Rail Signal & Communications Technician

Signal and Communications Technician

Perform maintenance on railway signal and communications equipment such as motorized switch machines, vital relays, microprocessor controlled interlockings, programmable logic controllers, fiber optic links, failsafe railroad crossing equipment, stand‑alone computers and power supplies.

King County Metro's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link Light Rail, a growing network spanning 60 miles and serving 38 stations across the Puget Sound region. The light rail system integrates with Metro's fixed‑route bus system and mobility services to provide regional public transportation.

This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants, internal and external, and will fill current career service vacancies and may establish an eligibility list for future vacancies in this classification and division over the next twelve months.

These positions are non‑exempt and overtime eligible. Employees will work a 40‑hour per week schedule. Schedules include non‑standard work hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Shift types include 5×8 and 4×10 shifts. Per the union contract, shift differentials are paid to those working second and third shifts: 7.5% for third shift.

• Day Shift: $41.94–$59.91
• Swing/2nd Shift: $44.04–$62.91
• Graveyard/3rd Shift: $45.09–$64.40

Employees may report to any of the following locations:
Rail Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) Central: 3407 Airport Way S Seattle WA 98134
OMF East: th Ave NE Bellevue WA 98005
Maintenance of Way (MOW) North: 920 North 137th St Seattle WA 98133
Other locations in King County may become available in the future.

• Conduct fault diagnosis; inspect, test, modify, maintain and repair all railway signal and communication equipment.
• Inspect, repair and maintain electrical, electronic, mechanical, and hydraulic equipment including grade crossing mechanisms, switch machines, multiplexers, microprocessor controlled interlockings, vital relays, power supplies, battery systems, audio systems, and other complex machinery.
• Operate common and specialized tools and equipment such as mechanical lift devices, hand tools, and electronic measurement devices.
• Access aerial support structures and poles to perform inspections, maintenance and repair tasks.
• Determine work priorities for emergency maintenance tasks in the absence of on‑site supervision; respond to emergency calls as necessary.
• Operate switch machines by hand and by Local Control Panels under revenue and non‑revenue conditions.
• Plan, schedule, communicate and coordinate activities and work with other trades and sections; assist other trades as necessary.
• Operate assigned vehicles, including Hi‑Rail and Aerial Lift equipment.
• Perform snow and ice removal.
• Flag trackway to provide safer work zones; set up work zone traffic control areas.
• Record and document maintenance and diagnostic data.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Two years performing journey‑level work in railway signaling and communications and documented completion of a journey‑level signal training program (FRA or Transit equivalent).

• Journey level knowledge of the fundamentals of railway signaling and communications.
• Knowledge in analyzing and evaluating malfunctions in electrical and electronic equipment and determining repair requirements; skill in performing electronic fabrication and assembly tasks, such as soldering and wire harnessing; skill in problem solving, analyzing, diagnosing and evaluating equipment problems.
• Knowledge of and skill in industrial safety techniques, including safety techniques while working at railway crossings with train and automobile traffic.
• Knowledge of and skill in maintaining and troubleshooting mechanical and hydraulic equipment.
• Willingness and ability to apply King County's core values around inclusion, equity and social justice as a team member and representative of King County to the public.
• Skill in the application of customer service techniques and principles when dealing with customers in a tactful and diplomatic manner.
• Skill in…