Transit Lead Mechanic

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Transit Mechanic – Lead to join their Vehicle Maintenance team. This role is pivotal in ensuring the highest quality of service in maintaining and repairing a diverse fleet of vehicles, including gasoline, electric, hybrid, and diesel-powered buses. The ideal candidate will not only excel in technical skills but also demonstrate strong leadership qualities, fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment. If you are driven by excellence and have a commitment to equity and social justice, this is your chance to make a significant impact on public transportation in King County.

Qualifications

• Must have journey-level knowledge of maintenance and repair of complex engines.
• Ability to direct and train employees in their tasks.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate technical assistance for mechanics in vehicle inspection and repair.
• Assign work and ensure compliance with safety standards.

Skills

Leadership

Technical Knowledge

Conflict Management

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Valid Class A CDL

Tools

Vehicle Maintenance Software

MS Outlook

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

***This position is open to current King County Metro Transit Mechanics that have been in their Metro mechanic position for at least two years at the time this recruitment closes. All other applicants will be screened out of the recruitment process.***

Testing for this recruitment will take place on March 4, 2025 at East Base. See the testing section in this posting for further details.

The Vehicle Maintenance mechanic team has multiple promotional opportunities for the Transit Mechanic – Lead role.

This position requires the incumbent be introspective regarding how they are perceived by their peers and colleagues. Are you someone your teammates seek out when they need to troubleshoot? Are you someone with the work ethic and position knowledge that your teammates respect? Are you interested in making a difference in King County Metro’s path forward? If so, keep reading.

A lead position is the final step in the mechanic classification and the person working in this role serves as a working lead- the lead continues to perform the duties of the classification in addition to the specific lead duties. The lead role is seen as an entry position to leadership roles at King County Metro (KCM). The person accepting a lead position should be interested in the opportunity to learn and grow into the skill set required for KCM leadership staff. We are seeking new lead mechanics that understand, support, and exemplify the values of KCM; staff that will call out areas where improvement is needed while presenting thoughtful solutions for consideration.

The lead position requires that the incumbent can recognize strengths within their team while also being transparent regarding areas of growth that are necessary. The lead should have the ability to clearly communicate expectations while maintaining a positive environment where all employees know they are respected, they are valued, and they work in an environment they want to show up to. This position requires the skill to present areas of weakness to a team member with empathy and a teaching mindset. The lead role can be challenging in that the lead is responsible for coordinating the work of staff in the classification while providing guidance without disciplinary responsibilities; this requires the ability to nurture an environment of mutual respect.

Does the thought of leading a team to become excellent in reputation and quality of their work excite you? Do you have a passion to see Metro be the absolute best public transportation system in the nation? If after thoughtful consideration you find yourself answering, “Yes!” to the questions put forth, you are strongly encouraged to apply for this position!

An application for this position requires completion of the personal demographic information within the application and answering of the supplemental questions. (No employment history information is required.)

Safety Sensitive Position

This position is considered safety sensitive. Applicants for positions defined as safety sensitive are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment, and subsequent to commencement of employment, 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 substances testing program protocols.

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. You will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.In addition to performing the full range of responsibilities of the Transit Mechanic classification, as the Transit Lead Mechanic you will:

• Coordinate and provide technical assistance to mechanics in the inspection, diagnosis, and repair of gasoline, electric, hybrid and diesel-powered buses, trolleys, cars, trucks, and other equipment; ensure mechanics properly identify and repair equipment defects; ensure defects are documented and repaired in timely fashion
• Assign work in accordance with work orders and preventive maintenance schedules; assist with identifying staffing needs and assignment of overtime; control and monitor workflow; ensure safe handling, use and disposal of environmentally controlled materials; immediately report any safety violations; ensure shop safety and safe work practices
• Respond to questions and provide advice on all coach-related problems and repairs; provide lead direction on assigned projects
• Keep current with the latest service bulletins and equipment modifications to advise mechanics accordingly
• Provide feedback to the chief on employee and teamwork performance as well as any behavioral or attendance issues when necessary
• Inspect completed work to ensure it has been completed in a quality manner and equipment is in proper working order
• Train new and current personnel in required aspects of maintenance, repair, and base safety procedures
• Ensure all shop equipment is maintained appropriately and is in proper operating condition, report defects and follow-up on completion or repairs
• Advise mechanics when their work is deficient or in violation of established regulations or procedures; recommend corrective actions to higher-level staff when required
• Maintain shop records including work orders, warranty/rebuilt parts information, completed work; enter and extract data in automated vehicle maintenance systems
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Per the ATU 587 and KC labor agreement: Qualified candidates must be current Metro Transit Mechanics with a minimum of two years of service experience in the classification as of the closing date of this posting.

In addition, successful candidates will also have:

• Journey-level knowledge of the maintenance and repair of a variety of complex gasoline and diesel engines, hybrid, electric vehicles, and light-and heavy-duty transmissions and related components.
• Proficiency in using Vehicle Maintenance's computer software work order system, to include data entry, extraction, and equipment dispatch.
• Ability to direct, train and assist employees in their assigned tasks; ability and willingness to provide clear, corrective feedback to them.
• Ability to inspect equipment and determine servicing needs.
• Ability to perform basic operations in MS Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Commitment to applying King County's core values of inclusion, equity, and social justice.

Required competencies - successful Lead Mechanics are skilled in the following competencies:

• Approachability – is easy to approach and talk to, builds rapport well.
• Conflict Management – steps up to conflict, sees it as opportunity, can find common ground and get cooperation with minimum effort; able to deescalate.
• Timely Decision Making – makes decisions in a timely manner, under tight deadlines and pressure.
• Decision Quality – makes good decisions, sought by others for advice and solutions.
• Ethics and Values – adheres to an appropriate and effective set of core values.
• Fairness to Direct Reports – treats direct reports equitably, acts fairly, doesn't give preferential treatment.
• Innovation Management – has good judgment about which ideas and suggestions work.
• Integrity and Trust – is widely trusted, admits mistakes.
• Interpersonal Savvy – relates well to all kinds of people, builds constructive and effective relationships.
• Listening – has the patience to hear people out, can accurately restate the opinions of others, even when disagreeing.
• Managerial Courage – provides current, direct, complete, and actionable positive and corrective feedback to others.
• Motivating Others – creates a climate in which people want to do their best, makes everyone feel their work is important, is someone people like working for and with.
• Priority Setting – spends time and the time of others on what's important, eliminates roadblocks, creates focus.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Class A CDL and an acceptable five-year driving record.

Who May Apply

This position is open to King County Transit Mechanic employees who have completed at least two years of current, full-time service in the position.

Application and Selection Process

An online employment application and completion of the supplemental questionnaire is required.

The selection process for this recruitment will have three (3) parts:

Part I: Written Exam -A written exam will be given to all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for this recruitment. This exam has been developed with the assistance of current Vehicle Maintenance Transit Superintendents, Chiefs, Lead Mechanics, Fleet Maintenance Analysts, and the Union. It will include, but not be limited to a multiple-choice exam covering some or all of the following:

• Technical knowledge
• Problem solving
• Assessing judgment in handling difficult situations
• Policies, procedures, the labor agreement

This will be a 60-minute closed book exam. Valuable resources for test preparation studying are listed and linked below. Please check with your Chief or Lead, as needed, to assist you in gaining access to these materials.

• VM Policies and Procedures
• Local 587 contract as it relates to VM http://atu587.org/bargaining-agreements/
• M5 Documentation (M5 Area: References)
  • Lead Mechanic Reference Guide
  • Mechanic Inspection Standards Manual

Part II: Panel Interview -The candidates with the top 14 test scores will be invited to participate in a panel interview; union seniority will be used as the tie breaker if needed. A final round interview with the section manager may also be conducted at Transit management's discretion.

Part III: Candidates will be offered positions and/or placed on an eligibility list based on their recruitment scoring; again, union seniority will be used as the tie breaker if needed. Not all candidates who interview will be offered placements. Final placement numbers will be available at interview.

Final offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory record review and an acceptable driving record.

Vacancy Information

This recruitment will be used to fill multiple immediate career service positions available at completion of interviews. The recruitment may be used to establish a list of eligible candidates to fill future vacancies in the same classification. Any list developed may be used until exhausted or at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Work Schedule

Employees in this non-exempt classification work a 40 hour per week schedule with two consecutive days off, but not necessarily Saturday and Sunday. Work schedules and locations are based on a seniority system, which is scheduled to occur once a year.

The Vehicle Maintenance section operates three shifts (day, swing, and graveyard) seven days a week at various locations throughout King County. Openings may occur on all shifts. Graveyard and/or swing shift vacancies will be the most likely openings.

Union Representation

This position will be represented by Local 587, Amalgamated Transit Union.

Classification Code:8442200

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Calvin Chon (he/him)

Vehicle Maintenance HR Team

[e-mail]

Forbes recently named King County one of Washington State's best employers.

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.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles- we are one team; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. 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.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application process, or if you have questions, please contact Calvin Chon via email at [e-mail].