Rail Track and ROW Maintainer Apprentice
King County, WA
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
King County Metro's Rail Division offers a Rail Track and ROW Maintainer Apprentice program. You will participate in on-the-job training and RSI classroom hours, with a path to a career service Rail Track and ROW Maintainer position after completion.
The apprenticeship runs about two years, involves shifts across days, evenings, and weekends, and requires CDL readiness and safe working practices. Join a program that trains you for essential rail maintenance careers.
Qualifications
- Highschool Diploma, GED or equivalent.
- Ability to learn Rail Track and ROW Maintainer skills.
- Able to work at heights and outdoors with safety compliance.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Responsibilities
- Install, maintain, inspect Continuous Welded Rail (CWR).
- Welding: Thermite and Frog techniques with inspection.
- Use of grinders for preventative maintenance.
- Perform rail replacements and maintenance on ROW and drainage.
- Operate common tools and maintain safety practices.
Skills
Education
Job description
An apprenticeship program prepares individuals to master a trade or profession through a blend of classroom education and practical experience, offered by community colleges, technical training schools, and employers alike. Participants benefit from paid on-the-job training, structured classroom instruction, mentorship from experienced professionals, and may acquire valuable credentials upon successful program completion.
An apprenticeship program prepares individuals to master a trade or profession through a blend of classroom education and practical experience, offered by community colleges, technical training schools, and employers alike. Participants benefit from paid on-the-job training, structured classroom instruction, mentorship from experienced professionals, and may acquire valuable credentials upon successful program completion.
As a Rail Track and ROW Maintainer Apprentice, you’ll support tasks such as troubleshooting, maintaining, repairing, upgrading, and performing comprehensive preventive maintenance on Continuous Welded Rail (CWR). This apprenticeship program includes on-the-job training as well as additional related supplemental instruction (RSI) hours spent in school. Successful completion of the program will result in being offered a career service position as a Rail Track and ROW Maintainer at the time of program completion.
- Approximately two-year (3,000 hours) on-the-job training and education program using a planned, closely supervised combination of classroom and real-world educational curriculum.
- Work approximately 40 hours per week and attend on-site classes provided by Rail Pros and Railroad Tough.
- Work both indoors and outdoors, in enclosed spaces and at heights
- Progressive pay steps as the apprentice learns more demanding skills
- Successful completion will result in a career service Rail Track and ROW Maintainer position.
- Our Info Sessions have concluded. To review the presentation portion, please visit: https://vimeo.com/1229702949?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
Join us for an upcoming information session (60 minutes) to learn more about the apprenticeship program, the application process, and the work of Rail Track and ROW Maintainers. We have attached links to the virtual event, below for two separate information sessions. Both information sessions are identical - please attend the time that works best for your schedule. Attendance is optional.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (PST) - Virtual via Teams
Teams Meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/215180180060899?p=QmDt3NUONE3PbnLz2w
Meeting ID: 215 180 180 060 899
Passcode: gz7J3qb9
OR
Wednesday, September 23rd 2026, at 2:00 p.m. (PST) - Virtual via Teams
Teams Meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/246857687697208?p=Faq6fLkCWY2xrcN7cs
Meeting ID: 246 857 687 697 208
Passcode: cR7CR7LW
This recruitment will be used to fill current (2) full-time, Rail Track and ROW Maintainer Apprentice vacancies and may also be used to establish a list of qualified candidates for any future openings in the same classification. Placement onto an eligibility list is not a guarantee of placement into a future position. The list may be used for up to twelve (12) months at the discretion of the hiring authority.
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.
Joining Metro's Rail Division means joining an organization that is shaping the future of public transportation in the Pacific Northwest and setting the standard for modern rail operations nationwide. This is a division that values strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and a deep commitment to the people we serve, both our riders and our teams. Whatever your role, your work here contributes to something that matters, a light rail system that thousands of people count on every day.
This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants.
1st Shift: $38.82 - $55.46 | 2nd Shift: $40.76 - $58.23 | 3rd Shift: $41.73 - $59.62
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.
- Installation, adjustment, maintenance and inspection of Continuous Welded Rail (CWR).
- Welding: Thermite and Frog techniques including inspection and quality control.
- Use of trolley grinders and profile grinders to perform preventative maintenance grinding
- Maintenance practices including rail replacements, ROW, preventative maintenance, drainage, and vegetation management.
- Use of common and specialized tools and equipment for track maintenance
- Federal Railroad Administration regulations and standards pertaining to track inspection, maintenance and construction.
- A Highschool Diploma, G.E.D or equivalent
- Basic knowledge of and/or ability to learn skills in the principles, practices, techniques, tools, and equipment of the Rail Track and ROW Maintainer trade
- Basic understanding of safe working practices, occupational hazards, and safety requirements
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships in a diverse environment
- Ability to work independently and as a team member
- Ability to clearly communicate orally and in writing
- Skill in effectively handling multiple competing priorities and problem-solving
- Ability to work at heights from ladders and aerial lifts
- Ability to attend required apprenticeship classes on weekdays, nights, weekends, and holidays
- Ability to work different shifts on weekdays, nights, weekends, and holidays
- Demonstrated ability with business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite and automated maintenance management information systems
- Experience using hand and power tools
- Experience in basic maintenance or construction
- Experience working with or around heavy equipment (forklift, backhoe, excavator)
- Strong interest in learning
- Mechanical aptitude
- Good communication skills (reading, writing, verbal)
- Problem-solving skills
- Experience working on a team
- Safety mindset
- Ability to obtain required certifications (training provided)
- A Washington State Class “B” or “A” commercial driver’s license (CDL) with
- An air brake endorsement
- Removal of the no manual transmission restriction
- Maintaining an acceptable driving record
Note: Applicants without a valid Class “B” or “A” CDL must possess a Washington State Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP), class “B” or “A”, with air brake endorsement, by the time a conditional offer of employment is extended, and must be able to obtain their full Class “B” or “A” CDL with air brake endorsement within six (6) months of hire.
This position requires individuals to frequently lift and carry objects up to 50 pounds by yourself and occasionally lift objects up to 100 pounds with assistance. Frequent walking, reaching, climbing, kneeling, stooping, and safe operation of power tools are also required. Ability to perform close tolerance work is necessary. Work is often performed in cramped and awkward positions as well as from heights via Aerial lifts. Ability to wear protective gear including full respirators is required.
This position is represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 587.
8111300/ 248
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.
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.
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.
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.
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