Rail Power Controller

Mac's List
Seattle, Washington
Full Time

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Description Salary: $54.20 - $68.70 Hourly

Location : Multiple locations in King County, WA

Job Type: Career Service (Exec)

Job Number: 2026SJ27001

Department: MTD - Metro Transit

Division: Rail

Opening Date: 05/14/2026

Closing Date: Continuous

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines

Full- or Part-Time: Full Time

Hours/Week: 40 hours/week

Summary

NOTE: This recruitment has been reposted to invite additional candidates. Applicants that applied prior to April 27, 2026, do not need to reapply. Applications will be reviewed bi-weekly.

King County Metro Transit's Rail Division has an exciting opportunity for seven (7) full-time, career service Rail Power Controllers. These positions will coordinate and facilitate deactivation requests for both routine and emergency maintenance of overhead catenary and electrical infrastructure. They'll will play a critical role in managing load dispatching across AC and DC systems to ensure continuous, efficient service.

The Rail Power Controllers are responsible for monitoring the power distribution network using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, identifying and responding to system irregularities, and resolving emergent operational and maintenance issues in real time. In addition, they will support response efforts during critical incidents and help to maintain system stability and safety.

About Metro Transit's Expanding Rail Division

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 44.5-mile route from Federal Way to Lynnwood and a 14.8-mile route from Redmond to the International District. Additional expansions to the Link system will be coming online for years to come.

Work Schedule

These positions are non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible. These positions will work 8 hour shifts 5 day per week on-site covering 24/7 365. Shifts and days off will be determined at the time an offer is extended. Seniority will be a determining factor in schedules. Employees may be required to work extended hours. 5-8s across three different shift RDO FS or SM. Either Swing/Day/Nights

Work Locations

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 any additional locations that may open in the future.

Who May Apply

This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants and will be used to fill seven (7) full-time career service, Rail Power Controller positions. This recruitment may also be used to establish a list or pool of qualified candidates for any future openings in the same classification. Placement onto an eligibility list/pool is not a guarantee of placement into a future position. The pool/list may be used for up to six (6) OR twelve (12) months at the discretion of the hiring authority.

To Apply:

Those interested must submit:

An online King County application, updated with all detailed relevant work history going back 10 years (or more, if necessary).
Complete all the required supplemental questions
A resume
A letter of interest (1-2 pages) that describes:
Why you are interested in the position
How you meet the required qualifications and how your experience has prepared you to take on the job duties.
How you have demonstrated your commitment to Metro's True North and Values

Please note: These positions are considered safety sensitive. Applicants for these positions are required to undergo a physical and 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.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Skyler Jones, Senior Talent Advisor,

Learn how Metro connects you with what matters

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 Rail Power Controller, you will also:

Monitor and control rail traction electrification systems and medium voltage substations to ensure safety and efficiency.
Ensure compliance with safety policies.
Provide point of contact for communication to the Rapid Response Teams.
Evaluate, coordinate, and approve Overhead Catenary De-energization requests.
Coordinate electrical and power crews in the energizing and de-energizing of the overhead catenary system and substation equipment.
Utilize the SCADA system to monitor power distribution loads and de-energize/re-energize AC/DC systems.
Dispatch crews to power outages (REW, Facilities Power, and Fire Life Safety Teams)
Record, compile, and maintain operational data for overhead catenary and substation systems. Provide Alarm review, Alarm notifications, and Alarm documentation.
Prepare and issue switching orders and clearances.
Coordinate with power chiefs and crew personnel to provide them with information such as clearances, switching orders, and design modifications of new and existing electrical equipment and systems.
Maintain data sources and manage databases; create reports and summaries from asset and maintenance management information systems.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Minimum Qualifications:

Two (2) or more years of experience working with high voltage.
Two (2) or more years of experience with industrial electrical maintenance.
Two (2) or more years of experience in rail transit operations or with rail systems (light rail, subway, commuter rail).
Ability to become a certified power controller within a year.
Knowledge of the following:
Principles of mechanical systems, electricity, electronics, digital circuits, and software used in modern electrical applications.
Principles of quality assurance, including preventative maintenance.
Theory, operation, and use of computers and computerized diagnostic and test equipment used in modern electrical applications.
Safety principles and all applicable regulations, including the WAC, IEEE, NEC, NESC, and ASME.

Desired Qualifications:

Knowledge of and experience with overhead catenary systems (OCS)
Experience with traction power and medium voltage substations.
Experience working in Rail SCADA environments.

Necessary special requirements:

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.
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.

Supplemental Information

Supplemental Information:

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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Selection Process

Application materials (letter of interest, resume, and supplemental question responses) will be screened to determine whether candidates meet the qualifications, and for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the application instructions above. Note: Only the first two pages of your letter of interest will be reviewed. 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. Please note that final decisions may consider your overall interview results and your application materials.

Union Status

This position is currently non-represented and is subject to change. The representation status will be determined by the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission.

Classification/Pay Grade

822301 Rail Power Controller/Range 64

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 teamdedicated 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 are 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 Americans 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, need to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

#RailJobs #TradesJobs

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:

Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
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: eligible King County employees may 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 two personal holidays
Generous vacation and paid sick leave
Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
Flexible Spending Account
Wellness programs
Onsite 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, visit our

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.

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.

Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? 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? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?

Yes, 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. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
No.

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 notice2. The department you worked in3. The effective date of your layoff

Do you have two (2) or more years of experience with industrial electrical maintenance?

Please indicate the number of years of experience you have in high voltage systems maintenance.

No Experience
Less than 1 year
1 to 2 years
2 to 3 years
3 to 4 years
4 or more years

Please tell us where you obtained your experience with high voltage systems maintenance so we can reference this experience in the work history section of your application. Please be specific, yet brief.

How many years of experience in rail transit operations or with rail systems (light rail, subway, commuter rail) do you have?

No Experience
Less than 1 year
2 years
3 years
4 years
5 or more years

Select All That Apply: Which of the following areas you have working knowledge of:

Principles of mechanical systems, electricity, electronics, digital circuits, and software used in modern electrical applications.
Principles of quality assurance, including preventative maintenance.
Theory, operation, and use of computers and computerized diagnostic and test equipment used in modern electrical applications.
Safety principles and all applicable regulations, including the WAC, IEEE, NEC, NESC, and ASME.
None of the above

Do you have valid Driver's License and an acceptable driving record?Note: If you possess an out-of-state driver's license, you must obtain a WA state license within 30 days of hire.

I have a valid Washington State Driver's License
I have a valid Driver's License, but not for Washington State. However, I am able obtain a WA state license within 30 days of hire.
I do not have a valid Driver's License

Select All That Apply: Which of the following desired qualifications do you have?

Knowledge of and experience with overhead catenary systems (OCS)
Experience with traction power and medium voltage substations.
Experience working in Rail SCADA environments.

How did you hear about this job opportunity?

MTD/Nepotism - If you have a relative who works for King County Metro Transit, please provide the employee's name, position, and your relationship. Note: A relative is defined as a parent, child, sibling, spouse or domestic partner, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, grandparent, grandchild, in-laws, children, or relatives of a domestic partner. If you do not have a relative employed by King County Metro, please indicate "N/A".

MTD/Nepotism - If you have a relative who works for Metro, please provide the Division of King County Metro that they currently work in. Select all that apply.

a. Bus Operations Division
b. Capital Division
c. Employee Services Division
d. Facilities Division
e. Finance & Administration Division
f. General Manager's Office
g. Marine Division
h. Mobility Division
i. Rail Division (including Streetcar)
j. Safety, Security & Quality Assurance
k. Vehicle Maintenance
l. I do not know which Division my relative works in at Metro Transit
m. I do not have a relative that works for King County Metro

This position is currently non-represented; however, the status is subject to change to represented in the near future. The representation status will be determined by the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission. Are you willing to be represented by a union once a decision is made?

Yes
No, I'm not willing to be represented by a union.

If you have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, will you need accommodation in the testing process? If you check the "YES" box, the human resources staff person coordinating this recruitment will send you a request asking for additional information. (This confidential information is solicited for the purposes of providing reasonable accommodation only).

Required Question

Salary54.20 - 68.70 Hour

Listing Type

Jobs

Position Type

Full Time

Salary Min

54.20

Salary Max

68.70

Salary Type

/hr.