Rail Electrical Worker

Full Job Description

This recruitment will be used to fill multiple career service Rail Electrical Worker position vacancies (for 2nd & 3rd shifts). These positions perform skilled, journey-level, high-voltage electrical work (600 volts and above). Responsibilities include troubleshooting, maintaining, repairing, and upgrading rail electrical systems, as well as performing comprehensive preventive maintenance on rail electrical systems and equipment in Light Rail shops, tunnels, and other facilities.

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, 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.

The Rail Division

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link light rail service and City of Seattle's streetcar system.

Link light rail currently spans 63 miles with 2 lines from Lynnwood to Federal Way and from Seattle to South Bellevue as of March 2026.

Additional expansions to the Link system will be coming online for years to come.

Seattle Streetcar includes the 1.3 mile South Lake Union line and the 2.5 mile First Hill line, proudly serving the diverse and vibrant communities around Seattle’s downtown core.

These rail services complement Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services.

Puget Sound transit agencies are collaborating to create an integrated transit network that enables people to travel farther, faster, and more easily. Who May Apply

This position is open to all qualified applicants both internal & external.

Military veterans are encouraged to apply. Relevant Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) areas may include: Airforce: 3E0X1, Army: 21R, Coast Guard: ELC, Marine Corps: 1141, Navy: CE, 6180.

This recruitment’s selection process may be used to establish an eligibility pool to fill future career service vacancies in this classification and within this division over the next year (12 months) and will be utilized at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Requirements

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.

Job Duties include:

• Work safely to maintain Light Rail Overhead Contact Systems (OCS); and associated components such as messenger wire, contact wire, section insulators, pole and enclosure mounted switches, air gaps, insulated and uninsulated overlaps, poles, underground feeders, switches, electrical wiring and systems including a variety of single phase, three phase and DC systems.
• Work safely to maintain Traction Power Substations (TPSS), troubleshoot and repair all feeder cables and associated components, underground feeders, enclosed crawl space associated components, switches, electrical wiring, relays, and monitoring systems, including a variety of single phase and three phase AC and DC systems.
• Perform inspections, maintenance and upgrades of Traction Power Substations and their components such as switches, transformers, rectifiers, fuses, relays, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), batteries, chargers and associated equipment.
• Perform high voltage work and maintain and repair low voltage systems such as fire and security alarms; maintain and repair, transfer switches and uninterruptible power supplies.
• Perform high voltage tests on power cables and equipment; splice, maintain and terminate all types of low and high voltage cable; pull, rack and secure high and low voltage cables in manholes, conduits, tunnels, and vaults.
• Maintain and repair equipment in Light Rail shops, offices, park and ride lots, and tunnels.
• Flag trackway to provide safe rail work zones; set-up work-zone traffic control areas.
• Maintain and provide daily work records and complete work requests.
• Load and unload tools, materials, and equipment.
• Maintain appropriate parts stock on assigned vehicles, in substations and shops.
• Operate company assigned vehicles, including hi-rail and aerial lift equipment and perform rolling inspections from raised aerial equipment.
• Read and interpret distribution maps, feeder maps, blueprints, schematics, and other drawings.
• Plan, schedule and coordinate activities and work with other trades and divisions.
• Trim trees and other vegetation which may interfere with train movement or electrical installations.
• Pump water from vaults and manholes.
• Perform snow and ice removal.
• Respond to emergency calls as necessary.
• Inspect relevant work completed by contractors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Three (3) years of high voltage (600 volts and above) electrical maintenance work experience is required, including any hands-on experience acquired in an educational program, which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job duties.
• Washington State Journey Electrician Certificate (EL01), Journey Level Line Worker Certificate, or equivalent is required
• Knowledge of national, state, and local electrical codes and means of compliance.
• Knowledge of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), and APTA (American Public Transportation Association) standards.
• Knowledge and understanding of electrical theory, high voltage work and modern industrial controls.
• Knowledge of industry safety standards.
• Experience in locating underground cables; installing conduit and pull underground cable.
• Experience in the use of tools and equipment required to perform cable splicing and repair.
• Experience in safely and efficiently using electrical test equipment.
• Experience in reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, and drawings.
• Experience in effectively communicating orally and in writing.
• Problem solving and analytical skills.
• Mechanical skills.

Necessary Special Requirements

• A valid Driver's License with an acceptable driving record. If you possess an out-of-state driver’s license, you must obtain a WA state license within 30 days of hire.
• Applicants must also possess a Washington State Class “A” or Class “B” commercial driver’s license (CDL) valid for both manual and automatic transmissions, with air brake endorsement and maintain an acceptable driving record.
  • Applicants without a valid Class “A” or “B” CDL must possess a Washington State Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP), class "A" or “B”, with air brake endorsement, by the time a conditional offer of employment is extended, and must be able to obtain their full Class “A” or “B” CDL valid for both manual and automatic transmissions, with air brake endorsement, within six (6) months of hire.
    • Please note: For more information on how to obtain a CLP in Washington State, please visit DOL CLP Testing
    • How to start preparing: We recommend you start preparing for the WA State Commercial Learner's Permit exam as soon as you apply. Visit the DOL's Website and refer to the CDL guide to start studying today!
• Applicants must be able to meet on-going educational and training requirements and maintain required certifications such as Hi-Rail, Forklift, Flaggers, Aerial Lift, Confined Space, First Aid/CPR, and other certifications.

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the most competitive candidates will possess the following desired qualifications:

• Experience in maintaining Light Rail Overhead Contact System (OCS) and components.
• Experience in maintaining Traction Power Substations (TPSS) components.
• Knowledge of rail industries standards

To Apply: you must meet the minimum requirements and complete the following:

• An online King County application. Please include relevant work history going back 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly.
• Answer the supplemental questions in their entirety.
• Attach a Washington State Journey Electrician certificate (EL0l), Journey Level Line Worker Certificate, or equivalent.

Need Assistance?
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions, please contact Marwa Alansi, HR Talent Advisor, at malansi@kingcounty.gov

Additional Information

Selection Process

Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications, and for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above.

Applications that are not complete may be rejected and not advanced in the process.

The most competitive applicants may have their application materials blind reviewed and be invited to participate in an interview.

Employment offers will be finalized only after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment checks, such as CLP/CDL verifications, reference checks or internal record reviews, a drug and alcohol test, physical examination, and a driving abstract review.

Work Schedule

This recruitment is looking for Rail Electrical Workers for 2nd & 3rd shifts; however, applicants must be willing and able to work any shift, including morning/day.

This position has a bid process for shift and base per the IBEW contract. Shifts may change or base may change based on seniority, according to current contract.

This position is part of a work group that provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year support.

This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore eligible for overtime pay at double time rate.

Rail Electrical Worker Shifts & Pay:
3rd Shift: 10pm-6am - $71.76/hr
2nd Shift: 2pm-10pm - $71.76/hr
1st Shift: 6am-2pm - $67.70/hr


Work Location

• Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) Central at 3407 Airport Way S., Seattle, WA
• Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) East at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA
• Maintenance of Way North (MOWN) at North 137th St. Seattle, WA
• Maintenance of Way East (MOWE) at 1907 120^th Ave NE, Bellevue WA
• And any future Sound Transit Link facilities

Working Environment
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors, day and night and in inclement weather. Must be able to work in crowded/tight spaces, tunnels, and aerial structures at heights.

Union Membership: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 77 represents this position.

Class Code: 8212100

Great BenefitsKing County provides our employees with a free transportation pass (good on most transit systems throughout the Puget Sound region).

We offer a benefits package that includes competitive medical, dental and vision benefits for the whole family including state-registered domestic partner, competitive vacation, sick, holiday and executive leave plans, and participation in the State's Public Employees Retirement Plan (PERS) are provided, as well as the option of participating in the County's deferred compensation plan (a 457 plan).

For more details, please see the Benefits tab on this posting.

Additional Benefits

• Clothing and Equipment Allowance Pay
• Boot Allowance
• Transit pass which is good on Metro, Pierce, Community and Sound Transit

An Employer to Be Proud Of

King County Metro Transit is a regional leader in helping people move quickly throughout the region, reducing commuter stress, greening the environment and radically improving urban air quality, by providing comfortable, effective transit services for the thousands of commuters and other residents of King County, Washington.

Working for Metro means working for a leader in this public transportation industry.

Forbes recently named King County as 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 solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; 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.