RAILROAD SAFETY SPECIALIST IV - Chicago Region

State of Illinois; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 102,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Illinois seeks a Railroad Safety Specialist IV for the Chicago Region, part of the Illinois Commerce Commission. The role leads railroad crossing safety initiatives, coordinates with rail carriers and highway authorities, and represents the Commission in policy discussions.

A BS in engineering and eight years of experience are essential. Position requires living within 50 miles of Cook County with duties spanning inspections, design guidance, and stakeholder engagement to improve

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.
• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in highway transportation or railroad safety.
• Ability to supervise technical staff and prepare detailed surveys and reports.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Commission in meetings with state, federal and industry representatives.
• Develop and implement policies for railroad warning devices and traffic signal interconnects.
• Conduct field inspections, prepare reports, and oversee crossings safety projects.

Skills

Engineering

Highway safety

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Job description

Search by keyword (e.g. County, Job Title etc.)

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

RAILROAD SAFETY SPECIALIST IV - Chicago Region

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at [e-mail] or call [phone] for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Job Requisition ID:58661

Opening Date: September 9, 2026

Skill Option: None

Salary: Anticipated starting salary $9,130 (Full salary range $9,130 - $13,573 monthly).

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time

Work Location: Cook County

Number of Vacancies: 1

Bargaining Unit Code: RC-62, Paygrade 25, Non-Code

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The Illinois Commerce Commission is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Please reach out to Illinois Commerce Commission Human Resources directly if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview for a job or for any other activity related to the hiring process.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re a part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

Under direction of the Rail Safety Program Administrator, functions as Assistant Program Administrator concerning the development and implementation of procedures regarding the Railroad Warning Devices & Traffic Signal Interconnect Program and Chicago RegionProjects; Represents the Commission at meetings with state, federal and industry representativesand elected officials involving policy, program implementation and technical issues; Provide communication, outreach, and support to help road authorities, rail carriers, highway agencies, and units of government to understand and complete the requirements for crossing locations where the railroad warning devices are or will beinterconnected with traffic signals at nearby intersections and for Chicago Region Projects; Assists the Program Administrator in 24-hour Duty Officer responsibilities concerning the ICC response to railroad accidents/incidents; Represents the Commission on meetings and on committees with state, federal and industry representatives and elected officials involving the policy, program implementation and technical issues concerning grade crossing and grade separation engineering matters and resolves disputes.

Essential Functions

Functions as Assistant Program Administrator concerning the development and implementation of policies andprocedures regarding the Railroad Warning devices & Traffic Signal Interconnect Program and Chicago Region Projects.

• Functions as Assistant Program Administrator concerning the statewide development and implementation of policies and procedures regarding crossing locations where the railroad warning devices are or will be interconnected with traffic signals at nearby intersections.
• Reviews and approves programming and operating plans of new and existing crossing warning devices and traffic signals, including those at locations where the highway traffic signals are interconnected with railroad warning devices. Prepares written reports on interconnected traffic signal systems, recommends improvements, renewalsand repairs and completes correspondence to implement same.
• Conducts routine statewide field inspections of interconnected crossing warning device systems and interconnected traffic signal interconnect systems and recommends corrective action if deficiencies are found.
• Conducts statewide inspections and cutovers for newly installed traffic signal installations with interconnection to railroad warning device systems. This includes participation in shop testing of all traffic control equipment at vendors’ facilities located in the Chicago Region.
• Makes recommendations concerning the modification and enhancement of traffic and crossing warning device control system software/hardware that will improve the operation and/or safety of the railroad-traffic signal interconnect system.
• Prepares and submits administrative reports on progress toward Traffic Signal Interconnect and Crossing program goals; reviews budget requests for appropriateness; assists the program administrator with the preparation of the budget.
• Monitors and performs all aspects of highway-rail crossing safety including programming, preliminary engineering, detailed design, construction, maintenance, operations, and investigations of complaints and incidents.
• Performs field inspections and completes crossing reviews from preliminary engineering through construction phases. Complete vehicular traffic surveys, directional traffic studies and surveys and physical layout of the area surrounding particular crossing(s).

Essential Functions Cont.

Represents the Commission at meetings with state, federal and industry representativesand elected officials involving policy, program implementation and technical issues.

• Performs the full range of rail crossing activities (from routine to most complex) in accordance with 625 ILCS 5/18c and 92 IL Adm. Code Sections 1500, 1535, and 1536, and provides additional training and work guidance to lowerlevel railroad safety specialists.
• Investigates compliance and responds to inquiries concerning unsafe/defective crossings.
• Testifies as an expert witness in contested formal Commission proceedings involving policy and technical issues concerning grade crossing and grade separation engineering projects; presents testimony in hearings regarding interconnected traffic signal systems either separately or in conjunction with other technical staff members; prepares Commission stipulated agreements and Commission orders relating to same.
• Meet with railroad representatives, local officials, highway authorities, the public, and others concerning proposed highway-rail crossing safety projects.
  Continues with follow-up during maintenance and operations as needed and investigates complaints and incident.

Assists lower-level Railroad Safety Specialists and other Staff.

• Assigns and reviews work.
• Provides guidance and training.
• Provides leadership and technical direction to staff on railroad grade crossing and grade separation safety projects.
• Reviews correspondence, stipulated agreements and draft orders prepared by technical staff concerning grade crossing safety issues and grade separation safety projects.

Provide outreach and support to help road authorities, rail carriers, highway agencies, and units of government tounderstand and complete the requirements for crossing locations where the railroad warning devices are or will beinterconnected with traffic signals at nearby intersections and for Chicago Region Projects.

• Reviews detailed estimates of costs for highway-rail improvements and negotiates satisfactory cost divisions for stipulated agreements with Commerce Commission policy.
• Monitor GCPF relative to Chicago Region projects.
• Provides guidance on Commission design guidelines, standards, and policies.

Essential Functions Cont.

• Prepare written reports, memos, e-mail, and other correspondence including Stipulated Agreements, formal filings, and draft Commission Orders concerning highway-rail safety projects.
• Supports and Promotes the Operation Lifesaver Program (Commission’s Education & Outreach Program); meets with industry, government, labor and safety groups devoted to reducing accidents, improving grade crossings, and resolving controversies rising from rail safety issues; assists with programs to promote public awareness of the safety, at rail-highway crossings; attends workshops and seminar.

Assists program administrator in 24-hour Duty Officer responsibilities concerning ICC response to railroadaccidents/incidents.

• Follow-up with railroad, highway agency, and other ICC Staff to ensure highway-rail grade crossings are reestablished after incidents in accordance with Commission orders, rules, and regulations.
• Responds to incidents.
• Review FOIA requests and provide applicable documents.

Represents the Commission at meetings and on committees with state, federal and industry representatives andelected officials involving policy, program implementation and technical issues concerning grade crossing and gradeseparation engineering matters and resolves disputes.

As assigned, in the absence of the Rail Safety Program Administrator, assumes administrative responsibility for alloperations of the Railroad Safety Program.

Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of those duties enumeratedabove.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or traffic engineering.
• Requires a minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in the highway transportation or railroad safety fields.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers of the eight years of engineering experience, a minimum of six years’ experience in the highway traffic signal field,with understanding of interconnection to railroad warning devices, intersection, and grade crossing design.
• Prefers extensive knowledge concerning the design, installation and maintenance of grade crossing signal and controlcircuitry systems and those systems which are interconnected with highway traffic signals, and thorough knowledge ofhighway and traffic signal design, construction, operations, maintenance, and traffic controller programming and operation,peripheral equipment and electrical circuitry.
• Prefers extensive knowledge concerning the design and construction and reconstruction of grade separation structures,connecting roads to access grade crossings and crossing surfaces.
• Prefers ability to understand and apply Commission policies on selection of grade crossing improvement projects and costallocations.
• Prefers a Professional Engineering License current with the State of Illinois, and the ability to supervise technical staff andsupport personnel, review their work, provide training, and assess performance.
• Prefers ability to collect and review data and field information in order to render preliminary findings, conclusions andrecommendations both informally and at formal hearings, and to prepare charts, graphs, and diagrams for the preparation ofdetailed surveys and reports; and ability to prepare comprehensive reports, correspondence, stipulated agreements andorders dealing with improvement/replacement of rail- highway bridges and/or improvement/modification of rail-highway gradecrossings including traffic signal interconnects.
• Prefers working knowledge of computer hardware and software, database input, reporting, and workflow.
• Prefers ability to establish and maintain working relationships with fellow employees, the public, local and state authorities,railroad and FRA employees.
• Prefers extensive knowledge of Federal Railroad Administration Hazardous Materials, Track Safety, and Grade CrossingSignal System Safety regulations and standards, and legal procedures and administrative proceedings related to railroadsafety matters.
• Prefers ability to communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing.

Conditions of Employment

• Required to live within 50 miles of the Cook County line.
• Requires the ability to pass an Illinois Commerce Commission Background Investigation (background check).
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• On a rotational basis, serves as duty officer as required.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job
  description.

Work Location:Cook County

Agency Contact:Colette Smith

Phone #:[phone] (cell) or 217-557-4206 (work)

It is the purpose of the Illinois Commerce Commission to pursue an appropriate balance between the interest of consumers and both emerging and existing service providers in accordance with applicable statute and rules. In support of this mission, the ICC staff will provide technical and legal expertise in a professional environment that encourages initiative, respect, teamwork, and commitment to public interest.

General Functions of the Illinois Commerce Commission

The ICC regulates Illinois investor-owned electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and sewer companies. In addition, the Commission exercises authority over railroad safety and hazardous materials movement, towing companies operating in the Chicago area, and motor carrier insurance requirements.

The Commission is responsible under state law for ensuring that the citizens of Illinois receive safe, efficient, and reliable utility service at reasonable costs. The ICC must balance the consumers' needs against the financial needs of the utilities. In the continually changing utility environment, staff also recommend new ways to deal with a marketplace in transition, particularly in the telecommunications and electric sectors, where competition is reshaping the industry.

State of Illinois Benefits

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental LeaveDeferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions