Railroad Operations Manager

City of Columbia, MO; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 66,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Columbia, Missouri invites applications for a role directing Railroad and Transload staff and operations. You will ensure compliance with city, state, and Federal Railroad Administration policies and coordinate with customers on rail car movements.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, managing budgets, and maintaining records, while operating locomotives and transload equipment. The position demands standard work hours with occasional extended schedules.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Certification program and less than 2 years of college.
• 5 to 7 years’ experience in federal railroad policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, manages, and evaluates employees; handles hiring, discipline, and performance appraisals.
• Manages administrative needs of railroad and transload operations.
• Ensures compliance with FRA, GCOR, and City safety rules.
• Plans and administers budget and maintains records and reports.
• Operates locomotives, transload equipment, and maintains infrastructure.

Skills

Railroad operations

Regulatory knowledge (FRA/GCOR)

Verbal & written communication

Leadership & supervision

Budgeting & administrative oversight

Equipment operation understanding

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Certification program (less than 2 years of college)

Some college coursework

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

City of Columbia, Missouri Career Opportunities

The purpose of this job is to manage and direct Railroad and Transload staff and operations. Ensures compliance with city, state, and Federal Railroad Administration ( FRA ) policies. Works with customers on movement of rail cars.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervises, manages, and evaluates assigned employees and makes decisions about hiring, discipline and/or termination of employees; prioritizes and assigns work; develops and oversees employee work schedules and approves time away from work; provides and/or facilitates employee training and development; addresses employee concerns and/or problems; counsels and/or disciplines as appropriate; completes employee performance appraisals; determines or makes recommendations regarding new hire salaries; and acts as liaison between employees and management.
• Manages administrative needs of railroad and transload operations.
• Ensures compliance with Federal Railroad Administration ( FRA ), General Code of Operating Rules ( GCOR ), and City of Columbia safety rules and regulations.
• Plans and administers budget and maintains departmental records and reports.
• Performs duties necessary to run a railroad and transloading operation, including operating locomotives, transload equipment and maintaining equipment and infrastructure.
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Work requires managing and monitoring work performance by directing multiple groups of employees across more than one business function, including making decisions on hiring, disciplinary actions, evaluating program/work objectives and effectiveness, conducting performance evaluations, and realigning work and staffing assignments, as needed.

Human Collaboration and Job Impact

• Interactions may result in decisions regarding implementation of policies. Contact may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Contacts may involve stressful, negative interactions with the public requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions.
• Interactions have significant impact on the organization in terms of time, money, or public/employee relations.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Position has moderate fiscal responsibility.
• May be responsible for managing division budget, billing, accounting of funds and/or handling and balancing of cash.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Certification program and less than 2 years of college.
• 5 to 7 years’ experience in federal railroad policies and procedures.

Licenses or Certifications

• Department of Transportation ( DOT ) medical certification.
• Certified Conductor.
• Class A Commercial Driver’s License ( CDL ) with no Air Brake restriction.

Knowledge of

• Railroad and transload operations.
• General office practices and administrative procedures, records management and administration techniques and procedures.
• Laws and regulations pertaining to Federal Railroad Administration ( FRA ), General Code of Operating Rules ( GCOR ), and City of Columbia safety standards.
• Common business software applications such as Microsoft Office.

Skill in

• Interpreting complex regulations and applying them effectively.
• Communicating verbally and in writing to meet the needs of the audience.
• Applying active listening and asking questions for understanding.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Monitoring and assessing the performance of employees or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Operating and conducting a railroad locomotive and train.

Ability to

• Manage a budget and work within the constraints of that budget.
• Effectively plan and delegate the work of others and to train and/or supervise the work of others.
• Handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure and maintain effective interpersonal relationships.
• Recognize, analyze, and solve a variety of problems.
• Provide high levels of effective customer service.
• Organize and prioritize work.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records.
• Use a computer, software, phone and related office equipment.
• Work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job

• Office or similar indoor environment – Frequently or Often
• Outdoor environment – Frequently or Often
• Street environment (near moving traffic) – Sometimes
• Vehicle – Frequently or Often
• Warehouse environment – Frequently or Often
• Shop environment – Frequently or Often
• Right of way environment – Frequently or Often

Exposures

• Individuals who are hostile or irate – Sometimes
• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees) – Sometimes
• Moving mechanical parts – Frequently or Often
• Fumes or airborne particles – Frequently or Often
• Loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction) – Frequently or Often

Physical Demands

• This position has occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.
• Incumbents may be required to exert up to 35 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.
• Incumbents must have clarity of vision and ability to identify and distinguish colors.

Hours/Days

Generally, Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. Earlier or later hours are expected on occasion to meet customer needs.

Starting Salary $66,144 minimum to $96,616 maximum; commensurate with training and experience; promotion is a 10% increase or minimum pay rate of job classification whichever is greater

Pay Grade

Pay Grade 110

Number of Positions Available

Number of Positions Available 1

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 09/23/2026

The CITY OF COLUMBIA IS A MERIT, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER : MALE / FEMALE

The CITY OF COLUMBIA REQUIRES PRE - EMPLOYMENT DRUG TESTING

The City of Columbia participates in the federal E-Verify work authorization program

600 E. Broadway
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205