Rail Operations Planner

Metrolinx; Toronto; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Metrolinx is seeking a Rail Operations Planner to develop and deliver strategic transportation analysis, bolster scheduling software and reporting tools, and support workflows across teams. You will work on rail service design, performance monitoring, and project coordination to help Metrolinx meet growth and regional transport goals.

This role requires a diploma or degree in Transportation Planning or related field, with strong data, project management and rail operations experience.

Qualifications

• Diploma/degree in Transportation Planning or related field, or apprenticeship with trade certification, or equivalent work experience.
• Experience in transportation planning or rail infrastructure planning, preferably commuter rail or rail-based transit.
• Strong data gathering, cleansing, presentation and management skills; knowledge of PowerBI, Python or R is preferred.
• Strong project management and technical analysis skills including data management and quantitative analysis.
• Hands-on problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset.
• Knowledge of rail planning, operations, and track and signal infrastructure.
• Experience with rail scheduling/simulation software (Trapeze, RailSys, OpenTrack) is a plus.
• Familiarity with industry standards and Microsoft 365 apps.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain reporting tools for ridership, revenue, fares, schedules, and operating performance.
• Keep rail scheduling software and related tools up to date; provide guidance to vendors, end-users, and IT staff.
• Develop and deliver training programs and monitor staff progress.
• Coordinate projects with internal offices for input, recommendations, implementation and monitoring.
• Manage projects for new or expanded rail services, assessing impacts on ridership, schedules, budgets, and resources.
• Monitor and analyze services to identify short and long-term issues and determine optimal service levels.

Skills

PowerBI

Python

R

Data management

Project management

Rail operations

Education

Transportation Planning degree

Tools

Trapeze

RailSys

OpenTrack

Job description

Metrolinx is connecting communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Metrolinx operates GO Transit and UP Express, as well as the PRESTO fare payment system. We are also building new and improved rapid transit, including GO Expansion, Light Rail Transit routes, and major expansions to Toronto’s subway system, to get people where they need to go, better, faster and easier. Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

At Metrolinx, equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to living our values of serving with passion, thinking forward and playing as a team.

Our Service Design – Performance Management Office is looking for a Rail Operations Planner to develop and deliver comprehensive, strategic, and technical transportation analysis to bolster and enhance scheduling software, reporting tools, and workflows.

What will I be doing?

• Develop, assemble, and maintain reporting tools on ridership, revenue, fares, schedules, costs, market characteristics, operating performance, or other factors as required for on-going monitoring.
• Maintain currency of rail scheduling software and related tools by providing supervision and direction to involved parties (vendors, end-users, IT staff, etc.).
• Develop and deliver training program and monitor staff progress, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Coordinate projects with other internal offices for input, development of recommendations, implementation, monitoring, and administration.
• Manage projects for new, expanded, or modified rail services to accommodate growth, changing markets, and provincial/municipal transportation plans, assessing impacts on ridership, schedules, equipment, crew, capital and operating budgets and other corporate resource requirements.
• Monitor and analyse services to identify short- and long-term service issues, opportunities, and determine rail traffic operating plans, infrastructure requirements, and other resource requirements.
• Recommend strategic service design, identify, and evaluate existing resources required to provide optimum levels of service, and identify potential improvements to service to meet objectives.
• Responsible for modelling and simulating rail networks using industry and best practice standards to test and validate timetables and investigate impacts resulting from track impairments, speed restrictions, and increased train frequencies.
• Participate in a variety of rail network analyses, studies, computer simulation model development or modification, and technical report generation addressing a wide range of operating, infrastructure, and performance issues.
  

What Skills and Qualifications Do I Need?

• Completion of a diploma/degree in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, Transportation Engineering, a related field - OR - completion of an apprenticeship program with trade certification – OR – equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrated years of experience in transportation planning or transit infrastructure planning, preferably focused on commuter rail or rail-based transit.
• Strong working knowledge in data gathering, cleansing, presentation, and management. Experience and knowledge of computer programming (e.g., PowerBI, Python, R, etc.) is preferred.
• Strong project management and technical analysis skills including data management, qualitative analysis, and quantitative analysis.
• Hands-on problem-solving experience and aptitude for continuous improvement
• Strong working knowledge in rail planning, rail operations, and/or track and signal infrastructure.
• Proven abilities or proven related abilities in rail scheduling and rail operations simulation software including (e.g., Trapeze, RailSys, OpenTrack, Rail Track Controller related software, etc.) is an asset.
• Knowledge of applicable industry standards, regulations, and code (CROR, etc.)
• Experience using Microsoft 365 (SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.)
  

Accommodation

Metrolinx is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are also committed to offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants in accordance with applicable legislation. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point during the hiring process, please contact us at: 416-202-5601 or email [e-mail].

Should it be determined that any background information provided is misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, Metrolinx reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of your application.

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

WE ARE AN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER.