Scheduling Trainee (SDA Senior Schedule Planner)

This position is open to King County Metro employees who have passed the probationary period in their current career service position only. (Must be compliant with Local 587 contract rules)

Metro's Service Development Section has an exciting Special Duty opportunity to come train and contribute to the Scheduling group. This position offers first-hand experience working as part of the Scheduling group. This SDA is expected to last at least 6 months in duration.  Scheduling Trainee experience has proven to be essential for those seeking career service placement in the Scheduling group longer term.

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. You will also:

As the SDA Transit Senior Schedule Planner (AKA “Scheduling Trainee”), you will:

• Learn about transit scheduling principles and techniques
• Learn how schedules are integrated with bus stop data
• Assist with efforts to improve service reliability and access to comfort stations
• Gain hands-on experience developing or modifying vehicle and crew schedules for upcoming service changes
• Help plan and implement supplemental service due to support crowding or other impacts on transit service including sporting or major civic events, movie, and film requests, etc.
• Interact with work groups beyond Bus Operations throughout Metro including: Service Planning, Transit Route Facilities, Vehicle Maintenance, Customer Communication and Services, Event Organizers and external jurisdictions
• Perform other Scheduling related duties as assigned

We are looking for candidates who have:

• A strong interest in the technical work behind transit schedules
• Good written communication skills, especially in the form of written instruction
• An ability to work in a team environment, be mentored by others, and learn new technical skills
• An interest in understanding the roles and responsibilities of Scheduling
• Knowledge of city and county geography, and area traffic patterns
• Knowledge of various types of coach equipment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent interpersonal skills
• Customer service skills
• Ability to work independently and set priorities to meet critical production deadlines
• Skill in working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Skill in mathematics and statistical calculations
• Skill in entering and extracting information from automated information systems
• Skill in planning, assigning, balancing and checking work

Application & Selection Process 

*PER LOCAL 587 CONTRACT RULES THIS SDA OPPORTUNITY IS OPEN TO CURRENT METRO FIRST LINE BUS SUPERVISORS, FIRST LINE RAIL OR STREETCAR (O&M) SUPERVISORS, OR OSS COORDINATORS. SUPERVISORS-IN-TRAINING (SITs) ARE NOT ALLOWED TO FILL THIS POSITION UNTIL THEIR SIT TRAINING IS COMPLETE. SITs CAN APPLY IN ANTICIPATION OF COMPLETING THEIR TRAINING IN TIME FOR THE START OF THIS ASSIGNMENT.  CURRENT SITs AND OPERATORS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.

Who May Apply
We are accepting applications from King County Metro employees who have passed the probationary period in their current career service position only. (Must be compliant with Local 587 contract rules above)  

Required Application Materials
An online employment application, answers to the supplemental questions, and a letter of interest describing your qualifications are required. The required letter of interest should explain why you are interested in this position and how you meet the qualifications described in this job posting.

Selection Process
Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Formal offers are contingent on successful references and/or an HR record review. It is important to note that you must get approval from your current supervisor/manager to accept a Special Duty assignment. Pay for SDA will be in accordance with the Personnel Guidelines or the selected employee's collective bargaining agreement.

Work Schedule
The work week is Monday through Friday, day shift; a flexible work schedule is available with approval. Variations in hours are occasionally necessary.  

Union Representation/Job Code/Grade LOCAL 587/241806/Grade 45

Work Location
This position follows a hybrid work schedule requiring a minimum of 2 days per week onsite at King Street Center, 201 S Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104, consistent with King County Metro's hybrid work policy. Remote workdays may be adjusted based on operational or business needs. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

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 Tracy Bylund at [email protected].

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.