Manager Operating Practices

Ontario Northland; North Bay; On-site; CAD 128,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension

Paid vacation

Paid personal leave

Discounted transportation

Job summary

Ontario Northland is seeking a Manager, Operating Practices to lead governance of railway operating rules, bulletins, and instruction standards across the North Bay network. You will ensure CROR alignment with Transport Canada and SMS requirements, and drive regulatory readiness and safety culture.

You will translate rule changes into training, supervise staff, and collaborate with operational leaders and regulators to manage compliance risks while supporting audits and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• University degree in Transportation, Railway Operations, Occupational Health & Safety, Regulatory Compliance, Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and progressive railway operating experience.
• Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in railway operations, rail traffic control, transportation management, compliance, training, operating rules.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR), General Operating Instructions (GOIs), special instructions, operating bulletins, timetables, and applicable railway regulations.
• Railway Safety Management System (SMS), Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG), Incident Management, Transport Canada regulatory compliance, and adult education or instructional design certifications are assets.
• Experience supporting Transport Canada inspections, audits, investigations, regulatory reviews, and compliance programs.
• Experience developing, implementing, or overseeing operating procedures, operating standards, governance frameworks, training programs, qualification standards, or compliance initiatives.
• Current Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) qualification, or the ability to obtain and maintain qualification.
• Qualification as a Conductor, Locomotive Engineer, Rail Traffic Controller, Rules Instructor, Transportation Supervisor, or equivalent railway operating certification is asset.
• Demonstrated leadership experience providing technical direction, coaching, supervision, and guidance across multiple operational groups.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills, with ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to travel throughout Ontario Northland's rail network as required.
• Strong focus on health and safety

Responsibilities

• Provide governance, interpretation, and oversight of railway operating rules, operating bulletins, timetables, special instructions, and operating practice standards.
• Maintain centralized ownership of operating rule interpretation and ensure consistent application of CROR across Ontario Northland operations.
• Develop, review, authorize, and standardize operating bulletins, General Operating Instructions (GOIs), timetables, and subdivision special instructions
• Ensure operating instructions remain aligned with federal legislation, Transport Canada requirements, the Railway Safety Act, Safety Management System requirements, and industry best practices.
• Support regulatory audits, inspections, investigations, risk assessments, and compliance reviews.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to operating rules, governance processes, manuals, and regulatory documentation.
• Translate operating rule changes and regulatory requirements into training programs, qualification standards, learning materials, and operating procedures.
• Provide guidance and expert advice to operational leaders, regulators, project teams, and stakeholders regarding operating rule interpretation and compliance risks.
• Supervise the Operating Practices Officer and provide leadership, coaching, and direction to support departmental objectives.
• Participate on the RAC Operating Rules Committee as required.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

CROR interpretation

Leadership

Training program development

Communication

Risk assessment

Analytical thinking

Microsoft Office

Education

University degree in Transportation or related field

Tools

CROR knowledge

Job description

Position

Manager, Operating Practices

Reports To

Director, Training & Compliance

Department

Rail Transportation

Location

North Bay

Reference

100-118-27

Salary

$127,790 to $150,332

Who We Are

Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) is an Agency of the Province of Ontario that provides efficient and vital transportation services. We are a modern, forward-thinking organization focused on providing safe and reliable transportation services. ONTC has a rich history of over 120 years and strong connections to the communities we serve. With over 1200 skilled professionals, we work together to enhance transportation services and ensure that they are sustainable for future generations. We offer a dynamic workplace culture, along with a competitive salary, excellent benefit package, a defined benefit pension plan, paid vacation, paid personal leave days and discounted transportation on our bus and passenger rail services.

Accountability Statement

The Manager, Operating Practices is responsible for the governance, interpretation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Ontario Northland's railway operating rules, operating bulletins, special instructions, and operating practice standards. The incumbent serves as the organization's subject matter expert for railway operating rules and regulatory compliance, ensuring alignment with Transport Canada requirements, the Railway Safety Act, the Safety Management System (SMS), and industry best practices. The position provides leadership in regulatory readiness, operating rule governance, workforce integration, and operational safety across Ontario Northland's rail network.

Major Duties / Responsibilities

• Provide governance, interpretation, and oversight of railway operating rules, operating bulletins, timetables, special instructions, and operating practice standards.
• Maintain centralized ownership of operating rule interpretation and ensure consistent application of the Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) across Ontario Northland operations.
• Develop, review, authorize, and standardize operating bulletins, General Operating Instructions (GOIs), timetables, and subdivision special instructions
• Ensure operating instructions remain aligned with federal legislation, Transport Canada requirements, the Railway Safety Act, Safety Management System requirements, and industry best practices.
• Support regulatory audits, inspections, investigations, risk assessments, and compliance reviews.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to operating rules, governance processes, manuals, and regulatory documentation.
• Translate operating rule changes and regulatory requirements into training programs, qualification standards, learning materials, and operating procedures.
• Provide guidance and expert advice to operational leaders, regulators, project teams, and stakeholders regarding operating rule interpretation and compliance risks.
• Supervise the Operating Practices Officer and provide leadership, coaching, and direction to support departmental objectives.
• Participate on the RAC Operating Rules Committee as required.

Requirements

• University degree in Transportation, Railway Operations, Occupational Health & Safety, Regulatory Compliance, Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, Adult Education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and progressive railway operating experience.
• Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in railway operations, rail traffic control, transportation management, compliance, training, operating rules.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR), General Operating Instructions (GOIs), special instructions, operating bulletins, timetables, and applicable railway regulations.
• Railway Safety Management System (SMS), Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG), Incident Management, Transport Canada regulatory compliance, and adult education or instructional design certifications are considered assets.
• Experience supporting Transport Canada inspections, audits, investigations, regulatory reviews, and compliance programs.
• Experience developing, implementing, or overseeing operating procedures, operating standards, governance frameworks, training programs, qualification standards, or compliance initiatives.
• Current Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) qualification, or the ability to obtain and maintain qualification.
• Qualification as a Conductor, Locomotive Engineer, Rail Traffic Controller, Rules Instructor, Transportation Supervisor, or equivalent railway operating certification is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated leadership experience providing technical direction, coaching, supervision, and guidance across multiple operational groups.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills, with the ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to travel throughout Ontario Northland's rail network as required.
• Strong focus on health and safety

Application Process

The successful candidate will need to pass the following clearances: criminal record check, employment references and education verification.

Closing Date

September 6, 2026 no later than 11:59 p.m.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

If it is determined that any information provided in the application or during the recruitment process is false, misleading, or incomplete, Ontario Northland may discontinue your candidacy from further consideration.

Equal Opportunity Statement

At Ontario Northland, we are committed to employment equity. We value the unique skills and experiences each person brings to Ontario Northland and invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+.

Accommodation for Persons with Disabilities

Ontario Northland will provide accommodation to ensure barrier-free employment in accordance with the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. You can request accommodation at any stage of the hiring process. If you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources.

Recruitment Technology

ONTC does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to make or inform hiring decisions. We do use an external applicant tracking system (ATS) to help manage applications efficiently. While the ATS may apply basic automated filters or sorting functions, all applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters.

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