Rail Signal and Communications Technician Apprentice

Summary

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

What is an Apprenticeship Program?

An apprenticeship program prepares individuals to master a trade or profession through a blend of classroom education and practical experience, offered by community colleges, technical training schools, and employers alike. Participants benefit from paid on-the-job training, structured classroom instruction, mentorship from experienced professionals, and may acquire valuable credentials upon successful program completion.

Rail Signals and Communications Technician ApprenticeAs a Rail Signals and Communications Technician Apprentice, you'll support various tasks, such as troubleshooting, maintaining, repairing, upgrading, and performing comprehensive preventive maintenance on rail signals and communication systems. This apprenticeship program includes 4,000 hours of on-the-job training as well as additional related supplemental instruction (RSI) hours spent in school. Successful completion of the program will result in being offered a Career Service position as a Rail Signals and Communications Technician at the time of program completion.

About the Apprenticeship Program

Approximately two-year on-the-job training (4,000 hours) and education program (approximately 144 hours annually) using a planned, closely supervised combination of classroom and real-world educational curriculum.

Work approximately 40 hours per week and attend out-of-state classes up to two weeks per quarter.

Classes will be provided by Signal Training Solutions of Missouri.

Work both indoors and outdoors, in enclosed spaces and at heights.

Progressive pay steps as the apprentice master's more demanding skills.

Successful completion will result in a career service Rail Signal and Communication Technician Journey Level position if a vacancy exists at the time of program completion.

This recruitment may immediately fill up to three (3) apprentice vacancies and may also be used to establish an eligibility list for future Rail Signals and Communications Technician Apprentice vacancies in this classification, valid up to 12 months or until exhausted and at the discretion of the hiring authority.

Information SessionsJoin us for an upcoming information session to learn more about the apprenticeship program, the application process, and the work of Rail's Signals and Communications Technicians. We have attached a link to the virtual event, below.

Date: Friday, September 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (PST) - Virtual Information (via Zoom)

Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID:

Passcode: METRO25

Who May Apply

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.

Current Hourly Rates:

2nd Shift (Swing): $44.04- $62.91 3rd Shift (Graveyard): $45.09- $64.40

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

We highly recommend visiting the Career Support Services website for tips and examples on how to make your application materials most effective:

Career Support Services - King County.

Job Duties

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

Apprentices will be trained in:

Conduct fault diagnosis, inspecting, testing, modifying, maintaining, and repairing railway signals and communications equipment.

Inspecting, repairing, and maintaining electrical, electronic, mechanical, and hydraulic equipment, including grade crossing mechanisms, switch machines, multiplexers, microprocessor-controlled interlockings, vital relays, power supplies, battery systems, and other complex machinery and equipment.

Use of standard and specialized tools and equipment, such as mechanical lift devices, hand tools, and electronic measurement devices.

Access aerial support structures and poles to perform inspections, maintenance, and repair tasks.

Determining work priorities for emergency maintenance tasks in the absence of on-site supervision; responding to emergency calls as necessary.

Operating switch machines by hand and by Local Control Panels under revenue and non-revenue conditions.

Planning, scheduling, communicating, and coordinating activities and working with other trades and sections; assisting other trades as necessary.

Operating assigned vehicles, including Hi-Rail and Aerial Lift Equipment.

Performing snow and ice removal.

Flag trackway to provide safe rail work zones; set up work zone traffic control areas.

Recording and documenting maintenance and diagnostic data.

Other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Minimum Qualifications:

Basic knowledge of and/or ability to learn skills in the principles, practices, techniques, tools, and equipment related to mechanical, electrical, electronic work/trades, or relevant fields.

Basic understanding of safe working practices, occupational hazards, and safety requirements.

Highschool Diploma, G.E.D or equivalent.

Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships in a diverse environment.

Ability to work independently and as a team member.

Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Skilled in effectively handling multiple competing priorities and problem-solving.

Ability to work at heights from ladders and aerial lifts.

Ability to work around live trains in an active trackway environment.

Ability to attend required apprenticeship classes on weekdays, nights, weekends, and holidays, including traveling out of state for two weeks at a time.

Ability to work varying shifts including weekdays, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Proficient with business applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite.

Necessary Special Requirements

Ability to obtain boom truck, Hi-Rail, forklift, and confined space certification (we will train you on this).

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.

Class B CDL with airbrake endorsement or ability to obtain one (we will train you on this).

The Most Competitive Applicants will have:

An eagerness to learn.

Mechanical and electrical aptitude.

Proficient communication skills (reading, writing, verbal).

Problem-solving skills.

Experience collaborating with others.

Experience following safety procedures.

Ability to apply the principles of equity and social justice in everyday situations.

Supplemental Information

Application & Selection Process

Part I:

Applications will be screened by the Talent Advisor to ensure that they meet minimum qualifications.

Part II:

Applicants that make it past Part I will be invited to test. The exams are designed to evaluate the candidate's aptitude for the requirements of the position. These will be closed-book exams. The highest scorers on the aptitude test will move forward to the interview process.

Part III:

The most competitive candidates from Part II may be invited to participate in a panel interview.

Part IV:

Hiring for apprentices will be based on the cumulative skills assessment test scores and interview scores. Transit management will make the final selection of candidate(s) to be hired. Once an offer of employment has been made, beginning work will be contingent on passing necessary requirements, which may include some or all of the following: acceptable driving record, physical evaluation, DOT Drug testing and references or review of each candidates work record for the past 12 months (internal candidates only).

Information SessionsJoin us for an upcoming information session to learn more about the apprenticeship program, the application process, and the work of Rail's Signals and Communications Technicians. We have attached a link to the virtual event, below.

Date: Friday September 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (PST) - Virtual Information (via Zoom)

Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID:

Passcode: METRO25

Work Schedule

This position is anticipated to be full time, assigned 40 hours per week. Employees must be able to work any of the three shifts (day, swing, or graveyard). Work schedule may include non- standard work hours including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed. This position is non- exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore overtime eligible, with prior supervisory approval. Shifts will be assigned by the apprentice's immediate supervisors. Per the union contract, shift differentials are paid to those working second and third shifts. Shift pay is 7.5% for third shift, on top of hourly pay.

Work Location

Employees may report to any of the following locations: Rail Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) Central at 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle WA 98134 or OMF East 1925 120th Ave NE Bellevue WA 98005. Other locations in King County may become available in the future. Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.

Working Environment

Work indoors and outdoors and in inclement weather. Work in high places from mechanical lifts and structures and in environments and active train movement environments to perform inspections. Position requires physical skill and effort to operate tools, equipment, vehicles and supplies and may require stooping or bending motions when inspecting work.

Physical Requirements

This position requires individuals to frequently lift and carry objects up to 50 pounds by yourself and occasionally lift objects up to 100 pounds with assistance. Frequent walking, reaching, climbing, kneeling, stooping, and safe operation of power tools are also required. Ability to perform close tolerance work is necessary. Work is often performed in cramped and awkward positions as well as from heights via Aerial lifts. Ability to wear protective gear.

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 DOT alcohol and controlled substances testing program protocols.

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

CLASS CODE / PAY GRADE: 8311700/ 36

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Ebony Ware, Human Resource Analyst, at .

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 your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

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