ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR, RAIL ELECTRICAL POWER

Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority in Buffalo is seeking a Supervisor for Rail Maintenance. This role involves overseeing the performance and training of maintenance workers while ensuring compliance with safety standards and procedures. You will manage third shift operations, coordinating maintenance tasks and handling emergency situations effectively.

The ideal candidate will have an Associate’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical Technology and relevant experience in the transit industry. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential, along with a thorough knowledge of rail maintenance systems.

Qualifications

• 5 years of relevant work experience in the transit industry or equivalent experience.
• Ability to coordinate multiple activities simultaneously.
• Ability to operate a computer to maintain records.

Responsibilities

• Supervising and training maintenance workers on rail systems.
• Ensuring compliance with safety standards and procedures.
• Scheduling and administering maintenance work assignments.
• Coordinating unscheduled maintenance to restore systems.

Skills

Knowledge of rail maintenance systems

Strong organization skills

Communication skills

Ability to read technical documents

Emergency preparedness training

Education

Associate’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical Technology

Job description

WORK OBJECTIVE

This position is responsible for supervising and training maintenance workers in the performance of various maintenance activities on the rail systems and facilities. It ensures staff productivity by maintaining records of past jobs and using them for comparison. The role directly supervises five subordinates and indirectly twenty additional subordinates from various workgroups within the Rail Maintenance and Rail Car Maintenance departments on the third shift. It serves as the focal point for all maintenance and operations activities on the third shift and is performed with considerable independence under the general supervision of the Supervisor, Electrical Power.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Overseeing the work efforts of subordinates (e.g., making sure that work is performed correctly, providing guidance to maintenance employees when necessary, ensuring compliance with company procedures including safety standards, addressing complex problems, rearranging work activities to respond to emergency situations).
• Ensuring that qualified staff is available and properly assigned to complete all scheduled and unscheduled work (e.g., making sure employees are fit for duty, rearranging work assignments).
• Scheduling third shift work assignments in Rail Maintenance for assigned management staff to ensure that system maintenance functions are performed (e.g., making sure the weekend schedule requirements are met for standard service and special events, assigning third shift maintenance to be performed on the systems and facilities, filling open supervisory work when required).
• Administering heavy maintenance overhauls (e.g., replacing trackwork and switches, replacing catenary wire and hardware, major repairs to tunnel and station structures).
• Coordinating unscheduled maintenance (e.g., system defects that affect the movement of trains, snow plowing and snow removal efforts) so that systems are returned to service in a safe and efficient manner.
• Dispatching movements of non-revenue hi-rail maintenance vehicles (e.g., determining hi-rail movements, providing instructions on hi-rail movements to subordinate personnel and coordinating movements with other workgroups and Rail Controllers).
• Representing the entire rail maintenance operation when working the third shift.
• Performing various administrative duties (e.g., entering data on the computer, printing work order forms, tracking maintenance information).
• Initiating orders for parts, working with vendors and maintaining an adequate inventory of parts and equipment to properly maintain the system.
• Training rail maintenance personnel (e.g., training all rail maintenance personnel for certification of hi-rail operations, training personnel on rail maintenance systems and equipment, instructing personnel on correct procedures for equipment operations, instructing Buffalo Fire Department and other inside or outside groups via tours of the system).
• Performing a variety of other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

An in-depth knowledge of rail maintenance systems (e.g., pneumatic, mechanical, electrical, catenary systems, refrigeration equipment, trackwork and structural) to effectively maintain and repair rail systems and related equipment. Ability to read technical documents (e.g., specifications, drawings) in order to provide advice on maintenance issues. Ability to coordinate multiple activities simultaneously. Ability to operate a computer to record, analyze, retrieve information and develop forms and written reports for documenting railcar maintenance history. Ability to respond to and train employees and representatives from outside agencies for emergency preparedness (e.g., train derailments, fire emergencies, health‑related issues and situation awareness programs). Strong organization and communication skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Tasks involve the intermittent performance of physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, or crouching, climbing ladders, riding hi-rail vehicles, and that may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds).

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Tasks are performed primarily in the field over the 6.4 miles of rail system with potential for exposure to disagreeable elements (e.g., heavy equipment, trains, large non-revenue vehicles, high working heights, extreme temperatures, high voltage, refrigerant, compressed gases and other conditions associated with maintaining equipment and facilities).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

An Associate’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical Technology plus five years of relevant work experience in the transit industry, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

OTHER

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.