Rail Operator Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Summary Join Metro Link Light Rail Operations Team - A Career That Takes You Places King County Metro is seeking motivated individuals to join our Link Light Rail team through the Rail Supervisor-in-Training (RSIT) program. This recruitment will be used to fill multiple Rail Supervisor vacancies and will create a list of eligible candidates which will remain in effect until exhausted. This paid, one (1) year (12 month) training program combines classroom learning with on-the-job instruction throughout Rail Operations.

You'll build the skills necessary to supervise and ensure safe, reliable, and equitable transit operations for thousands of riders each day. Grow your skills, lead with purpose, and help shape the future of transit in the Greater Puget Sound Region. Position Overview RSITs will be subject to a one (1) year probationary period.

All RSITs must obtain (or maintain) a valid Rail Operator Card. Successful applicants who do not currently possess a valid Rail Operator Card will complete Light Rail Operator (LRO) training at the beginning of their probationary year. During their probationary year, all RSITs will be trained and must qualify in four key areas: Field Supervision: Overseeing rail operations in the field, interfacing with Rail Operators, responding to incidents, and ensuring safe and on-time delivery of service.

Communications Specialist: Managing communications and flow of information through the Link Control Center (LCC), monitoring emergency telephones and station cameras, and ensuring accurate train positioning and passenger information. Base Planning & Dispatching: Managing Rail Operator assignments, work schedules, and service coverage. Yard Supervision: Overseeing and authorizing all work and movements with the yard RSITs who fail to qualify in any of these four areas or obtain a Rail Operator Card will be terminated from the RSIT program.

RSITs who successfully complete their probationary year will be promoted to Rail Supervisors. Work Schedule Rail Supervisors work in a seniority-based pick system that provides opportunities to change shifts in the spring and fall of each year. Once qualified in all three key areas, RSITs may participate in these picks.

Rail Supervisor work is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including all weekends and holidays. Rail Supervisors work 4/40 and 5/40 schedules with consecutive days off. All Rail Supervisors must be able to work non-standard work hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

These positions are non-exempt from the FLSA regulations and are therefore eligible for overtime pay. Why This Role. Competitive Compensation: RSIT's earn $49.96/hour for the first 6 months, then $52.90 / hour for the second six months

Upon successful completion of the one (1) year probationary period, RSITs will be promoted to Rail Supervisors, and will start at $52.90 and move in four (4) steps to a top wage of $58.78 in two (2) additional years. 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, 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 "Benefits" tab. Opportunities for Growth Rail Supervisors have a variety of opportunities for career growth, such as instructing new RSITs in both classroom and field settings, filling acting roles in a variety of management and ancillary operations functions, and enrolling in LCC training to qualify as an Operations Controller.

Rail Supervisors support major event service and are also integral to the testing and commissioning of Rail expansions. Who May Apply This position is open to the general public and all King County employees. All current employees who meet the required qualifications and eligibility standards as outlined in the relevant collective bargaining agreement are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply Visit www.kingcounty.gov/jobs to submit your application and supplemental questions. Ensure your employment history looks back at least 10 years, detailing relevant duties and experience. If you have any questions, please reach out to Neha Bansal, Talent Advisor at nbansal@kingcounty.gov

Job Duties 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. Rail Supervisors-In-Training perform a variety of duties that involve classroom instruction and on- the-job training.

During the 12-month probationary period, each Rail Supervisor-in-Training must qualify as a Light Rail Operator (if not already qualified), a Field Supervisor, a Communications Specialist, and a Base Dispatcher/Planner. Upon satisfactory completion of the training, and advancement to the Rail Supervisor position, they may move under specific union contract provisions, between the following three specific assignment areas: Field Supervisors - Field supervisors facilitate the safe, reliable, and timely delivery of rail service. They use a variety of computer programs proficiently.

Supervisors may operate a service vehicle for several hours at a time, work outside approximately 95% of the time and must endure inclement weather and occasional unsanitary conditions. Other duties include: Monitor service and facilities, perform LRV troubleshooting on the mainline. Coordinate with other agencies and take steps to minimize service disruptions.

Propose and implement solutions to service related problems. Respond to emergencies on rail vehicles, rail platforms and rail rights-of-way and coordinate required activities with emergency response personnel; investigate rail accidents, derailments, incidents, and industrial injuries. Provide accurate and timely documentation regarding incidents that occur on the right-of- way, platforms, and rail yard.

Provide on-the-scene customer service and public relations for Rail; refer complaints to Operations Chief and assist with the fact-finding process. Base Dispatchers/Planners - Base dispatchers/planners work in an office setting and use a variety of computer programs proficiently and manage several tasks at a time. Other duties include: Fill assignments with a qualified, non-impaired operator in accordance with the guidelines of the labor agreement.

Inform rail operators of assignments and assign operators to cover absences due to illness, miss-outs, management requests, and other events. Respond to inquiries from operators regarding work schedules, overtime, run specifics, and other related contract provisions. Compute operator pay time, record operator attendance and maintain records for the base.

Maintain a variety of electronic reports; perform electronic data input and retrieval; review for accuracy all forms and documents received from rail operators and forward them to management or other units, as appropriate. Communicate and coordinate with vehicle maintenance staff on vehicle availability and maintain related documentation. Interact with a variety of Metro employees by telephone and in person.

Communications Specialists - Communications Specialist work in conjunction with the Link Control Center (LCC) and use a variety of computer programs proficiently and manage several tasks at a time. Yard Supervisors-Yard Supervisors work to ensure safety and efficiency in the yard at each Operating and Maintenance Facility (OMF). Other duties include: Authorize all train movements in the yard, including all coupling and uncoupling of LRVs and the setting-on, setting-off, and movement of hi-rail vehicles.

Manage yard communications over the radio and ensure safe and professional on-air communications. Coordinate yard pull-outs and pull-ins and quickly communicate any delays of revenue service pull-outs to the LCC. Maintain the Yard Communications Log, and record all pertinent information in a timely manner.

Establish and remove track protection in the yard, including blue flags/tags and blocks. Authorize and record all PMs, permits, and power-downs in the yard. Ensure worker protection during these events.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills Minimum Qualifications Transit/Rail Operator Experience: Minimum of two and one half (2) years of full-time transit or rail operator experience within the last five (5) years. For each month of PTO [Part Time Operator] service, month of FTO [Full Time Operator] service will be credited. Operations Knowledge: Demonstrated ability to accurately interpret and adhere to transit/rail operator schedules, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and rulebooks.

Rules and Safety: Experience applying operating rules, following safety regulations, and performing or overseeing basic vehicle mechanical checks. Radio Communication: Minimum of one (1) year of experience regularly using a two-way radio system in an operational or dispatch environment, with demonstrated ability to follow standard communication protocols. Communication Skills: Demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise written correspondence and to clearly convey information verbally in an operational or customer service setting.

Technology Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook (intermediate level or above) and capable of navigating web-based programs; demonstrated ability to learn and operate specialized operational software within a defined training period. Problem-Solving and Organization: Evidence of identifying operational problems, developing solutions, and prioritizing multiple tasks under time constraints. Performance Feedback: Demonstrated experience providing actionable performance feedback to peers or subordinates, such as coaching toward standards.

Equity and Diversity: Demonstrated understanding and application of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in the workplace; ability to work with people of varying backgrounds professionally; comfort interfacing with the general public. Desirable Qualifications Experience in a supervisory or lead capacity and/or coursework in supervision. Skill in developing, assessing, and evaluating standard and custom training materials Experience diagnosing and rectifying rail vehicle mechanical/electrical failures.

Experience working in an operations control or incident management center. Experience navigating HASTUS (or similar workforce management software). Demonstrated familiarity with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.

Necessary Special Requirements Possession of a valid driver's license with no suspensions or revocations within the past 36 months and no more than 1 moving violation in the past 12 months. Ability to pass a DOT physical exam and pre-employment drug testing. This position is subject to ongoing drug and alcohol testing per federal DOT regulations.

Ability to obtain and maintain a Link Rail Operator Card. Physical Requirements Incumbents in these positions will be sitting, handling tools, lifting up to 50 pounds, carrying weight up to forty feet, standing for long periods of time up to six hours and performing a variety of activities. Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods (up to 6 hours).

Ability to navigate loose/uneven terrain safely. Ability to scale a 3-foot-tall elevation (such as accessing a raised platform from the trackway) without assistance. Ability to climb 4 flights of stairs without stopping.

Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds across short distances. 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 question 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 with duties explained, reasons for leaving, etc. Earlier job 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: 07/26/2026. Selection Process: Candidates that pass the minimum qualifications will be invited to take an entrance exam (onsite test).

Candidates who pass this exam will be invited back to interview. All current ATU 587 members will receive an additional 5% on their PASSING test and interview scores. This additional 5% will only be added to passing exams and interviews, as outlined in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The entrance exam (onsite test) will be in multiple-choice format and will be based on the candidate's ability to reference and apply knowledge from the following documents: The current Collective Bargaining Agreement between ATU 587 and King County Metro Transit The Link Light Rail Rulebook The Link Light Rail Alignment Map The Rail Supervisor-in-Training (RSIT) Expectations The current revision of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 6.16 - Right of Way Worker Protection on the Trackway Note: Materials for testing will be sent out electronically with the testing invitation several days prior to the scheduled exam. Candidates may bring unmarked, printed copies of these materials with them to the exam. The hiring team will not provide any printed materials for use during testing

Eligibility list: Candidates that pass the testing, interviews, and acceptable record review (Employment reference check for all external applicants) 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 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/reference check.

Those that do not pass the record review/reference check at this step will be disqualified and removed from the eligibility list. Please note that record reviews/reference checks will be completed and must be successfully passed prior to ATU 587 seniority verification and again prior to placement into a RSIT training class. If an applicant chooses not to move forward with training when offered,...