Rail MOW Maintainer Lead #2204-288320-04

The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 17th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 872,498 citizens. A major commerce center, Charlotte hosts several of the nation’s largest banks and technology companies.

Also known as the Queen City, Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We work hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play. Join us in helping to keep our City thriving, ensuring upward mobility and advancement in the workplace.

This is a Jr. supervisory position that reports to the MOW Signals Supervisor. The MOW Maintainer Signals Lead using guidelines set forth by The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will lead the maintenance staff in the performance of their duties in regard to the maintenance, testing, inspection, operation, and repair of the CATS Train Control and Communication systems and associated equipment.

This lead position will oversee, direct staff, and work alongside in complex and specialized troubleshooting (both electrical and mechanical), preventive and corrective maintenance, and overhauls of rail transit equipment and associated sub-systems.

This equipment includes, but is not limited to, train to wayside communications, vital controllers, automatic train protection, vital track circuits, rail switch machines, grade crossing equipment and signals. This position requires the ability to lead and perform testing and troubleshooting of specialized electrical and electro-mechanical equipment. The lead is responsible for assisting supervisory staff with the development of new and improved maintenance procedures and techniques as required.

The Signals Lead will respond to incidents that could affect revenue service, responding in such a manner as to provide safety to patrons and employees and to minimize damage to equipment. The Signals Lead will provide emergency response and will be called upon to provide support for other areas in regard to light rail service, special events, streetcar, public safety/service and other duties as assigned.

The Signals Lead will ensure equipment is maintained to applicable IEEE, FTA, APTA, NCDOT, and CATS standards. The Signals Lead is subject to irregular hours, shift changes due to operational needs and emergency call back 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Provide safe and reliable signaling equipment for daily revenue service
• May be required to work outside vocation in accordance with the needs of CATS
• Responsible for determining and prioritizing required Train Control repair and maintenance activities, determining/scheduling work crew assignments as appropriate, and ensuring the performance in all assigned duties
• Responds to rail system incidents and works to mitigate service delays and/or recover from any equipment failures. Renders whatever actions are needed to restore revenue service
• Follows and adheres to all Maintenance of Way standards, policies and procedures applicable to the day-to-day operations of the rail system and revenue service
• Oversees and works with the staff in the inspection, maintenance, and repair of all equipment related to the operation of signaling systems
• Oversee and assist staff in initial multi system testing, performing acceptance testing, and pre-service testing of newly acquired rail systems components
• Provides MOW Supervisor with job related information for future use in employee training and signals maintenance
• Assisting supervisory staff in overseeing planned maintenance as outlined by the OEM, FTA, APTA, NCDOT and CATS management and assisting supervisory staff with evaluating needed changes or upgrades and submits them to supervision for review
• Complies with and enforces all safety regulations set forth by CATS, OSHA, FTA, FRA, and NCDOT
• Prepares comprehensive reports and correspondence as it relates to various inspections and maintenance
• Utilizes computer based maintenance and material management system to track and plan maintenance and repairs
• track and manager materials needed to perform maintenance and inspections
• Train other rail personnel as needed
• Works cohesively with other CATS and City departments, as well as contractors and utility companies
• All other job-related duties as assigned

• Ability to repair and maintain complex digital, electrical, electronic, and electro-mechanical systems and their components
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Must have the ability to document work on logs, spreadsheets, documents and forms as well as utilizing computerized maintenance terminals, personal, laptop and handheld computers.
• Must be computer literate and have the ability to adapt to the use and understanding of existing software and future upgrades.
• Must be able to troubleshoot to the lowest replaceable component
• Must have the ability to use all tools of the trade as well as standard shop equipment
• Must successfully complete all training assignments and maintain qualifications where required
• Ability to lift and carry at least 50 lbs. -100 lbs.
• Ability to sit, bend, twist, reach, kneel, and crouch for an extended period of time
• Ability to work at and above shoulder level with or without the use of a ladder
• Must be able to work in all required Personal Protective Equipment and Safety gear
• Must be able to pass a written test to demonstrate knowledge in regards to areas related to the Signals position

• Associates degree or certification in electrical engineering or electrical technology
• 5 yrs of relevant experience in light rail, transit, or class 1 rail signaling systems

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
• 3 years of relevant work experience in light rail, transit, or class 1 rail signaling systems
• Possess a full CDL Class A or B license
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a City Driving Permit

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

This position is considered a security and Safety Sensitive position and will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing under FTA guidelines as well as all procedures and guidelines in alignment with the City of Charlotte and CATS Drug and Alcohol Policies.

The city of Charlotte requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. The city is an equal opportunity employer, and as such, will consider reasonable accommodations as required by law.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby where we have workstations available. Our office is located at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

Anyone seeking an accommodation to apply for a job may call (704) 336-2285 for assistance or you may email questions to CityHrJobPostingsNotify@ci.charlotte.nc.us.