Manager, Train Operations (Palestine, IL)

Indiana Railroad Company; Palestine (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Indiana Railroad Company seeks a seasoned supervisor to oversee Train Operators and manage daily operations for safe, efficient railroad movement. You will lead planning, safety initiatives, and regulatory compliance while coordinating across dispatch and rail partners.

The role requires DSLE certification within 2 years, engineer certification, and strong leadership. Expect nonstandard hours, on-site work, and a focus on reducing costs and improving reliability.

Qualifications

• Interpersonal skills required to resolve conflicts and coordinate teams.
• Verbal comprehension for understanding rules, procedures, and instructions.
• Clear communication with operators, peers, and management.
• Strong reasoning and problem-solving abilities for train operations.
• Decision making to prioritize safety and efficiency.
• Accountability for safety, compliance, and results.
• Teamwork to work with crews, dispatch, and partners.
• Supervisory skills for directing Train Operators and daily tasks.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate the daily activities of Train Operators.
• Develop, prioritize, communicate, and execute the daily operating plan in a safe and cost effective manner.
• Promote the Company safety initiatives.
• Ensure that railroad operations comply with regulations and company rules.
• Audit and inspect industries, tracks, and operations for hazards and unsafe conditions.
• Serve as a first responder to critical incidents and investigate causes and solutions.
• Adjust asset utilization to improve terminal/yard reliability and cost efficiency.
• Manage movement of cars and scheduling of crews using available reporting tools.
• Understand track conditions and slow orders and their impact on productivity.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal comprehension

Communication

Reasoning

Decision making

Accountability

Teamwork

Supervisory skills

Computer literacy

Education

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent

Job description

BASIC FUNCTION: This position oversees train operations and is responsible for the safe, efficient, and economical movement of all trains according to the rules, regulations, and instructions of the railroad.REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:Reports To: Director, Service OperationsSupervises: Train OperatorsESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:Supervise and coordinate the daily activities of Train Operators.Develop, prioritize, communicate, and execute the daily operating plan in a safe and cost effective manner.Promote the Company safety initiatives.Ensure that railroad operations comply with the federal, state, local and INRD rules and regulations.Ensure that all train movements, including those that are unscheduled, are handled by collaborative effort with other necessary transportation managers, including but not limited to those overseeing the dispatch and agency functions of the railroad.Conduct efficiency tests, check rides, stop tests, and other types of performance evaluations according to company practices to determine the effectiveness of training and to monitor rules compliance. Document performance and submit data promptly and accurately.Audit and inspect industries, tracks and operations to see that all hazards and unsafe conditions are discovered, investigated and addressed in a timely manner.Serve as a first responder to critical incidents when required. Provide an accurate, complete, and timely investigation of incident, including causes, remedial action, and recommended solutions.Understand the quantitative factors contributing to the major costs on the railroad and understand the extent of their effect toward financial performances.Adjust asset utilization on a daily basis, with a goal to increased terminal/yard utilization and provide reliable service for customers.Utilize available reporting functions to manage the movement of cars, the scheduling of crews and the effective use of available resources.Understand all outstanding track conditions within territory, including slow orders, and their effect on productivity/efficiency.Develop and nurture positive, productive relationships with our employees, customers, connecting carriers, and other partners to ensure service requirements are met.JOB REQUIREMENTSEmployment Conditions:Work safely, follow standard procedures, be alert and take necessary precautions to prevent on the job accidents and injuriesWear required protective equipment (such as hearing protection, safety boots, vest, and safety glasses)Work hours include a nonstandard workweek. Hours which include rotating on-call responsibilities which may be outside standard hours (on days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays). This position is required to respond to accidents and incidentsMust obtain and maintain a locomotive engineer and conductor’s certification within 2 years from date of hireMust obtain and maintain Designated Supervisor Locomotive Engineer (DSLE) certification within 2 years from date of hireMust be able to interpret and understand FRA, GCOR, On-Track Worker Safety Rules, labor agreements, and Company rules and proceduresComplete annual training and pass safety operating rules examinationFederal regulations require random testing for drugs and/or alcoholMust pass all required assessments, training and testingMust pass a background screeningMust pass a pre-employment medical examination, including drug and physical capabilities testPhysical Requirements:Walk long distance over uneven terrain, work around moving equipment, climb, ascend and descend locomotivesMedium to heavy work, lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally and up to 83 pounds on a rare basisReach, bend, push, pull, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, sit, stand, balance and lift in the course of dutiesTalk/hear (communicate, detect, converse with, discern, convey, express oneself, exchange information)See (detect, determine, perceive, identify, recognize, judge, observe, inspect, estimate, assess)Work in cramped, confined, enclosed, or awkward placesRide on the outside of rail equipment for long periods of timeMust meet color vision requirements as described in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) RegulationsMust meet hearing acuity requirements as described in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) RegulationsBasic Competencies:Interpersonal skills (ability to resolve conflict; ability to balance team and individual responsibilities)Verbal comprehension (understand oral and written communications)Communication skills (listen, speak and write clearly and concisely)Reasoning skills (problem solving and troubleshooting skills)Decision making skills (assess the importance, urgency and risk associated with each situation and take actions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization)Accountability (demonstrate and communicate a high level of ownership and commitment to achieving results)Teamwork (work closely with employees toward a common goal)Supervisory skills (decision making, delegating work assignments, providing recognition, motivating others, and improving processes)Proficient with computer systems (including Microsoft Office Suite and various locomotive download programs)Environmental Conditions:Work outside in all weather conditions (severe weather and extreme temperatures possible)Work in an office setting, vehicle, or cabWork at heights up to 20 ft.Exposure to noise (from diesel engines, air brake equipment, sanders, horns, radios etc.)Exposure to adverse environmental conditions possible (such as dust, pollen, fumes, etc.)All INRD employees must know and follow job safety procedures, attend required safety training, proactively promote safety at work and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.DISCLAIMER: This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.INRD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.Minimum Qualifications:5 or more years of railroad operations experienceMust be able to fulfill requirements for obtaining and maintaining engineer certificationHigh school diploma, GED, or equivalentValid driver's license in good standingPreferred Qualifications:Management experienceBachelor’s Degree3 or more years of experience as a Locomotive Engineer3 or more years of experience as a Supervisor Locomotive Engineer (SLE)