Transit Lead Service Worker (Lead ESW)- SDA

Salary

$48.15 Hourly

Location


Multiple locations in King County, WA

Job Type

Term-Ltd

Job Number

2026CC26886

Department

MTD - Metro Transit

Division

Vehicle Maintenance

Opening Date

05/01/2026

Closing Date

6/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA


Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit


J2 : ATU L587-Transit

Full- or Part-Time


Full Time

Hours/Week


40 hours/week

Summary

***This is an internal recruitment for King County Metro Transit. This position is open to current Transit Equipment Service Workers (ESW) that have been in their Metro Equipment Service Worker position for at least two years at the time this recruitment closes. All other applicants will be screened out of the recruitment process.***

Metro Transit's Vehicle Maintenance division is seeking to fill multiple Special Duty Assignment s for the role of Lead Service Worker (also known as the Lead ESW) .

Are you the go-to teammate others rely on when problems arise? Do you take pride in your work, lead by example, and want to help shape the future of King County Metro? If so, this opportunity might be for you.

This Lead Service Worker role is the final step in the ESW classification and serves as a working lead -meaning you'll continue performing hands-on duties while also guiding your team. It's a stepping stone to future leadership roles at King County Metro, ideal for someone eager to grow and develop their leadership skills.

We're looking for leads who:

• Embody Metro's values and promote a culture of respect, inclusion, and accountability.
• Identify areas for improvement and offer thoughtful, practical solutions.
• Recognize team strengths while constructively addressing growth opportunities.
• Communicate expectations clearly and foster a positive, supportive work environment.
• Provide guidance with empathy and a coaching mindset-without disciplinary authority.

This role requires emotional intelligence, strong communication skills, and the ability to coordinate and support ESWs and USWs in a way that builds trust and mutual respect.

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.

Job Duties

Applying equity and social justice principles i s a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. You will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.


In addition to performing the full range of responsibilities of the Transit Equipment Service Worker classification, as a Lead Service Worker you will perform the following:

• Assign work to Equipment Service Workers in accordance with policy and procedures; ensure all equipment service needs and requests are fulfilled and bus defects are reported; assist in identifying staff needs and overtime assignments as required; train and assist with daily dispatch of coaches.
• Coordinate, direct, instruct and assist Equipment Service Workers and Utility Service Workers in their work; ensure work is completed in a timely manner and equipment is in proper working order.
• Train new and current personnel in required aspects of service, equipment function, basic repair and safety procedures; inform service workers of new servicing requirements as directed by higher-level staff or information provided in service bulletins.
• Inform service workers of all safety and alarm systems related to their work function; immediately report any safety violations or alarm activities.
• Advise employees when their performance is unsatisfactory and/or in violation of established policy and procedures; provide feedback to higher-level staff on employee and team performance as well as any behavioral and attendance issues; recommend corrective actions when required.
• Monitor information in automated systems related to employee performance, commodities ordered, equipment service cycles and related information.
• Ensure all shop and revenue collection equipment is maintained appropriately and is in proper operating condition, report equipment defects and follow-up on completion of required repairs.
• Use standard computer applications to produce and share various documents.
• Perform other related tasks as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

We are seeking candidates who possess the following minimum qualifications .


Per the ATU 587 and KC labor agreement: Qualified candidates must be current Metro Transit Equipment Service Workers with a minimum of two years of service experience in the classification as of the closing date of this posting.
Additional minimum qualifications include:

• Ability to communicate and follow written and oral instructions. Ability to accurately perform simple numeric record keeping tasks. Ability to work independently without supervision.
• Ability to train Equipment Service Workers.
• Ability to direct and assist Equipment Service Workers and Utility Service Workers in their assigned tasks, and ability and willingness to provide clear, corrective feedback to them
• Ability to inspect equipment and determine servicing needs.
• Knowledge of oiling, greasing, and general lubrication techniques.
• Knowledge of coach sign out/assignment procedures.
• The ability to be attentive to detail, highly organized, and use initiative to solve common problems.
• Proficiency in managing multiple competing priorities, as well as planning and scheduling skills to effectively direct workgroup efforts. Problem solving and critical thinking skills to make independent decisions.
• Ability to make timely and appropriate decisions.
• Ability to perform basic operations in MS Outlook, Word and Excel
• Respect and fairness in working with all people in a diverse workforce
• The ability to listen carefully to others with an open mind, and effectively give and receive feedback in a productive, respectful manner.
• Demonstrated ability to be approachable, a good listener, and build relationships and trust with other employees
• Skilled at deescalating and resolving conflicts in a fair and equitable manner
• Commitment to applying King County's core values of inclusion, equity and social justice

Desirable Qualifications (not required)

• Lead or supervisory experience
• Experience with M5 System
• Skill in navigating and applying contracts/ CBA language in their work, or to support others
• Skill in planning and scheduling- especially related to preventative and emergent maintenance for fleet vehicles

Other Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid Class B CDL with passenger endorsement and an acceptable driving record
• A valid Washington State Driver License and acceptable driving record
• Must pass drug and alcohol testing provision for safety-sensitive positions as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation, 49 CFR Parts 40 and 655
• Candidates must be willing to work any shift/location assigned
• Candidates must be willing to accept any consecutive regular days off (RDO's) that are assigned

Physical Requirements

• Ability and willingness to perform a range of physical skills normally associated with automotive service and maintenance activities including standing, bending, crouching, kneeling, crawling, reaching, twisting, and the operation of foot controls while driving.
• Probing, dumping and inserting fare boxes into their receiver bins involves pushing and pulling, bending and crouching, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds (this includes full fare box cash boxes as well as automotive parts).

Supplemental Information

Who May Apply

This position is open only to Metro Transit employees who are currently a Transit Equipment Service Worker (ESW) with a minimum of two years of service experience in the classification.

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 Calvin Chon ( View email address on click.appcast.io )

The following application materials are required

• An online King County application at, updated with all relevant work history going back 10 years (or more, if necessary), with detailed job duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly.
• Answer all supplemental questions
• Attach a Letter of Interest (detailing how your experience and qualifications meet or exceed the requirements for this position).

Note: The work history section of your application should include your current and past work experience, detailed job duties, and accurate dates of employment. We highly recommend visiting the King County Workforce Development website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective: King County Workforce Development


Selection Process

Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications, and for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above. The most competitive applicants may be invited to participate in an in-person interview at a King County Facility. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as verify candidates are in the safety sensitive pool, review of driving abstracts, DOT Physicals (if expired), and internal record reviews (score of 3 or higher in all appraisal categories for the past two years). Applications submitted without the required materials mentioned above may not be considered for this position.

Vacancy Information:

This recruitment will be used to fill multiple Special Duty Assignment vacancies in the 'Transit Equipment Service Worker- Lead' classification.


In addition, this selection process may be used to generate an eligibility list for future Career Service and Special Duty Assignment vacancies that may occur in this classification within this workgroup. 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/Work Schedule

The Vehicle Maintenance Division operates three shifts (day, swing and graveyard) seven days a week at our various bases throughout the county. Lead ESW openings may occur on all shifts, but typically the Lead positions are swing and graves. Swing and graveyard shift employees receive a shift differential (5% for 2nd shift, 7.5% for 3rd shift).


Employees work a 40 hour per week schedule with two consecutive days off, but not necessarily Saturday and Sunday. Lead work schedules and locations are based on a seniority "pick" system which takes place once a year. Employees must be able and willing to work any shift, including any combination of days off, at any location. Positions to be filled by this recruitment are non-exempt and therefore eligible for overtime pay.

Union Representation

Positions in this classification are represented by Local 587: Amalgamated Transit Union.

Classification

9332200 Transit Equipment Service Worker- Lead

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Calvin Chon (he/him)
Human Resources Talent Advisor
View email address on click.appcast.io


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 are 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 Americans 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.

Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions at Application FAQ's- King County. For technical support related to your application, contact the GovernmentJobs' applicant support team for assistance: View phone number on click.appcast.io. For guidance on how to complete these required materials, be sure to visit the Career Support Services website for resources on how to complete application materials for King County recruitments.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.


For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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