Rail Power Controller

King County; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division invites applications for five full-time Rail Power Controller positions in Seattle. You will monitor SCADA, manage de-energization requests, and coordinate with crews to keep overhead catenary and substations safe and reliable across 24/7 operations.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years in electrical trades on high-voltage systems and a path to POWER controller certification within a year.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of journey-level electrical experience on systems over 600 volts.
• Experience in rail transit operations or equivalent electrical roles.
• Ability to become a certified power controller within a year.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and control rail traction electrification systems and substations.
• Ensure safety policy compliance and coordinate with Rapid Response Teams.
• Evaluate de-energization requests and issue clearances as needed.
• Coordinate energizing/de-energizing with crews and maintain logs.
• Use SCADA to monitor loads and manage AC/DC switching.
• Dispatch crews for outages and maintain operational data records.
• Prepare switching orders and keep stakeholders informed.

Skills

SCADA operations

Power distribution

Rail electrical systems

Safety compliance

Troubleshooting

Education

WA State Journeyman Electrician license or EL01 equivalent

Tools

SCADA software

Job description

NOTE: This recruitment has been reposted with revised qualifications and to invite additional candidates. New applicants will be reviewed weekly.

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division has an exciting opportunity for five (5) full-time, career service Rail Power Controllers. These positions will coordinate and facilitate deactivation requests for both routine and emergency maintenance of overhead catenary and electrical infrastructure. They’ll play a critical role in managing load dispatching across AC and DC systems to ensure continuous, efficient service.

The Rail Power Controllers are responsible for monitoring the power distribution network using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, identifying and responding to system irregularities, and resolving emergent operational and maintenance issues in real time. In addition, they will support response efforts during critical incidents and help to maintain system stability and safety.

About Metro Transit's Expanding Rail Division

King County Metro's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link Light Rail, a growing network spanning 60 miles and serving 38 stations across the Puget Sound region. Together with Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services, the Link Light Rail system is the backbone of an integrated regional transit network that gives people real freedom of movement. As Puget Sound transit agencies work together to build a seamless, connected system, our light rail system plays a central role in expanding access, reducing barriers, and ensuring that everyone across our region can get where they need to go.

Work Schedule

These positions are non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible. These positions will work 8 hour shifts 5 day per week on-site covering 24/7 365. Shifts and days off will be determined at the time an offer is extended. Seniority will be a determining factor in schedules. Employees may be required to work extended hours. 5-8s across three different shift RDO FS or SM. Either Swing/Day/Nights

Work Locations

Employees may report to any of the following locations: Rail Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) Central at 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle WA 98134, or any additional locations that may open in the future.

Who May Apply

This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants and will be used to fill seven (7) full-time career service, Rail Power Controller positions. This recruitment may also be used to establish a list or pool of qualified candidates for any future openings in the same classification. Placement onto an eligibility list/pool is not a guarantee of placement into a future position. The pool/list may be used for up to six (6) OR twelve (12) months at the discretion of the hiring authority.

To Apply

Those interested must submit:

• An online King County application, updated with all detailed relevant work history going back 10 years (or more, if necessary).
• Complete all the required supplemental questions
• A resume
• A letter of interest (1-2 pages) that describes:
  • Why you are interested in the position
  • How you meet the required qualifications and how your experience has prepared you to take on the job duties.
  • How you have demonstrated your commitment to Metro's True North and Values

Please note: These positions are 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.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Skyler Jones, Senior Talent Advisor, [e-mail]

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.

As the Rail Power Controller you will also:

• Monitor and control rail traction electrification systems and medium voltage substations to ensure safety and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with safety policies.
• Provide point of contact for communication to the Rapid Response Teams.
• Evaluate, coordinate, and approve Overhead Catenary De-energization requests.
• Coordinate electrical andpower crews in the energizing and de-energizing of the overhead catenary system and substationequipment.
• Utilize the SCADA system to monitor power distribution loads and de-energize/re-energize AC/DC systems.
• Dispatch crews to power outages (REW, Facilities Power, and Fire Life Safety Teams)
• Record, compile, and maintain operational data for overhead catenary and substation systems. Provide Alarm review, Alarm notifications, and Alarm documentation.
• Prepare and issue switching orders and clearances.
• Coordinate with power chiefs and crew personnel to provide them with information such as clearances, switching orders, and design modifications of new and existing electrical equipment and systems.
• Maintain data sources and manage databases; create reports and summaries from asset and maintenance management information systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience in a journey level electrical trades position performing electrical maintenance on systems over 600 volts.

OR

• Two years or more years of experience as an electrical engineer or other comparable experience which provided the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities for this position.

And

• Ability to become a certified power controller within a year.
• Knowledge of the following:
  • National, state, and local electrical codes and means of compliance.
  • IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), and APTA (American Public Transportation Association) standards.
  • Electrical theory, high voltage isolation, and modern industrial controls.
  • Safety principles and all applicable regulations, including the WAC, IEEE, NEC, NESC, and ASME.
  • Electrical protection relay schematics and one-line diagrams.

Desired Qualifications

• A Washington State Journey Electrician (EL01) or Journey Level Line Worker Certificate or equivalent.
• Two or more years of experience in rail transit operations or with rail systems (light rail, subway, commuter rail)
• Experience with overhead catenary systems (OCS)
• Experience with traction power and medium voltage substations.
• Experience working in SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) environments.
• Experience with three-way radio communications.
• Experience preparing electrical switching orders isolating high voltage electrical equipment.

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.
• Must pass drug and alcohol testing provision for safety-sensitive positions as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation, 49 CFR Parts 40 and 655.

Selection Process

Application materials (letter of interest, resume, and supplemental question responses) will be screened to determine whether candidates meet the qualifications, and for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above. Note: Only the first two pages of your letter of interest will be reviewed. 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. Please note that final decisions may consider your overall interview results and your application materials.

Union Status

This position is currently non-represented and is subject to change. The representation status will be determined by the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission.

Classification/Pay Grade

822301 Rail Power Controller/Range 64

Guided by our "True North"

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 are 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 Americans and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

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.