Light Rail Vehicle Operator

Sound Transit•Tacoma, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general direction, operates light rail vehicles on the Tacoma mainline, in the yard, and in the operations and maintenance facility. The operator ensures conformance with performance standards, safety requirements, rules, and schedules; performs pre-trip and post-trip safety and maintenance checks; completes accident and other reports; and responds to customer inquiries. Operators must be flexible to work shifts between 4:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday, and may work extended hours and nights for special events, testing, and commissioning activities. This is a union position represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), with a contractually set starting hourly rate of $30.45 and terms governed by the bargaining agreement. New employees receive 25 days of PTO, up to two floating holidays per calendar year depending on start date, and two volunteer days per year beginning the next calendar year. Sound Transit also describes a benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; long-term disability and life insurance; an Employee Assistance Program; retirement plans; parental leave; pet insurance; an ORCA card for full-time employees; tuition reimbursement; work-life balance; and professional development and recognition opportunities. The position is safety sensitive and requires a qualifying DOT physical and negative drug test. Employees are subject to federally required drug and alcohol testing. Work is performed in a hybrid environment, with an expectation of working in the office at least three days per week. Field work may involve exposure to dangerous machinery, extreme weather, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, or extreme noise.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and successful completion of training and the post-training qualification period; the employer can train applicants to operate a light rail vehicle if they have safe driving skills.
Valid state driver's license with no more than one violation in the past 12 months, excluding DUI and reckless driving.
Qualifying DOT physical meeting the standard for at least a one-year certification under 49 CFR 391.4, with recertification as needed, and a negative drug test.
Comply with federally required random, post-accident, reasonable-suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing under Federal Transit Authority DOT protocols.
Knowledge of pertinent traffic laws, ordinances, and safety rules for light rail vehicle operation; safe public transportation methods; vehicle operating characteristics; troubleshooting; standard safety precautions; and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Knowledge of record keeping, business letter writing, basic report preparation, English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and modern office procedures, methods, equipment, computers, and applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
Ability to use personal-computer software for assigned work and to compile and prepare spreadsheets and reports.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the public.
Ability to interpret and administer policies and procedures and to discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
Ability to operate passenger light rail vehicles safely and in accordance with applicable traffic laws; perform preventive maintenance and safety inspections; identify hazards; and maintain vehicle appearance and a tight schedule.
Ability to interpret and use operating and repair manuals for a light rail system and apply applicable policies, laws, and regulations.
Ability to maintain positive customer relations, repair and maintenance records, and clear oral and written communication; prepare clear incident and accident reports; and work cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.
Ability to perform the physical activities associated with the role, including bending, eye-hand coordination, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, sitting, standing, talking, seeing, walking, and carrying or lifting objects up to 25 pounds.
Flexibility to work shifts between 4:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience operating light or heavy rail transit vehicles is highly desirable.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.

Responsibilities

Operate light rail vehicles according to performance standards, safety requirements, rules, and schedules; maintain appropriate speed and distance, obey signals and speed signs, ensure safe passenger boarding and de-boarding, count passengers, and transport them safely.
Provide wheelchair accessibility, route and transportation information, directions, and required announcements to passengers; announce special and station stops.
Operate track switches electrically or manually as circumstances require to ensure correct routing.
Inspect and prepare light rail vehicles for passenger service or test operations; perform pre-trip and post-trip safety and maintenance checks, check train sandboxes, report defects, and couple or uncouple trains as necessary.
Troubleshoot operating problems to help restore service disruptions and report defects or unsafe conditions involving tracks, switches, equipment, or other conditions affecting safe train movement.
Notify supervisors of emergencies on or near the right-of-way and service disruptions; communicate evacuation information, oversee safe passenger evacuations, help customers access alternate bus service, and perform flagging duties during emergencies.
Prepare written reports about witnessed incidents, accidents, unusual conditions, and events affecting train movement or Agency property.
Turn in lost property to the appropriate authority; respond courteously to customer inquiries; and train other employees in light rail vehicle operation as necessary.
Support the division or department as directed, stay aware of developments relevant to the assignment, apply processes and policies consistently, and comply with applicable laws, Agency policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
Model Sound Transit's core values and contribute to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in alignment with the Agency's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
Follow Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures relevant to assigned duties and integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

25 days of PTO for new employees.
Up to two floating holidays per calendar year, depending on start date: two for employees starting January through June and one for employees starting July through December.
Two volunteer days per year beginning in the next calendar year.
Medical plan choices, dental coverage, and vision coverage at no cost for employee coverage, with benefits for eligible dependents.
Long-term disability and life insurance.
Employee Assistance Program.
401a retirement plan with 10% employee contribution and a 12% Sound Transit match.
457b retirement plan with employee contributions up to the IRS maximum.
12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
Pet insurance.
ORCA card at no cost for full-time employees.
Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
Work-life balance, professional development opportunities, and recognition from colleagues.