, choose one bullet from each section above (Management duties, additional duties, requirements, and special requirements) and tell us how you meet or exceed that bulleted point and why you are interested in working as a Rail Signal and Communications Chief.
Letters of interest will be evaluated for qualifications, clarity, and completeness to determine the most competitive candidate(s). An interview may be conducted if needed.
Work Schedule and Work Location
Current base location is at Rail’s OMF-C, 3407 Airport Way S. and may change in future based on operational need. This position may be assigned to work on various shifts including weekends; days off may vary. This classification is FLSA exempt and therefore not eligible for overtime pay. This position will have on call responsibilities. Employees in this position may be required to remain available for work 24 hours per day, and work may require reporting for extended duty during adverse weather events and other emergencies.
Union Membership: PROTEC17: Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17 -- Transit Chiefs
Class Code: 8730400 TRANSIT CHIEF – RAIL WAY, SIGNALS & FACILITIES
Questions about this recruitment? Contact Angela Alcaraz, Sr. HR Analyst, 206-263-2466, aalcaraz@kingcounty.gov.
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
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.
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01We are only accepting applications from current Rail Signal and Communications Technicians and Lead Rail Signal and Communications Technicians and to be eligible for the Special Duty Assignment (SDA), you must be a current Career Service King County employee and have passed your initial probationary period. Do you meet these requirements?
- Yes
- No
02Did you follow the guidelines for the letter of interest? In the letter of interest, chose one bullet from each section above (Management duties, additional duties, requirements, and special requirements) and tell us how you meet or exceed that bulleted point and why you are interested in working as a Rail Signal and Communications Chief.- Yes
- No
03I certify that the statements made by me on the application and supplemental questions are, to the best of my knowledge, true, complete and correct. I understand that any misrepresentation or material omission of fact on this or any other document required by King County may constitute grounds for rejection, or if employed by King County, for disciplinary measures, including dismissal.- Yes
- No
Required Question