Rail Supervisor - Trainee

King County • Multiple locations in King County, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Join Metro Link Light Rail Operations Team – A Career That Takes You Places King County Metro is seeking motivated individuals to join our Link Light Rail team through the Rail Supervisor-in-Training (RSIT) program. This recruitment will be used to fill multiple Rail Supervisor vacancies and will create a list of eligible candidates which will remain in effect until exhausted. This paid, one (1) year (12 month) training program combines classroom learning with on-the-job instruction throughout Rail Operations. You'll build the skills necessary to supervise and ensure safe, reliable, and equitable transit operations for thousands of riders each day. Grow your skills, lead with purpose, and help shape the future of transit in the Greater Puget Sound Region! Position Overview RSITs will be subject to a one (1) year probationary period. All RSITs must obtain (or maintain) a valid Rail Operator Card. Successful applicants who do not currently possess a valid Rail Operator Card will complete Light Rail Operator (LRO) training at the beginning of their probationary year. During their probationary year, all RSITs will be trained and must qualify in four key areas: Field Supervision: Overseeing rail operations in the field, interfacing with Rail Operators, responding to incidents, and ensuring safe and on-time delivery of service. Communications Specialist: Managing communications and flow of information through the Link Control Center (LCC), monitoring emergency telephones and station cameras, and ensuring accurate train positioning and passenger information. Base Planning & Dispatching: Managing Rail Operator assignments, work schedules, and service coverage. Yard Supervision: Overseeing and authorizing all work and movements with the yard RSITs who fail to qualify in any of these three areas or obtain a Rail Operator Card will be terminated from the RSIT program. RSITs who successfully complete their probationary year will be promoted to Rail Supervisors.

Requirements

• Minimum of two and one half (2½) years of full-time transit or rail operator experience within the last five (5) years. For each month of PTO [Part Time Operator] service, ½ month of FTO [Full Time Operator] service will be credited.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately interpret and adhere to transit/rail operator schedules, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and rulebooks.
• Experience applying operating rules, following safety regulations, and performing or overseeing basic vehicle mechanical checks.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience regularly using a two-way radio system in an operational or dispatch environment, with demonstrated ability to follow standard communication protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise written correspondence and to clearly convey information verbally in an operational or customer service setting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook (intermediate level or above) and capable of navigating web-based programs; demonstrated ability to learn and operate specialized operational software within a defined training period.
• Evidence of identifying operational problems, developing solutions, and prioritizing multiple tasks under time constraints.
• Demonstrated experience providing actionable performance feedback to peers or subordinates, such as coaching toward standards.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in the workplace; ability to work with people of varying backgrounds professionally; comfort interfacing with the general public.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license with no suspensions or revocations within the past 36 months and no more than 1 moving violation in the past 12 months.
• Ability to pass a DOT physical exam and pre-employment drug testing.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Link Rail Operator Card.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods (up to 6 hours).
• Ability to navigate loose/uneven terrain safely.
• Ability to scale a 3-foot-tall elevation (such as accessing a raised platform from the trackway) without assistance.
• Ability to climb 4 flights of stairs without stopping.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds across short distances.
• Must have 18 months of active operating service in a 24-month window.
• Record review totals must be less than 18 points.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a supervisory or lead capacity and/or coursework in supervision.
• Skill in developing, assessing, and evaluating standard and custom training materials
• Experience diagnosing and rectifying rail vehicle mechanical/electrical failures.
• Experience working in an operations control or incident management center.
• Experience navigating HASTUS (or similar workforce management software).
• Demonstrated familiarity with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing rail operations in the field, interfacing with Rail Operators, responding to incidents, and ensuring safe and on-time delivery of service.
• Managing communications and flow of information through the Link Control Center (LCC), monitoring emergency telephones and station cameras, and ensuring accurate train positioning and passenger information.
• Managing Rail Operator assignments, work schedules, and service coverage.
• Overseeing and authorizing all work and movements with the yard.
• Facilitate the safe, reliable, and timely delivery of rail service.
• Monitor service and facilities, perform LRV troubleshooting on the mainline.
• Coordinate with other agencies and take steps to minimize service disruptions.
• Propose and implement solutions to service-related problems.
• Respond to emergencies on rail vehicles, rail platforms and rail rights-of-way and coordinate required activities with emergency response personnel; investigate rail accidents, derailments, incidents, and industrial injuries.
• Provide accurate and timely documentation regarding incidents that occur on the right-of-way, platforms, and rail yard.
• Provide on-the-scene customer service and public relations for Rail; refer complaints to Operations Chief and assist with the fact-finding process.
• Fill assignments with a qualified, non-impaired operator in accordance with the guidelines of the labor agreement.
• Inform rail operators of assignments and assign operators to cover absences due to illness, miss-outs, management requests, and other events.
• Respond to inquiries from operators regarding work schedules, overtime, run specifics, and other related contract provisions.
• Compute operator pay time, record operator attendance and maintain records for the base.
• Maintain a variety of electronic reports; perform electronic data input and retrieval; review for accuracy all forms and documents received from rail operators and forward them to management or other units, as appropriate.
• Communicate and coordinate with vehicle maintenance staff on vehicle availability and maintain related documentation.
• Interact with a variety of Metro employees by telephone and in person.
• Work to ensure safety and efficiency in the yard at each Operating and Maintenance Facility (OMF).
• Authorize all train movements in the yard, including all coupling and uncoupling of LRVs and the setting-on, setting-off, and movement of hi-rail vehicles.
• Manage yard communications over the radio and ensure safe and professional on-air communications.
• Coordinate yard pull-outs and pull-ins and quickly communicate any delays of revenue service pull-outs to the LCC.
• Maintain the Yard Communications Log, and record all pertinent information in a timely manner.
• Establish and remove track protection in the yard, including blue flags/tags and blocks.
• Authorize and record all PMs, permits, and power-downs in the yard.
• Ensure worker protection during these events.

Benefits

• Free transportation pass (good on most regional transit systems).
• Medical, dental and vision benefits for the whole family and state registered domestic partner.
• Competitive sick leave and vacation plan.
• Participation in the State's popular Public Employees Retirement Plan (PERS).
• Option of participating in the County's deferred compensation plan (a 457 plan).
• Eligible for overtime pay.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed