Transit Vehicle Maintenance Chief (SDA)

* This development opportunity is available to qualified King County Employees who have passed the probationary period for their current career service position.*

The Vehicle Maintenance division at King County Metro Transit has two exciting Special Duty Assignment (SDA) opportunities available for the role of Transit Vehicle Maintenance Chief. These SDAs have an expected duration of 6 months from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension.

Transit Vehicle Maintenance (VM) Chiefs play a vital role in ensuring Metro’s fleet remains safe, reliable, and ready for service. Chiefs are subject matter experts who lead and oversee day-to-day maintenance and repair operations at an assigned base, leading skilled trades and craft employees who inspect, diagnose, and repair coaches, trolleys, and other fleet equipment. They also anticipate and resolve operational challenges before they affect service delivery.

By maintaining fleet readiness and effectively guiding the workforce, Chiefs help Metro deliver consistent, dependable service to riders across King County.

VM Chiefs lead by fostering trust, respect, and a culture grounded in safety, inclusion, customer service, and teamwork. Success in this role requires fairness, integrity, consistent management practices, and adaptable communication skills that support employees with diverse communication, learning, and decision‑making styles.

Qualified candidates will bring demonstrated leadership experience, including the ability to influence, coach, and elevate team performance, even without formal supervisory authority. Candidates should understand the fundamentals of performance documentation, supervision, and working within a unionized environment. We are seeking operations minded individuals with strong judgment, adaptability, and a commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and efficient maintenance operations.

Safety Sensitive Position:
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.

Recruitment information:
This recruitment will be used to fill two (2) Special Duty Assignment (SDA) vacancies as Transit Vehicle Maintenance Chief at our transit bases. The SDAs are expected to last 6 months from the date of hire, with the possibility for extension. An eligibility pool may be created to fill additional SDA vacancies in this classification and workgroup, and if created, this list would be valid for 12 months from the date of posting and may be utilized at the discretion of the hiring authority.

• Direct day‑to‑day shop activities of a vehicle maintenance base, ensure work is completed on time to the expected standards, resolve operational issues, and coordinate with Chiefs across shifts to maintain continuity of work.
• Oversee preventive maintenance, enforce safety protocols, monitor hazards, and ensure all work/repairs meet VM and industry standards. Ensure the operational readiness, safety, and efficiency of assigned fleet vehicles.
• Build a collaborative, equitable, and inclusive work environment that supports employee engagement, professionalism, accountability, safety, and high service standards.
• Lead, develop, and evaluate employees, address performance issues, resolve conflicts, provide feedback, and coordinate technical, safety, and operational training, including hands‑on instruction.
• Plan, allocate, and adjust staffing and resources to meet operational needs and fluctuating service demands.
• Ensure that defective or faulty parts are handled according to established warranty protocols.
• Ensure equipment readiness through oversight of tool and diagnostic equipment maintenance, calibration, and availability.
• Assess and prioritize repairs based on urgency, safety, and service impact. Monitor work order creation and completion, audit documentation accuracy, and ensure tasks align with…