Senior Engineering Technician (DOT/GO/MODAL #21325)

New Mexico Department of Justice; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Administrative leave upon start

Job summary

New Mexico Department of Transportation seeks a Rail Infrastructure professional to oversee third‑party access to railroad property and coordinate permitting, regulatory compliance, and project delivery. You will perform GIS and CAD work, review plans, and prepare technical documents related to railroad projects.

Requires collaboration with railroads, consultants, and local agencies; you will maintain records and support the Rail Infrastructure Manager in daily operations and safety programs.

Qualifications

• Coordinate with third parties seeking access to railroad property and develop access/occupancy agreements.
• Interpret technical documents, manage scheduling, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and review access agreements for railroad property.
• Perform GIS/CAD tasks including mapping, plan review, and documentation.
• Support Rail Infrastructure Manager in asset management and regulatory compliance.
• Track project activities and communicate with stakeholders and railroads.

Skills

Coordination with third parties

Stakeholder coordination

Regulatory compliance

Project coordination

GIS

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

ArcGIS

AutoCAD

Job description

For more Job Requirements & Classification Description:

This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) provides a safe and efficient transportation system for the traveling public while promoting economic development and preserving New Mexico's environment. The NMDOT Rail Bureau is within the NMDOT Transit and Rail Division, one of the divisions under NMDOT's Modal Programs business unit. The Rail Bureau oversees management of NMDOT's railroad assets, coordinates with railroads on highway projects that have railroad impacts, administers the statewide highway-railroad grade crossing safety program, conducts statewide rail planning, and works with the Federal Railroad Administration to conduct railroad safety investigations statewide on railroads not owned by NMDOT.

As a valued new employee to NMDOT, you may be eligible to received three (3) days of administrative leave upon your start date. This is applicable to external hires not within the State of New Mexico Government.

Why does the job exist?

The Rail Infrastructure Section is responsible for addressing rail infrastructure needs, working with tenant railroad companies, administering leases, and work permits for third-party access to NMDOT railroad properties, addressing railroad property encroachments, coordinating highway program projects involving railroad impacts, and administering the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Railway-Highway Crossing Program (Section 130 Program).

This position exists to support these functions by overseeing permitting process for third-party access to railroad properties or coordination activities between NMDOT and railroad companies on highway projects, under the direction of the Rail Infrastructure Manager. The position ensures regulatory compliance, inter-agency coordination, and the efficient delivery of rail-related transportation projects and programs.

How does it get done?

The primary responsibilities of this position will include:

• Coordinate with third parties seeking access to NMDOT railroad property to develop, review, and execute access and temporary occupancy agreements in compliance with NMDOT policies and procedures.
• Perform Geographic Information System (GIS) and computer-aided design (CAD) tasks ranging from basic to complex including mapping, spatial analysis, plan review, and preparation of technical documents related to railroad property and transportation projects.
• Provide technical and administrative support to the Rail Infrastructure Manager in the management, maintenance, and oversight of NMDOT railroad property and related activities.
• Support coordination efforts between NMDOT and railroad companies on highway projects involving railroad impacts, including review of project documentation, communication with stakeholders, and tracking project activities.
• Assist with administration of the FHWA Railway-Highway Crossing Program (Section 130 Program), including data management, project coordination, and program support activities.
• Coordinate and communicate with NMDOT staff, railroad representatives, consultants, contractors, local agencies, and the public regarding rail-related projects, property access, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain records, reports, agreements, and project documentation in accordance with state and federal requirements.

Who are the customers?

This position serves the citizens of New Mexico, NMDOT management and staff, railroad companies, local governments, consultants, contractors, utility providers, and private entities that require access to NMDOT railroad property. The position supports the delivery of transportation projects, management of railroad assets, and administration of rail safety programs through effective coordination and regulatory compliance.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have preferred experience/education in the following areas:

• Coordinating projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Interpreting technical documents and plans and managing competing priorities.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills are essential.
• GIS, CAD, transportation projects, railroad operations, permitting, property management, or public-sector project coordination.
• Work independently while ensuring compliance with applicable policies and procedures.

High School Diploma or equivalent and four (4) years of relevant experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required experience.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Employment requires successful completion of post offer pre-employment physical exam and is conditional pending results. Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results. Business reference check and Driver's License verification are also required and employment is conditional pending results.

Working Conditions

Work is performed primarily in the field in varying weather conditions: hot or cold, humidity, wind, rain and snow. Exposure to sunlight, dust, pollen, chemicals, rough/rugged terrain, insects and reptiles, noxious plants and infected trash; exposure to moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, toxic fumes/chemicals and/or airborne particles, hazardous chemicals and/or asphalt and petroleum products; exposure to temperatures up to 150 degrees around oil distributor operations; high speed/high volume traffic and loud noises; subject to falls and bruises, considerable physical strain; standing for extended periods of time doing traffic control or walking long distances for litter control; hand dexterity required for some duties; numerous specific vision abilities to include: close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus; some climbing, reaching, kneeling and crawling to perform job duties; ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Work may also be performed in an office setting with exposure to visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage to include working with faxes, copiers and printers. May be required to work irregular hours and is subject to call out for weather, accidents and/or emergencies on short notice; frequent temporary assignments that require travel and extended overnight stays to include weekends, holidays, and overtime are required. Willingness to accept change of geographical assignments; interaction with the public.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.