Transit Mechanic

Transit Mechanic

In King County Metro's (KCM) Vehicle Maintenance (VM) Division, there is no such thing as a normal day. Technicians at KCM have been on the leading edge of technological changes for decades; from being the first to install bike racks on buses, to purchasing hybrid buses on a large scale, and now actively working to move towards a fully electric fleet. At Metro, you will be part of a collaborative team that continues to advance technology and improve products for the entire transit industry; we led the way in battery-electric bus testing - as well as safety innovations!

Transit buses are highly sophisticated vehicles which require strong technical skills to diagnose and repair. We are near having 1,400 coaches- a combination of diesel, trolley, hybrid, and all-electric buses. We have a bit under 300 mechanics that keep them in service and on the road. While we were at mechanic staffing capacity for a bit, we've seen recent promotions of some mechanics, and others have let us know they're ready to retire. We're also investing further in our all-electric coach numbers and need more staff to get the new buses ready for service. All this means that we're searching for skilled mechanics again.

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 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. As the Transit Mechanic, you will:

• Inspect, diagnose, and repair mechanical defects in gasoline, electric, hybrid and diesel-powered buses, trolleys, trucks, cars, and other heavy motorized mechanical equipment.
• Operate and maintain electronic diagnostic and related equipment.
• Diagnose, dismantle, repair, and overhaul all types of gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines, automatic transmissions, differentials, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems.
• Install, maintain and repair electrical and mechanical units and accessories of electrically powered trolley coaches using electrical diagrams and schematics.
• Perform wheel alignments, adjust/replace brakes and repair pumps, starters, injectors, lights, steering gears, generators, and air conditioning systems.
• Install, maintain, and repair a variety of auxiliary systems, equipment, and electronics, including fare collection, communication, surveillance, and related components.
• Operate overhead cranes, hydraulic lifts, hoists, jacks, drill presses, and brake turning lathes, as appropriately certified.
• Perform field repair work and emergency road repairs, drive wrecker truck to tow in disabled coaches.
• Maintain records of completed repairs, time worked, and materials used.
• Enter and extract data in automated vehicle maintenance system.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

This position requires Journey Level knowledge and skills in the principles, practices, techniques, tools, and equipment of the automotive and diesel repair trade. Regular attendance and performance of duties, as assigned, are required of this position. At a minimum, to qualify for this position you will need to meet one of the following qualifications:

• Four years of experience in heavy-duty diesel, automotive equipment, aviation or marine repair and maintenance, as a Journey Level mechanic. -OR-
• Two years of experience in heavy-duty diesel or automotive equipment repair and maintenance as a Journey Level mechanic and completion of a two-year vocational or community college diesel automotive mechanics program, or a recognized apprenticeship program. -OR-
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge and skills to perform the work of the position.

In addition, successful candidates will also have:

• Knowledge of mechanical principles of gasoline, diesel, and all-electric powered engines; fluid, pneumatic and hydraulic systems; power train, suspension, and chassis components and assemblies; electrical, ignition, breaking, heating, and air conditioning systems.
• Knowledge of installation, maintenance and repair of auxiliary systems, equipment and electronics including fare collection, communication, surveillance, and related components.
• Knowledge of current diagnostic techniques and equipment used in fleet repair operations.
• Knowledge of industrial safety rules, shop safety rules, and applicable regulations and procedures that apply to a vehicle repair facility.
• Basic computer skills required to enter and extract information from automated vehicle maintenance systems and related software applications.
• Skill in the operation of electronic diagnostic equipment, as well as power and hand tools used in mechanical maintenance and equipment repair.
• Skill in the operation of overhead cranes, hydraulic lifts, hoists, jacks, drill presses, lathes, and related equipment.
• Skill in the operation of wreckers and associated auxiliary equipment and winches.
• Skill in basic mathematics.
• Customer service skills; skill in working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Communication and interpersonal skills; skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relations.

Desirable qualifications include: (This experience is not required; applicants without this experience are not meant to be dissuaded from applying, however, applicants with this experience should highlight it. If you don't already have this experience and you are hired for this position, you can look forward to expanding your skillset as a Metro employee!)

• Heavy-duty diesel, bus, or truck fleet maintenance experience.
• Experience working with hybrid technology.
• Experience working with all-electric propulsion systems.
• Experience working in a structured, unionized team environment.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• 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.
• Must pass a post-offer, pre-employment physical examination.
• All candidates must have a valid driver's license with an acceptable five-year driving record.
• Within 90 days of hire, a candidate must be able to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL) with passenger endorsement, and with the air brake restriction removed. All candidates without a current CDL must have a Class B Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP), with correct endorsement and restriction removed, prior to receiving a formal offer. After hire, King County Metro Transit will provide you with paid training, on our equipment, so that you can obtain a Class A CDL, which is required for this position.