RAIL SAFETY INSPECTOR

State of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California Rail Safety Division invites an Equipment Inspector to perform field-based, in-office safety oversight of rail transit and fixed guideway systems. The role conducts complex investigations, inspects maintenance methods, and recommends corrective actions to ensure compliance with regulations and safety plans.

The position requires travel and field work, with headquarters-based placement determined by residence.

Qualifications

• Experience inspecting railroad or rail transit motive power units and passenger/freight cars.
• Experience inspecting and investigating equipment failures or equipment related accidents.
• Safety oversight / rail or rail transit regulatory experience.
• Other Rail/Transit operations, maintenance or safety experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct complex investigative and surveillance activities with respect to maintenance and operations of rail transit agency and other fixed guideway systems.
• Make comprehensive inspections and investigate adequacy of on-track rail transit vehicle maintenance methods and system safety.
• Audit/review system equipment maintenance records; interpret and confirm results of equipment testing; participate in investigations.
• Assist in the preparation of reports and exhibits; ensure compliance with applicable regulations and agency procedures.

Skills

Rail motive power inspection

Rail transit operations safety

Equipment failure investigation

Rail regulatory safety oversight

Job description

Equipment Inspector
RAIL SAFETY INSPECTOR

$7,136.00 - $8,934.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/19/2026

Under supervision of Rail Safety Inspector - Supervisor, the incumbent executes elements of the Commission’s safety oversight responsibilities of rail transit and other fixed guideway systems. The incumbent will conduct complex investigative and surveillance activities with respect to maintenance and operations of rail transit agency and other fixed guideway system vehicles and on-track equipment. Incumbent will make comprehensive inspections and investigate adequacy of on-track rail transit vehicle maintenance methods, investigate and inspect general system safety; make recommendations of proper corrective action to be taken in order to bring rail transit agency systems or equipment into compliance with applicable regulations, standards, and associated rail transit agency Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan and relevant agency procedures; audit/review system equipment maintenance records; interpret and confirm results of equipment testing, participate in investigations of rail transit agency and fixed guideway system accidents; assist in the preparation of reports and exhibits, and does other job-related work as required.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position requires travel.

This is an in-office position that has been identified as field-based. Field-based workers spend 50% or more time in the field, requiring onsite attendance to perform their duties. Their assigned headquarter office will be based on the selected candidate's primary residence location.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Effective July 1, 2025, CalHR launched the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 with Pay Differential 386. PLP 2025 temporarily reduces state employee pay in exchange for leave hours to help address budget shortfalls. Salary ranges in this posting exclude the temporary reduction. For details, visit CalHR’s Personnel Leave Program (PLP) page.

# of Positions: 1

Work Location:

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Rail Safety Division/Rail Transit Oper Safety Section (South)

The mission of the Rail Safety Division (RSD) is to diligently stride to inspire safe and reliable rail transportation in California by promoting and enforcing railroad, rail crossing and rail transit safety; and by improving or establishing a positive rail safety culture therein, through our inspection and enforcement efforts and our resolve to look beyond the regulations. RSD strives to enforce state and federal laws, regulations, orders, and directives relating proactively and effectively to transportation of persons or commodities by rail. RSD is comprised of the Railroad Operations Safety Branch (ROSB), Rail Crossings and Engineering Branch (RCEB), and Rail Transit Safety Branch (RTSB).

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

Prepare and submit a narrative description of how your training, experience, and education qualifies you for the position. The SOQ should provide specific details and examples that clearly demonstrate your qualifications. Refer to the job description and duties, and duty statement to prepare your response. Applicants who do not submit a completed SOQ and writing that exceeds the page limit will not be considered or scored. All information in the SOQ is subject to verification. The SOQ must be no smaller than 11-point Arial font, single-spaced, and no more than two pages.

Employment information on the STD 678 State Application MUST be complete with dates, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Resumes, or referring to resumes, will not be accepted in place of the completed STD 678. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD 678 will not be considered.

Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience inspecting and maintaining railroad or rail transit motive power units and passenger/freight cars.
• Other Rail/Transit operations, maintenance or safety experience.
• Experience inspecting and investigating equipment failures or equipment related accidents.
• Safety oversight / rail or rail transit regulatory experience.

Department Website: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
[phone]
[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.