Transit VM Mechanic Apprentice (2-year)

Not sure if King County Metro is the place for you? Would you like more information about the job or our team? Come to the OPEN HOUSE! Email jamcgee@kingcounty.gov to reserve your spot Saturday, March 21^st, at 10:00 am. Make sure to enter "Open House" in the subject so you don't get missed.

The Mission of Vehicle Maintenance is to provide customers safe, dependable, clean transportation in a timely, cost effective, environmentally sensitive manner, with a workforce that values teamwork, communication, and diversity. By providing safe, reliable, and equitable public transportation services, we can—and will—improve regional mobility and quality of life in King County.

The Vehicle Maintenance section operates a twenty-four-hour shop with three shifts (day, swing, and graveyard) seven days a week at various locations throughout King County. Openings may occur on all shifts. Staff pick their work two times annually, and new hires must be able to accept any shift at any location.

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.

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. Under the general supervision of qualified mechanics, lead mechanics and higher-level vehicle maintenance supervisors, as the Apprentice Mechanic, you will:

• Gain experience as a Transit Mechanic and be assigned increasingly responsible work while working more independently in areas where you have demonstrated skill, as you learn all aspects of coach maintenance and repair.
• Learn and perform maintenance, repair and overhaul of engine, transmission, suspension, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and related components, and assemblies.
• Assist mechanics in diagnosis, disassembly, repair, and reassembling of engines, transmissions, differentials, brakes, heads, injectors, and other mechanical equipment.
• Work in specialty areas such as the air room and the electric shop to learn basic coach repairs, and other skills.
• Operate a variety of power and hand tools.
• Operate gas, diesel, and electric-powered vehicles.
• Input and extract diagnostic data using a computer terminal.
• Work requires incumbents to learn and transfer new and expanded mechanical, electrical, and electronic knowledge and skills as diagnostic systems and mechanical/electronic components are modified and updated. 
• Timely completion of, and passing, all related supplementary training classes, seminars, courses, and examinations, deemed necessary for the apprenticeship program.
• Work requires compliance with all applicable federally mandated safety-sensitive requirements.

• Education and graduation from a two-year accredited heavy-duty diesel or industrial automotive equipment repair and maintenance program. (Education transcripts are required and should be attached to application.) Transcripts must be attached when applying in order to receive consideration; unofficial transcripts are allowed.
• Candidates currently enrolled in their final quarter of school are eligible to apply, however any employment offer would be deferred until graduation is verified.
• Education graduation date must be within the five years preceding date of application and a minimum GPA of 2.5 is required. 
• Basic knowledge of automotive mechanics and components of gasoline and diesel-powered engines.
• Basic knowledge of the diagnostic tools, methods, and equipment use, in automotive and equipment repairs.
• Effective communication skills.
• Strong customer focused skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Basic computer skills required to enter and extract information from automated vehicle maintenance systems and related software applications.
• Skill in the use of hand and power tools used in automotive mechanics.
• Skill in basic mathematics.
• Skill in working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Applicants must be 19 years old at time of application and/or 21 years old at time of graduation from the program.
• Must pass post-offer, pre-employment physical examination.
• 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.
• Willingness and availability to work on weekdays, nights, weekends, and holidays during the term of the apprenticeship and upon completion of the program.
• Must have a valid Washington State driver license and acceptable driving record.
• Within six months of hire, a candidate must be able to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL) with a 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 air brake 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.

Please Note: to obtain a CLP in Washington State, you must be able to provide your current license, Social Security number and proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency. For more information visit the official Washington State Department of Licensing official website at: http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense /cdlcdip.html.

Who May Apply
This position is open to the general public and current King County employees (except current Metro Transit Journey Level Mechanics) who have completed a two-year accredited heavy-duty diesel, or industrial automotive equipment repair and maintenance program, within the last five years, and with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Candidates currently enrolled in their final quarter of school are also eligible to apply, however any employment offer would be deferred until graduation is verified. For Tips on Applying, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs/applying.aspx.
 
Selection Process
Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications, and for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to application instructions- including attaching education transcripts. The most competitive candidates presenting evidence that they meet or exceed the qualifications noted above may be invited to participate in a testing process. Those passing the test will be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.
 
Testing Information
Candidates will have up to three hours to complete a written and practical/hands-on test. In the written section, a candidate will have 60 minutes to complete a 50-question, multiple-choice, basic level, general mechanical knowledge test. Once the written portion is completed, you will participate in a series of observed and timed hands-on exercises intended to gauge your ability to follow directions and showcase your mechanical aptitude. All necessary tools and safety equipment will be provided, and you will have the ability to ask clarifying questions prior to beginning each exercise. Testing is planned for April 21-22. Additional testing dates may be added, depending on number of applications received. Due to the nature of the tests, all testing MUST be conducted in person. 
 
Interview Information
All interviews will be conducted in person. The most competitive applicants may be asked to interview. All interviews will be conducted in person at a King County building location. 

Vacancy Information

This recruitment will be used to fill at least three (3) vacancies for the 2-year Apprentice Mechanic.

This recruitment may be used to create an eligibility list of qualified candidates to fill additional career service vacancies identified in this classification. Lists may be active up to 9 months, at the discretion of the hiring authority.
 
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 process, or if you have questions, please contact Japatra McGeevia email at jamcgee@kingcounty.gov.

Work Schedule

Employees in this non-exempt classification work a 40-hour per week schedule with two consecutive days off, but not necessarily Saturday and Sunday. Employees must be able and willing to work any shift, including any combination of days off, at any location. Employees must be able and willing to work any shift, including any combination of days off, at any location. These positions are FLSA non-exempt and therefore eligible for overtime pay.

Union Representation
Positions in this classification are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 587.

Classification Code

8442000 / This is the first of a three-level Mechanic classification series. The series includes Transit Mechanic - Apprentice, Transit Mechanic, Transit Mechanic - Lead.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact the recruiter:
Japatra McGee (she/her)
Human Resources Talent Advisor
jamcgee@kingcounty.gov
 
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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 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.