Rail Operations Specialist

Metrolinx; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Metrolinx is driving regional rail expansion and operations across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. We seek a Rail Operations Specialist to represent GO and UPE rail operations, validate future project requirements, and coordinate with internal teams to ensure safe, efficient revenue service.

This role emphasizes fleet, electrification readiness, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will bring experience in railway operations, project management, and strong communication skills,

Qualifications

• Completion of a degree in a Transportation, Planning/Management, Business Administration, Electrical/Communications or related discipline.
• Experience with railway electrification or rail infrastructure interfaces is an asset.
• Experience with passenger railway operations is an asset.
• Experience with project management and complex portfolios with timelines, resources and activities.
• Strong time management and ability to juggle multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Interpersonal and oral/written/presentation skills to engage with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and validation of operational requirements for legacy and future rail fleets, including equipment deployment, servicing, maintenance, delivery, storage, and transition to revenue service.
• Assess operational requirements, including staffing, operating procedures, training, equipment handling and impacts.
• Review fleet and infrastructure designs to identify operational constraints, safety considerations, maintenance requirements and impacts to day-to-day railway operations.
• Support the development and validation of modern train control operational requirements, including onboard system integration, train crew operating procedures, degraded modes, testing and commissioning, and operational preparedness for revenue service.
• Support operational preparedness activities for electrification, including the integration of electric rolling stock, charging and power infrastructure, and interfaces with Rail Maintenance Facilities.
• Support the development and maintenance of Concept of Operations, Operating Strategies, and other documentation relating to operating plans and requirements.
• Facilitate business unit engagement sessions and operational briefing workshops to solicit input, clarify requirements, and align stakeholders on organizational objectives.
• Participate in project working groups as representation from Network Operations ensuring operational needs and objectives are reflected in project discussions and decisions.
• Identify operational issues, risks, and gaps in proposed designs, working with engineering, design, and project delivery teams and contractors to support their resolution.
• Maintain effective and timely communication across project teams to ensure operational input, design review comments, and decisions are clearly documented and communicated.

Skills

Time management

Communication skills

Leadership

MS Office

Rail operations knowledge

Education

Transportation/Planning degree

Business Administration degree

Electrical/Communications degree

Related discipline

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 Network Operations Planning team is looking for a Rail Operations Specialist.

This position is accountable for representing GO and UPE rail operations, supporting the review and development of future projects related to the continued expansion of our rail network. A strong, network-level background in fleet management and passenger operations is required to ensure proposed projects do not adversely impact current or future operating plans. This role collaborates with key internal business units and Operations to help Metrolinx build the right project, in the right place, at the right time.

What will I be doing?

• Support the development and validation of operational requirements for legacy and future rail fleets, including equipment deployment, servicing, maintenance, delivery, storage, and transition to revenue service.
• Assess operational requirements, including staffing, operating procedures, training, equipment handling and impacts.
• Review fleet and infrastructure designs to identify operational constraints, safety considerations, maintenance requirements and impacts to day-to-day railway operations.
• Support the development and validation of modern train control operational requirements, including onboard system integration, train crew operating procedures, degraded modes, testing and commissioning, and operational preparedness for revenue service.
• Support operational preparedness activities for electrification, including the integration of electric rolling stock, charging and power infrastructure, and interfaces with Rail Maintenance Facilities.
• Support the development and maintenance of Concept of Operations, Operating Strategies, and other documentation relating to operating plans and requirements.
• Facilitate business unit engagement sessions and operational briefing workshops to solicit input, clarify requirements, and align stakeholders on organizational objectives.
• Participate in project working groups as representation from Network Operations ensuring operational needs and objectives are reflected in project discussions and decisions.
• Identify operational issues, risks, and gaps in proposed designs, working with engineering, design, and project delivery teams and contractors to support their resolution.
• Maintain effective and timely communication across project teams to ensure operational input, design review comments, and decisions are clearly documented and communicated.

What Skills and Qualifications Do I Need?

• Completion of a degree in a Transportation, Planning/Management, Business Administration, Electrical/Communications or a related discipline – or a combination of education, training and experience deemed equivalent is required.
• Experience with railway electrification, electric rolling stock, ETCS/train control systems, or infrastructure interfaces, particularly overhead contact systems (OCS), traction power and RMF modifications is an asset.
• Experience with passenger railway operations is an asset.
• Experience with project management and related systems requirements and development methodologies, to support the delivery of a portfolio of very large inter-dependent projects with high complexity, risk, and organizational impact; experience monitoring project progress, related staff, resources, and activities for adherence to timelines, and achievement of project performance results.
• Effective time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines and juggle multiple priorities in a very dynamic and changing environment.
• Interpersonal and oral/written/presentation skills to develop and sustain cooperative working relationships across Metrolinx and with external stakeholders in person and/or through presentations; to engage with external to promote compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements; to prepare reports and briefing material.
• Experience leading transformational change to adapt to new or changing requirements and reflecting on lessons learned to analyze, evaluate, and define problems/challenges, identify alternatives, and make timely decisions to manage risk and address issues.
• Proficiency in MS Office suite (e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and role specific software to manage advanced technical applications.

Don’t Meet Every Requirement?

If you're excited about working with Metrolinx but your past experience doesn't quite align with every qualification of this posting, we encourage you to apply. You just might be the right candidate for this or other roles. We are always looking for great talent to join our team.

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].

Application Process:

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Metrolinx will be using email to communicate with you for all job competitions. It is your responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time-sensitive correspondence, we recommend that you check your email regularly. If no response is received, we will assume you are no longer interested in pursuing the opportunity. Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate.

For Internal applicants, with the recent implementation of the Internal Mobility Policy, the internal recruitment process has changed for non-union roles. Candidates must be in their current role for 12 months prior to applying for another role and each applicant must be in good standing (not participating in a Performance Improvement Plan). Please review all provisions of the policy before submitting your application.

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.