Transit Building Operating Engineer (HVAC/R Technician)

King County; Burien, Seattle (WA, WA); Presencial; USD 53.000 - 76.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Healthcare & retirement

Boot vouchers

Tool stipend

Work-life balance

Descripción de la vacante

King County Metro Transit is seeking Building Operating Engineers to apply HVAC/R skills for diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining complex building systems. The role emphasizes safety, reliability, and energy management to keep occupants comfortable and ensure clean air across facilities.

Qualified candidates will have journey-level HVAC/R experience, knowledge of boilers, chillers, burners, and direct digital controls, along with strong communication and teamwork skills.

Formación

• Some journey-level experience in HVAC/R and/or building engineering trades with proven technical proficiency.
• Experience with refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, boilers, gas burners, chillers, heat pumps, DDC, line voltage controls, and related systems.
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance and energy management practices.

Responsabilidades

• Diagnose and repair HVAC systems and controls to ensure occupant comfort and air quality.
• Carry out routine maintenance and proactive problem solving.
• Read blueprints and wiring diagrams to troubleshoot building systems.
• Provide reliable, top-tier service to King County employees and the public.

Conocimientos

HVAC/R experience

Boilers & burners

Chillers & heat pumps

DDC controls

Electrical troubleshooting

Preventive maintenance

Energy management

Team collaboration

Herramientas

None

Descripción del empleo

Learn how Metro connects you with what matters

*This recruitment is open to all current King County employees and the general public. *

Who Are Metro’s Building Operating Engineers?

*HVAC/R Specialists* *Top Troubleshooters* *Energy Efficiency Advocates* *System Installers*

As aBuilding Operating Engineer (or BOE), working with King County Metro Transit, you will have stable and consistent year-round employment applying your HVAC/R skillset to ensure that our building occupants remain comfortable and breathing clean air. You will be tasked with utilizing your HVAC/R and mechanical experience to perform skilled diagnostics and repairs to our HVAC systems and controls; and, to carry out routine maintenance, proactively identifying and solving emerging problems within our HVAC systems. Our team is proud to offer in-house diagnosis, troubleshooting, and repair for our systems. We would be thrilled to have you join us as we deliver top-tier service to our fellow employees and the residents of King County.

Why Work With Metro?

*Generous healthcare and retirements plans* *Vouchers for quality work boots & winter coats*

*Annual Tool Stipend* *Work-Life Balance*

This recruitment may immediately fill up to one(1) Career Service position, and may be used to establish an eligibility pool upon closing of the announcement to fill future Career Service, Term-Limited Temporary, and/or Special Duty Assignment vacancies that may occur in this classification and in this division. Eligibility pools remain valid for 12 months, or until the list is exhausted, at the discretion of the hiring authority.

WAGE INFORMATION

Qualified candidates typically start at the mid-point of the established pay range, depending on candidate qualifications.The top step of the pay range is achieved within three (3) years or less through automatic step progression, depending on initial step placement at time of hire.

The pay range for day shift is $38.82 to $55.46 per hour. The mid-point step is currently $49.91 per hour for day shift.

This position is eligible for shift differential if assigned to swing/afternoon or overnight shift. Positions assigned to swing/afternoon shift receive 5% shift differential, and positions assigned to overnight shift receive 7.5% shift differential.

WHO MAY APPLY

This recruitment is open to all current King County employees and the general public.

ANTICIPATED TIMELINES

This posting will be open until all positions are filled. Initial application review will be conducted at least 14 days following the posting date of this announcement, currently anticipated to occur during the week of November 9, 2026. Applications received after that date will be reviewed on a weekly basis. Interviews will be scheduled with selected candidates beginning the week of November 16, 2026 (though dates are subject to change), and ongoing thereafter until positions are filled.

To be considered eligible for this role, applicants must possess these MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Some journey-level experience in HVAC/R and/or building engineering trades, with proven technical proficiency and the ability to perform work safely and independently. This should include experience and/or education/training with refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, boilers, gas burners, chillers, heat pumps, direct digital controls (DDC) and line voltage controls, control circuits, hydronic, balancing systems, and variable frequency drives.


• Knowledge and skill in maintenance and repair of refrigeration equipment. This should include soft soldering, brazing, electrical schematic reading, equipment installation, electrical troubleshooting, calibration techniques, and an understanding of the pressure/temperature characteristics of various refrigerants and how these apply to refrigeration troubleshooting and efficient equipment operation.


• Knowledge and skill in maintenance and repair of gas burners. This should include calibration and tuning techniques and the function/repair/diagnosis of the various elements in the gas train.


• Knowledge and skill with Direct Digital Controls (DDC) and line voltage controls. This should include the ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams, general troubleshooting techniques, and the proper use of a multimeter to diagnose problems.


• Knowledge and skill with preventive and predictive equipment maintenance tasks and schedules.


• Demonstrated knowledge and skill to perform energy management functions and write equipment run programs and schedules.


• Demonstrate behaviors that include fairness, respect, inclusiveness, integrity, and ethical conduct.


• Ability to work well and respectfully with a diverse group of individuals from a variety of different positions and backgrounds.


• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.


• Ability to read and follow building blueprints and other design schematics.


• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.


• Ability to work constructively on a team with a diverse group of employees.


• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

The most competitive applicants will possess theseDESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated journey-level experience in HVAC/R and/or building engineering trades, with proven technical proficiency and the ability to perform work safely and independently.


• Experience troubleshooting and repairing large refrigeration and/or chiller systems.


• Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) certification to buy and handle refrigerants (EPA 608 – Universal or Level 1 & 2) in your possession for 2 years or longer.


• Completion of a recognized HVAC/R apprenticeship program.


• Training in Siemens Building Technologies, Apogee PPCL programming, and/or Apogee Advanced Operations.


• Low Voltage Electrical certification (EL-06/06A).


• Experience with Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) systems.


• Advanced skill in natural gas combustion analysis to ensure efficient operations of natural gas appliances.


• Advanced skill in troubleshooting hydronic systems.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Current valid Washington State driver license, with an acceptable driving record. Out-of-state candidates must be able to obtain a Washington State driver license within 30 days of hire.


• Current valid Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) certification (EPA Section 608 Technician Certification – Universal or Levels 1 & 2), to buy and handle refrigerants, or ability to obtain within 1 year of employment.


• City of Seattle Refrigerating Operating Engineer License, or ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment.


• City of Seattle Steam Operating Engineer Grade 3 License, or ability to obtain within the first two (2) years of employment. Training will be provided by King County.

CLASS CODE / PAY GRADE

8122100 / 234

UNION STATUS

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

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications, as well as for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above. Highly competitive applicants may be asked to interview, which may also include a written test and/or practical skills test. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as driving record checks, internal record reviews and/or reference checks, etc. The first six (6) months of employment are served in a probationary capacity to provide an opportunity to confirm whether the position is a good match between the successful candidate’s interests and skills and the ability to perform the requirements of the job.

WORK LOCATION AND SCHEDULE

The work location will be at South Maintenance Facility (11911 E Marginal Way S; Seattle, WA 98134). This position is typically scheduled full time (40 hours per week), with a typical schedule of Monday-Friday day shift. However, because schedules are selected by a seniority-based twice-annual 'shift pick', employees must be available and willing to work any shift (day, swing, or overnight), weekends, nights, holidays, and call-outs. This position is not exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore overtime eligible, with prior supervisory approval. This position is not eligible for telework/remote work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work may be performed indoors or outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather. Work may need to be performed in confined spaces and at heights, such as on roofs. Must be able to work in hot areas such as boiler rooms and inside fan plenums. When warranted, must be able and willing to wear safety equipment and protective clothing as required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is required to frequently lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and may involve lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 100 pounds with assistance. Frequent walking, reaching, climbing, kneeling, stooping, and safe operation of power tools are also required. Work is often performed in cramped and awkward positions.

SAFTEY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR AN EMPLOYEE

• Responsible for understanding the Metro Transit Safety 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.

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.