Rail Technical Trainer III

Summary

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• This position is open to all King County employees and the general public. *

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division has an exciting opportunity for a Rail Technical Trainer III to support training for the Vehicle Maintenance Section.

As a member of the Technical Training team, you will train the light rail workforce in King County. Rail Technical Trainers play a critical role in onboarding, training, and developing Rail employees and in supporting Rail's Culture of Care and Operational Excellence strategic priorities. The Technical Training team is part of the broader Learning & Training group, which is responsible for the development, implementation, and facilitation of training at Link Light Rail. Trainers specialize in training for a Rail Section or craft, and may provide training in other areas in which they are qualified.

Technical Trainer IIIs also assign and coordinate technical training work activities, co-design, co-develop, implement, and evaluate training programs, and provide classroom and field training to Link Light Rail personnel. This Technical Trainer III will assist and lead a group of assigned Rail Technical Trainers.

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 a 50-mile route from Federal Way to Lynnwood 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.

This recruitment may immediately fill up to one (1) Career Service position and may also be used to establish an eligibility pool for future Career Service, as well as any fully-benefitted Term-Limited Temporary (TLT)/Special Duty Assignment (SDA), vacancies, valid up to 12 months or until the pool is exhausted, and at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Interviews are anticipated to occur during the week of June 22 through June 26, 2026, but are subject to change.

Who May Apply

This position is open to King County employees and the general public.

To Apply:

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.
• Completed supplemental questions.
• A cover letter, detailing how your experience and background meet or exceed the qualifications for this position.

o How your experience and background meet or exceed the qualifications for this position, and

o How you foster Rail employees' sense of belonging and equitable outcomes through training

Want to make sure your application materials are as competitive as possible?

We highly recommend visiting the Workforce Development Services website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective:

Workforce Development - King County, Washington

Job Duties

As the Rail Technical Trainer III - Vehicle Maintenance Training, you will:

• Support Rail's strategic priorities of Culture of Care and Operational Excellence by ensuring that new and current employees in Vehicle Maintenance and other sections/work groups receive high-quality technical training, including:

• Collaborate with instructional designers and subject matter experts to co-develop training programs and curricula that comply with all state and federal operating requirements, safety regulations, certification standards, Rail Division rules and regulations, service standards, and technical system requirements.

• Collaborate with instructional designers and subject matter experts to regularly review and update training programs and content, ensuring they meet changing business needs, regulatory changes, and new equipment requirements

• Conduct training needs assessments and evaluate the effectiveness of training programs

• Develop instructional plans and learning outcomes, and ensure consistency across Technical Trainers in the development and delivery of instructional plans and training programs.

• Ensure training materials are relevant, up-to-date, and high-quality

• Prepare and conduct trainee and trainer evaluations

• Create and maintain standards for testing and certification

• Deliver and facilitate training programs, classes, and sessions for Vehicle Maintenance employees, Rail Technical Trainers, and other employees, contractors, and groups that work with Rail Division, including new employee training, refresher training, retraining, and other types of training.

• Monitor trainees' progress and conduct progress evaluations, including

• Provide feedback to Technical Trainers on employee and team performance

• Address behavioral and attendance issues

• Counsel trainees on progress achieved and improvements required

• Evaluate and recommend trainee termination for those failing to meet standards

• Work with the Training Chief and other members of Training leadership to coordinate and support Technical Trainer work, including:

• Coordinate work assignments, monitor workflows, and ensure timely completion of work

• Maintain quality standards

• Ensure adherence to schedules, standards, and requirements

• Determine work priorities, ensure sufficient staff, and assign training tasks appropriately

• Lead, mentor, and train assigned employees

• Facilitate train-the-trainer programs for Rail Technical Trainers and other personnel who deliver training as part of their job responsibilities, such as leads

• Schedule Technical Trainer participation in safety audits, emergency drills, and simulations

• Ensure accuracy of training data and records, including:

• Maintain timely training documentation

• Prepare statistical evaluations of training impacts on performance and operations

• Review documentation created by Technical Trainers for accuracy, consistency, and timeliness. Produce varied reports from data as needed.

• Engage in regular professional development and skill-building activities

• Perform other duties as assigned

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years' experience as a technical trainer delivering training to Rail Electro Mechanics and others
• Demonstrated ability to apply adult learning principles to training facilitation and delivery
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse population and apply equitable practices to training, including creating a sense of belonging in a training environment and supporting equitable training outcomes
• Knowledge of Link, state, and federal rules and regulations related to Rail Vehicle Maintenance and industrial and transit-related safety

Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience of Vehicle Maintenance training in the context of the Sound Transit/King County Metro system
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse groups and cross-functional teams to produce high-quality work products
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience contributing to the development of training curriculum and materials
• Experience developing policies, procedures, rules and reports
• Ability to prioritize work, set priorities, and meet deadlines
• Knowledge of trainee assessment and performance evaluation, including providing feedback and performance counseling
• Skill in problem-solving and evaluating efficiency and quality, and making recommendations for improvements
• Proficiency with software and database systems used for Rail procedures, training materials, and training records
• Demonstrated accuracy in record-keeping

Necessary Special Requirements

• A valid Driver's License, with 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Link Light Rail "yard card" for operating Light Rail Vehicles in the rail yard.

Working Conditions:

• Ability to climb stairs and board rail on elevated guide way.
• Ability to sit for extended periods.
• Ability to Lift or pull up to thirty (30) pounds.
• Perform repetitive body movements to operate equipment.
• Work independently with a minimum of breaks.

Supplemental Information

Application & Selection Process

Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications, and for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above. Highly competitive applicants may be asked to interview. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as reference checks or internal record reviews.

Work Schedule

This position is anticipated to be full-time, assigned 40 hours per week. The work schedule is normally Monday through Friday, 6:00AM to 2:30PM, however there is some flexibility in start and end time. This position offers a hybrid schedule with regular on-site rotations and telework options. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay.

SAFETY SENSITIVE

These positions are considered safety sensitive. Applicants for positions defined as safety-sensitive are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and, subsequent to the 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.

Union Membership: This position is represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 587.

Work Location: Employees may report to any of the following locations:

• Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) Central at 3407 Airport Way S., Seattle, WA.
• Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) East at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA.
• And any future Sound Transit Link facilities.

Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County and Sound Transit facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

CLASS CODE / PAY GRADE: 963301/ 253

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Ebony Ware, Human Resource Analyst, at ....

Forbes recently 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? Come join the team 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 your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

#RailJobs #TradesJobs

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 Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

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 Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01

What is your proficiency with Microsoft Office applications - Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook?

• No experience
• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

02

How do equity and anti-bias concepts inform your work as a trainer? How have you applied those concepts to create equitable learning experiences and a sense of belonging for those you are training? Give at least 2 specific examples from your experience.

03

How do principles of adult learning inform your work as a trainer? How have you applied those principles to training and facilitation? Give at least 2 specific examples from your experience.

04

A cover letter is required for this position. Have you attached your cover letter? If not, you may still go back and attach it.

• Yes
• No

05

Have you tested positive, or refused to test, on any pre-employment drug or alcohol test administered by an employer to which you applied, but did not get hired, for safety-sensitive transportation work covered by the DOT drug and alcohol testing rules during the past two years?

• Yes
• No

06

If yes, for which employer and when? If no, please answer "N/A". If current Metro Operator, please answer "N/A

07

How many traffic code (moving) violations have you had in the last five (5) years?

• No code violations
• 1 code violation
• 2 code violation
• 3 code violation
• 4 code violations
• 5 or more code violations
• N/A - I do not have a driver's license

08

Do you have any of the following violations on your driving record in the last five years? Select all that apply.

• Hit and run incident
• DWI/DUI - driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Reckless or negligent driving
• Open container violation
• Vehicular homicide or vehicular assault
• More than one at-fault accident
• None of the above
• N/A - I do not have a driver's license

09

Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?

• Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
• No

10

If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff

11

Do you have any relatives employed by King County? A relative is defined as a parent, child, sibling, spouse or domestic partner, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, grandparent, grandchild, in-laws, children, or relatives of a domestic partner.

• Yes
• No

12

If you answered yes to the previous question, does your relative work for King County's METRO Transit Department?

• Yes
• No

13

If you answered yes to the previous question, please provide the Division of King County Metro that they currently work in.

14

If you have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, will you need accommodation in the testing process? If you check the "YES" box, the human resources staff person coordinating this recruitment will send you a request asking for additional information. (This confidential information is solicited for the purposes of providing reasonable accommodation only).

• Yes
• No

15

I certify that the statements made by me on the application and supplemental questions are, to the best of my knowledge, true, complete and correct. I understand that any misrepresentation or material omission of fact on this or any other document required by King County may constitute grounds for rejection, or if employed by King County, for disciplinary measures, including dismissal.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer King County

Address King Street Center

201 South Jackson Street

Seattle, Washington, 98104

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