Director of Landfill Rail Operations

Interstate Waste Services, Inc.; Amsterdam (OH); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Interstate Waste Services, Inc. in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut markets is seeking a Director of Rail Operations to lead rail production, planning, and safety-compliant activities at the landfill railyard, reporting to the General Manager.

This senior role drives long-term strategy for rail infrastructure, oversees Gondola operations, ensures FRA/FTA regulatory compliance, and partners with maintenance and project teams to deliver efficient transportation of waste.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in planning, transportation, business, or related discipline.
• 10+ years' experience in railroad operations, including planning, management, and safety.
• Knowledge of FRA-regulated railroad operations or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge in strategic rail planning.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment.
• Experience in Landfill rail operations is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of locomotive operation and rail yard operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead rail-related production operations and planning; set strategic goals and supervise staff.
• Oversee day-to-day rail yard operations, ensuring safety and efficiency.
• Manage railcar switching, coupling, and movement processes.
• Inspect rail systems, troubleshoot issues, and implement solutions.
• Develop long-term action plans to improve capacity and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, MSHA, FRA regulations; conduct safety meetings.
• Collaborate with maintenance to schedule PMs and address equipment issues.
• Provide input on equipment procurement and major repairs.
• Utilize proprietary software to track railcar movements.
• Lead projects and presentations with contractors and stakeholders.
• Drive long-term strategy and growth of Rail Operations for the landfill.
• Ensure compliance with Federal, State, and Local rail laws and regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Rail operations

Safety compliance

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Interstate Waste Services is the most progressive and innovative provider of solid waste and recycling services in the greater New York, New Jersey and Connecticut markets with a rail-served landfill in Ohio. IWS is committed to delivering high-quality waste, recycling and environmental services, while prioritizing the safety of our employees, customers and communities. We cater to a diverse range of industrial, medical and commercial/residential customers.

Founded in 1998, IWS has grown over the years through acquisitions, many of which were family-owned businesses that remain a part of our team today. We're proud to combine the resources of a large company with the values and care of a family-run business.

Essential Job Summary

The Director of Rail IWS is responsible for leading all rail-related production operations and planning functions, making key operational decisions, and setting strategic goals to consistently meet or exceed production targets. This role involves overseeing the day-to-day rail operations, ensuring efficiency, safety, and compliance while supervising staff and providing constructive feedback. Accountability includes managing the rail yard, Gondola operation, and Rail ADT supervision. Reporting to the General Manager, the Director will also play a crucial role in optimizing and developing the rail yard to support future growth.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide proactive and strategic process leadership for operations activities in support of planning, engineering, and construction projects for rail
• Provide expertise to complex transit and rail operations projects, and work across business lines and disciplines as needed to achieve the best outcomes for our clients.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs. Manage the day-to-day operations in the Landfill railyard to ensure the waste is efficiently moved from the railyard to the landfill working face.
• Ensure all railcar switching, coupling, and moving occurs in a safe and productive manner.
• Inspect and evaluate all aspects of the rail in the railyard and document any issues found. Ability to troubleshoot issues and deduct the best possible solutions to remedy any issues.
• Develop long term action plans to improve the overall capacity and efficiency of the railyard.
• Follows and administers company safety programs by conducting daily, weekly, and monthly safety meetings, facility inspections, and ensuring compliance to all OSHA, MSHA, and FRA regulations.
• Work collaboratively with the other supervisors/managers to complete the daily work activities in an effective and timely manner.
• Work cooperatively with maintenance to ensure PMs are completed as scheduled, and that issues with equipment are reported in a timely manner
• Provide feedback and insight into equipment procurement and major repairs.
• Utilize proprietary software to track the movement of railcars into and out of the railyard.
• Establish, monitor, and report out on safety, quality, and productivity key performance indicator
• Any other duties as assigned by the General Manager or Executive Vice President
• Provide freight rail operations and strategic planning experience to projects such as state rail plans.
• Lead technical aspects of projects, including making presentations, facilitating meetings, and working with contractors.
• Drive the overall long-term strategy, growth, and pipeline development of Rail Operations and Service Planning work for the Landfill with a focus on rail infrastructure and operations opportunities in all disciplines (planning, design, strategic consulting, advisory services, and program/construction management).
• Drive compliance and accountability at all levels with applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, codes, policies, and regulatory requirements that apply to transit and rail operations, especially FRA and FTA.
• Lead meetings and continuing educational opportunities for areas of responsibility, providing updates and recommendations to staff that ensure all appropriate measures are taken to foster innovation, development, and quality project delivery.
• Serve as a IWS representative/liaison to a variety of external entities including Federal, State, and Local Agencies, Clients, Subcontractors, industry-related groups, and various government and community entities.
• Provide input and information for proposals and project work scopes, pricing, budget, and performance metrics.
• Remain current in latest rail operating, planning, and safety practices.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to IWS Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Pursue credentials and certifications relevant to current and future responsibilities of the position and/or subsequent positions.

Requirements And Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in a planning, transportation, business, or other related discipline.
• 10+ years' experience in railroad operations, including operations planning, operations management, service development, and safety.
• Knowledge of FRA-regulated railroad operations, or a combination of education and/or relevant experience to meet the job requirements.
• Knowledge in strategic rail planning.
• Proficiency in office productivity software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed.
• Experience in the Landfill industry with supporting waste by Rail operations is strongly preferred
• Knowledge of locomotive operation rail yard operation, and conducting is required
• Knowledge of heavy equipment operation is strongly preferred
• Basic mechanical and technology skills
• Must have demonstrated leadership, problem solving and organizational skills and ability to maintain and promote a teamwork environment
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs
• Must be able to walk around the facility and be on his, or her feet throughout the day

Additional Information

This job description is intended to be an accurate representation of the general functions of the job, rather than exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or experience. Other duties may be assigned, requested, or required. Aspects of the job may be altered without notice.

Interstate Waste Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Salary Range Minimum

USD $150,000.00/Yr.

Salary Range Maximum

USD $