Lead Transit Electronic Technician (SDA)

 Metro Transit’s Vehicle Maintenance Division is seeking a Lead Electronic Technician for a Special Duty Assignment lasting one year, with the possibility of extension.  

This role serves as a working lead, combining hands on technical work with oversight and coordination of a team of Transit Electronic Technicians. The Lead is trusted to provide daily direction, support, and technical expertise while ensuring work is completed efficiently and to established standards. 
 
Although this position works under the general supervision of a Transit Vehicle Maintenance Chief, Leads are expected to operate with a high level of independence, managing workflows, and resolving issues at the lowest appropriate level. Key responsibilities include:  

• Coordinating work assignments:  organizing tasks, distributing workloads, and ensuring staff have the resources needed to complete repairs efficiently. 
• Monitoring workflow:  tracking progress, addressing bottlenecks, and ensuring repairs meet quality and schedule expectations. 
• Maintaining quality standards:  reviewing work for accuracy, safety, and compliance, and coaching team members to strengthen skills and performance. 
• Ensuring preventive maintenance compliance: verifying that all work aligns with established maintenance schedules and operational requirements. 
• Upholding division policies and safety regulations:  ensuring all tasks follow operating standards and federally mandated safety-sensitive rules. 

The Vehicle Maintenance Division operates three shifts (day, swing, and graveyard), seven days a week across multiple King County locations. Vacancies may occur on any shift or at any base, so candidates must be willing to accept any work assignment if selected. Work sites are located in the following areas: Bellevue, SODO/ Downtown Seattle, Shoreline, and Tukwila.  Safety Sensitive Position  
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. 
 
Vacancy Information: This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Special Duty Assignment (SDA) Transit Electronic Technician Lead position at Atlantic Base VM that has an expected duration of one year, with the possibility of extension.  An eligibility list may be created to fill future SDA vacancies in this classification and workgroup. If created, the eligibility list would be active for 12 months from the posting date above and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority.  
 
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact the recruiter: Emily Clark (she/her) [email protected] or 206-477-8373.Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. You will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. In addition to performing the full range of responsibilities of the Transit Electronic Technician classification, you will:

• Assign work to Electronic Technicians and other personnel in accordance with automated reports, work orders and requests from within vehicle maintenance, schedules and operating requirements; control and monitor workflow.
• Train new and current personnel in required aspects of established electronic repair standards and practices; train employees on shop and base hazards and safety protocols and procedures.
• Coordinate and provide technical assistance to Transit Electronic Technicians in diagnosing, troubleshooting, maintaining and repairing electrical and electronic systems and components.
• Inspect work assignments to ensure work has been completed in a quality manner and equipment is in proper working order; assign or perform the inspection of equipment repaired to ensure work conforms toestablishedelectronic repair standards and practices.
• Respond to questions and provide advice on related problems and repair; Assist other staff with electrical troubleshooting. Provide leadership and direction to other skilled employees on assigned projects.
• Keep current with the latest service bulletins and advisories as well as equipment modifications and enhancements to advise Electronic Technicians accordingly.
• Ensure all test and shop equipment is maintained appropriately and is in proper operating condition; maintain security of electronic test equipment, tools and related items.
• Advise Electronic Technicians when their work is deficient or is in violation of established regulations and procedures; recommend corrective actions to supervisory staff when required.
•  Provide feedback to supervisory staff on employee and team performance as well as any behavioral and attendance issues.
• Implement continuous improvement measures including lean principles.
• Review records and notes of completed calibrations, preventive maintenance, repairs, and materials used; enter and extract data using an automated information maintenance management system.
• Resolve workflow, supply, and interpersonal problems at the lowest level possible.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate the following minimum qualifications:

• Knowledge of electrical and electronic systems, repair theories, principles, components, and applications used in mass transit vehicles and facilities, including solid-state circuitry, analog/digital control systems, and related repair techniques and procedures. 
• Skill in interpreting and applying schematics, wiring diagrams, technical manuals, and similar materials.
• Demonstrates safety skills and knowledge in operating related shop equipment.
• The ability to coach Transit Electronic Technicians on safe work practices, and skill in planning, assigning, prioritizing, reviewing work, and setting clear expectations.
• Skill in evaluating, guiding, directing, training, and assisting employees to meet quality and safety expectations. 
• Knowledge of applicable service standards, operating policies and regulations, and current equipment service bulletins, advisories, enhancements, and modifications. 
• Proficiency in using Vehicle Maintenance’s work order software (data entry, extraction, and equipment dispatching) and basic computer operations using MS Outlook, Word, and Excel. 
• Skill in prioritizing deliverables and instilling a sense of urgency within the team around the work they are doing, and the services affected by that work.
• Ability to give, receive, and apply feedback respectfully and effectively, including providing clear, corrective direction when needed. 
• Skill in recognizing and leveraging employee’s strengths, as well as identifying growth and development opportunities for staff. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to relay information and concerns to leadership and hold meaningful conversations that connect our employee's daily work to Metro’s mission and goals. 
• Skill in motivating others, fostering positive team morale, and creating a customer- and service-oriented work environment.
• Ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate with individuals and teams across diverse backgrounds and trades. 
• Commitment to King County's core values of inclusion, equity, and social justice. Able to demonstrate integrity, accountability, fairness, confidentiality, and consistent follow through in all actions. 
• Effective conflict management and problem-solving skills.
  

Other requirements:  

• Possession of a valid Class B CDL and an acceptable five-year driving record. 
• Must pass drug and alcohol testing provisions for safety-sensitive positions as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation, 49 CFR Parts 40 and 655. 
• Willingness and availability to work varying shifts on weekdays, nights, weekends, and holidays. 
• Willingness and availability to work at any base location assigned. 
• Willingness and ability to report to work during inclement weather and in emergency situations. 

Desirable qualifications include (but are not required): 

• At least two (2) years of current, full-time journey level service at Metro within the Transit Electronic Technician classification.
• Experience in developing and coordinating training in support of electronic repair standards, on shop and base hazards and safety protocols and procedures. 
• Proficiency with workload planning, scheduling, assigning, balancing, and tracking multiple projects. 
• Demonstrated ability to understand, interpret, and apply Collective Bargaining Agreement and contract language in decision-making processes and workplace practices.
• Previous experience leading or supervising trades teams, especially in a unionized environment. 
• Process improvement skills and knowledge of continuous improvement methods and approaches.

Who may apply: This internal recruitment is open to qualified King County Metro Employees who have passed their probationary period in their current career service position. You must receive permission from your supervisor to be able to accept an SDA, if offered. We encourage you to discuss your interest in this SDA with your supervisor now.  

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 process, or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter: [email protected] . 

No other attachments will be reviewed so please do not include them. Applications that are not complete, or do not include the required materials mentioned above may be deemed incomplete and removed from consideration. The work history section of your application must validate and support any experience mentioned in the supplemental question responses or cover letter. 

Selection process: The initial screening will be based on a comprehensive review of all required application materials. Applications will be evaluated for completeness, clarity of communication, and overall competitiveness. Incomplete applications, or those missing the required materials will not be reviewed. The employment history and job duties detailed in your application must clearly validate and support any experience, skills, abilities, education, or training mentioned in response to the supplemental questions or in the cover letter. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not move forward in the recruitment process. 
 
The most competitive candidates may be invited to interview. Final offer letters are issued only after the selected candidate successfully completes all required preemployment steps, including: a job related physical, a driving abstract review, drug and alcohol testing, and a King County personnel record review that evaluates any discipline or performance documentation from the most recent 24 months of King County employment. Performance evaluations in this date range with ratings below “satisfactory” (or lower than a score of 3 out of 5) in any category may result in the job offer being withdrawn.    

Work Schedule and Location: Work is performed at the worksite 5 days per week with two consecutive days off, but not necessarily Saturday and Sunday. Work schedules and locations are based on a seniority pick system, with shakeups scheduled to occur once yearly. The Vehicle Maintenance division operates 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, across three shifts (day, swing, and graveyard.). Vacancies may occur on any of the three shifts, with graveyard and/or swing shift vacancies being the most likely openings. This position is not exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime.

Pay: Pay for SDAs will be in accordance with the Personnel Guidelines and/or the selected employee's collective bargaining agreement. When working graveyard and swing shifts, additional shift differentials apply to the hourly day shift rate posted above (Swing is +5%, Graveyard is +7.5%).
 
Union Representation/ Classification code: This job is represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 587. Classification code: 8313200 


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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.

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.

Need help with your application?

• Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions at Application FAQ’s- King County.
• For technical support related to accessing or completing your application, contact the Government Jobs' applicant support team for assistance during regular business hours: +1 855-524-5627 or email [email protected].
• The King County Workforce Development page offers free guidance, resources, and checklists to help candidates present their skills and experience competitively for King County recruitments. We encourage you to visit the General Career Resources section on their website for more tips.
• For questions regarding this recruitment please contact the recruiter, Emily Clark (she/her), Senior Talent Advisor: [email protected] or 206-477-8373.