Rail Grounds Specialist



Rail Grounds Specialist

Salary

$25.72 - $36.74 Hourly

Location

Multiple locations in King County, WA

Job Type

Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week

Job Number

2022CB16578.2

Department

MTD - Metro Transit

Opening Date

01/13/2023

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

J2 : ATU L587-Transit

Summary

(note:  posting is being reposted on 6/23/23 on a new exam plan)



This recruitment is open to all qualified candidates internal and external, and first consideration may be given to internal King County candidates. 

Rail  Grounds Specialists are responsible for a variety of landscape activities including overall care and maintenance of lawns, gardens and ornamental planting. They install, modify and perform routine maintenance and repair of irrigation systems and related gardening equipment.

This recruitment will be used to fill multiple career service positions. This recruitment may also be used to establish an eligibility list to fill future career service and/or fully benefited temporary vacancies that may occur over the next twelve months from establishment of the list.  NOTE: Current dayshift wage range: $25.72 to $36.74 2nd Shift: $27.01 to $38.58. 3rd Shift: 27.65 to $39.50.

Link Light Rail

Metro Transit's Rail Division is responsible for operating and maintaining Link Light Rail service on  a 20.4 mile route from the Angle Lake Station south of Sea-Tac Airport to the University of Washington Station, expanding to Northgate in 2021. Plans and/or construction are underway extending the system to the north, east, south, and west. Expansion over the next five years alone will include the addition of more than 20 stations and 40 miles of light rail track. The light rail line is a critical part of the region's transportation network and normally carries more than 79,000 weekday daily riders.

Safety-Sensitive Position

This position is considered safety sensitive. Applicants for these positions 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 substance testing program protocols.

Who May Apply

This position is open to all qualified candidates internal and external.

Work Schedule

This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore eligible for overtime pay. The workweek is normally 40 hours, on day shift. You may work a 4/10s or 5/8s schedule depending on a seniority-based pick system. Shifts may include day, swing, night and weekends; see wage differentials above. The workweek and scheduled hours may vary. The workweek and scheduled hours may vary. You must be willing and available to work all of the above.

Location
Operations & Maintenance Facility - 3407 Airport Way S, Seattle and other locations throughout King County as needed.


About King County Metro Transit
King County Metro Transit is a regional leader in helping people move quickly throughout the region, reducing commuter stress, greening the environment and radically improving urban air quality, by providing comfortable, effective transit services for the thousands of commuters and other residents of King County, Washington. Working for Metro means working for a leader in this public transportation industry. Metro was named Outstanding Public Transportation System of 2018 by APTA, the American Public Transportation Association.

Competitive Benefits
King County provides our employees with a free transportation pass (good on most regional  transit systems). Employees have access to the building gym, with lockers, showers and bike room. We offer a competitive benefits package including medical, dental and vision benefits for the whole family and state-registered domestic partner. A competitive sick leave and vacation plan, twelve holidays a year, and participation in the State's popular Public Employees Retirement Plan (PERS) are provided, as well as the option of participating in the County's deferred compensation plan (a 457 plan). For more details, please see the next tab.

How To Apply

Click on the "Apply" link in the upper right of the job announcement on our website's job page (www.kingcounty.gov/jobs) and complete the employment application and supplemental questions thoroughly, with employment history going back at least ten years (or more to include all relevant experience).

For more information regarding this recruitment please contact:

Travis McKinnon, Talent Advisor

tmckinnon@kingcounty.gov


 

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. You will:

  • Perform landscape maintenance of turf, ornamental plants, trees, soil and  retention/detention ponds; install new turf and/or repair damaged areas.
  • Perform skilled pruning and trimming of a variety of plants, ground covers, bushes and
     trees.
  • Maintain, modify or repair irrigation systems; establish watering schedules and program
     controllers; analyze and/or modify system blueprints used in system installation.
  • Prepare insecticides and/or pesticides; control pests using pesticides and plant growth
     using herbicides; maintain necessary records.
  • Operate all equipment to include gardening tractors and power man lift equipment; maintain a variety of basic gardening equipment such as edger, mowers, pruning tools and tank spraying equipment.
  • Perform minor repairs on small gas engines, including tune-ups.
  • May instruct and coordinate the work of assigned landscaping crews; may inspect and
     assist in approval of contractor work.
  • Perform other duties as assigned or needed, such as ice and snow removal; required to respond in case of adverse weather conditions and emergency situations
  • Trash removal within landscaping.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Two years of professional work experience in the grounds keeping or gardening field. One year of college training in horticulture or botany may be exchanged for one year of work experience.
  • Knowledge of the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems and effective watering schedules.
  • Knowledge of gardening and plant care principles, IPM techniques and materials needed for various jobs.
  • Knowledge of proper pruning and trimming techniques.
  • Knowledge of power tools, gas fired equipment such as lawn mowers, blowers, edgers, hedgers, chain saws, and line trimmers.
  • Knowledge of basic hand tools, proper use and safety requirements.
  • Ability to read instructions for the application of fertilizer, pesticides, and insecticides.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Skill in working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  • Basic computer skills required to enter and extract information from automated systems and related software applications.
  • Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
  • Current or prior King County Metro Transit work experience
 
LICENSING, CERTICATION AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Valid Washington State Driver's License and an acceptable driving record.
  • Valid WA State Public Pesticide Operator's License or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
  • Willingness and availability to work different shifts on weekdays, nights, weekends and holidays 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
 
This work requires frequently working in a stooping or kneeling position. May be required to do a lot of twisting or bending. Physical effort is required to perform such tasks as weeding, lifting, shoveling and using heavy gardening equipment and tools.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT
 
Grounds specialists work outside for the majority of the day and are exposed to all types of weather conditions. Will work in or around Light Rail Vehicles.

Supplemental Information

It is important to fill out your application accurately.  Applicants should complete the online application at www.kingcounty.gov as described above. Do NOT merely refer to your resume for indicating your employment history. NOTE: Please answer all relevant questions in the online employment application itself, with each of your jobs during the last 10 years listed (if you have ten years) (listing each position for each employer separately), duties explained, reasons for leaving, etc.  Earlier jobs should be included here or in resume if they are relevant in some way to this job and if they relate to our minimum qualifications, and MUST be included in the employment application if cited in answer to a Supplemental Question. If you have questions about this, please contact the HR contact stated above.
   
Selection Process 
Applications will be screened for completeness, clarity and competitiveness. Competitive candidates may be invited to participate in an interview process. Employment offers will be finalized after a physical examination, drug screen, drug and alcohol background check, references and reviews of driving records.

Union Membership 
This position is represented by Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 587.
   
Class Code: 9210100
 

King County is an equal employment opportunity employer.  We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workplace and workforce equity. Pro-Equity recruiting, development, support, and retention is the way we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that will help advance King County's guiding values--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 welcome and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including but not limited to Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans. 




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:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
  • 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: King County employees are eligible to 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
  • 12 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite gyms and 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 please 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.  Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
 
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.

01
Thank you for your interest in this employment opportunity. In applying for this job, please follow the instructions provided on filling out your employment application. Data fields provided should all be completed. This includes, but not limited to: - Education and work experience sections of your employment application (do not merely refer to your resume). - A description of each position that you held. If you held more than one position with an employer, please list each job separately, showing the dates of employment in each position. - For each position listed, state the month and year in which you started and in which you ended it, and your reason for leaving the position. If you have been terminated from any previous jobs, please state the specific reasons why. Your application, along with your resume/cover letter (if provided), will be used to determine whether you meet the qualifications and/or are competitive for this position. If you have any questions about this, please contact the HR Advisor in this job announcement. I have read the above statement and certify that the statements made by me on the application are, to the best of my knowledge, true, complete and correct. I understand that any misrepresentation or material omission of fact on this or any other document required by King County may constitute grounds for rejection, or if employed by King County, for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. I acknowledge I have read and understand the above information.
  • Yes
  • No
02
Are you applying to this position as an eligible Current or Previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant And Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
  • I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
  • No.
03
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice. 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff.
04
Have you been terminated, or have you resigned in lieu of termination, from any position in the last ten years? (This does not include layoff/Reduction in Force.)
  • Yes
  • No
05
If you answered yes to the previous question, please provide the name of the employer(s) and the reason for termination(s). Please understand that "Will explain in interview" is not a valid response and will result in your application not being considered further. (If not, please answer "N/A")
06
Have you tested positive, or refused to test, on any pre-employment drug or alcohol test administered by an employer to which you applied, but did not get hired, for safety-sensitive transportation work covered by the DOT drug and alcohol testing rules during the past two years?
  • Yes
  • No
07
If yes, for which employer and when? If no, please answer "N/A".
08
Do you currently possess a valid Driver's License? Please indicate if you ALSO hold a Class A or Class B CDL license, and any endorsements. Check all that apply.
  • Valid driver's license
  • Class A CDL/Permit
  • Class B CDL/Permit
  • Air Brake Endorsement
  • Passenger Endorsement
  • I do not have a driver's license
09
Have you had a license in another state besides Washington in the last 5 years?
  • Yes
  • No
10
If you indicated above that you have had a license in a state other than Washington in the last 5 years, list the state(s) and the years you had the license(s).
11
In the last 5 years, has your license been revoked or suspended?
  • Yes
  • No
12
If your license has been suspended in the last five years, please indicate why below, check all that apply.
  • Moving violation
  • Unpaid parking ticket(s)
  • Unpaid traffic ticket(s)
  • Child support enforcement
  • I have not had my license suspended
13
If your license has been suspended in the last five years, please indicate how many times it has been suspended, regardless of reason.
  • Once
  • More than once
  • My license has not been suspended.
14
Do you have any of the following violations on your driving record in the last five years? Check all that apply.
  • Reckless or negligent driving
  • DWI/DUI - driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Hit and run incident
  • Vehicular homicide or vehicular assault
  • Open container violation
  • More than one at-fault accident
  • None of the above
15
How many traffic code (moving) violations have you had in the last 5 years?
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5 or more
  • No code violations
16
If you indicated above that you have been cited, list the date and offense. For each speeding ticket, you must list the date (at least month and year, the posted speed limit and your actual speed. Be sure to include whether your license was suspended for the citation, and whether or not the ticket has been paid. Failure to answer this question completely may result in your application not being considered. If no violations, please answer "N/A".
17
How many at-fault accidents have you had in the last 5 years?
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5 or more
  • None
18
List all accidents you have had in the last five years in which you were at fault, including employment-related accidents. Include the month and year of the accident, a brief description, the approximate dollar damage, whether or not there were injuries as a result of the accident, and if you were given a traffic citation. Failure to answer this question completely may result in your application not being considered further. If no at-fault accidents, please answer "N/A".
19
How many years of professional work experience do you possess in the grounds keeping or gardening field?
  • No experience
  • Less than one year
  • One to two years
  • More than two years to three years
  • Three years or more
20
List the employer(s) and dates of employment where you have obtained the experience indicated above. If none, please list N/A.
21
Do you possess at least one year of college or technical training in landscape, agriculture, horticulture or botany?
  • Yes
  • No
22
If yes, please state the school/institution and year you obtained this training. If no, please list N/A.
23
Do you possess a valid WA State Public Pesticide Operator's License or have the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire?
  • Yes
  • No
24
Briefly describe your experience in the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems and effective watering schedules. If none, state N/A.
25
Please list the employer(s) where you acquired your experience described above. If none, state N/A.
26
Briefly describe your experience with gardening and plant care principles, techniques and materials needed for various jobs. If none, list N/A. Include three examples of plant care principles, techniques and materials needed for various jobs.
27
Please list the employer(s) where you acquired your experience described above. If none, state N/A.
28
I certify that the statements made by me on the application and supplemental questions are, to the best of my knowledge, true, complete and correct. I understand that any misrepresentation or material omission of fact on this or any other document required by King County may constitute grounds for rejection, or if employed by King County, for disciplinary measures, including dismissal.
  • Yes
  • No
29
I have read the job announcement and understand the duties and requirements for this position. I also understand that the provisions of the job announcement do not constitute an express or implied contract. I further understand that any employment offer may be subject to successful completion and results for drug and alcohol background check, pre-employment physical, drug testing, reference checks, driver's record evaluation, and criminal history checks. Having applied for employment with King County, I give my consent that any person, firm or organization listed hereon is authorized to furnish King County with reference material concerning my character, past employment or any other information requested. I hereby authorize the full release of my employment and work record to the Transit Division of King County for the purpose of evaluation and consideration for employment including, but not limited to, specific reasons and details regarding my resignation and/or termination, attendance and punctuality, infractions or any disciplinary actions I may have received, and disclosure of all performance evaluations for the previous ten (10) years. I agree to hold current or former employers harmless from any claim or action based upon the release of information or documentation relating to my employment record. I acknowledge I have read and understand the above information. By selecting this box I provide my consent for King County Metro Transit to obtain the above referenced information.
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Agency
King County
Address
King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Phone
206-477-3404