Rail Technical Trainer III

Rail Technical Trainer III

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division has an exciting opportunity for a Rail Technical Trainer III to support training for the Vehicle Maintenance Section. As a member of the Technical Training team, you will train the light rail workforce in King County. Rail Technical Trainers play a critical role in onboarding, training, and developing Rail employees and in supporting Rail's Culture of Care and Operational Excellence strategic priorities. The Technical Training team is part of the broader Learning & Training group, which is responsible for the development, implementation, and facilitation of training at Link Light Rail. Trainers specialize in training for a Rail Section or craft, and may provide training in other areas in which they are qualified. Technical Trainer IIIs also assign and coordinate technical training work activities, co-design, co-develop, implement, and evaluate training programs, and provide classroom and field training to Link Light Rail personnel. This Technical Trainer III will assist and lead a group of assigned Rail Technical Trainers.

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 50-mile route from Federal Way 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.

This position is open to King County employees and the general public.

To Apply:

Those interested must submit:

• An online King County application, updated with accurate contact information, and relevant work history going back at least 10 years (or more, if necessary), with all job duties.
• Completed supplemental questions.
• A cover letter, detailing how your experience and background meet or exceed the qualifications for this position.

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Workforce Development - King County, Washington

As the Rail Technical Trainer III – Vehicle Maintenance Training, you will:

• Support Rail's strategic priorities of Culture of Care and Operational Excellence by ensuring that new and current employees in Vehicle Maintenance and other sections/work groups receive high-quality technical training, including:
• Collaborate with instructional designers and subject matter experts to co-develop training programs and curricula that comply with all state and federal operating requirements, safety regulations, certification standards, Rail Division rules and regulations, service standards, and technical system requirements.
• Collaborate with instructional designers and subject matter experts to regularly review and update training programs and content, ensuring they meet changing business needs, regulatory changes, and new equipment requirements
• Conduct training needs assessments and evaluate the effectiveness of training programs
• Develop instructional plans and learning outcomes, and ensure consistency across Technical Trainers in the development and delivery of instructional plans and training programs.
• Ensure training materials are relevant, up-to-date, and high-quality
• Prepare and conduct trainee and trainer evaluations
• Create and maintain standards for testing and certification
• Deliver and facilitate training programs, classes, and sessions for Vehicle Maintenance employees, Rail Technical Trainers, and other employees, contractors, and groups that work with Rail Division, including new employee training, refresher training, retraining, and other types of training.
• Monitor trainees' progress and conduct progress evaluations, including:
• Provide feedback to Technical Trainers on employee and team performance
• Address behavioral and attendance issues
• Counsel trainees on progress achieved and improvements required
• Evaluate and recommend trainee termination for those failing to meet standards
• Work with the Training Chief and other members of Training leadership to coordinate and support Technical Trainer work, including:
• Coordinate work assignments, monitor workflows, and ensure timely completion of work
• Maintain quality standards
• Ensure adherence to schedules, standards, and requirements
• Determine work priorities, ensure sufficient staff, and assign training tasks appropriately
• Lead, mentor, and train assigned employees
• Facilitate train-the-trainer programs for Rail Technical Trainers and other personnel who deliver training as part of their job responsibilities, such as leads
• Schedule Technical Trainer participation in safety audits, emergency drills, and simulations
• Ensure accuracy of training data and records, including:
• Maintain timely training documentation
• Prepare statistical evaluations of training impacts on performance and operations
• Review documentation created by Technical Trainers for accuracy, consistency, and timeliness. Produce varied reports from data as needed.
• Engage in regular professional development and skill-building activities
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years' experience as a technical trainer delivering training to Rail Electro Mechanics and others
• Demonstrated ability to apply adult learning principles to training facilitation and delivery
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse population and apply equitable practices to training, including creating a sense of belonging in a training environment and supporting equitable training outcomes
• Knowledge of Link, state, and federal rules and regulations related to Rail Vehicle Maintenance and industrial and transit-related safety

Desirable:

• Knowledge and experience of Vehicle Maintenance training in the context of the Sound Transit/King County Metro system
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse groups and cross-functional teams to produce high-quality work products
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience contributing to the development of training curriculum and materials
• Experience developing policies, procedures, rules and reports
• Ability to prioritize work, set priorities, and meet deadlines
• Knowledge of trainee assessment and performance evaluation, including providing feedback and performance counseling
• Skill in problem-solving and evaluating efficiency and quality, and making recommendations for improvements
• Proficiency with software and database systems used for Rail procedures, training materials, and training records
• Demonstrated accuracy in record-keeping

Necessary Special Requirements:

• A valid Driver's License, with 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Link Light Rail "yard card" for operating Light Rail Vehicles in the rail yard.

Working Conditions:

• Ability to climb stairs and board rail on elevated guide way.
• Ability to sit for extended periods.
• Ability to Lift or pull up to thirty (30) pounds.
• Perform repetitive body movements to operate equipment.
• Work independently with a minimum of breaks.

Application & Selection Process:

Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications, and for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above. Highly competitive applicants may be asked to interview. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as reference checks or internal record reviews.

Work Schedule: This position is anticipated to be full-time, assigned 40 hours per week. The work schedule is normally Monday through Friday, 6:00AM to 2:30PM, however there is some flexibility in start and end time. This position offers a hybrid schedule with regular on-site rotations and telework options. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay.

SAFETY SENSITIVE: These positions are considered safety sensitive. Applicants for positions defined as safety-sensitive are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and, subsequent to the 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