Sr Director, Track and Structures

Metra; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 145,000 - 218,000; Full time

Job summary

Metra seeks a Senior Director, Track and Structures to lead the overall operation, maintenance, and capital programs for track, bridges, buildings, and electrical maintenance across districts.

You will oversee budgets, staffing, and labor negotiations while driving safety, reliability, and efficiency in a large, unionized railroad setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent experience for the role (4th option accepted).
• Ten years of engineering maintenance experience leading complex capital projects & contract administration.
• Six years of supervisory experience including budgeting, hiring, and disciplinary actions.
• Broad knowledge of railroad engineering maintenance for track, bridges, buildings, facilities, and MOW.

Responsibilities

• Direct overall operation, maintenance, capital improvement, and regulatory compliance of Track & Structures across districts.
• Lead labor contract negotiations and administer collective bargaining agreements.
• Oversee budgets, staffing, overtime, and procurement to support safe, efficient operations.
• Direct planning and execution of Maintenance of Way capital programs and asset reliability studies.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budgeting

Contract administration

Project management

Safety and compliance

Union environment

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Staff development

Microsoft Office

Operational leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Project

Excel

Job description

Salary Range

• $145,438.00
• $218,158.00

Description

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws, including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Engineering is responsible for building and maintaining the majority of Metra's fixed assets, such as buildings, stations, bridges, track, electrical, telecommunications and signal systems. The Engineering Department also monitors the condition of and assists in building and maintaining the fixed assets on the freight lines where Metra trains operate. The Engineering Department is divided into two major groups: Capital Projects, and Communications and Maintenance.

Reporting directly to the Deputy Chief Engineering Officer, the Senior Director, Track and Structures provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Track, Bridges, Facilities, and Electrical Maintenance departments; direct the maintenance, design, and capital construction activities supporting the agency's infrastructure; oversees the procurement, utilization, and maintenance of Maintenance of Way (MOW) equipment and rolling stock; develops and administers departmental budgets; leads analytical reviews of maintenance practices and operational performance; participates in contract negotiations and ensures compliance with collective bargaining agreements; and directs response and recovery efforts during field emergencies.

The primary duties include: Direct the overall operation, maintenance, capital improvement, and regulatory compliance of Metra's Track & Structures functions across all districts, providing executive leadership for Track, Buildings & Bridges, Electrical Maintenance, and Maintenance of Way capital construction programs. Lead and participate in labor contract negotiations and administer collective bargaining agreements. Oversee disciplinary matters, ensure the timely processing of job bulletins and position abolishments, and direct the preparation and administration of seasonal position postings. Oversee the development, administration, and monitoring of departmental budgets for personnel, equipment, materials, and supplies. Authorize expenditures, manage overtime costs, prioritize budget adjustments, and ensure material requirements and contractual agreements are in place to support safe and efficient operations. Direct analytical studies and evaluations of maintenance practices, operational performance, and asset reliability. Review findings and recommendations and implement programs, processes, and best practices to improve efficiency, service reliability, cost-effectiveness, and infrastructure performance. Direct the planning, coordination, and execution of Maintenance of Way (MOW) capital programs, including annual tie renewal programs, Buildings & Bridges capital projects, facility improvements, and other infrastructure initiatives. Represent the department with external agencies, contractors, governmental entities, and partner railroads. Approve time off, coordinate staff schedules, fill vacancies as necessary, and ensure compliance with departmental and company policies and objectives. Decide/implement staffing decisions, performance evaluations, and performance improvement, disciplinary, and/or termination procedures. Make recommendations regarding hiring, performance evaluations, disciplinary and/or termination procedures. Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment. Responsible for the safety objectives, goals, and program of the organization ensuring compliance with applicable safety rules and regulations. Works under both inside and outside environmental conditions under prevailing conditions of heat, cold, rain, and snow. This position is subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

Requirements

1. Bachelor's degree in engineering OR in lieu of a specified degree, any combination of education and experience that may be substituted for the required degree that equals four (4) years in engineering maintenance.
2. In addition to # 1 must have ten (10) years of engineering maintenance experience that includes leading complex capital projects and contract administration, preferably in a railroad environment.
3. Must have six (6) years of supervisory experience that includes day-to-day employee management, budgeting, hiring, conflict management, disciplining and termination.
4. Comprehensive knowledge of railroad engineering maintenance principles, practices, and standards related to track, bridges, buildings, facilities, and Maintenance of Way (MOW) infrastructure.
5. Extensive knowledge of Maintenance of Way equipment, machinery, and rolling stock operations, maintenance, and utilization.
6. Comprehensive knowledge of construction methods, project management principles, contract administration, and technical specification development.
7. Thorough knowledge of applicable Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT), OSHA, and other regulatory requirements governing railroad operations and infrastructure maintenance.
8. Knowledge of budgeting, financial management, asset management, and operational performance measurement.
9. Strong leadership, management, and employee development skills with the ability to lead large, diverse workforces in a unionized environment.
10. Strong planning, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
11. Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
12. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with employees, labor representatives, contractors, regulatory agencies, government entities, and other stakeholders.
13. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and related business applications.
14. Ability to lead and manage a complex engineering maintenance organization with multiple operating disciplines and geographically dispersed operations.
15. Ability to direct multiple large-scale maintenance, construction, and capital improvement projects simultaneously.
16. Ability to manage project scope, schedules, budgets, resources, and quality standards to achieve organizational objectives.
17. Ability to establish and implement policies, procedures, and best practices that improve safety, operational efficiency, asset reliability, and service performance.
18. Ability to analyze complex operational, technical, and financial issues and develop effective solutions.
19. Ability to make sound decisions and effectively lead emergency response and recovery efforts during infrastructure-related incidents and service disruptions.
20. Ability to interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements, contracts, policies, and regulatory requirements.
21. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
22. Hearing/Visual acuity, far/near, depth perception, field of vision, color vision.
23. Must be able to operate a vehicle.
24. Must be willing to travel within and outside of Metra's 6-county region.
25. Must be available on-call 24-hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year, including weekends and holidays.

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Some positions require an Enhanced Background Check due to the nature of the role. This may include additional criminal history, employment and education verification, credential validation, and other legally permissible checks. All screenings are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and require candidate authorization.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees' use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. For general assistance, please contact [e-mail]. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Reasonable Accommodations Committee at [e-mail].

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.