Assistant Director, Rail Systems Maintenance

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Metropolitan Council's Metro Transit Division is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides ridership through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as a resource for those who carpool, vanpool, walk, or bike in the Twin Cities.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Assistant Director of Rail Systems Maintenance will support the Rail Systems Maintenance Director in overseeing the maintenance and repair of our Light Rail and Freight Rail infrastructure. This role will play a critical part in day-to-day operations, regulatory, environmental, and safety standards. The Assistant Director will help lead teams responsible for track, traction power, signals, fiber optics, communications, related electrical, and right-of-way infrastructure.

• Lead the managers of the Rail Systems Maintenance departments in keeping the Light Rail and Freight Rail infrastructure up to high standards
• Respond to emergencies including derailments, crossing accidents, and hazardous material releases
• Meets with agency leadership to exchange information related to rail power systems. Coordinates with consultants, contractors and equipment manufacturers to communicate technical requirements and achieve desired outcomes through collaboration and negotiation

• Engages with project team designers and engineers throughout the design and system integration phases of new light rail expansion projects to ensure compatibility with maintenance operations
• Work with the Procurement Department for timely quotes and resource utilization
• Participate in the design phase with Project Office for expansion projects
• Partners with rail operational departments and contribute to the pre-revenue testing phases of new light rail expansion projects
• Supports ongoing operation of systems maintenance department
• Other duties as assigned

Any of the following combinations of experience and education completed in the field of Business Management/Administration, Engineering, Transportation, or a related field are acceptable. Experience must include three (3) years of prior management experience, including supervision, budget and financial development/management, as well as strategic planning:

• High school diploma and eleven (11) years of experience, including three (3) years of prior management experience, including supervision, budget and financial development/management, and strategic planning.
• Associate's degree and nine (9) years of experience, including three (3) years of prior management experience, including supervision, budget and financial development/management, and strategic planning.
• Bachelor's degree and seven (7) years of experience, including three (3) years of prior management experience, including supervision, budget and financial development/management, and strategic planning.
• Master's degree and five (5) years of experience, including three (3) years of prior management experience, including supervision, budget and financial development/management, and strategic planning.

• Knowledge of principles and techniques used in budget management
• Knowledge of light rail systems maintenance principles, processes, and techniques
• Knowledge of general management principles, processes, and practices
• Knowledge of Metro Transit standard operating procedures (SOPs), internal policies, and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rules
• Knowledge of public transit agency operations and organizational structures
• Knowledge of railroad emergency response
• Knowledge of derailment root cause investigation techniques
• Knowledge of freight rail systems maintenance principles, processes, and techniques
• Skill in coaching and developing supervisors and managers to achieve performance goals
• Skill in communication techniques used to bring about agreement between divergent points of view
• Skill in using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, or equivalent software applications to support reporting, planning, and communication
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals clearly and professionally
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of customers, clients, or internal stakeholders
• Ability to establish and maintain effective systems of communication within the organization and foster strong working relationships with diverse individuals and teams
• Ability to communicate understanding and support of organizational goals through actions, verbal communication, and written documentation
• Ability to be on-call and respond to emergencies or operational needs outside regular working hours
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, and percentages
• Ability to promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values diversity and inclusion among all employees

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Knowledge of/or certificate in NFPA 70e
• Working knowledge of Metro Transits Standard Operating Procedures, Safety Rules, and applicable union contracts
• Six-Sigma / LEAN certificate
• Ability to promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values diversity among all employees

Union/Grade: Non-Represented/Grade K
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

Work Environment: Position works in an office environment. Some travel to other facilities is required. Up to one third of the time this position works near moving parts or equipment, exposed to fumes or airborne particles, outdoor weather conditions and moderate noise.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We request your Work Record Evaluation (ATU employees only).
• We rate your education and experience.
• We conduct an assessment test.
• We conduct a structured panel interview.
• We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. All applicants' background checks and fingerprints must be cleared by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in order to be a user of their CJIS system. Failure to be cleared by BCA will automatically nullify any job offer extended. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. All applicants' background checks and fingerprints must be cleared by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in order to be a user of their CJIS system. Failure to be cleared by BCA will automatically nullify any job offer extended. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.