Transit Grounds Specialist

King County•Wa 98133, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

King County Metro Transit’s Facilities Division has an exciting opportunity for a Transit Grounds Specialist. Transit Grounds Specialists are responsible for a variety of landscape activities including overall care and maintenance of lawns, gardens, and ornamental planting. They install, modify, and perform routine maintenance and repair of irrigation systems and related gardening equipment. This recruitment may immediately fill up to one (1) Career Service vacancy, and may also be used to create an eligibility pool for future Career Service, as well as Term-Limited Temporary and/or Special Duty Assignment, vacancies 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 July 6 through July 10, 2026, but are subject to change.

Requirements

Two (2) or more years of professional work experience performing duties within the groundskeeping, landscaping, and/or gardening field(s).
Knowledge of the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems and effective watering schedules.
Knowledge of gardening and plant care principles, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques and materials needed for various jobs.
Knowledge of proper pruning and trimming techniques.
Knowledge of power tools, gas fired equipment such as lawn mowers, blowers, edgers, hedgers, chain saws, and line trimmers.
Knowledge of basic hand tools, including proper use and safety requirements.
Ability to read instructions for the application of fertilizer, pesticides, and insecticides.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Skill in working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
Basic computer skills required to enter and extract information from automated systems and related software applications.
Current valid Washington State driver license, with an acceptable driving record. Out-of-state candidates must be able to obtain a Washington State driver license within 30 days of hire.
Valid Washington State Public Operator’s License, or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire. (Metro Transit will provide for the cost of acquiring the license and study materials.)
Valid Washington State Public Operator’s License endorsement in disease and ornamental plants, or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire.

Nice To Haves

Three (3) or more years of relevant experience, as described above.
One (1) or more years of related training, education, and/or apprenticeship related to the groundskeeping, landscaping, and/or gardening field.
Experience in irrigation system installation and/or maintenance.
Experience using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs.
Current valid Washington State Public Operator’s License, with endorsement in disease and ornamental plants.

Responsibilities

Perform landscape maintenance of turf, ornamental plants, trees, soil, and retention/detention ponds; install new turf and/or repair damaged areas.
Perform skilled pruning and trimming of a variety of plants, ground covers, bushes, and trees.
Maintain, modify, and/or repair irrigation systems; establish watering schedules and program controllers; analyze and/or modify system blueprints used in system installation.
Prepare insecticides and/or pesticides; control pests using pesticides and plant growth using herbicides; maintain necessary records.
Operate all equipment to include gardening tractors, lift equipment, and work trucks with trailers; maintain a variety of basic gardening equipment such as edgers, mowers, pruning tools, and tank spraying equipment.
Perform minor repairs on small gas engines, including tune-ups.
May instruct and/or coordinate the work of assigned landscaping crews; may inspect and/or assist in approval of contractor work.
Perform trash removal duties within landscaping.
Perform other duties as assigned or needed, such as ice and snow removal; required to respond in case of adverse weather conditions and emergency situations.