Transit VM Chief - CS

Full Job Description

The Vehicle Maintenance Division has an opportunity for the role of Transit Chief.

This role is critical to the management and oversight of the daily operations of Metro Vehicle Maintenance and the service King County Metro provides.

Vehicle Maintenance Chiefs are subject matter experts who manage the day-to-day operations of Vehicle Maintenance, create an environment that model's customer service, work collaboratively with union leaders and others within the organization, and are a resource to employees at the worksite.

In addition to specific technical skills, the ideal candidates must communicate effectively with a diverse employee workgroup, to proactively solve problems that impact service delivery, encourage a safety culture while inspiriting high standards of customer service excellence, as well as the ability to motivate employees through building respect and trust.

We are seeking a dynamic people leader with proven expertise in engagement, management, initiative, and unwavering support for their team.

The ideal candidate will be dedicated to problem-solving and possess a strong commitment to leading their teams with integrity.

This post will be used to fill Career Service (CS) positions and may be used to establish an eligibility list to fill additional career service, special duty assignment, or term-limited temporary vacancies in this classification and work group.

If established, this list would be valid for 12 months from the date of posting and may be utilized at the discretion of the hiring authority.

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.

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. As Chief, you will also:

Overseeing Day-to-Day Operations

• Direct and oversee the daily activities of a vehicle maintenance base, ensuring that schedules are met, work is completed to standards, and operational issues are resolved quickly.
• Prioritize Repair Work: Assess and prioritize repair tasks based on urgency, safety, and service impact to ensure timely vehicle availability.
• Coordinate Across Shifts: Collaborate with incoming and outgoing Chiefs to ensure smooth handoff and continuity of work across all shifts.
• Monitor Performance Metrics: Utilize maintenance performance data to proactively address trends, identify delays, and keep operations on schedule.
• Ensure Quality Control: Perform quality assurance checks on maintenance work to ensure compliance with safety, cleanliness, and reliability standards.
• Maintain Equipment Readiness: Ensure tools and diagnostic equipment are maintained, calibrated, and ready for use.
• Oversee Recordkeeping: Ensure maintenance logs, inspections, and part replacements are accurately documented to meet compliance and fleet tracking requirements.
• Schedule Staff Effectively: Plan and adjust staffing schedules to meet operational needs, including preventive maintenance and emergency repairs.
• Audit Work Orders: Monitor work order completion, documentation accuracy, and productivity metrics; take corrective action when necessary.
• Promote Sustainability: Enforce environmentally responsible maintenance practices, including proper disposal of hazardous materials.
• Policy Enforcement: Apply Vehicle Maintenance and Human Resources policies consistently and fairly.
• Liaise with Fleet Engineering: Collaborate to troubleshoot issues and expedite technical resolutions.
• Ensure Labor Agreement Compliance: Apply and uphold labor contract provisions.

Customer Service and Public Relations

• Resolve Customer Issues: Address customer concerns related to service disruptions or vehicle issues, ensuring a high standard of service delivery.
• Support Positive Public Engagement: Represent the division professionally in public interactions and promote Metro’s values of service and equity.

Fostering Teamwork and Morale

• Team Leadership: Foster a supportive and collaborative work environment that encourages inclusion, equity, and employee engagement.
• Promote Positive Culture: Build a team culture centered on accountability, professionalism, safety, and high service standards.

Ensuring Vehicle Maintenance and Safety Standards

• Oversee Preventive Maintenance: Ensure all vehicle inspections, maintenance, and repairs meet VM and industry standards.
• Enforce Safety Protocols: Maintain a culture of safety by enforcing regulations, ensuring proper use of protective equipment, and monitoring for hazards.
• Verify Quality Repairs: Check and document repair quality to confirm compliance with safety standards before vehicles return to service.

Staff Supervision and Training

• Supervise Staff: Lead and manage Leads and frontline maintenance employees, ensuring adherence to policies and performance expectations.
• Coordinate Training: Deliver and oversee training programs for new and current staff, including technical, safety, and operational procedures.
• Train-the-Trainer Role: Serve as a subject matter expert in delivering hands-on, competency-based training to staff.
• Performance Management: Conduct evaluations, provide feedback, and address performance concerns.
• Resolve Conflicts: Address interpersonal conflicts promptly and constructively to maintain team cohesion.

Emergency Response and On-Call Support

• Respond to Emergencies: Lead rapid response efforts to vehicle breakdowns or service disruptions, dispatching personnel and minimizing service impacts.
• Incident Management: Coordinate responses to accidents or service interruptions, document incidents thoroughly, and communicate findings to leadership.

Resource and Fleet Management

• Fleet Oversight: Ensure the operational readiness, safety, and efficiency of assigned fleet vehicles.
• Manage Warranty Repairs: Ensure that defective or faulty parts are handled according to established warranty protocols.
• Allocate Resources Effectively: Balance staff and resources to meet fluctuating service demands and operational priorities.

Crisis Management and Problem Solving

• Operational Troubleshooting: Address and resolve operational issues, including accidents, delays, and equipment failures, ensuring minimal disruption to service.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Lead Process Improvements: Identify opportunities to improve maintenance operations, introduce efficiencies, and recommend policy changes.
• Stay Current with Technology: Remain informed on evolving technologies (e.g., electric buses, diagnostic tools) and integrate new practices to enhance service delivery.
• Enhance Service Delivery: Work collaboratively to implement new tools, technologies, or procedures that improve fleet performance and customer satisfaction.
• May be assigned to participate in internal and external work groups, project teams, committees, and task forces; coordinate operations, service delivery, and operating needs with appropriate staff throughout the Transit Division as required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to work in a diverse workforce and prioritize safety, respect, and care for employees in a unionized setting.
• Experience in supervising, leading, selecting, and coaching a highly talented employee group, recognize the importance of building relationships and trust with employees, and be excited and motivated to manage our diverse employee team.
• Ability to promote an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment and support diversity and inclusion goals.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills including the ability to listen carefully to others with an open mind while giving and receiving feedback.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, and Outlook). Ability to use common office equipment and software applications.
• Ability to solve problems and attain mutually beneficial solutions.
• 2+ years' experience supervising or leading employees in vehicle maintenance craft or any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the work.
• Knowledge of transit operations and the principles, practices and methodologies involved in the delivery of mass transit services for 2+ years.
• Knowledge of the regulatory and statutory requirements that apply to transit vehicle maintenance.

Desired Knowledge/ Skills:

• Knowledge of large-scale fleet maintenance operations and effective preventive maintenance principles, practices and techniques
• Knowledge of the policies and procedures of the Transit Division, the Vehicle Maintenance section and applicable County policies
• Ability to apply the principles, practices, and techniques of performance management to improve efficiency, safety, and reliability within transit vehicle maintenance programs.
• Knowledge of effective supervisory and management principles and practices as well as federal, state and local laws related to employment, civil rights and affirmative action
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of labor relations including interest-based or collaborative labor negotiations, grievance and arbitration processes and relevant labor agreements
• Ability to use fleet maintenance management information systems to review and act on the information
• Knowledge required to support the specific area to which assigned
• Management and effective communications (verbal and written) skills
• Skill in achieving operational performance and goals
• Skill in staff development and training
• Skill in conflict resolution, problem solving and negotiation
• Skill in managing and working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Skill in the use of the tools and equipment required to support the specific area to which assigned
• Skill in establishing effective working relationships and communicating successfully with senior management, labor representatives, customers and staff
• Skill in use of automated maintenance management information systems, personal computers, word processing, spreadsheet, database management, presentation, and similar software applications

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Valid Washington State Driver's License with an acceptable driving history.
• Work requires remaining available 24 hours as on call during rotational assignments.
• Work may require reporting for extended duty during adverse weather events and other emergencies.

Additional Information

Application & Selection Process

An online employment application, answers to the supplemental questions, and a cover letter is required.

Applicants meeting qualifications will be screened based on clarity, completeness, and content of their application materials.

The most competitive applicants will have their application materials blindly reviewed and possibly be invited for interviews.

Employment offers will be finalized only after candidates have successfully completed physical examination, drug screens and drug and alcohol background checks.

Reference checks and a complete driving record review will also be conducted prior to any final offer of employment.

• What are you looking to gain from this experience?

Even if you haven’t had the opportunity yet to serve in a leadership role at Metro, everyone has the ability to lead.

Describe specific instances where you exercised leadership in your previous positions.

Include how you influenced others, resolved conflict, upheld policy or contractual obligations, improved performance, or led change. Identify the results and organizational impact.

• In addition to any leadership qualities you’ve already mentioned, what additional qualities or strengths would you bring to this role?
• What are the most important qualities for a chief to have?

Test information:

Candidates passing the application screening process will have the opportunity to complete testing. Testing will be conducted onsite in King County, WA. Interviews may be offered to candidates with satisfactory test scores.

Interview information:

All interviews will be conducted in person. The most competitive applicants may be asked to interview. All interviews will be conducted in person at a King County building location. There may be a second round for interviews if needed.

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 Japatra McGee (jamcgee@kingcounty.gov).

Work Schedule and Location

This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay. Candidates will need to be able to flex their hours for coverage needs.

We will be filling one Career Service (CS) position, at the moment the locations are unknown.

We will generate an eligibility pool for future CS positions valid for twelve months upon creation and may be used or extended at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Classification Code/Grade

8730500

Union Representation

This position is represented by PROTEC17: Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Japatra McGee (she/her)

Human Resources Talent Advisor

jamcgee@kingcounty.gov

Forbes 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 are 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 Americans 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.

Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions at Application FAQ’s- King County.

For technical support related to your application, contact the Government Jobs' applicant support team for assistance: +1 855-524-5627.

For guidance on how to complete these required materials, be sure to visit the Career Support Services website for resources on how to complete application materials for King County recruitments.