Rail Operations Manager #2308-282900-01

The Manager Rail Operations Transportation Services is responsible for the leadership and direction for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) rail operational and transportation functions including light rail, streetcars, mainline, yard operations, rail maintenance, systems to ensure safe, reliable, on-time service for the rail operations population for over two-hundred employees.

The Manager of Rail Operations Transportation Services will work under the direction of the CATS General Manager of Rail Operations acting as a liaison for transportation services with all stakeholders, community leaders and government officials.  This position is a safety sensitive role with responsibilities twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week integrally involved in the design, construction, and implementation of a multi-million rail expansion system.

The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 15th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 897,000 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.

• Provide focused leadership and direction to Rail Operations division of CATS ensuring daily rail service is reliable, on time, all CATS facilities are safe and maintained.
• Responsible for development and management of Transportation Operation services budget including but not limited to strategic and tactical budget planning.
• Maintain and develop Rail Transportation rules, policies, procedures achieving, continually providing safe, reliable rail system for riders and employees.
• Enforcing compliance to ensure all rail transportation maintenance personnel follow and comply with City of Charlotte, CATS, Rail Operations processes, and procedures accordingly.
• Comply with and enforce all safety regulations set forth by CATS, OSHA, FTA, FRA, NCDOT
• Respond to any rail system and transit incident involving major service delays and/or serious vehicular or pedestrian accidents.
• Provides on-scene direction on remedial actions taken to restore service in prompt and safe manner or provide alternative transportation, participates in post-accident reviews.
• Responsible for maintaining data records and collection of performance indicators monitoring overall performance.
• Performs and administers City, CATS personnel processes including but not limited to disciplinary processes, performance reviews, employee investigations, report writing of all related incidents and accidents, performance development plans.
• Establish vision and goals for Transportation supervisory and operational staff.
• Work with the Manager of Training and Instruction with development and implementation of effective training programs for all operations, facilities, maintenance, and supervisory staff.
• Provide partnership and recommendations towards future rail service planning and development efforts by City.
• Directly support continuous implementation and compliance of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) State Safety Oversight Program Standards (SSOPS) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations 49 CFR Part 673 and 672 related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and the CATS Agency Safety Plan (ASP). Support Safety performance goals of CATS.
• Encourage employees to proactively support and report safety concerns following the CATS Safety Reporting options as described in your training and in the ASP.
• As part of your responsibility to support the CATS Safety Culture, report safety concerns and issues through the various methods established by CATS as outlined in the ASP.
• Advocate and promote a strong safety culture within CATS regarding transportation services, capital programs, facility operations and maintenance, worksite procedures, employees, and customers following SMS and ASP.
• Participate in internal and external ASP audits.
• Performs all other duties as needed.

• Degree in Transportation, Business Management, or Engineering 
• At least ten years of rail transit and managerial experience
• Ten years of progressive leadership experience in transit operations
• Demonstrated knowledge of project planning, implementation, and management
• Excellent leadership skills with ability to plan, prioritize, and organize.
• Excellent oral and written communications and interpersonal skills.
• In-depth rail transit maintenance knowledge
• Skills building cohesive team of senior managers and employees.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office programs, Maintenance and Materials Management Systems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and governmental entities.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings / technical documents.
• Ability to develop and implement employee work rules, operating rules, safety policies, maintenance procedures.
• Ability to analyze complex data and information / exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to respond quickly and communicate effectively in emergencies.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain NC driver’s license within timelines outlined by CATS and City

Direct rail operations experience

Bachelor’s degree with ten (10) years of relevant work experience; or a master’s degree with five (5) years of relevant work experience.

Or

An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential job duties

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.

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.

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.