King County, WA is hiring: RAIL RADIO & COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN in Sea

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

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 33-mile route from SeaTac 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.

King County Metro Rail Division has an exciting opportunity for a Rail Radio and Communication Systems Technician. The Rail Radio and Communication Systems Technician will be responsible for work throughout the current and future Link Light Rail dedicated Right of Way. Rail Radio and Communication Systems Technician perform maintenance, troubleshooting and repairs on radio, communications, and electronic systems dedicated to railway operations as well as railway signal and communications equipment and systems. Work is performed independently and under the general direction of a Rail Signal and Communications Technician- Lead and the Rail Signal and Communications Chief.

This recruitment will immediately fill one career Service vacancy and may also be used to create an eligibility for future Career Service, and/or Special Duty Assignments, valid up to 12 months or until exhausted and at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Interviews are anticipated to occur during the week of February 20 through February 28, 2025, but are subject to change.

Note on starting wage: It will have the same wage scale as Rail Signal and Communications Technician with the same shift differential.

Who May Apply: This position is open to King County employees and the general public.

To Apply: Those interested must submit:

1. An online employment application with employment history going back at least ten years if you have ten years of employment (or more to include all relevant experience). Be sure to list all job duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving.
2. Completed supplemental questions.
3. Copy of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) is required.

Note: Applications without the above required materials won't be considered.

Want to make sure your application materials are as competitive as possible? We highly recommend visiting the Career Support Services website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective:

Career Support Services - King County.

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 the Rail Radio and Communication Systems Technician, you will:

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair electronic communication systems, including simulcast radio systems, distributed antenna systems, fiber optics, wireless communication equipment, digital trunk systems, digital microwave systems, console electronics, base stations, satellite receiver systems, antenna combiners, isolator cavities, and associated hardware.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on electronic communication systems and associated equipment; calibrate equipment to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) standards and manufacturer’s specifications. Review and provide recommendations on system and equipment specifications, construction plans, prints, and specifications.
• Assist Rail Signal and Communications Technicians in inspecting, troubleshooting, and repairing railway signals and communications equipment.
• Maintain records of preventive maintenance and calibrations, completed repairs, time worked, and materials used; enter and extract data using automated systems.
• Prioritize and complete emergency maintenance tasks without on-site supervision; respond to emergency calls.
• Operate assigned vehicles, including hi-rail and aerial lift equipment.
• Operate switch machines by hand and local control panels under revenue and non-revenue conditions.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate activities and work with other trades and divisions; assist other trades as necessary.
• Set up work zone traffic control areas; flag trackway to provide safe rail work zones.
• Interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical manuals.
• Research and track service bulletins and related material to stay abreast of equipment maintenance requirements.
• Review and provide recommendations on system and equipment specifications as well as construction plans, blueprints, and design documents.
• Maintain records of preventive maintenance and calibrations, completed repairs, time worked, and materials used; enter and extract data using asset management and work order software.
• Perform snow and ice removal.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

To be eligible to apply, you must possess the following credentials:

• Must pass drug and alcohol testing provisions for safety-sensitive positions as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation, 49 CFR Parts 40 and 655.
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) is required.
• Working in confined spaces or high places from mechanical lift devices, support structures, and poles, outdoors and indoors, and in inclement weather, is required.
• Work is performed within a live-operating rail transit system.
• Additional licenses, certifications and other requirements determined to be necessary to meet the business needs of the employing unit may be required.
• A valid Driver License at time of hire, with an acceptable driving record.
• Two (2) or more years of experience installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, programming, and repairing fixed and mobile electronic communications equipment, systems, and/or networks; completion of a relevant education program or similar training totaling two (2) or more years; or some combination thereof that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
• Experience and/or related education/training must include the following:
• Programming and/or configuring radio equipment.
• Wireless data communications.
• Skilled use of the tools, materials, and procedures used in the operations, maintenance, troubleshooting, servicing, and repair of equipment.
• Applying knowledge related to the principles of electrical and electronic theory.
• Effective troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey technical information to a non-technical audience.
• Use of a personal computer, with ability to use Microsoft Office 365 applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
• Ability to effectively communicate with Metro Transit personnel, public agencies and/or officials, service representatives, and end users.
• Ability to work effectively with others in a work environment that embraces and encourages diversity in its workforce and where differences are valued.
• Ability to demonstrate behaviors that include fairness, respect, and inclusiveness.
• Knowledge of FCC standards, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to work different shifts on weekends, nights, and holidays.
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions, events, and other emergencies.

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.

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 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.

WORK LOCATION AND SCHEDULE:
The work location will be at one of the Link Light Rail Operations and Maintenance Facilities. The work schedule will be based off of a seniority pick system with shift picks 2x per year (approximately, Every 6 months). This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore overtime eligible, with prior supervisory approval.

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

CLASS CODE / PAY GRADE: 8315100 / 36

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Neha Bansal, Human Resource Analyst, at nbansal@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.

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