Light Rail Systems Maintenance Technician

About the role

The position involves independently performing skilled electrical/electronic and mechanical work to diagnose, maintain, repair, rebuild, overhaul, service, inspect light rail vehicles (LRVs) and equipment and their electronic systems. The incumbent will also perform testing and repair of communications systems, surveillance equipment, and other related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Performs light rail vehicle preventative maintenance as scheduled or required on a regular basis.
• Performs daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual maintenance on all systems including 3-phase inverters, battery chargers, closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, high-speed circuit breakers, doors, brakes, carbody, lights and warning systems, bridge plates, propulsion systems, hydraulics, and locomotion.
• Inspects and/or performs corrective maintenance and troubleshooting daily on all systems pertaining to Skoda & Brookville light rail vehicles.
• Documents maintenance and repairs/adjustments for tracking and compliance purposes.
• Maintains Overhead Contact System (OCS); maintain light rail overhead lines and associated components, underground feeders, switches, electrical wiring, including a variety of single phase, three phase and DC systems.
• Performs routine inspection, maintenance, repair, and upgrades to OCS components such as messenger wire, contact wire, section insulators, pole and enclosure mounted switches, air gaps, insulated and un-insulated overlaps, poles, and associated equipment.
• Maintains substations and their components such as switches, transformers, rectifiers, fuses, relays, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), batteries, chargers, and associated equipment (including the LRV shop stinger system).
• Performs high voltage hot-line work; maintain and repair low voltage systems such as fire and security alarms; transfer switches and uninterruptible power supplies; perform high voltage tests on power cables and equipment; splice, maintain and terminate all types of low and high voltage cable; pull, rack and secure high and low voltage cables in manholes, conduits, tunnels, and vaults.
• Reads and understands blueprints, schematics and drawings for maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Programs and troubleshoots PC, PLC, and micro-processor-based control systems.
• Operates switch machines under revenue and non-revenue conditions.
• Operates common and specialized tools and equipment to perform inspection, maintenance, and repair tasks.
• Responds to emergency situations. Prioritize and determine work priorities for emergency maintenance tasks in the absence of on-site supervision.
• Operates switch machines by hand and by Local Control Panels under revenue and non-revenue conditions.
• Fabricates tools, parts, components, and systems for LRV, Traction Power Sub-stations (TPSS), Overhead Contact System (OCS), Right of Way (ROW), Train Wayside Control (TWC), signals, signage, safety equipment, security and fire alarm equipment; maintains equipment as needed; performs regular inspections of the equipment and systems used and takes appropriate action as needed; audits and tracks inventory of parts through the MMIS, researches and contacts manufacturer’s and vendors to ensure low costs for replacement parts and provides the bid information to the Contracts Department as necessary; audits and ensures all chemicals that enter the maintenance facility are documented and have the required records on file.
• Supports coordination of emergency response and accident investigations for vehicles, LRVs, crane, forklift, and work-related injuries; investigates and generates reports and documents pertaining to injuries involving the safety/security of the public; acts as a liaison to police and fire departments; performs/ coordinates hazardous material spill clean-up work pertaining to environmental issues.
• Responds to and performs unscheduled repairs/replacement of damaged fixtures and roadway surfaces on the right-of-way including drain grates, concrete defects, damaged electrical vault covers, damaged stand-alone wayside signs, switch machine covers, and signal lighting.
• Performs re-railing of equipment, LRV recovery techniques.
• Accident and Incident response and support.
• Provides support to the division/department and others on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees as assigned; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies, and practices are followed and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical Maintenance and Repair, or closely related field. Four years of experience in performing repair and maintenance of light/heavy equipment, troubleshooting electrical systems, and performing equipment inspections, preferably with light rail vehicles and equipment; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills

• Experience in the application of mechanical and electrical principles, repair methods, standards and practices found in a journey level skilled trades position.
• Skilled in AC/DC systems, operating principles of analog and digital electronics, electronic control circuitry and associated mechanical systems, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, lighting, motors, brakes, and related systems.
• Skilled in the use of operating portable test equipment, bench type workstations, tools, parts, and supply manuals needed in the repair, maintenance, and installation of electrical, electronic, and mechanical systems and equipment.
• Skilled in reading and interpreting schematics, maintenance manuals, technical information in repair manuals, service change bulletins, parts and supply manuals, and specifications.
• Heavy overhaul includes traction motors, gearboxes, control groups, trucks, door mechanisms, brake actuators, air compressors, and HVAC systems.
• Ability to safely use multiple electrical test equipment including digital multimeter, digital low-resistance ohm meter, insulation tester, high-pot tester, and safely grounding out electrical equipment.
• Ability to safely operate switch machines under revenue and non-revenue conditions.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment including required fire-retardant clothing and working in arc flash protection suits.
• Ability to trim trees and other vegetation which may interfere with train movement or electrical installations.
• Ability to set up work zone traffic control areas; flag trackway to provide safe rail work zones.
• Ability to conduct component and system fault diagnosis, inspection, testing, modification, maintenance and repair of assigned equipment and systems.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations. Prioritize and determine work priorities for emergency maintenance tasks in the absence of on-site supervision.
• Ability to operate switch machines by hand and by Local Control Panels under revenue and non-revenue conditions.
• Ability to fabricate tools, parts, components, and systems for LRV, Traction Power Sub-stations (TPSS), Overhead Contact System (OCS), Right of Way (ROW), Train Wayside Control (TWC), signals, signage, safety equipment, security and fire alarm equipment; maintains equipment as needed; performs regular inspections of the equipment and systems used and takes appropriate action as needed; audits and tracks inventory of parts through the MMIS, researches and contacts manufacturer’s and vendors to ensure low costs for replacement parts and provides the bid information to the Contracts Department as necessary; audits and ensures all chemicals that enter the maintenance facility are documented and have the required records on file.
• Ability to support coordination of emergency response and accident investigations for vehicles, LRVs, crane, forklift, and work-related injuries; investigates and generates reports and documents pertaining to injuries involving the safety/security of the public; acts as a liaison to police and fire departments; performs/ coordinates hazardous material spill clean-up work pertaining to environmental issues.
• Ability to respond to and perform unscheduled repairs/replacement of damaged fixtures and roadway surfaces on the right-of-way including drain grates, concrete defects, damaged electrical vault covers, damaged stand-alone wayside signs, switch machine covers, and signal lighting.
• Ability to perform re-railing of equipment, LRV recovery techniques.
• Ability to respond to and perform accident and incident response and support.
• Ability to provide support to the division/department and others on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees as assigned; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies, and practices are followed and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Ability to champion and model Sound Transit's core values and demonstrate values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Ability to contribute to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.

Benefits

• Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:
• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retail Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.