Rail Track and ROW Maintainer Apprentice
King County
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Job summary
King County Metro's Rail Division offers a Rail Track and ROW Maintainer Apprentice program in Seattle. This two-year apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction, leading to a career Rail Track and ROW Maintainer upon completion.
As an apprentice you will install, maintain, and inspect CWR; learn welding techniques; operate grinders; and gain experience across tracks, ROW, and safety protocols.
Qualifications
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
- Ability to learn the principles, practices, techniques, tools, and equipment of the Rail Track and ROW Maintainer trade.
- Understand safe working practices and safety requirements.
- Able to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Able to multitask and solve problems.
- Able to work at heights and attend apprenticeship classes on schedule.
Responsibilities
- Install, adjust, maintain and inspect Continuous Welded Rail (CWR).
- Welding: Thermite and Frog techniques including inspection and quality control.
- Use of grinders for preventative maintenance and rail work.
- Perform maintenance practices including rail replacements and ROW work.
- Learn to use tools and equipment for track maintenance.
- Adhere to Federal Railroad Administration regulations and standards for track inspection and maintenance.
Skills
Education
Tools
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.
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.
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.
Teams Meeting URL: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/215180180060899?p=QmDt3NUONE3PbnLz2w
Meeting ID: 215 180 180 060 899
Passcode: gz7J3qb9
Teams Meeting URL: 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.
These positions are considered safety-sensitive. Applicants for these positions are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and subsequent to commencement of employment and 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.
1st Shift: $38.82 - $55.46 | 2nd Shift: $40.76 - $58.23 | 3rd Shift: $41.73 - $59.62
For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact: Jacky Lu, Talent Advisor at jacky.lu@kingcounty.gov
We highly recommend visiting the Workforce Development website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective: Workforce Development - King County.
We also recommend visiting the Trade Apprenticeship page to learn more about apprenticeships, preparing a competitive application, study resources and sample mechanical aptitude tests: Trade apprenticeships - King County, Washington.
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.
These positions are non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and are overtime eligible. Employees will work a 40-hour per week schedule with two consecutive days off. The work schedules may include non-standard work hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed. Schedules are based on a seniority "pick" system. Per the union contract, shift differentials are paid to those working second and third shifts. Shift pay is 7.5% for third shift, on top of hourly pay.
Employees may report to any of the following locations: Rail Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) Central at 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle WA 98134, OMF East 1907120th Ave NE Bellevue WA 98005, OMF South at 2505 S 320th St, Federal Way, WA 98003 or OMF North at 9572 1st Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115. Additional locations in King County may become available in the future.
Work indoors and outdoors and in inclement weather. Work in high places from mechanical lifts and structures and in high voltage environment to perform inspections. Position requires physical skill and effort to operate tools, equipment, vehicles and supplies and may require stooping or bending motions when inspecting work.
- Responsible for understanding this policy and their role in safety
- Report all safety concerns
- Follow safety practices and procedures as necessary to maintain a safe work environment and in conformance with applicable regulations, policies, and training
- Report safety and security concerns and ideas to supervisors or anonymously through data collection system
This position is represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 587.
8111300/ 248
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