Summary
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King County Metro’s Rail Division has an exciting opportunity for a Transit Grounds Specialist, Lead! This position is responsible for the overall maintenance of a variety of landscaping including turf, gardens, trees, shrubs and ornamental planting. Work involves installing, modifying, and performing routine maintenance and repair of irrigation systems. This position will also provide team leadership, training, direction, and work coordination of a gardening crew to ensure safe and effective landscape operations.
As the Lead, you will help develop annual work plans, provide daily/weekly scheduling of work, monitor work for quality and quantity, and apply herbicides and pesticides. Work requires incumbent to learn and transfer new and expanded knowledge and skills as parts, components, materials, and equipment are modified and updated. Work is performed under general supervision of higher-level Power & Facilities administrators and supervisors.
About the Division
King County Metro Transit's Rail Division manages and maintains Sound Transit's Link light rail service and City of Seattle’s streetcar system. Link light rail currently spans a 33-mile route from SeaTac to Lynnwood and a 6.6-mile route from Redmond to South Bellevue. By the end of 2026, light rail is projected to expand to nearly 60 route miles, adding seven new stations. Additional expansions to the Link system will be coming online for years to come.
Seattle Streetcar includes the 1.3 mile South Lake Union line and the 2.5 mile First Hill line, proudly serving the diverse and vibrant communities around Seattle’s downtown core. These rail services complement Metro's extensive fixed-route bus system and mobility services. Puget Sound transit agencies are collaborating to create an integrated transit network that enables people to travel farther, faster, and more easily.
Who May Apply
This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants internal and external and will be used to fill current career service vacancies at Rail. It may also be used to establish an eligibility list to fill future career service vacancies that may occur over the next twelve months at the discretion of the hiring manager.
This position is considered safety sensitive. Applicants for these positions 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 substance testing program protocols.
Work Schedule
This position has a unique work schedule and work hours may vary depending on the season. During the Spring and Summer season the schedule may be 4/10's Monday-Thursday and 5/8's during Fall and Winter. Schedules are based on a seniority "pick" system and potentially can change based on seniority and need. This is an essential position and is required to report to work during adverse weather and/or other urgent/emergency needs. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible.
Work Location
Rail Grounds Specialist Leads must be able to report to work at any base, as needed. Rail Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) Central at 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle WA 98134, OMF East 1925 120th Ave NE Bellevue WA 98005 or Maintenance of Way (MOW) North, Linden Ave N & N 137th St.
Required Application Materials:
- An online King County application, updated with accurate contact information, and relevant work history going back 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly.
- Completed supplemental questions
- Cover letter (highly encouraged but not required)
Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions under Application FAQs at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. If you need an accommodation in the selection process or an alternate format of this announcement, please inquire directly with the Human Resources contact for this job announcement, as noted above.
Job Duties
Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. We model and apply our equity and social justice shared values, behaviors and practices across all of the job duties listed below:
- Maintain, modify, or repair irrigation systems; establish watering schedule and program controllers; analyze and/or modify system blueprints used in system installation, as needed.
- Prepare and apply insecticides and/or pesticides; control pests using pesticides and plant growth using herbicides; maintain records, conform with requirements of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
- Operate all equipment to include gardening tractors, mowers and power man lift equipment; maintain a variety of basic gardening equipment such as edger’s, mowers, pruning tools and spraying tank equipment.
- Provide training and ensure safe operations of equipment and tools.
- Assist Chief in the inspection, approval, and work coordination of contractor work.
- Perform landscape maintenance of a wide variety of landscape medium including turf, ornamental plants, soil, trees, shrubs, and retention/detention ponds; install new turf; repair damaged areas.
- Perform other duties as assigned or needed, such as ice, snow and trash removal.
- Plan/schedule, direct and coordinate the daily work assignments of the landscape crew.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Minimum Qualifications:
- Two years of current experience as a Transit Grounds Specialist OR at least two years of similar experience in a professional ground keeping position.
- Knowledge of the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems.
- Knowledge of gardening principles, methods, IPM techniques and equipment and materials needed for various jobs.
- Knowledge of basic hand and power tools use and safety requirements.
- Ability to read instructions for the application of fertilizer, pesticides, and insecticides.
- Ability to work in a team environment and a diverse work group.
- Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
- Ability to resolve conflict and listen effectively.
- Ability to organize, manage, and structure work effectively.
- Knowledge and experience in performing skilled pruning and trimming tasks.
- Basic computer skills and knowledge of e-mail, MS Word and computerized work order systems.
- Knowledge of general grounds maintenance principles and techniques.
- Knowledge of landscape design.
The most competitive candidates will have the following desirable qualifications:
- One year of professional experience in a leadership or supervisory capacity.
- Knowledge of workload planning and scheduling.
- Customer service skills.
- Interpersonal skills.
- Skill in handling multiple competing priorities.
- Skill in working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
- Skill in training and providing technical assistance.
- Skill in problem solving.
Necessary Special Requirements:
- A valid Driver’s License and an acceptable driving record. If you possess an out-of-state driver’s license, you must obtain a WA state license within 30 days of hire.
- Valid WA State Public Operator's License (to apply pesticides) or ability to acquire within 6- months of hire. (Metro may be able to assist with the cost of acquiring the license).
- WA State Public Operator's License endorsement in disease and ornamental plants or ability to acquire within 6-months of hire.
- Ability to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
Physical Requirements: This work requires frequently working in a stooping or kneeling position. May be required to do a lot of twisting or bending. Physical effort is required to perform such tasks as weeding, lifting, shoveling and using heavy gardening equipment and tools.
Work Environment: Work may be performed indoors or outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather. When warranted, safety equipment and protective clothing will be used/worn. Indoor work may include exposure to exhaust and fumes.
Supplemental Information
Selection Process: Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications. Candidates presenting evidence that they meet or exceed the qualifications noted above will be invited to participate in a basic computer skills test, upon passing candidates will be invited to a panel interview. Employment offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed a physical examination, drug screens and a drug and alcohol background check as needed. Reference checks and reviews of driving records will also be conducted prior to any final offer of employment.
Union Membership: This position is represented by Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 587.
Class Code: 9210200
Note: Online applications are preferred. However, if you cannot apply online, go to www.kingcounty.gov/jobs for other options. If you need an accommodation in the recruitment process or an alternate format of this announcement, please inquire directly with the contact listed on the job announcement or the department's Human Resources Service Delivery Manager.
Forbes recently 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.
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