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Metro Rail Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Successfully pass the Metro Link Operating Rules Examination for Maintenance of Way (MOW) employees and Standard Operating Procedures. Employees are to be high-rail and flag qualified. * Must possess ...

Rail Technical Trainer III

Seattle, WA · On-site

$95K - $137K/yr

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division has an exciting opportunity for a Rail Technical Trainer ... Ability to obtain and maintain a Link Light Rail "yard card" for operating Light Rail Vehicles in ...

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Metro Rail Operator information

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$5

$22

$35

How much do metro rail operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for metro rail operator in the United States is $22.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $29.57 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Metro Rail Operator vs Bus Driver?

AspectMetro Rail OperatorBus Driver
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some certifications may be requiredHigh school diploma or equivalent; commercial driver's license (CDL) often required
Work EnvironmentOperate trains in rail stations and tunnels, often in urban transit systemsDrive buses on designated routes, often in city streets and highways
Employer & IndustryPublic transit agencies, rail companiesPublic transit agencies, private bus companies

While both roles involve operating vehicles for public transportation, Metro Rail Operators focus on train systems within urban transit networks, requiring specific certifications and working in rail environments. Bus Drivers operate on roadways, often with different licensing requirements. Both are essential for urban mobility but differ in vehicle type and work setting.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Metro Rail Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Metro Rail Operator, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver's license, strong attention to detail, and knowledge of transit safety regulations. Familiarity with train control systems, signaling equipment, and radio communication devices is typically required, and some positions may prefer certifications in rail operations or safety. Excellent situational awareness, decision-making skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring passenger safety, adhering to schedules, and responding effectively to emergencies or operational challenges.

What are some common challenges faced by Metro Rail Operators and how are they typically addressed?

Metro Rail Operators often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict adherence to schedules, managing unexpected service disruptions, and ensuring passenger safety during peak hours. Operators are trained to handle these situations through rigorous protocols and continuous communication with control centers and station staff. Collaboration with maintenance teams and clear public announcements help address technical issues and keep passengers informed. Supportive team environments and regular training sessions further enable operators to effectively manage these challenges.

What are Metro Rail Operators?

Metro Rail Operators are professionals responsible for operating trains on urban rail transit systems, such as subways or light rail. Their main duties include driving the train safely, following schedules, monitoring equipment, and ensuring passenger safety. They also communicate with control centers, respond to emergencies, and provide customer service when needed. Metro Rail Operators play a vital role in keeping public transportation systems running smoothly and efficiently.
More about Metro Rail Operator jobs
What cities are hiring for Metro Rail Operator jobs? Cities with the most Metro Rail Operator job openings:
What states have the most Metro Rail Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Metro Rail Operator jobs include:
Infographic showing various Metro Rail Operator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,912 per year, or $22.6 per hour.
SENIOR DIRECTOR, SAFETY CERTIFICATION & OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT (INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE)

SENIOR DIRECTOR, SAFETY CERTIFICATION & OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT (INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE)

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CA)

Los Angeles, CA

$141K - $211K/yr

Other

Medical, Vision, Life

Posted 12 days ago


Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 76 rated public transport


Job description

Metro's mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County. Description Provides direction, guidance, and support to Metro's health and safety programs, verifies safety readiness of major projects, and focuses on safety priorities on operating lines, as required by regulatory agencies, such as Federal Transit Administration (FTA), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Air Quality Management District (AQMD). The Senior Director will provide direction, guidance, and support to Metro's Industrial Hygiene Safety group and will manage and oversee health and safety programs as required by regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Air Quality Management District (AQMD), and other applicable agencies.

Examples of Duties Directs, manages, and oversees the activities of Metro's Fire/Life Safety (FLS) Program for all operating rail and bus lines and capital/construction projects to ensure the safety of employees, passengers, contractors, and the public; manages staff to implement required safety functions on capital projects Serves as chair to Metro's Fire/Life Safety Committee and Joint Power Authority on Rail capital projects to ensure oversight and coordination of safety issues and ensure readiness for a Certificate of Occupancy Identifies operational fire/life and system security issues and resolutions Ensures Metro's compliance to Fire/Life Safety Design Criteria, National Fire Protection Association standards, and other similar regulations Performs Design Reviews of engineering package and contractor submittals for code compliance and safety issues Oversees and manages the work of Fire Services Representative(s) assigned to Metro to coordinate fire/life safety issues Coordinates review and approval with Fire Services of fire/life safety Requests for Special Consideration Performs field inspections and witnesses tests to resolve outstanding fire/life and systems safety concerns Serves as principal liaison between project personnel and outside agencies, including fire departments, CPUC, APTA (American Public Transportation Association), etc. Coordinates emergency training drills with Fire Services Develops, maintains, enforces, and oversees the Safety Certification Program Plan on all Metro rail and applicable bus projects to ensure regulatory compliance Oversees operational system safety and certification on rail capital projects managed by Joint Powers Authority Manages the safety certification program to comply with CPUC general orders Manages consultants and contractors on projects to ensure safety requirements are met in finished projects Reviews, approves, and audits criteria conformance checklists prepared by consultants Reviews conformance certificates for contract design checklists Reviews safety requirements for construction conformance checklists Monitors safety certification training and testing requirements Supports integrated testing and oversees testing safety certifications Serves on project Change Control Board Plans, develops, and implements incident response protocols and activities Serves as Metro's representative to local, state, and federal agencies and other outside organizations, including participating on industry committees for safety and chairing task forces to coordinate efforts in planning, developing, and implementing operational procedures on response protocols to potential terrorist attacks, pandemic or avian flu outbreaks, and other disasters Directs and oversees Metro's Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Programs Ensures compliance to applicable regulatory standards imposed by OSHA, AQMD, and Fire Departments Supports Rail Activation/Start-Up team in safety certification, fire/life safety, and emergency response activities Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees May be required to perform other related job duties Minimum Qualifications A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis.

A typical combination includes: Education Bachelor's Degree in Safety, Engineering, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred Experience Five years of relevant management-level experience in transit system safety, facility engineering, safety certification, transit operations, or fire/life safety Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions Completion of training courses provided by California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI), National Transit Institute (NTI), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) preferred Preferred Qualifications Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment.

In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected. The following are the preferred qualifications: Experience overseeing regulatory compliance with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and local fire and health departments, including hazardous materials compliance and response to regulatory investigations Experience leading investigations of industrial hygiene, safety, and environmental hazards-including asbestos, lead, mold, noise, and drinking water-ensuring regulatory compliance Experience conducting industrial hygiene, safety, and environmental investigations, delivering findings and actionable recommendations to executive leadership to guide strategic decisions and ensure compliance Essential Knowledge Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks) Theories, principles, practices, and procedures of rail transit safety, engineering, design, and construction Applicable local, state, and federal, laws, rules, regulations, and standards governing rail transportation policies, fire/life safety, and occupational health and safety, including California Public Utilities Commissions Codes and General Orders Transit operations and system design Rail systems design and operations Fire prevention and detection design criteria Emergency response Safety certification concepts and procedures Modern management theory Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things) Managing and overseeing the operations and implementation of fire/life safety programs Determining strategies to achieve goals Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions Communicating effectively orally and in writing Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside representatives Supervising, training, and motivating assigned staff Conducting meetings Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result) Grasp overall perspective of issues as they arise and identify the most appropriate course of action Work well with others, including various agencies and contractors Lead others Multi-task Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence Compile, analyze, and interpret complex data Read, write, speak, and understand English Special Conditions This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out Working Conditions Typical office situation Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen Work on elevated surfaces or below ground level Physical Effort Required Sitting at a desk or table Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions Standing Walking (distance 5' to 100') Communicating through speech in the English language required (RW) Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro's Equal Employment Opportunity Program.

Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices. Selection Procedure Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities. Application Procedure To apply, visit Metro's website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application

Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro locations: METRO Headquarters, Employment Office One Gateway Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90012 Open: Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm (Closed Sat & Sun) Metro Talent Hub 8501 S. Evermont Place Los Angeles, CA 90044 Open: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm (Closed Sat & Sun) East Los Angeles Customer Center 4501 B Whittier Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90022 Open: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm (Closed Sun & Mon) Wilshire/Vermont Customer Center 3183 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 174 Los Angeles, CA 90010 Open: Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm (Closed Sat & Sun) Rosa Parks Customer Center Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station 11720 Wilmington Ave Los Angeles, CA 90059 Open: Monday through Friday, 6am to 6:30pm (Closed Sat & Sun) Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro. All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m

on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered. *Open to the public and all Metro employees This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.


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