Transit Chief, Vehicle Maintenance - SDA

Summary

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

The Vehicle Maintenance Division with King County Metro Transit is hiring a VM Transit Chief.

This Special Duty Assignment (SDA) position is expected to last up to one year.

The role of the Transit Chief is critical to the management and oversight of the daily operations of Transit and the service King County Metro provides. Transit Chiefs provide policy direction, create an environment that models customer service, work collaboratively with union leaders and others within the organization, and are a resource to employees at the worksite.

Our Transit Chiefs demonstrate support for the goals of the organization in providing quality public service and collaboratively working with other sections and departments while recognizing the value of diversity of opinion, culture, and perspective.

We are seeking a dynamic people leader with proven expertise in engagement, leadership, initiative, and unwavering support for their team. The ideal candidate will be dedicated to problem-solving and possess a strong commitment to leading with integrity.

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 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.

Job 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 a Transit Chief, you will:

• Supervise a staff of journey-level and non-journey-level trades and labor positions, providing day-to-day supervision and personnel management of up to 35 employees in various job classifications.

• Supervise maintenance of and data input to automated fleet maintenance, scheduling, and related information systems.

• Monitor shop records, including work orders, warranty/rebuild part information, completed repairs, and materials used; enter and extract data in automated vehicle maintenance systems; monitor complete work assignments for quality assurance and proper operation.

• Monitor, manage, and oversee the safety program for assigned work areas; 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.

• Establish and maintain a collaborative and effective labor relations environment; ensure daily operations and personnel actions conform with the terms of negotiated agreements; confer with labor representatives to discuss and resolve issues; escalate issues to Superintendent or Transit Labor Relations staff as appropriate; may be delegated authority for first-step grievance determinations on a case-by-case basis; testify at arbitration, unemployment, and related hearings as requested.

• 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.

• Interview and recommend selection of assigned staff; provide employees with training and development opportunities as available; counsel staff on effective customer relations and safety strategies; evaluate staff performance through record reviews and employee performance appraisals as necessary; counsel employees in performance improvement requirements when needed; conduct investigations into allegations of employee misconduct, harassment, negligence, policy/procedure violations, and similar assertions; determine appropriate follow-up actions including counseling, training and appropriate disciplinary actions in consultation with the Superintendent, Human Resources and Labor Relations as required.

• 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.

• Work with other Chiefs as a team to ensure the basic work of maintenance is completed.

• Act as Superintendent as assigned.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

We are looking for candidates who have the following:

• Two years of supervisory experience.

• Working knowledge of workforce planning to prioritize supply work and schedule section's workload to best utilize personnel to meet production needs efficiently and on time.

• Working knowledge of supervisory and management techniques.

• Basic knowledge of preparing and making recommendations to budget requirements.

• Knowledge of appropriate Federal, State, and Local regulations related to safety and procurement (such as OSHA, applicable WAC, and RCW codes and government regulations related to contract and warranty administration, etc.).

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated skill in establishing effective teams and overcoming obstacles, difficulties, and differing personalities and styles to deliver quality service effectively, reliably, and efficiently.

• Demonstrated skill in preparing cost estimates of labor and materials, as well as evaluating alternatives and making appropriate recommendations.

• Demonstrated skill in writing specifications and justifications for capital equipment purchases.

• Proficient level of skill in Microsoft products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

• Ability to effectively manage a relatively static workgroup in a Union environment with varying levels of seniority among staff.

• Ability to manage a workforce serving nine Vehicle Maintenance facilities.

Licensing, Certification, and Other Requirements

• Washington State driver's license

Supplemental Information

Who May Apply:

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

Required Application Materials:

The following is required to be considered:

1.King County Application

2.Letter of interest: We invite you to submit a 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. Detail your leadership style, whether in formal or informal capacities and clarify how you engage as a leader, demonstrating initiative and sharing insights from projects you've contributed to. Additionally, provide examples of how you support and lead others, showcasing your collaborative approach to achieving shared goals.

Selection Process:

All required application materials will be screened for qualifications, competitiveness, completeness, communication skills, and responsiveness to the above application instructions. The most competitive candidate will be selected based on their letter of interest. Management may require an interview to make a final selection. 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.

Incomplete applications may be rejected as incomplete and not advanced in the process.

This recruitment will fill one (1) Special Duty Assignment. In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility pool for future special duty assignment vacancies that may occur in this classification. The eligibility pool will be retained for 12 months from the date of posting, and may be used at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Work Location:

The main work site for this position is Bellevue Base. 1790 124th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA.

Work Schedule:

This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay. This is a swing shift position. Candidates will need to be able to flex their hours for coverage needs.

Union Representation:

PROTEC17 : Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17 -- Transit Chiefs - Metro Transit Department

Class Code/Grade: 8730500/69

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Tracy Bylund (she/her), Talent Advisor, tbylund@kingcounty.gov

Forbes 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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.