Transit Chiefs – Vehicle Maintenance Base Chief
- Summary
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.
Vehicle Maintenance Division
Metro Transit's Vehicle Maintenance Division takes pride in meeting our customers' expectations for safe, dependable, clean, and environmentally sound vehicles. Maintenance of Metro's bus fleet takes place at seven bus bases and at our central Component Supply Center where specialized work is done. The majority of Metro's buses are hybrids, followed by diesel, electric trolley, and several battery-electric buses. Metro has long been an innovator in green vehicle technology, and plans to transition to battery-electric buses as we move toward our goal of a zero-emission fleet. Our Division is committed to working in a timely, cost effective, and environmentally sensitive manner, and values teamwork, communication, diversity, and social justice.
King County Transit is accepting applications for the following Transit Chief positions:
- Vehicle Maintenance Base Chief – Two Career Service positions
Who may apply: These positions are open to all King County employees and the general public.
The Transit Chief role
The role of the Transit Chief is critical to the management and oversight of the daily operations of Transit and the service we provide. Transit Chiefs provide policy direction, create an environment that models customer service, work collaboratively with union leaders and others within the organization, and are a resource to employees at the worksite.
Our Transit Chiefs demonstrate support for the goals of the organization in providing quality public service and collaboratively working with other sections and departments, while recognizing the value of diversity of opinion, culture, and perspective.
Forms and materials required: Applicants for this position are required to submit the complete online application form, answer the attached supplemental questions, and submit a cover letter that specifically explains your interest in the position that you are applying for. Note: One of the questions within the supplemental questions will ask the applicant to insert their cover letter.
Work location and schedule: This recruitment process will be used to fill Two vacant Chief position This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and are not overtime eligible.
The Vehicle Maintenance Base Chief Positions may work at any of eight bases operated by King County METRO Transit's Vehicle Maintenance Section.
For questions or additional information, please contact:
Troika Braswell
Sr. Human Resource Analyst
King County Metro Transit
TBraswell@kingcounty.gov (Preferred method of contact)
206-263-1523 (desk)
- Job Duties
- Identify, evaluate and recommend service, quality, workplace and business process improvements; monitor daily labor costs and modify operations when necessary to achieve performance improvement targets while maintaining established vehicle maintenance and transit service levels.
- Establish and maintain a collaborative and effective labor relations environment; ensure daily operations and personnel actions conform with the terms of negotiated agreements; confer with labor representatives to discuss and resolve issues; escalate issues to Superintendent or Transit Labor Relations staff as appropriate; may be delegated authority for first-step grievance determinations on a case-by-case basis; testify at arbitration, unemployment and related hearings as requested.
- Manage employee absenteeism, vacation change requests, sick/injury leaves and related ADA/FMLA/KCFML/WFLA processes and requirements for assigned employees; review and approve leave requests consistent with staffing needs, employee preferences where possible, and applicable County policy/procedures and bargaining agreements; review, correct and approve payroll; administer federal safety-sensitive drug and alcohol testing program for assigned employees.
- Interview and recommend selection of assigned staff; provide employees with training and development opportunities as available; counsel staff on effective customer relations and safety strategies; evaluate staff performance through record reviews and employee performance appraisals as necessary; counsel employees in performance improvement requirements when needed; conduct investigations into allegations of employee misconduct, harassment, negligence, policy/procedure violations and similar assertions; determine appropriate follow-up actions including counseling, training and appropriate disciplinary actions in consultation with the Superintendent, Human Resources and Labor Relations as required.
- Ensure compliance with all Vehicle Maintenance, Transit Division and County policies and procedures governing safety sensitive positions, employment, worker safety and related areas as well as with applicable local, state and federal laws.
- May be assigned to participate in internal and external work groups, project teams, committees and task forces; coordinate operations, service delivery and operating needs with appropriate staff throughout the Transit Division as required.
- Act as Superintendent as assigned.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Vehicle Maintenance Base Chief include:
- Supervise a staff of journey level and non-journey level trades and labor positions, providing day-to-day supervision and personnel management of up to 35 employees in various job classifications.
- Ensure that vehicles are properly inspected and repaired following Transit Division policies.
- Ensure that coach requirements are met to provide safe, dependable service to the public every day.
- Implement and manage the preventative maintenance program for assigned fleet of vehicles and other equipment.
- Work together with other Chiefs as a team to ensure the basic work of maintenance is completed.
- Make final decisions with respect to whether transit coaches can be safely returned to service during and after repair or maintenance procedures.
- Oversee the management of personnel, materials and other assets for assigned maintenance work within the approved budget.
- Supervise the acquisition, receipt, storage and disbursement of maintenance related parts and materials required to support operations; authorize purchases to level of assigned authority.
- Supervise maintenance of and data input to automated fleet maintenance, scheduling and related information systems.
- Monitor, manage and oversee the safety program for assigned work area; establish and maintain a safe working environment; oversee and ensure the proper use, storage and disposal of hazardous materials in compliance with federal, state and agency regulations and requirements.
- Direct and ensure timely and appropriate response to service disruptions, weather emergencies and critical incidents; coordinate response with Superintendent, Transit Operations Center and other internal and external agencies as appropriate; investigate and prepare response to customer complaints regarding vehicle maintenance operations, services and staff.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
In addition to the shared competencies (Download PDF reader) for the Transit Chief role. The Vehicle Maintenance Base Chief position Transit Chiefs must demonstrate the following additional minimum qualifications:
- Three years of increasingly responsible experience relative to the Transit Chief position, including at least two years in a supervisory or Lead capacity
- Large fleet management experience related to preventative maintenance and repair
- Extensive knowledge of safety standards for heavy duty maintenance vehicles and equipment
- Out of service criteria in regard to inspection standards, and service requirements (dispatch)
A valid Washington State Driver's License, or the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely manner.
- Supplemental Information
Selection Process: Candidates who demonstrate clearly through their application materials how they meet and/or exceed the minimum qualifications and ideal candidate profile will be invited to participate in first round panel interviews. Candidates who pass the first round interview process will advance to final interviews.
First Round of interviews are scheduled for the weeks of September 9th – September 20th.
Final Round of interviews are scheduled for September 30th – October 11th.
You must be available to on these dates if selected. Skype options are available for out-of-state candidates for the first-round interview only. Final interviews must be in person. We unfortunately not able to provide interviewing or relocation expenses.
The most competitive candidates from the final interview process will proceed to reference checks and a record review. Final offers of employment will be subject to successful completion of the reference check and record review process.
Please note this recruitment will be used to fill the advertised Transit Chief positions only. This recruitment will not create a pool for future career service, Term-Limited-Temporary, or Special Duty Transit Chief assignments.
Union Representation: This job is represented by Professional Technical Local 17 - Chiefs Unit.
Class Code
8730500
An Employer To Be Proud Of
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 nation's public transportation industry.
Great Benefits
King County provides our employees with a free transportation pass (good on Metro, Pierce, Community and Sound Transit) and a generous benefits package, (see Benefits tab for more details).
At King County Metro Transit we believe:
Our diverse culture encompasses unique perspectives, knowledge, skills and abilities, and the rich dimensions of their unique identity that each member of the Metro community brings to work every day. These perspectives and human dimensions are built through life experiences and membership in socially defined groups (including, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, and religious beliefs).
The diverse experiences and perspectives of our employees help us serve King County residents in an equitable, and culturally responsive way.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we value diverse perspectives, life experiences, and differences. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people of all ages, and veterans. We are committed to being equitable and fair in providing equal access to opportunities for all.
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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01When applying for this position, you must thoroughly complete the education and work experience sections of your application. Failure to do so can result in disqualification from consideration. Please check off all of the items that you have completed in your application:
- Detailed description of each position you have held in the last ten years, including any relevant job history that may be outside of ten years. Please list gaps in employment and the reason
- Completed education
- Reason for leaving employers, (in case of termination, state why)
- Supervisor name
- Employer phone number
02How many years of increasingly responsible experience relative to the Transit Chief position do you have?- Less than three years
- Three or more years
- I am not applying for the Vehicle Maintenance Base Chief Position
03Briefly tell us where you obtained this experience, and your job title (if not applying for Vehicle Maintenance Base Chief, please put N/A)04If applying for Vehicle Maintenance Base Chief - How many years of experience do you have in a supervisory or lead role?- Less than two years
- Two or more years
05According to the Chief Competency Profile located on the Transit Chief Information website (www.kingcounty.gov/metro/transitchief), please describe your strongest competency and how you will apply it to the Transit Chief position. (Please limit your response to the space provided).06Please insert your cover letter or letter of interest:07I understand that if selected for a Transit Chief position I will be required to participate fully in the Chief Development Program.- Yes
- No
08If 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 information is kept confidential and used only for purposes of determining reasonable accommodation in the testing process).- Yes
- No
09I certify that the statement 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
10I 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 my name in the field below, I provide my consent for King County Metro Transit to obtain the above referenced information.- Yes
- No
Required Question