Senior Manager, Train Operation & Construction Planning

Metropolitan Transportation Authority; New York (NY); On-site; USD 129,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Job summary

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Long Island Rail Road) is seeking a Senior Manager, Train Operation & Construction Planning based in New York, NY. The role oversees design/construction coordination, schedules, and budgets with internal departments and external partners to ensure timely project delivery.

Responsibilities include leading project teams, managing costs, and ensuring safety and compliance across capital projects, with telework eligibility noted.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation/Engineering/Business or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of railroad experience.
• Experience in project management and supervising staff.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem solving skills.
• Knowledge of scheduling and estimating for all disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Manage project team and coordinate activities across departments.
• Serve as liaison to obtain approvals from multiple agencies.
• Oversee track outages planning and project schedules.
• Review contracts, procurements, and invoices.
• Prepare reports and presentations; manage project closeout.

Skills

Supervisory

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Scheduling

Problem solving

Education

BA/BS in Transportation/Engineering/Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Manager, Train Operation & Construction Planning

Job Title : Senior Manager, Train Operation & Construction Planning

Department: Special Projects

MTA Agency: Long Island Rail R oad

Primary Location(s): New York, NY

Salary Range: $ 129,446 - $ 161,807

Regulated/Safety Sensitive: Non-DOT Regulated/ Safety Sensitive

Union Affiliation: Non- a greement

Closing Date (if applicable) : Until Filled

Shift (if applicable) :

Title 55-a (yes or no): Not Applicable

Other: T elework eligible

THIS ROLE IS OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT LIRR EMPLOYEES

ABOUT THE AGENCY

Chartered in 1834, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is the largest, busiest, and oldest continuously operating commuter railroad in the United States. In 2024, this 24/7/365 operation served 75.5 million riders on a system that stretches nearly 120 miles – from Penn Station and Grand Central Madison in Manhattan to Montauk on the eastern tip of Long Island.

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible to manage and coordinate activities of design and construction consultants, construction contractors, LIRR/Amtrak Force Account and private developers to ensure they meet established schedules and budget criteria. Oversee the coordinate with Transportation, M of E and all Engineering departments in response to service disruptions. Represent LIRR as liaison to facilitate project activities, manage and coordinate activities of with all LIRR Departments, Amtrak MTACD, NYCTA, MNRR and 3rd party agencies to ensure that necessary approvals are obtained to implement projects.

Nature & Scope

To assure that all necessary reviews and inspections are performed. Fill in for the Senior Director as needed. Manage activities of technical and administrative staff for the implementation of capital projects. Prepare reports, presentations and all other required administration. Resolve design and construction problems. Review changes and participate in change order negotiations. Approve invoices and other project charges. Prepare schedules and budgets for the performance of work.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management

• Manage project team and task groups
• Provide a single point of contact for all project activities
• Manage issues that affect project performance and propose alternate courses of action resulting in improved performance
• Manage control of scope, schedule, budget, quality, and user needs
• Identify, develop and implement solutions to minimize impacts to Train Operations Public Affairs, User, and all LIRR Operating Departments
• Take lead and prompt action in arbitrating/resolving job related problems.
• Perform field visit; identify constructability concerns
• Identify and manage changes in project scope, budget and schedule.
• Document and distribute lessons learned; maintain open items logs.
• Manage a process for improved project performance and pursue opportunities to reduce costs
• Manage project closeout process; maintain project verification logs
• Conduct monthly meetings and issue minutes; produce monthly summary updates
• Coordinate and integrate with Operations, Engineering, 3rd Party Contractors and other Departments to support projects and maintenance.
• Establish Project Organization and Distribution Lists, oversee committee workshops
• Establish, coordinate, execute Track Outages as required

End Results Expected

• Assures a quality project within scope, budget and on schedule.
• Assures work conforms to contractual requirements and is performed in an effective and professional manner.
• Assure all 3rd party contractor work is performed safety and efficiently.
• Oversee the coordination of access & protection.
• Manage coordination of all 3rd party activities with various departments at LIRR, Amtrak, MTACC, MNRR and NYCTA.

Goals

• Manage strategies to increase effectiveness of departmental resources
• Exercise good people skills and cooperate with other departments
• Promote Partnering

End Results Expected

• Department goals are achieved.

Manage Contractor/Procurement Process

• Assist in the development of the procurement packages
• Review and validation of contracts and procurement documents
• Evaluate bids and proposals
• Manage the review and distribution of submittals and deliverables including critical long lead-time materials.
• Monitor and evaluate contractor progress against established plan
• Review, validate and approve Force Account (FA)/3rd Party transmittals and contractor invoices

End Results Expected

• Finished product meets Long Island Railroad standards and satisfies user department’s needs to assure the most cost effective, usable products and strategies are utilized.

Project Administration

• Ensure that Force Account expenditures are properly charged to the appropriate project/task and that WAR'S are adequately funded to support project.
• Manage the processing of ACE, PLS, Change Orders, and closeouts
• Manage the monitoring of Project cost, Schedule and Estimates
• Approve internal and external project summary reports, as necessary
• Monitor project performance and implement processes and assurances for improvement
• Manage the review and comments of MTA and FTA PMOC reports.
• Manage the presentation of project summaries and progress at PMOC, SMOC, FTA, Task Group and CPOC meetings, as appropriate.
• Manage the preparation of Project documentation

End Results Expected

• Management is kept advised of job progress; monthly reporting is maintained.
• Assures that all charges are proper and the best interest of the Railroad is maintained.

Safety/Quality Process Improvements

• Manage the preparation of Project Plans, Quality Plans and Site-Specific Work Plans
• Conduct site visits and coordinate with CQA to perform safety audit as appropriate
• Ensure Safety audits of employees are performed documented
• Manage and review project documentation for completeness and accuracy
• Propose new and/or revisions to existing guidelines and operating plans
• Oversee & coordinate access & protection of 3rd party employees

End Results Expected

• Assures a quality product and all safety guidelines are followed.

Staff Management and Development

• Monitor, mentor and develop project staff
• Provide feedback to subordinates and identify areas of improvement
• Ensure DPM procedures and guidelines are followed
• Ensure annual performance appraisals are conducted in a timely manner
• Attend courses, conduct presentations/training sessions
• Participate in cooperative summer internship program

End Results Expected

• Assures the professional growth of Railroad personnel.

Special Assignments

• Participate in special assignments as required.

End Results Expected

• To ensure business needs of the department are met.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards
• May be required to work hours outside regular work hours, as applicable
• Observes the work performed by contractors, as applicable
• Reviews invoices and approves them if the work has contractual standards, as applicable
• Addresses performance issues with the contractor when possible, as applicable
• Escalates issues to other parties when needed, as applicable

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Required:

• Fully qualified on Operating Rules and Physical Characteristics of the LIRR at the Train Dispatcher level.
• Must possess supervisory experience or experience serving in a leadership capacity.
• Thorough knowledge of Transportation day-to-day operations and procedures and must be conversant with union agreements.
• Must possess ability to demonstrate strong understanding of company/department operations, operating rules, policies and procedures, including production procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of railroad emergency and winter storm SOP’s
• Progressively responsible related experience in engineering, manufacturing, and/or construction project management or certificate in construction management and directly related, progressively responsible successful experience in engineering and/or construction with emphasis on project management.
• Prior experience managing/supervising others and contributing towards a department/section budget.
• Must possess demonstrated, strong analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills, with ability to identify issues and take initiative to effectively resolve.
• Must possess proven leadership, judgment, effective verbal, written communication, interpersonal and presentation skills with the ability to motivate people.
• Knowledge of scheduling and estimating for all disciplines.
• Must possess strong human relations, communication, presentation, interpersonal, problem solving, decision-making, and judgment skills.
• Must demonstrate a high level of initiative, professional integrity and demeanor.
• Proficient computer skills (Windows environment - Microsoft Office), strong business administration skills (i.e.; report and letter writing, time management) .

The following is/are preferred:

• Familiarization with contract documents, specifications and plans.
• Knowledge of operational needs, FRA and FTA policies and safety issues governing the LIRR.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS ) in Transportation/Engineering/Business or related field. An additional 4 years of demonstrated, directly related, recent equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of the degree.
• Minimum 7 years of railroad experience.

The following is/are preferred : None

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required :

• Valid Driver’s License

Preferred:

• ACI, AACE, CCE, CCS, CDT, CSI, EIT and VE certification

OTHER INFORMATION

• Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).
• Final salary is determined experience, skillset, and alignment with compensation practices. The posted range reflects expected compensation and may be updated as market or business needs evolve.
• Employees driving company vehicles will be subject to License Monitoring and must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MTA drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.
• To be eligible for consideration for a new role, current MTA employees must complete at least one year of service in their current role prior to applying. Additionally, eligibility to interview is contingent upon maintaining a satisfactory record of job performance, attendance, and disciplinary conduct.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ADA DISCLAIMER

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers and encourage qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.

If you seek a reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability, or for a religious practice or observance, to participate in the job application or interview process, please notify your MTA representative once you have been contacted regarding the role.