Rail Traction Power Chief

Metro Transit's Rail Division seeks one (1) outstanding people leader to fulfill the role of Rail Power Chief.This leadership position is critical in ensuring the delivery of light rail transit services and the day-to-day coordination, direction, and supervision of Traction Power personnel and the maintenance of all Rail substations, electrical distribution, overhead contact system, and other power elements and controls.

Our ideal candidates will be able to communicate effectively with a diverse employee work group, proactively solve problems that impact service delivery, and encourage a safety culture while inspiring high standards of customer service excellence, as well as the ability to motivate employees through building respect and trust. Our Chiefs promote teamwork, resolve conflicts that arise, and promote a collaborative environment.

About Metro Transit's Expanding Rail Division

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link light rail service and City of Seattle’s streetcar system. Link light rail currently spans a50-mile route from Federal Way toLynnwood and a 6.6-mile route from Redmond to South Bellevue. By the end of 2026, light rail is projected to expand to nearly 60 route miles, adding seven new stations. Additional expansions to the Link system will be coming online for years to come.

Seattle Streetcar includes the 1.3 mile South Lake Union line and the 2.5 mile First Hill line, proudly serving the diverse and vibrant communities around Seattle’s downtown core. These rail services complement Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services. Puget Sound transit agencies are collaborating to create an integrated transit network that enables people to travel farther, faster, and more easily.

Who May Apply

This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) career service (CS)vacancy and is open to all King County employees and the general public. This recruitment may also be used to establish an eligibility list for any future Career Service (CS), Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) and Special Duty Assignment (SDA) vacancies in this classification, valid up to 12 months upon creation or until the list is exhausted, at the discretion of the hiring authority.

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 if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Those interested must submit:

• An online King County application, updated with accurate contact information, and relevant work history going back at least 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all job duties and reasons for leaving explained clearly.
• Complete responses to all required supplemental questions.
• A one (1) page cover letter (letter of interest)that fully addresses the following prompt:
  • Why does this job opportunity interest you?
  • How does your experience and background meet or exceeds the qualifications for this position? Please specifically refer to your experience working with electrical and high voltage systems, as well as your experience in supervisory or leadership positions.
• Note: If you submit a cover letter longer than 1 page, only the first page of your letter will be reviewed and considered.

Note: Applications missing any of the above required materials will be marked as incomplete, and you will no longer be considered for the position

Anticipated Timelines

This posting will remain open until filled.Initial application review will be conducted two weeks following the posting date of this announcement, or on or after May 17, 2026. Applications received after that date will be reviewed on a weekly basis. Interviews are anticipated to be scheduled with selected candidates beginning the week of June 1st, 2026, and ongoing thereafter until the positions is filled.

Please note: This position is considered safety sensitive. Applicants for these positions are required to undergo a physical and 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 substance testing program protocols.

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.

• Plan, operate, and maintain Traction Power operations for Rail Division.
• Assign and verify inspections, service, and repairs.
• Assist in the development and management of budget.
• Build, support, and foster a culture of care within the Traction Power department.
• Assist with training and certification activities, including High Voltage qualifications.
• Consult with engineering, warranty, safety, environmental, materials, transportation, contracts, and other staff in the development and implementation of maintenance programs and standard maintenance and operating procedures.
• Ensure a safe High Voltage work environment for Rail Electrical Worker staff and other affected personnel.
• Participate in accident investigation teams and recommend corrective actions as necessary.
• Manage contract administration of maintenance and service providers.
• Supervise, develop, and direct Traction Power personnel and equipment maintenance at bases and in the field as well as management support for the training of staff.
• Exhibit positive leadership and role modeling to encourage and support staff while managing employee performance. Chiefs assist inthe selection of staff,coordinate, and assign work,counsel,and discipline subordinates in accordance with labor contracts and agreement provisions and Light Rail rules and procedures.
• BuildandmaintainrelationshipswithkeystakeholdersintheRailDivision, withSoundTransitandinMetro.
• ParticipateinlaborandemployeerelationsactivitiesfortheDivision.
• Represent management at disciplinary hearings and grievances, interpret labor contract provisions in support of supervisory role,including grievance resolution, establishing, and developing collaborative relationships with Union leadership, and assist in labor negotiations and contract changes as needed.
• Work closely with Human Resources and Labor Relations staff to track and resolve personnel issues and other related labor issues.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

To be considered eligible for this role, applicants must possess these minimum qualifications:

• Two years of work experience in electrical systems maintenance.
• Two years of experience in a supervisory or leadership capacity.
• Two years of experience working with high voltage and knowledge of safety principles and all applicable regulations, including the WAC, IEEE, NEC, NESC, and ASME.
• Workingknowledgeoftheprinciplesoforganization,training, motivation,supervision,andpersonnelmanagement.
• Working knowledge of the theory, operation, maintenance, overhaul, repair, and troubleshooting of electrical, electronic, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems used in Facilities systems.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge of principles of mechanical systems, electricity, electronics, digitalcircuits, and software used in modern electrical applications.
• Knowledgeofprinciplesofqualityassurance,includingpreventativemaintenance.
• Knowledge of theory, operation, and use of computers and computerized diagnostic and test equipment used in modern electrical applications.
• Problem-solving&analyticalskillsarerequired toassessemployees'technicalproficiencyandproductivityissues.
• Skillin planning, scheduling, prioritizing, and organizing the work of the maintenance function for optimal effectiveness and efficiency while meeting established standards and deadlines.
• Ability to provide effective supervision in light rail maintenance practices, incorporating new methods, technology, and approaches as appropriate.
• Knowledgeofnational,state,andlocalelectricalcodesandmeansofcompliance.
• Ability to effectively supervise employees, and interpret and apply laws,rules, regulations, and labor contract provisions.
• Ability to establish and maintain a productive andmotivational maintenance environment, andcooperative and effective working relationshipswith those contacted in the course of work.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to successfully communicate with senior management, labor representatives, business and community groups, governmental agencies, customers, and staff.
  

Necessary Special Requirements:

• A valid Driver's License and an acceptable driving record. If you possess an out-of-state driver's license, you must obtain a WA state license within 30 days of hire.
• Work requires remaining available for work 24 hours per day during scheduled rotational assignments ason-call Chiefs.
• Willingness and availability to work varying shifts on weekdays, nights,weekends,and holidays as requiredto support staff and critical work and consistent with negotiated agreements.
• Work may require reporting for extended duty hours during adverse weather events and other emergencies.

Work Schedule and Work Location
The work performed for this position is primarily on-site, however location assignment may change based on operational needs. The Rail Power Chief may report to:

• Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) Central at 3407 Airport Way S., Seattle, WA.
• Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) East at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA.
• Maintenance of Way North (MOW-N) at 920 N 137th St, Seattle, WA
• Federal Way End of Line at 2233 S 320th St, Federal Way, WA.
• And any future Sound Transit Link facilities.

This position may be assigned to work on various shifts (day, swing, or graveyard) including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed; days off may vary. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay. This position will have on-call responsibilities. Employees in this position may be required to remain available for work 24 hours per day during scheduled on-call rotational assignments, and work may require reporting for extended duty during adverse weather events and other emergencies.

Application and Selection Process
Applications, responses to supplemental questions, and cover letters will be screened for clarity, thoroughness, competitiveness, and written communication skills. Initial screening will be based on a review of all submitted application materials.The employment history detailed in your application under the work experience section MUST correlate/support your responses to the supplemental questions and cover letter. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process.The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Employment offers will be finalized only after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, which may include a pre-employment drug screen, physical examination, reference check or internal King County record review, and driving record review.

Union Membership:PROTEC17: Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17 -- Transit Chiefs

Class Code:874070, Transit Chief- Rail Power

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Comejointheteam dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

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.

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 or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter: Madison Sta Ines at mstaines@kingcounty.gov