Transit Purchasing Specialist - Lead
King County
Posted: February 4, 2026 (3 days ago)
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King County
MTD - Metro Transit
Location
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Salary
$49.96 - $52.89
per hour
Type
Full Time
More Education & Training jobs →Closes
This year-long training program prepares current King County Metro Transit employees to become first-line supervisors in bus operations by combining classroom learning with hands-on experience in areas like dispatching, planning, instructing, or field supervision.
Participants gradually take on more responsibilities while completing required training and exams to qualify in two specific roles.
It's ideal for motivated internal staff with transit experience who want to advance into leadership positions in a safety-focused environment.
***FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY***
This position is considered safety sensitive. Applicants for positions defined as safety sensitive are required to undergo drug testing subsequent to commencement of employment.
Employees are subject to random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty and follow-up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal Department of Transportation alcohol and controlled substances testing program protocols.
The Transit Supervisor-in-Training (SIT) program is a step toward leadership in Bus Operations. This year-long program prepares employees to step into the role of First Line Supervisor.
Participants receive hands-on training as they prepare to qualify in two of these service areas: Base Operations - Dispatcher/Planner, Transit Instructor or Service Quality - Field Supervisor.
The responsibilities of this classification include performing work of various duty assignments and completing classroom training as a part of the formalized training program for qualification as a first-line supervisor.
The program includes both classroom and on-the-job training.
Successful candidates will become qualified in two of available assignments: Service Supervisor, Base Operations – Dispatcher/Planner, or Transit Instructor.
Communications Coordinator is not available.
During the program, SITs are assigned an increase in responsibility and tasks and will work more independently.Work also includes timely and successful completion of all related supplementary training classes and examinations deemed necessary for the program.
Work requires compliance with all applicable federally mandated safety-sensitive requirements.

Visit the TRANSIT SUPERVISOR-IN-TRAINING website for recruitment timeline details, resources, and preparation materials you’ll need to succeed:
TSIT Info Page
Who may apply:
***FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY***
Part-Time Transit Operators with at least 5 years of part-time service as a Part-Time Operator in the five years preceding the closing date for applications.
Full-Time Transit Operators with at least 2.5 years of full-time service as a Full-Time Operator (FTO) in the five years preceding the closing date for applications.
Current Rail Operators with at least 2.5 years of full-time service as a FTO in the five years preceding the closing date for applications.
Current Streetcar Operators with at least 2.5 years of full-time service as a FTO in the five years preceding the closing date for applications.
Current Operations & Maintenance Streetcar Supervisors with at least 2.5 years of full-time service as an FTO in the five years preceding the closing date for applications.
Current Rail/Streetcar Supervisors who were not previously Bus Supervisors.
Work Location: The work location will vary throughout King County.
Supervisors will work in different locations from day to day, provide round-the-clock coverage and serve on a diverse team who regularly interacts and engages with various professionals within the County and the general public.
Work Schedule: This position is not exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible. Work schedules vary.
Supervisor assignments reflect the 24-hour, seven days-a-week schedule that Transit operates. Shift hours include straight-through and split shifts. Relief assignments may be changed with short notice.
Refer to Article 22, Section 6 of the ATU 587 Labor Agreement for additional information about work assignments. Complete information about each classification specification is linked below:
Service Supervisor (Service Quality - Field Supervisor): https://api.kingcounty.gov/ClassCompDoc/v1/?cdid=MAQEFJTUDN2N-1944884878-360
Base Operations-Dispatcher/Planner: https://api.kingcounty.gov/ClassCompDoc/v1/?cdid=MAQEFJTUDN2N-1944884878-412
Transit Instructor: https://api.kingcounty.gov/ClassCompDoc/v1/?cdid=MAQEFJTUDN2N-1944884878-387
NECESSARY COMPUTER SKILLS: SITs must be able to learn and use a variety of computer programs proficiently, such as:
Service Quality - Field Supervisor: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, internet browsers, and familiarity with Excel and SharePoint. SITs will be trained in HASTUS, Easy Street Draw, and TIMS.
Base Operations: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, internet browsers, internet browsers, and familiarity with SharePoint. SITs will be trained in HASTUS.
Transit Instructor: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, internet browsers, and familiarity with Excel and SharePoint. SITs will be trained in HASTUS and TOQS.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
After appointment, the Supervisor-in-Training (SIT) will be subject to a 12-month probationary period.
At the end of 12 months, the SIT is required to be qualified in two of the following classifications: Base Operations Dispatcher/Planner, Service Supervisor or Transit Instructor.
Metro will place anyone selected for this recruitment in Service Quality, Base Operations, and Training sections based on business needs.
The inability to qualify in two classifications within the 12-month probationary period will require the employee to return to their previous classification.
Supervisors-in-Training will receive a performance review upon completion of training in each area.
Physical requirements include but are not limited to sitting, handling tools, standing for extended periods of up to 7 hours, lifting approximately 50 pounds, standing for long periods, handling hot-sticks (fiberglass extension pole for trolley overhead issues), handling 30 lb bags of absorbent, loading in vehicle or spreading on fluid leaks in SQ, walking around an incident scene, or from one base to a nearby base, and performing other various activities.
We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications:
RECORD REVIEW CALCULATION CRITERIA: Work record review calculations will use the applicant's most recent 18 months of eligible service. A month is considered eligible when the applicant worked 15 or more full or partial days. If an applicant has less than 18 qualifying eligible service months, the applicant may be disqualified from continuing in the process due to insufficient recent experience to evaluate the employee's record. Those on military leave won't be penalized. RECORD REVIEW POINTS ASSIGNMENT AND REMOVAL THRESHOLD Applicants will be removed from the remainder of the Supervisor-in-Training selection process if the record review totals 18 or more points, with points assigned as follows:
Performance Reports (excluding those related to attendance and preventable accidents):
Preventable Accidents and incidents:
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