Transit Facilities Specialist I (Custodian I)

King County; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

King County Metro Transit is seeking a Transit Facilities Specialist I (Custodian I) to perform general cleaning and light maintenance at multiple facilities. The role requires operating cleaning equipment, stocking supplies, and ensuring a safe, clean environment for passengers and staff.

The position offers full-time schedules with variable shifts, including day and swing/overnight shifts, and potential shift differentials. A valid WA driver license is required with a good driving record.

Qualifications

• Experience or training demonstrating ability to perform essential functions.
• Knowledge of basic janitorial cleaning techniques.
• Knowledge of cleaning equipment and safe handling of chemicals.
• Knowledge of safety rules to protect customers and co-workers.
• Ability to work independently or in a team with reliable attendance.
• Effective communication and ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to work with a diverse workforce and show respect.
• Ability to perform repetitious cleaning tasks.

Responsibilities

• Provide routine maintenance on floors of various materials (vinyl, slate, terrazzo, concrete, carpeting).
• Clean, sanitize, and stock lunchrooms, restrooms, elevators, and other transit facilities.
• Empty trash and recycle bins.
• Dust, wash, and vacuum surfaces; clean glass and graffiti; reach up to 10 feet high.
• Sweep and clean facility perimeter; clear snow and ice.
• Request and stock cleaning supplies.
• Operate vacuums, carpet cleaners, floor scrubbers, steamers, and related equipment.
• Mix and use cleaning solutions as directed.

Skills

Cleaning experience

Janitorial techniques

Safe handling of chemicals

Safety awareness

Attendance reliability

Effective communication

Diversity & teamwork

Independence & initiative

Job description

Learn how Metro connects you with what matters

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

King County Metro Transit’s Facilities Division has an exciting opportunity for a Transit Facilities Specialist I (Transit Custodian I). The Transit Facilities Specialist I performs a wide variety of general cleaning tasks and minor maintenance duties at transit and maintenance facilities throughout the King County Metro Transit service area. Work also involves operating various types of cleaning equipment and using cleaning solutions and chemicals.

Our ideal candidate will have professional cleaning experience as well as a positive attitude and is passionate about helping Metro Transit provide a clean, safe experience for our community.

This recruitment may immediately fill up to one (1) Career Service position, and may also be used to establish an eligibility pool to fill future Career Service, as well as Term-Limited Temporary and/or Special Duty Assignment, vacancies that may occur over the next twelve (12) months, until the pool 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 $23.27 to $33.24 per hour. The mid-point step is currently $29.92 per hour for day shift.

This position is eligible for shift differential if assigned to a 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. Please note: Vacancies in the Transit Facilities Specialist I (Custodian I) classification will first be filled by qualified King County Metro Transit Facilities Division (TFD) Employees with a lower pay grade, in alignment with the applicable collective bargaining agreement. If no current Employees apply for or accept the position, Metro will then offer to other qualified candidates, both internal and external to Metro Transit.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Erica Minshull, Talent Advisor for King County Metro Transit

[e-mail] or 206-477-6059

Applying our ACTIVATE values: being Accountable, Collaborative, Timely, and Impactful; how we Value Employees; staying Accessible; building what’s Trusted; and acting Equitably, is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. As a Transit Facilities Specialist I, you will also:

• Provide routine maintenance on floors consisting of vinyl, slate, terrazzo, concrete, and commercial grade carpeting using dust mops, vacuums, sweepers, and motorized floor buffers.
• Clean, sanitize, and stock lunchrooms, restrooms, elevators, and other transit facilities, including tables, toilets, showers, sinks, and walls.
• Empty trash and recycle bins.
• Dust, wash, and vacuum surfaces; clean glass windows, including graffiti; clean surfaces up to 10 feet high.
• Sweep and clean facility perimeter; clear snow and ice.
• Request and stock various types of supplies.
• Operate and maintain task specific equipment, such as vacuums, carpet cleaners, shop vacs, floor sweepers, scrubbers, and steamers.
• Mix and use cleaning solutions and chemicals, as directed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience and/or training which give evidence of the ability to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Knowledge of basic janitorial cleaning techniques.
• Knowledge in the use and care of cleaning equipment.
• Knowledge of basic cleaning chemicals and safe handling requirements.
• Knowledge of basic safety rules and procedures to ensure the safety of customers and co-workers.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team; ability to interact appropriately with others.
• Ability to demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to work effectively with others in a work environment that embraces and encourages diversity in its workforce and where differences are valued.
• Ability to demonstrate behaviors that include fairness, respect, and inclusiveness.
• Ability to perform repetitious tasks.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• One (1) or more years of recent professional industrial cleaning/janitorial work experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Washington State driver's license, with an acceptable driving record. Out-of-state candidates must obtain a Washington driver license within 30 days of hire.

CLASS CODE / PAY GRADE

9102100 / 10

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 in a Career Service position 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 may be assigned to a location within the King County Metro Transit service area, including Seattle, Tukwila, Bellevue, and North Seattle. This position is typically scheduled full time (40 hours per week), with a typical schedule of 5 days/8 hours per day. Shifts typical include both days and swing/afternoon. 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, graveyard), weekends, nights, holidays, and call-outs, as well as any of the work locations. 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. Specific tasks may require the use of a respirator, and therefore this position is subject to respirator fit-testing. Additionally, indoor work may include exposure to exhaust and fumes. When warranted, must be able and willing to wear proper safety equipment and protective clothing as required, including hearing and eye protection.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

These positions require physical skill which may involve bending, kneeling, standing, walking, reaching, climbing, stooping, squatting, pushing, pulling, twisting, and lifting/moving up to 50 pounds in order to perform assigned duties. Work may also be performed at heights of up to 10 feet.

SAFETY 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.