Transit Building Operating Engineer (HVAC/R Technician)

Building Operating Engineer (BOE)

As a Building Operating Engineer (BOE), working with King County Metro Transit, you will have stable and consistent year-round employment applying your HVAC/R skillset to ensure that our building occupants remain comfortable and breathing clean air. You will be tasked with utilizing your HVAC/R and mechanical experience to perform skilled diagnostics and repairs to our HVAC systems and controls; and, to carry out routine maintenance, proactively identifying and solving emerging problems within our HVAC systems. Our team is proud to offer in-house diagnosis, troubleshooting, and repair for our systems. We would be thrilled to have you join us as we deliver top-tier service to our fellow employees and the residents of King County.

This recruitment will immediately fill one (1) Career Service position, and may be used to establish an eligibility pool upon closing of the announcement to fill future Career Service, Term-Limited Temporary, and/or Special Duty Assignment vacancies that may occur in this classification and in this division. Eligibility pools remain valid for 12 months, or until the list is exhausted, at the discretion of the hiring authority.

The pay range for day shift is $38.82 to $55.46 per hour. The mid-point step is currently $49.91 per hour for day shift. This position is eligible for shift differential if assigned to swing/afternoon or overnight shift. Positions assigned to swing/afternoon shift receive 5% shift differential, and positions assigned to overnight shift receive 7.5% shift differential.

This recruitment is open to all current King County employees and the general public.

This posting will be open until all positions are filled. Initial application review will be conducted at least 14 days following the posting date of this announcement, currently anticipated to occur during the week of June 15, 2026. Applications received after that date will be reviewed on a weekly basis. Interviews will be scheduled with selected candidates beginning the week of June 22, 2026 (though dates are subject to change), and ongoing thereafter until positions are filled.

Required Application Materials:

1. An online King County application, updated with accurate contact information, and relevant work history, with all duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly.
2. Completed supplemental questions

Note: A cover letter/letter of interest and/or a resume are highly encouraged, but not required. Any additional attachments will not be considered.

Want to make sure your application materials are as competitive as possible?

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. Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions at Application FAQ's- King County.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Erica Minshull, Talent Advisor for King County Metro Transit

View email address on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. All employees are expected to model and apply our equity and social justice shared values, behaviors, and practices. As the Transit Building Operating Engineer (BOE), you will also:

• Perform predictive maintenance, preventative maintenance, and repairs on HVAC, refrigeration equipment, and systems.
• Troubleshoot and repair all air conditioning units, fluid coolers, split systems, direct and indirect gas-fired rooftop units, boilers, chillers, heat pumps, and mixing boxes.
• Troubleshoot building, waterside, and airside systems through performance analysis. Troubleshoot, repair, adjust pneumatic, electronic, and line voltage controls.
• Troubleshoot and repair electrical control circuits for all types of HVAC equipment.
• Maintain and repair air handlers including adjustments to airflow and temperatures to achieve maximum energy efficiency and comfort level.
• Conduct water tests and chemically treat boiler, condenser, and chilled water systems. Use Building Automation & Controls System (BAS/BMS) to locate system problems and take corrective action.
• Use desktop and laptop computers to access and operate control systems and related control devices.
• Maintain work logs, simple records and prepare reports as needed. Clean mechanical room, pick up and deliver parts.

Optimize system/equipment operation for efficient energy management and energy reduction.

To be considered eligible for this role, applicants must possess these MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three (3) or more years of journey-level work experience in the HVAC/R and/or building engineer trade(s), participation in or completion of a recognized apprenticeship program related to the trade, completion of other trade-related training courses or programs, or some combination thereof that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties required of the position. This should include experience and/or education/training with refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, boilers, gas burners, chillers, heat pumps, direct digital controls (DDC) and line voltage controls, control circuits, hydronic, balancing systems, and variable frequency drives.
• Knowledge and skill in maintenance and repair of refrigeration equipment. This should include soft soldering, brazing, electrical schematic reading, equipment installation, electrical troubleshooting, calibration techniques, and an understanding of the pressure/temperature characteristics of various refrigerants and how these apply to refrigeration troubleshooting and efficient equipment operation.
• Knowledge and skill in maintenance and repair of gas burners. This should include calibration and tuning techniques and the function/repair/diagnosis of the various elements in the gas train.
• Knowledge and skill with Direct Digital Controls (DDC) and line voltage controls. This should include the ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams, general troubleshooting techniques, and the proper use of a multimeter to diagnose problems.
• Knowledge and skill with preventive and predictive equipment maintenance tasks and schedules.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill to perform energy management functions and write equipment run programs and schedules.
• Demonstrate behaviors that include fairness, respect, inclusiveness, integrity, and ethical conduct.
• Ability to work well and respectfully with a diverse group of individuals from a variety of different positions and backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read and follow building blueprints and other design schematics.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work constructively on a team with a diverse group of employees.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

The most competitive applicants will possess these DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five (5) or more years of journey-level experience in the HVAC/R and/or building engineer trade(s).
• Experience troubleshooting and repairing large refrigeration and/or chiller systems.
• Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) certification to buy and handle refrigerants (EPA 608 Universal or Level 1 & 2) in your possession for 2 years or longer.
• Completion of a recognized HVAC/R apprenticeship program.
• Training in Siemens Building Technologies, Apogee PPCL programming, and/or Apogee Advanced Operations.
• Low Voltage Electrical certification (EL-06/06A).
• Experience with Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) systems.
• Advanced skill in natural gas combustion analysis to ensure efficient operations of natural gas appliances.
• Advanced skill in troubleshooting hydronic systems.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Current valid Washington State driver license, with an acceptable driving record. Out-of-state candidates must be able to obtain a Washington State driver license within 30 days of hire.
• Current valid Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) certification (EPA Section 608 Technician Certification Universal or Levels 1 & 2), to buy and handle refrigerants, or ability to obtain within 1 year of employment.
• City of Seattle Refrigerating Operating Engineer License, or ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment.
• City of Seattle Steam Operating Engineer Grade 3 License, or ability to obtain within the first two (2) years of employment. Training will be provided by King County.

Class Code / Pay Grade: View phone number on click.appcast.io

Union Status: This position is represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 587.

Selection Process: Applications