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Posted: March 3, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Transit VM Chief-Paint Shop

King County

MTD - Metro Transit

Fresh

Location

Salary

$58.45 - $70.66

per hour

Closes

March 17, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading a paint shop team in a transit agency, overseeing the painting, graphic installation, and related maintenance of buses and equipment to keep public transportation running smoothly.

A good fit would be an experienced supervisor who excels at managing skilled workers, solving operational problems, and prioritizing safety and customer service in a hands-on environment.

The role emphasizes building trust with a diverse team while ensuring high-quality work that supports daily transit services.

Key Requirements

  • Supervise and plan work for journey-level equipment painters and craft workers in painting and graphic operations
  • Provide technical expertise in colors, color matching, striping, graphic design, and material selection
  • Oversee machine and weld shop operations, including supervision of maintenance machinists and metal constructors
  • Develop labor and material cost estimates and maintain inventory of graphic productions
  • Ensure compliance with safety regulations, including ventilation in paint booths and drug testing protocols
  • Apply equity and social justice principles in daily leadership and team management
  • Demonstrate strong communication, problem-solving, and motivation skills to foster a safety-focused, customer-service-oriented culture

Full Job Description

Three green and yellow buses are parked under a charging station, with trees in the background.


The role of the Transit Chief 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 one (1) 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:

  • Direct and oversee the preparation and painting of vehicles, parts, and equipment and the manufacturing and installation of graphic signage.
  • Supervise, plan and review the work of skilled journey-level Equipment Painters and other craft work involved in equipment painting operations, as well as the design, fabrication, and installation of a wide array of signage, decals, logos, banners, and related items.
  • Supervise all aspects of painting, striping, color matching, and selecting materials that support paint shop operations.
  • Provide technical advice regarding colors, color matching, design reconstruction, striping, graphic placement, application sequences, finishing methods, and material selection.
  • Develop labor and material cost estimates.
  • Supervise and maintain inventory and archive of graphic productions.
  • Monitor and ensure proper ventilation of paint booths and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Direct and oversee machine and weld shop operations; supervise, plan and review the work of skilled journey-level Maintenance Machinists, Metal Constructors, fixtures, components, tooling and parts to support vehicle maintenance operations.
  • Direct and oversee the preparation and painting of vehicles, parts and equipment, and the manufacturing and installation of graphic signage; supervise plan and review the work of skilled journey-level Equipment Painters and other craft work involved in equipment painting operations as well as the design, fabrication and installation of a wide array of signage, decals, logos, banners and related items; supervise all aspects of painting, striping, color matching, and selecting materials that support paint shop operations; provide technical advice regarding colors and color matching, design reconstruction, striping, graphic placement, application sequences, finishing methods and material selection; develop labor and material cost estimates; supervise and maintain inventory and archive of graphic productions; monitor and ensure proper ventilation of paint booths and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Manage small and large projects.

Qualifications

We are looking for candidates who have the following:

  • Two years of supervisory experience.
  • Working knowledge of workforce planning to prioritize supply work and schedule section's workload to best utilize personnel to meet production needs efficiently and on time.
  • Working knowledge of supervisory and management techniques.
  • Basic knowledge of preparing and making recommendations to budget requirements.
  • Knowledge of appropriate Federal, State, and Local regulations related to safety and procurement (such as OSHA, applicable WAC, and RCW codes and government regulations related to contract and warranty administration, etc.).
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrated skill in establishing effective teams and overcoming obstacles, difficulties, and differing personalities and styles to deliver quality service effectively, reliably, and efficiently.
  • Demonstrated skill in preparing cost estimates of labor and materials, as well as evaluating alternatives and making appropriate recommendations.
  • Demonstrated skill in writing specifications and justifications for capital equipment purchases.
  • Proficient level of skill in Microsoft products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
  • Ability to effectively manage a relatively static workgroup in a Union environment with varying levels of seniority among staff.
  • Ability to manage a workforce serving nine Vehicle Maintenance facilities.

Desired Qualifications:

  • 2+ years' experience supervising or leading employees in a 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 the regulatory and statutory requirements that apply to transit vehicle maintenance
  • Knowledge of EPA standards for automotive paint applications
  • Skill in achieving performance and operational goals
  • Skill in conflict resolution, problem solving and negotiation
  • Skill in managing and working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds
  • Advance knowledge in electronics and technology
  • Advance Knowledge of public sector/government contract creation, bidding and approval processes

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.

  • Cover Letter: Outline your enthusiasm for the position, your alignment with the minimum requirements, and the journey through which you've acquired the necessary knowledge, education, and experience. Additionally, provide examples of:
    • 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?

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 LocationThis 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. This position will report to the central Component Supply Center.


Classification Code/Grade

8730500/69

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 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.

Nine colorful icons representing values: teamwork, problem-solving, customer focus, results-driven, racial justice, respect, leadership, and stewardship.

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.



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Posted on NEOGOV: 3/3/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/4/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-kingcounty-5255527