Rail Track Expert

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) is seeking a Program Manager, Safety Operations to lead and manage the Safety Operations team. In addition, this role will plan, execute, and manage the WMSC’s rail safety oversight program for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail’s track program.  

Position Overview

The duties of the Safety Operations Program Manager focus on two aspects: Managing a team (3–6 staff) of rail operations specialists and providing rail track and rail infrastructure expertise. The team includes rail operations specialists, but this position would serve as the exclusive track specialist. In addition, the Safety Operations Program Manager will plan, execute, and manage the WMSC’s safety oversight of WMATA Metrorail’s track activities. This position is responsible for overseeing Metrorail’s track activities through field observations, document and data review, and regular meetings with Metrorail, as well as by observing the discussions among Metrorail safety committees and working groups. This position contributes to the overall safety of the Metrorail system primarily by assisting each of the WMSC’s oversight programs (Audits, Corrective Action Plans, Inspections, Investigations, and Safety Certification Oversight). This position will collaborate and establish working relationships with internal WMSC personnel, WMSC contractors, and WMATA personnel. This role is supervised by the Deputy Chief Operating Officer. 

Responsibilities

·       Conduct, lead, and manage the WMSC’s safety oversight of WMATA Metrorail’s track and related rail infrastructure and operations activities, which includes conducting direct observations of Metrorail maintenance and inspection work, with assistance from the Deputy Chief Operating Officer and other WMSC personnel.

·       Ensure that all observations of the Safety Operations team occur as required, and with regard to track observations and any other observations where an additional person is required, also personally perform such observations as needed.

·       Conduct, lead, and manage assigned staff, contractor resources, and projects in accordance with the WMSC Compact and WMSC Program Standard as well as federal and other applicable regulations. 

·       Lead and manage the Safety Operations team, which includes leading and managing individuals that have technical qualifications that differ from the successful candidate’s background.

·       Manage the workload and quality of work of the team members.

·       Assist Safety Operations team with prioritizing work tasks.

·       Provide performance goals, feedback, and performance reviews for staff.

·       Develop program goals and objectives for the WMSC oversight of WMATA Metrorail’s track and related rail infrastructure activities.

·       Review and analyze relevant policies, program documents, training curricula and workbooks, records and forms, and similar documents and materials, written and electronic. 

·       Devise and implement the methods to collect data that facilitates short-term and long-term tracking and analysis related to program goals and objectives. 

·       Support other WMSC oversight activities as needed, which include, but are not limited to, Audits, Corrective Action Plans, Inspections, Investigations, and Safety Certification Oversight.  

·       Advise WMSC staff and contractors at all levels regarding track or other rail infrastructure as required, and particularly in a manner that facilitates the team’s multidisciplinary safety oversight responsibilities.  

·       Coordinate with multiple internal teams, and external agencies including WMATA departments and local, state, and federal stakeholders. 

·       Prepare and present technical reports and documentation to audiences with varying degrees of technical knowledge of worker safety.

·       Exercise focus, discipline, organization, and close attention to detail with regard to all tasks. 

·       Perform other responsibilities as assigned.  

Qualifications

Experience 

Required at least one year of supervisory or project management experience and a minimum of 6 years of progressive work experience and understanding of the following: 

·       Railroad or rail transit industry track design, construction, inspection, and maintenance.

·       Training workers, supervisors, managers, or others in a railroad, or rail transit environment.

·       General safety and health principles and practices applicable to a railroad or rail transit industry, including but not limited to roadway worker protection.

·       Railroad or rail transit industry accident investigation techniques and responding to accident scenes.

·       Knowledge of railroad or rail transit operating practices, rules, and procedures, especially as they relate to safety issues.

·       Responding to track or related rail infrastructure inspection or maintenance issues in the field.

·       Analyzing or evaluating new and existing jobs, processes, products, or other systems to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards. 

·       Ability to present complex rail track or other rail-related topics to audiences with varying levels of understanding of complex rail system engineering, construction, and operations concepts.

·       Designing or modifying workplaces, processes, products, or other systems to eliminate or control hazards. 

Preferred: Supervisory skills. Knowledge or work experience with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) track safety standards. Knowledge or work experience evaluating technical aspects of safety programs to ensure effective application of rules, standards, or instructions. Knowledge or work experience with track geometry vehicles, ultrasonic rail testing, or other automated track testing and inspection. Knowledge or experience with aerial structural design, track engineering, or track inspection and maintenance. Experience representing an entity to external stakeholders. 

Education 

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required; a master’s degree is beneficial. Major study: safety or track engineering, or degree in other related fields.

Residency Requirement

This position is primarily remote; however, given the nature of the WMSC’s oversight of the WMATA Metrorail system it does require in-person work from time-to-time. Therefore, it is required that the candidate resides within 30 miles of any WMATA Metrorail station.     

Certifications 

Candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license or provide reliable means to arrive to and leave a rail station, rail yard, maintenance facility, the WMSC office, or other facility or location.

Candidate will be required to enroll in and complete the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) within 3 years of designation by the WMSC and then, upon successful completion, maintain that certification in good standing thereafter. Candidate is encouraged, but not required, to enroll in and complete the Transit Safety and Security Program as well.

Other Required Skills and Abilities

·       Excellent English-language written and verbal communication skills.

·       Ability to use Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and other common software for conducting daily work including, but not limited to, preparing work products such as presentations, reports, graphs, tables, and for ensuring proper record retention.

·       Familiarity with assessing hazards, their mitigations, and categorization.

·       Ability to work in a remote team environment comprised of individuals from diverse cultures and geographies.

·       Ability to observe, receive, and otherwise obtain relevant information regardless of information source.

·       Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

·       Ability and enthusiasm to acquire needed knowledge to perform duties.

·       Ability to manage multiple priorities to meet deadlines and commitments.

·       Ability to manage projects to fruition, on time.

·       Ability to take direction and constructive criticism from supervisor, management, and others.

·       Ability to consistently conduct all aspects of the position.

·       Ability to be a team player who assists the WMSC in fulfilling its overall safety oversight mandate.

·       Ability to adhere to strong professional ethics.

·       Ability to independently carry out duties following direction by supervisor/management and recognize any related duties on own initiative.

·       Ability to effectively use the internet and other collaboration software to perform assigned work.