Project Manager, Railroad Operations

MBTA; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

MBTA is seeking a Project Manager of Rail Operations to lead the development and delivery of rail capital projects from planning to construction. You will manage budgets, schedules, and stakeholder coordination across MBTA departments and external agencies to ensure on-time, on-budget project completion.

The role reports to the Director of Railroad Capital Planning and Finance, requiring strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant project

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
• Five years of project management/related experience in transportation or public services.
• Excellent writing, organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, Visio, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Oversee MBTA Rail Operations capital projects from planning through construction.
• Develop and manage project budgets and cashflow projections.
• Coordinate with multiple MBTA departments and outside agencies.
• Prepare and present project charters, scopes, budgets, and schedules.
• Monitor approvals, procurement, and contractor performance.
• Provide regular reporting to leadership and regulatory agencies.

Skills

Project management

Written communication

Verbal communication

Collaboration

Analytical skills

Time management

Budgeting

Schedule management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Planning, Business, or related field

Master’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Planning, Business, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Project

Visio

PowerPoint

Job description

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Project Manager of Rail Operations will manage the development of MBTA Rail Operations capital projects from project inception (planning) through the design phase (conceptual, preliminary, and final) and the construction phase (including project close-out), with full responsibility for quality and for controlling the schedule and budget. The Project Manager will report to the Director of Railroad Capital Planning and Finance and will closely coordinate and collaborate regularly with other departments.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all Commuter Rail Operations projects within the MBTA’s Capital Investment Plan.
• Manage capital project funding requests, amendments, and development of Project Charters for Commuter Rail Operations capital projects.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, monitor cashflow projections and expenditures, and reconcile with monthly, quarterly, and annual goals established within the CIP.
• Assist in monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting for all Commuter Rail Operations capital projects and projects, including mandated reporting to regulatory agencies, such as the FTA, FRA, etc.
• Manage multiple consultant and construction contracts to ensure project requirements are fulfilled, and that project safety, contract cost, and schedule requirements are met.
• Manage projects in accordance with MBTA standards, manuals, policies, and procedures.
• Assist in the development of project scopes, budgets, and schedules, and assist in the procurement of consultants and contractors, as required.
• Negotiate project assignments, task orders, amendments, change orders, and use of contingency, and make recommendations for approval.
• Review monthly payment and schedule submissions from consultants and contractors.
• Coordinate and participate in stakeholder review meetings, value engineering sessions, constructability reviews, and risk workshops.
• Coordinate project tasks with internal Railroad Operations staff, consultants, contractors, and other MBTA departments, including Contract Administration, Procurement and Logistics, among others.
• Coordinate project activities with outside agencies, abutters, utility companies, community groups, and other third parties affected by the project, as required.
• Ensure that all work has been completed, and necessary approvals have been obtained, before advertising projects for construction, including budget approval, environmental permits and approvals, real estate actions and approvals, force accounts, other agency and municipal agreements, and other third-party agreements.
• Manage construction projects from advertisement to contract closeout to ensure the project is completed on time and within budget.
• Analyze all contract proposals or bids and provide recommendations for management approval.
• Organize and prioritize workload, be proactive in identifying project needs/requirements.
• Prepare project-related correspondence, reports, charts, and presentations.
• Prepare and make project presentations to elected officials, community groups, and others.
• Work independently in addressing complex tasks in a time-sensitive environment.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
• Assist in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and policies of the Authority, including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation policies.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include a focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location-specific functions.

Supervision

• None.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Planning, Business, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) years of experience in project management, operations, public administration, or planning in transportation services, or related industry experience.
• Five (5) years of relevant experience in overseeing planning, engineering, business, and/or program or project management processes.
• Excellent writing, organizational, analytical, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, Visio, and PowerPoint applications.
• Effective professional written, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven track record of collaboration, transparency, and problem-solving skills.
• Have the ability to communicate with customers, employees, and vendors effectively.
• Have the ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.

Substitutions

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An associate degree from an accredited institution with an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• A Master’s Degree in Engineering, Operations, Planning, Business, or a related field, from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) years of experience in project management.
• Previous public sector experience, particularly with the MBTA, MassDOT, FTA, FRA, or a transit agency.

Job Conditions

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers And Definitions

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as