Transit Cleaner Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $23.27 - $33.24 Hourly
Location : Central Facilities Maintenance Offices, 1301 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service (Exec)
Job Number: 2026ELM27639
Department: MTD - Metro Transit
Division: Facilities
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: 9/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: J2 : ATU L587-Transit
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week
Summary
Learn how Metro connects you with what matters
*This recruitment is open to all current King County employees and the general public. *
King County Metro Transit's Facilities Division has an exciting opportunity for a Transit Facilities Specialist I (Transit Custodian I). The Transit Facilities Specialist I performs a wide variety of general cleaning tasks and minor maintenance duties at transit and maintenance facilities throughout the King County Metro Transit service area. Work also involves operating various types of cleaning equipment and using cleaning solutions and chemicals.
Our ideal candidate will have professional cleaning experience as well as a positive attitude and is passionate about helping Metro Transit provide a clean, safe experience for our community.
This recruitment may immediately fill up to one (1) Career Service position, and may also be used to establish an eligibility pool to fill future Career Service, as well as Term-Limited Temporary and/or Special Duty Assignment, vacancies that may occur over the next twelve (12) months, until the pool is exhausted, at the discretion of the hiring authority.
WAGE INFORMATION
Qualified candidates typically start at the mid-point of the established pay range, depending on candidate qualifications. The top step of the pay range is achieved within three (3) years or less through automatic step progression, depending on initial step placement at time of hire.
The pay range for day shift is $23.27 to $33.24 per hour. The mid-point step is currently $29.92 per hour for day shift.
This position is eligible for shift differential if assigned to a swing/afternoon or overnight shift. Positions assigned to swing/afternoon shift receive 5% shift differential, and positions assigned to overnight shift receive 7.5% shift differential.
WHO MAY APPLY
This recruitment is open to all current King County employees and the general public. Please note: Vacancies in the Transit Facilities Specialist I (Custodian I) classification will first be filled by qualified King County Metro Transit Facilities Division (TFD) Employees with a lower pay grade, in alignment with the applicable collective bargaining agreement. If no current Employees apply for or accept the position, Metro will then offer to other qualified candidates, both internal and external to Metro Transit.
TO APPLY
Required Application Materials:

1. An online King County application, updated with accurate contact information, and relevant work history going back 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly.
2. Completed supplemental questions
3. A resume.

Note: A cover letter/letter of interest is highly encouraged, but not required. Any additional attachments will not be considered.
Want to make sure your application materials are as competitive as possible?
We highly recommend visiting the King County Workforce Development website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective: King County Workforce Development.
Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions at Application FAQ's- King County.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Erica Minshull, Talent Advisor for King County Metro Transit
or 206-477-6059
Job Duties
Applying our ACTIVATE values: being Accountable, Collaborative, Timely, and Impactful; how we Value Employees; staying Accessible; building what's Trusted; and acting Equitably, is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. As a Transit Facilities Specialist I, you will also:

• Provide routine maintenance on floors consisting of vinyl, slate, terrazzo, concrete, and commercial grade carpeting using dust mops, vacuums, sweepers, and motorized floor buffers.
• Clean, sanitize, and stock lunchrooms, restrooms, elevators, and other transit facilities, including tables, toilets, showers, sinks, and walls.
• Empty trash and recycle bins.
• Dust, wash, and vacuum surfaces; clean glass windows, including graffiti; clean surfaces up to 10 feet high.
• Sweep and clean facility perimeter; clear snow and ice.
• Request and stock various types of supplies.
• Operate and maintain task specific equipment, such as vacuums, carpet cleaners, shop vacs, floor sweepers, scrubbers, and steamers.
• Mix and use cleaning solutions and chemicals, as directed.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
To be considered eligible for this role, applicants must possess these MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience and/or training which give evidence of the ability to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Knowledge of basic janitorial cleaning techniques.
• Knowledge in the use and care of cleaning equipment.
• Knowledge of basic cleaning chemicals and safe handling requirements.
• Knowledge of basic safety rules and procedures to ensure the safety of customers and co-workers.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team; ability to interact appropriately with others.
• Ability to demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to work effectively with others in a work environment that embraces and encourages diversity in its workforce and where differences are valued.
• Ability to demonstrate behaviors that include fairness, respect, and inclusiveness.
• Ability to perform repetitious tasks.

The most competitive applicants will possess these DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• One (1) or more years of recent professional industrial cleaning/janitorial work experience.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Valid Washington State driver's license, with an acceptable driving record. Out-of-state candidates must obtain a Washington driver license within 30 days of hire.

Supplemental Information
CLASS CODE / PAY GRADE
9102100 / 10
UNION STATUS
This position is represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 587.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications, as well as for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above. Highly competitive applicants may be asked to interview, which may also include a written test and/or practical skills test. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as driving record checks, internal record reviews, and/or reference checks, etc. The first six (6) months of employment in a Career Service position are served in a probationary capacity to provide an opportunity to confirm whether the position is a good match between the successful candidate's interests and skills and the ability to perform the requirements of the job.
WORK LOCATION AND SCHEDULE
The work location may be assigned to a location within the King County Metro Transit service area, including Seattle, Tukwila, Bellevue, and North Seattle. This position is typically scheduled full time (40 hours per week), with a typical schedule of 5 days/8 hours per day. Shifts typically include both days and swing/afternoon. However, because schedules are selected by a seniority-based twice-annual 'shift pick', employees must be available and willing to work any shift (day, swing, or graveyard), weekends, nights, holidays, and call-outs, as well as any of the work locations. This position is not exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore overtime eligible, with prior supervisory approval. This position is not eligible for telework/remote work.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work may be performed indoors or outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather. Specific tasks may require the use of a respirator, and therefore this position is subject to respirator fit-testing. Additionally, indoor work may include exposure to exhaust and fumes. When warranted, must be able and willing to wear proper safety equipment and protective clothing as required, including hearing and eye protection.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
These positions require physical skill which may involve bending, kneeling, standing, walking, reaching, climbing, stooping, squatting, pushing, pulling, twisting, and lifting/moving up to 50 pounds in order to perform assigned duties. Work may also be performed at heights of up to 10 feet.
SAFTEY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR AN EMPLOYEE

• Responsible for understanding the Metro Transit Safety Policy and their role in safety.
• Report all safety concerns.
• Follow safety practices and procedures as necessary to maintain a safe work environment and in conformance with applicable regulations, policies, and training.
• Report safety and security concerns and ideas to supervisors or anonymously through data collection system.

KING COUNTY'S VISION, MISSION, AND ACTIVATE VALUES UNITE US.
King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.
KING COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.
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 and supporting King County's vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact the recruiter listed in this job announcement.
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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:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• 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: eligible King County employees may 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
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite 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, visit our
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.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limit