Sign and Marking Specialist II

King County, WA

Renton (WA)

On-site

USD 30,000 - 47,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical, dental, and vision

Retirement plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Transit program

Training and career development

Job summary

King County Road Services Division is hiring two Sign and Marking Specialists II to install roadway signs and markings, operate striping equipment, and maintain safety standards in unincorporated King County and contracted cities. Positions include a career service and a term-limited assignment up to 12 months.

Ideal candidates will have experience with traffic signs, pavement markings, and road maintenance, plus ability to work outdoors in varying weather and lift up to 50 pounds.

Qualifications

Experience installing roadway signs and markings.
Experience applying paint and thermoplastic materials for roadway markings, including crosswalks, arrows, legends, and lane lines.
Proficiency operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting paint equipment such as compressors, spray guns, thermoplastic applicators, and center-line striping machines.
Experience operating and maintaining a Road-way Striping Truck.
Familiar with MUTCD standards and safety protocols.

Responsibilities

Prepare road surfaces and set up posts for signs.
Apply paint and thermoplastic materials for roadway markings.
Install traffic signs and secure pavement markings.
Operate a roadway striping truck and maintain related equipment.
Keep accurate daily logs and update work order records.
Provide proper traffic control by flagging or signage as needed.
Dig post-holes and set posts; lift and move equipment up to 50 pounds.

Skills

Sign installation

Road markings

Traffic control

Equipment maintenance

Teamwork

Reading maps/diagrams

Safety compliance

Time management

Tools

Striping truck

Paint equipment

Thermoplastic applicators

Compressors

Spray guns

Job description

Summary

THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN TO ALL KING COUNTY EMPLOYESS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC

This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) Career Service and (1) term-limited or special duty position expected to last up to 12 months with possibility of extension

King County Road Service Division is seeking two dedicated, hard-working Sign and Marking Specialists II to join our team to fill one (1) Career Service and one (1) term-limited or special duty assignment expected to last 12 months. Our ideal candidates are motivated team players, with experience installing, maintaining, and repairing traffic signs, pavement markings, and roadway striping applications. This work will be performed in unincorporated King County and contracted Cities and Municipalities. This is an exciting opportunity to work with Road Services and contribute to the safety and improvement of our community roadways!

About the Road Services Division ‑ King County, Washington

The King County Road Services Division designs, builds, operates, and maintains roads and bridges in unincorporated areas of King County. The Division is committed to ensuring the county’s transportation system is safe and efficient for all uses and modes of travel. To learn more about the Road Services Division, visit us at:

Job Duties

Applying equity, racial, 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.

Clean and prepare road surfaces for markings or setting up posts for signs.
Apply paint and thermoplastic materials using specialized equipment to create clear, and compliant roadway markings, including crosswalks, arrows, lane dividers, legends, channelization islands, and stop bars.
Install traffic signs.
Install and secure pavement markings such as traffic buttons.
Operate a roadway striping truck to apply precise and durable pavement markings.
Operate, maintain and troubleshoot paint equipment, including compressors, spray guns, thermoplastic applicators, and center-line striping machines.
Maintain accurate daily logs documenting activities and update records in the work order inventory system ensuring timely and detailed reporting.
Clear brush, trees, and other objects to maintain visibility and effectiveness of traffic signs.
Provide proper traffic control by flagging or placing signs, cones, and barricades as appropriate to ensure crew and public safety.
Operate jackhammers, air compressors, and common hand tools; assemble, repair, and dismantle street signs and posts.
Dig post‑holes and securely set posts.
Lift, carry, move, or handle bags, tools, equipment, and other objects weighing up to 50 pounds to complete any of the above referenced functions.
Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Demonstrated experience installing roadway signs and markings.
Demonstrated experience in applying paint and thermoplastic materials for roadway markings, including crosswalks, arrows, legends, and lane lines.
Proficiency in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting paint equipment such as compressors, spray guns, thermoplastic applicators, and center-line striping machines.
Experience operating and maintaining a Road-way Striping Truck.
Possess knowledge of and commitment to adhering to federal, state, and county safety standards and protocols for construction, road maintenance, or other heavy manual labor, including fall protection, confined space, and hazardous materials.
Ability to dig post-holes and set signposts securely.
Skill in operating tools and equipment such as jackhammers, air compressors, and common hand tools.
Experience providing proper traffic control procedures, including flagging and setting up signs, cones, and barricades for crew and public safety.
Possess strong communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills, with a collaborative approach and mindset geared toward continuous improvement.
Familiar with and understands the standards outlined in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Proficient in interpreting maps and technical drawings.
Effective time management skills, and ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
Are comfortable performing work outdoors in inclement weather.
Demonstrate behaviors that reflect fairness, respect, and inclusiveness; Skilled in courteously responding to the general public and maintaining effective relationships.

Desirable Qualifications

Have a valid Washington State Class B Commercial Driver's License, with a Hazmat endorsement.
Have a current International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) Sign Install Level 1 certification.

Additional Requirements

Have a valid Washington State Driver's License, or the ability to obtain one prior to start date; Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely throughout King County.
An offer of employment will be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment physical examination.
Have a valid Washington State Flagging Certificate, valid CPR and First Aid certifications OR ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Must be able to lift, carry, move, or handle up to 50 pounds.
Must be able to perform duties involving physical labor including bending, kneeling, standing, reaching, stooping, squatting, pushing, and twisting.
Must be able to perform work outdoors and in inclement weather.

Supplemental Information

PRACTICAL/INTERVIEWS ALL IN ONE DAY: Those candidates who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in an in-person practical exam/interview. Only those who pass the practical exam will move forward to the interview. The practical and interview are anticipated to take place on the same day, the week of November 9, 2026.

WHO MAY APPLY

This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term-limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months. Special duty opportunities are open only to current King County career service employees who have completed their initial probation. Special duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment. Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement, King County Personnel Guidelines, or Coalition Labor Agreement for their base assignment.

This term-limited assignment is expected to last 12 months.

APPLICATION PROCESS

A full and complete King County application is required. You may also provide a resume and cover letter, summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position. Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Responses to supplemental questions must be demonstrated in application materials.

WORK SCHEDULE

The work week is Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., but at times may require work outside of normal business hours in emergency circumstances, such as inclement weather or special projects. This can vary based on business need, season and weather. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act and is eligible for overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval.

EMERGENCY DESIGNATION STATUS

This position has been designated as First Responder - Employees who, in the early stages of an incident, are responsible for protecting and preserving life, property, evidence, the environment, and restoring order.

UNION MEMBERSHIP

This position is represented by Teamsters, Local 174.

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'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.

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.

Benefits

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.

Experience installing roadway signs and markings.
Experience in applying paint and thermoplastic materials for roadway markings
Experience operating and maintaining a Road-way Striping Truck.
Experience providing proper traffic control procedures, including flagging and setting up signs, cones, and barricades for crew and public safety.
Proficiency operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting paint equipment such as compressors, spray guns, thermoplastic applicators, and center-line striping machines.
Skill in operating tools and equipment such as jackhammers, air compressors, and common hand tools.
Ability to dig post-holes and set signposts securely.
Proficiency in interpreting maps and technical drawings.
None of the above but willing to learn.

Possess a valid Washington State Class B Commercial Driver's License, with a Hazmat endorsement.
Possess a current International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) Sign Install Level 1 certification.
None of the above but willing to learn.

Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service 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.