Gang Foreman Trainee- ONLY OPEN TO INTERNAL CANDIDATES

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA); New York (NY); On-site; USD 67,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) invites applications for a Gang Foreman Trainee in the Maintenance of Equipment division. The position oversees inspection, repair, and support for shop and cleaning crews, with assignment across various locations.

The nine-month training combines classroom and field work; upon successful completion, you become a qualified Gang Foreman and gain seniority rights per the IRSA agreement.

Qualifications

• Must be a current MTA employee.
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent (GED or TASC).
• Must be QMP-A qualified, or equivalent CFR-based qualifications.
• Pass a pre-screener questionnaire to assess supervisory and admin skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a work gang and equipment.
• Strong oral and written communication and leadership skills.
• Three years rail car maintenance experience or equivalent.
• Available to work at various locations and hours.
• PC test administered at Hillside facility; Windows proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• Plans work tasks, monitors progress, and ensures standards.
• Provides safety guidance to work gangs and supervises them.
• Maintains records for work, accidents, payroll, and attendance.
• Enforces LIRR, MTA and FRA regulations and procedures.
• Ensures employees are at assigned locations and safe, efficient work.
• Conducts visual audits to verify adherence to assignments.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Oral and written communication

Leadership

Rail car maintenance knowledge

Education

Four-year high school diploma

QMP-A qualification

CFR 238 modules knowledge

Tools

Microsoft Windows

PC test

Job description

Description

Job Title: Gang Foreman Trainee

Department: Maintenance of Equipment

MTA Agency: LIRR

Primary Location(s): Various

100% Hourly Rate of Pay: $59.314642(Rate Effective 6/16/2025) (See Wage Progression Below)

Safety Sensitive

Union Affiliation: Independent Railway Supervisors Association (IRSA)

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

About your agency: Chartered in 1834, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is the largest, busiest, and oldest continuously operating commuter railroad in the United States. In 2024, this 24/7/365 operation served 75.5 million riders on a system that stretches nearly 120 miles – from Penn Station and Grand Central Madison in Manhattan to Montauk on the eastern tip of Long Island.

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible to supervise the inspection, repair, support shop and cleaning gangs within the Maintenance of Equipment Department.

Training Program

The Gang Foreman training program is approximately nine (9) months with both classroom and field-based training. Trainees are required to demonstrate competency in a variety of shop and yard locations on various shifts. Satisfactory completion of the training program will result in the trainee becoming a qualified Gang Foreman and will be able to exercise seniority rights as provided by agreement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Plans work tasks, monitoring work progress, and ensuring work performed meets predetermined standards.
• Responsible for the safety of work gangs under their supervision and providing technical guidance to work gangs.
• Maintains all records relevant to work performed, accidents, discipline, payroll, and attendance.
• Enforces all LIRR, MTA and FRA regulations, policies and procedures.
• Responsible for ensuring employees are working at their assignedlocations throughout their entire shift and ensure work is being performed as assigned in a safe and efficient manner.
• Conduct visual audits throughout the workday to ensure employees are at their assigned locations.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Must be a current employee of the MTA.
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent (GED or TASC) approved by a State's Department of Education or recognized accredited organization.
• Must have passed all QMP, Code of Federal Regulations 238 (CFR 238) modules and be Qualified Maintenance Person - A (QMP-A) qualified, or equivalent governmental regulations and/or qualification.
• Successful completion of a pre-screener questionnaire to assess supervisory experience, management and administrative skills and technological knowledge (to be administered by Human Resources).
• Demonstrated ability to manage a work gang and equipment.
• Must possess the ability to demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and supervisory and leadership skills/capabilities.
• Three years related rail car maintenance experience or demonstrated equivalent and/or prior work experience in various maintenance shops and yards (as of the posting date of this bulletin).
• Must be available to work various locations and various hours.
• PC TEST: Demonstrated competency in using a personal computer and Microsoft Windows Operating System. Test will be given at the Hillside Support Facility 93-59 183rd Street, Hollis. Test scores are valid for 12 months. The PC test will be administered to those applicants who have met all of the minimum requirements.

*The above prerequisite training courses and tests must be attended on employees' own non-compensated time, not company time.

Wage Progression for employees hired before 9/25/2014 :

85% - 1st 365 Calendar Days

87% - 2nd 365 Calendar Days

90% - 3rd 365 Calendar Days

93% - 4th 365 Calendar Days

100% - After 1,460 Calendar Days

Wage progression for new employees hired on or after 9/25/2014:

85% - 1st 365 CalendarDays

85% - 2nd 365 Calendar Days

87% - 3rd 365 Calendar Days

90% - 4th 365 CalendarDays

90% - 5th 365 CalendarDays

93% - 6th 365 CalendarDays

100% - After 2,190 Calendar Days

LIRR employees who are promoted to Gang Foreman shall be placed into the same wage progression step…”Entry into the IRSA wage progression shall be effective the date that the employee commences service as a Gang Foreman and progression to succeeding wage progression steps shall continue to be based on 365 calendar days.

Employees hired under the IBEW’s Journeyman Wage Progression who transfer to IRSA Gang Foreman will be placed in the appropriate wage progression based on prior company service.

OTHER INFORMATION

• Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).
• Actual salary offers may vary based on individual work experience. The annual salary range is subject to change and may be modified at the company’s discretion.
• Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MTA drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.
• Current employees should be in their current position 12 months prior to starting a new role and must possess a satisfactory work history, including attendance and discipline record.
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EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ADA DISCLAIMER

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.

If you require reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability to participate in the job application or interview process, please notify your MTA representative once you have been contacted regarding the role.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.