Supervisor, Rail Dispatch

CapMetro; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CapMetro is seeking a Supervisor, Rail Dispatch, to lead a rail dispatching shift and ensure safe, accurate, and compliant operations in the CapMetro Railroad system.

The role requires coordinating staffing, coaching dispatchers, and providing guidance during service disruptions and emergencies, with a focus on safety, regulatory compliance, and timely incident reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; GED/HS diploma required.
• 8 years of rail/transit/dispatching experience.
• 1 year of lead or supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily rail dispatching shift operations and ensure coverage.
• Coach, supervise, and mentor Dispatchers; monitor performance and safety.
• Coordinate with rail operations, safety, training, and field supervision teams.
• Respond to service disruptions, incidents, and emergencies with timely guidance.

Skills

Rail dispatching

Leadership

Safety compliance

Communication

Problem solving

Regulatory knowledge

Scheduling

Staff coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

The Supervisor, Rail Dispatch, reports directly to the Chief Dispatcher, and provides day-to-day supervision of a rail dispatching shift team supporting the CapMetro Railroad system. This position is responsible for shift oversight, coaching, scheduling coordination, and operational support to ensure Dispatchers perform their duties safely, accurately, consistently, and in compliance with established operating rules, safety procedures, and FRA requirements. As the first-line supervisor for dispatch operations, the Supervisor ensures adequate shift coverage, assigns work, monitors performance, resolves operational issues, and provides guidance during service disruptions, incidents, abnormal operations, and emergency situations. The role maintains a visible presence within the dispatch center, reinforces FRA compliance and safe decision-making, addresses safety and rule compliance concerns, and ensures dispatch communications, records, documentation, and incident reporting are accurate, complete, timely, and audit ready. This position focuses on daily operational leadership rather than program administration or standards management, which are the responsibility of the Chief Dispatcher. The Supervisor implements established operating rules, training requirements, certification standards, and safety programs through coaching, performance documentation, escalation of compliance and safety concerns, and coordination with rail operations, safety, training, and field supervision teams to support safe, compliant, and reliable rail service.

WHAT YOU BRING

• High school diploma or GED required. Associate degree or bachelor's degree in Transportation, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field preferred. An equivalent combination of directly related education, training, and experience may be considered. Preferred Rules Qualified Engineer/Conductor/ Transportation Supervisor or Qualified Train Dispatcher.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in rail, transit, transportation, dispatching, or a closely related operations environment.
• One (1) year of lead, supervisory, training, scheduling, or team coordination experience preferred, including experience providing work direction, coaching, or performance follow‑up in an operational setting preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of railroad operating rules, dispatching procedures, signaling systems, track and bridge operations, and industry practices supporting safe and compliant passenger and freight rail operations.
• Knowledge of rail safety principles, Safety Management System (SMS) practices, hazard identification, risk assessment, incident prevention, and corrective action processes.
• Knowledge of applicable FRA regulations and compliance requirements related to dispatching operations, certification and qualification programs, operational testing, training records, hours of service, incident response, and regulatory documentation.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, including assigning work, monitoring performance, coaching employees, addressing attendance, and conduct concerns, and promoting accountability.
• Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate operational and technical information to employees, contractors, trainees, and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Proficiency in standard business and operational software applications, including word processing, spreadsheet, scheduling, and workforce management tools.
• Ability to promote and sustain a positive safety culture through open communication, hazard reporting, rule compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to safety risks, rule deviations, communication breakdowns, fatigue‑related concerns, workload challenges, and other conditions affecting safe dispatch operations.
• Ability to coordinate staffing, shift coverage, overtime, scheduling adjustments, time‑off requests, and other workforce planning activities in a 24/7 operating environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, contractors, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make timely decisions during routine operations, service disruptions, incidents, emergencies, and other safety‑sensitive situations.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills, with the ability to communicate recommendations clearly and effectively.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily performed in an office, Operations Control Center (OCC), or rail dispatching environment with responsibility for safety‑sensitive coordination, FRA‑focused compliance oversight, time‑critical decision‑making, and operational supervision. The position involves managing multiple concurrent priorities and overseeing staff engaged in complex work where safety, accuracy, communication, regulatory compliance, documentation, and audit readiness are essential.

The incumbent must be able to sit and stand frequently throughout an eight‑hour workday; reach vertically and horizontally; and effectively use telephone, radio, or headset equipment. The role requires the ability to lift and move materials weighing up to 20 pounds, perform sustained work at a computer workstation for up to six to eight hours per day, and operate effectively in an environment with frequent interruptions and competing priorities. The incumbent in this role serves as an on‑call escalation point and may be required to respond to emergencies, major service disruptions, or other critical operational incidents outside of normal operating hours. Regular and predictable attendance at assigned work location is an essential function.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Mobility Status

As an Onsite position, the incumbent’s primary workplace is a CapMetro facility or field location. Expected to work in the office or field location 4+ days a week. Mobility status is subject to change at any time based on business needs or organizational decisions.

COMMITMENT TO EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CapMetro is an equal employment opportunity employer and committed to creating a welcoming environment for all employees. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, pregnancy, age, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. CapMetro makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and organization needs at the time.

SECURITY SENSITIVE POSITION

This position has been identified as a "Security Sensitive" position. CapMetro will conduct annual background checks on incumbents in this position. A position is "Security Sensitive" if it's incumbent handles currency, has access to sensitive, computerized databases, has access to master keys, or works in an area of the CapMetro that has been designated as a security‑sensitive area.