Light Rail Vehicle Operator

Union Pay Rate

This is a union position represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU). The starting hourly rate for this position is contractually set at $29.56.

Because this is a union position, the benefits differ slightly from those listed in the benefits package link below in the following ways:

• New employees will receive 25 days of PTO.
• Employees will receive up to 2 floating holidays per calendar year (2 if they start January – June; 1 if they start July – December).
• 2 Volunteer Days per year, starting in the next calendar year.
• These positions are represented by ATU and the terms of the bargaining agreement apply.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including, but not limited to:

• 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
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents
• Pet Insurance
• 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.

Under general direction, operates light rail vehicles on the Tacoma mainline, in the yard, and in the operations and maintenance facility; ensures conformance with performance standards, safety requirements, rules, and schedules; performs pre-trip and post-trip safety and maintenance checks and inspections on vehicles; completes accident and other reports as necessary; and responds to customer inquiries. Our Light Rail Operators must be flexible to work shifts between the hours of 4:00 am - 10:30 pm, Monday - Sunday.

In addition, we work extended hours and nights for special events, and testing and commissioning activities.

• Operates light rail vehicles in conformance with performance standards, safety requirements, rules, and schedules; maintains appropriate speed and distance from preceding vehicles; obeys signals and speed signs; ensures safe boarding and de-boarding of passengers; counts number of passengers; and safely transports passengers to appropriate destinations.
• Provides accessibility for wheelchair passengers to board and de-board in a safe courteous manner; provides route and transportation information or directions to passengers; announces all special and station stops; provides proper information to customers requesting it; and makes special announcements as required.
• Operates track switches, electrically or manually, as circumstances may warrant, ensuring correct routing.
• Inspects and prepares for operation of light rail vehicles for passenger service or test operations; performs pre-trip and post-trip safety and maintenance checks on vehicles; checks all sandboxes on trains; reports any defects found during routine vehicle inspection to supervisor for appropriate action; and couples and uncouples train as necessary.
• Performs train operations as necessary to restore service disruptions by trouble-shooting problem conditions; reports observed defects and unsafe condition regarding tracks, track switches, and related equipment while operating light rail vehicles and other conditions that may affect the safe movement of trains.
• Notifies supervisor of any emergency situation on or near the right-of-way (ROW) or of service disruption, requesting appropriate additional instruction or assistance as required; communicates to customers appropriate information in the event of a need to evacuate a train; oversees the safe and orderly evacuation of the passengers from the…