Rail Track & Row Maintainer

Full Job Description

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

King County Metro Transit’s Rail Division has an exciting opportunity for a Rail Track & ROW Maintainer.

The Rail Track & ROW Maintainer will perform journey-level trades work to troubleshoot, diagnose, maintain, repair, weld, upgrade and conduct comprehensive preventive maintenance on track, special track work, track switches, aerial and tunnel structures and supports, retaining walls, fencing, and associated equipment and components.

The ideal candidate for this position will be able to communicate effectively with a diverse employee work group, proactively solve problems that impact service delivery, and encourage a safety culture while inspiring high standards of customer service excellence, as well as the ability to motivate employees through building respect and trust.

About Metro Transit's Expanding 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 a 50-mile route from Federal Way to Lynnwood and a 6.6-mile route from Redmond to South Bellevue.

By the end of 2026, light rail is projected to expand to nearly 60 route miles, adding seven new stations. 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.

This recruitment may immediately fill up to eleven (11) Career Service positions and may also be used to establish an eligibility pool for future Career Service, as well as any fully-benefitted Term-Limited Temporary (TLT)/Special Duty Assignment (SDA), vacancies, valid up to 12 months or until the pool is exhausted, and at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Interviews are anticipated to occur during the week of April 6 through April 10, 2026, but are subject to change.

Who May Apply

This position is open to King County employees and the general public.

To Apply:

Those interested must submit:

• An online King County application, updated with accurate contact information, and relevant work history going back at least 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all job duties.
• Completed supplemental questions.
• A cover letter, detailing how your experience and background meet or exceed the qualifications for this position.
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education.

Current Hourly Rates:
1st Shift (Day): $38.82- $55.46 | 2nd Shift (Swing): $40.76 -$58.23 | 3rd Shift (Graveyard): $41.73- $59.62

Want to make sure your application materials are as competitive as possible?

We highly recommend visiting the Workforce Development Services website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective:

Workforce Development - King County, Washington

Requirements

Applying equity and social justice principlesis 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.

As the Rail Track & ROW Maintainer, you will:

• Inspect, diagnose, repair, maintain, and/or replace running rails, restraining rails, fasteners, switch components, crossings, and all other components associated with track maintenance and construction.
• Operate service vehicles, small cranes and other vehicles used in track maintenance and inspection.
• Use rail saws, rail drills, portable ballast tampers, and other specialized tools and equipment to perform inspection, maintenance and repair tasks.
• Set up work-zone traffic control areas; flag track way to provide safe rail work zones.
• Manually operate switch machines under revenue and non-revenue conditions.
• Prioritize emergency maintenance tasks in the absence of on-site supervision.
• Record and document maintenance and diagnostic data.
• Assist other trades as necessary; respond to emergency calls as necessary.
• Perform snow and ice removal.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least one year experience working with hand and powered tools OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the duties of this position.

• Ability to differentiate colors (red/green/yellow/white), estimate basic speed of objects and Rail vehicles, able to hear and listen for environmental cues, including high pitch warning whistles, air horns, sound and pressure changes in a tunnel environment etc.

• Knowledge of FRA Track Safety Standards, APTA Standards, FTA Standards and AREMA standards for Rail Transit Track Inspection and Maintenance.
• Demonstrated experience operating rail and crane equipment.
• Knowledge of and skill in track and structures maintenance work for rail systems.
• Knowledge of industrial safety standards and procedures including working with small cranes and lifting equipment such as track jacks, tie tongs, and rail tongs.
• Skill in reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics and drawings.
• Skill in verbal and written communication including reading, writing and following instructions.
• Ability to use and understand basic computer software.
• Skill in problem-solving and analytical skills required to solve common problems.
• Skill in mechanical tools associated with maintaining fixed track and associated structures.
• Demonstrated mechanical skills including ability to properly use hand and power tools.
• Knowledge of and skill in the application of codes and compliance requirements for track and associated structures.
• Ability to work safely and efficiently in all types of weather and environmental conditions, including on elevated structures as well as underground structures.
• Knowledge of and skill in concrete work including finishing.
• Skill in dealing proactively and sensitively with customers and coworkers, with demonstrated commitment to King County values that include inclusion, fairness, and equity.
• Knowledge of traffic safety techniques and procedures for establishing safe work zones both on Track and within a public motor vehicle roadway.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Maintenance Management Information Systems (MMIS), Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAMS) or equivalent maintenance work order tracking system.
• Knowledge of associated hardware, manuals, procedures, parts catalogs and other pertinent documentation.
• Ability to operate radio and telephone communication systems in compliance with FTA regulations and procedures.
• Railroad welding experience with stick (SMAW), wire feed (GMAW) welding process, exothermic welding including experience with Manganese steel and the ability to obtain and maintain certification, if not currently certified.

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) 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 with air brake endorsement within six (6) months of hire.

• Ability to obtain Hi-Rail, Forklift, Aerial Lift, First-Aid/CPR and other certifications (training will be provided by Rail)
• Applicants must be able to meet on-going educational and training requirements and maintain required certifications.

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!

Physical Requirements
This position requires the ability to be mobile, perform heavy manual labor, exert physical effort while standing, walking for long distances, or lifting materials, tools and objects weighing up to 100 pounds.

Additional Information

Application & Selection Process

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

Highly competitive applicants may be asked to interview.

Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as reference checks or internal record reviews.

Work Schedule
This position is anticipated to be full time, assigned 40 hours per week. Employees must be able to work any of the three shifts (day, swing, or graveyard). Work schedule may include non- standard work hours including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed. This position is non- exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore overtime eligible, with prior supervisory approval.

SAFETY SENSITIVE

These positions are considered safety-sensitive.

Applicants for positions defined as safety-sensitive are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and, subsequent to the 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.

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

Work Location: Employees may report to any of the following locations:

• 2505 S 320th St, Federal Way, WA 98003
• Maintenance of Way North (MOWN) 920 N 137th St Seattle, WA
• Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) Central at 3407 Airport Way S., Seattle, WA.
• Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) East at 1925 120th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA.
• And any future Sound Transit Link facilities.

CLASS CODE / PAY GRADE: 8111100/ 234

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Ebony Ware, Human Resource Analyst, at eware@kingcounty.gov.

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.

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 or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

#RailJobs #TradesJobs