Transit Chief VM Electronics Shop presso King County, WA

About the Department

This position is open to current King County Metro Employees who have passed their initial probationary period.

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Vehicle Maintenance Division
Metro Transit's Vehicle Maintenance Division takes pride in meeting our customers' expectations for safe, dependable, clean, and environmentally sound vehicles. Maintenance of Metro's bus fleet takes place at seven bus bases and at our central Component Supply Center where specialized work is done. Most Metro's buses are hybrids, followed by diesel, electric trolley, and several battery-electric buses. Metro has long been an innovator in green vehicle technology, and plans to transition to battery-electric buses as we move toward our goal of a zero-emission fleet. Our division is committed to working in a timely, cost effective, and environmentally sensitive manner, and values teamwork, communication, diversity, and social justice.

This position will supervise and coordinate the maintenance and repair of electronic equipment and devices used in the motor coach and trolley coach fleet. This includes preparation of labor and material cost estimates for electronic equipment maintenance, maintaining inventory of materials, supplies and shop equipment as well as supervision and management of shop personnel divided over two different physical locations. 

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 after 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.

Position Duties

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 electronics shop operations; supervise, plan, and review the work of skilled journey-level Electronics Technicians engaged in the maintenance, repair, and rebuild of fleet onboard electronic devices, components, and systems, including automated passenger counter, security camera, fare, and related systems; provide electronics related technical guidance for vehicle maintenance staff; develop layouts, drawings, and sketches used for modifying and designing electronic parts and components; provide technical guidance to staff in the maintenance and repair of electronic microprocessor control, logic, signage, and related systems.

• Supervise the acquisition, receipt, storage, and disbursement of maintenance-related parts and materials required to support operations; authorize purchases to level of assigned authority.
• Supervise maintenance of and data input to automated fleet maintenance, scheduling, and related information systems.
• Administer and coordinate the safety program for the assigned work area; ensure a safe and compliant work environment by managing the proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials in accordance with federal, state, and agency regulations.
• Monitor, manage, and oversee the safety program for assigned work area; establish and maintain a safe working environment; oversee and ensure the proper use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials in compliance with federal, state, and agency regulations and requirements.
• Direct and ensure timely and appropriate response to service disruptions, weather emergencies, and critical incidents; coordinate response with Superintendent, Transit Operations Center, and other internal and external agencies as appropriate; investigate and prepare response to customer complaints regarding vehicle maintenance operations, services, and staff.
• Identify, evaluate, and recommend service, quality, workplace, and business process improvements; monitor daily labor costs and modify operations when necessary to achieve performance improvement targets while maintaining established vehicle maintenance and transit service levels.
• Maintained effective labor relations; ensured compliance with union agreements; resolved employee issues in collaboration with labor representatives and participated in grievance and arbitration proceedings as needed.
• Manage employee absenteeism, vacation change requests, sick/injury leaves, and related ADA/FMLA/KCFML/WFLA processes and requirements for assigned employees; review and approve leave requests consistent with staffing needs, employee preferences where possible, and applicable County policy/procedures and bargaining agreements; review, correct and approve payroll; administer federal safety-sensitive drug and alcohol testing program for assigned employees.
• Managed recruitment, training, and performance evaluation of staff; promoted effective customer service and safety practices; investigated employee misconduct and coordinated appropriate corrective or disciplinary actions with HR and management.
• Ensure compliance with all Vehicle Maintenance, Transit Division, and County policies and procedures governing safety-sensitive positions, employment, worker safety, and related areas, as well as with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
• 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.
• Act as Superintendent as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications 

• Experience in supervising, leading, a team to meet a shared goal.
• Ability to work in a diverse workforce and prioritize safety, respect, and care for employees in a unionized setting. 
• Good background experience in Electronics and new technology
• Ability to promote an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment and support diversity and inclusion goals.  
• 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.

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
• 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

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.

Other Qualifications

Who May Apply: 

This position is open to current King County Metro Employees who have passed their initial probationary period.  
 

Required Application Materials:

1. Completed online application
2. Complete answers to the supplemental questions 
3. Cover Letter: The Letter of Interest outlining 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 would you be looking to gain from this experience?
   • Even if you haven’t had the opportunity yet to serve in a leadership role at Metro, every employee has the ability to lead. Describe how you’ve been a leader while working for Metro.
   • 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?

Selection Process: 

The most competitive candidate will be selected based on their letter of interest. Management may require an interview to make a final selection if needed. Formal offers are finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as reference checks or internal record reviews. Management will make the final selection of the candidate to be placed in the special duty assignment. The SDA will also be dependent on approval from your current supervisor. Pay for SDA will be in accordance with Personnel Guidelines or the selected employee's collective bargaining agreement.
 

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 ([email protected]).

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.

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 [email protected]

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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