Transportation Rail Officer 1 (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut - Department of Correction; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework after probation

Job summary

State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is seeking a Transportation Rail Officer 1 in New Haven, CT. The role supports the Office of Rail – Safety and Security Unit with risk analysis, safety certification for capital rail projects, and liaison with FRA/FTA and other partners.

The position involves collaboration across CTDOT bureaus, host railroads, and government partners, with on-track work near live rail traffic and in highway settings.

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of experience in a professional or technical capacity in a railroad or railroad related organization.
• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half year of experience to a maximum of four years for a Bachelor's degree.
• Preferred qualifications include experience in transportation or transportation construction environment, knowledge of 49 CFR 270, and experience in contract or project management.

Responsibilities

• Safety and Security support and oversight of passenger and freight operators throughout the State.
• Perform inspections and Diagnostic Team Reviews of at-grade highway-rail crossings.
• Oversight of Transit Security Program and Homeless Outreach across rail and CTfastrak systems.
• Interacting with Security and Law Enforcement Partners.
• Interpreting, implementing, and participating in FRA, FTA, FHWA, TSA, and other regulatory requirements as applicable.
• Participation and oversight of implementation of 49 CFR Part 270 SSPP, System Security Plans, Cyber Security, and other regulatory safety and security responsibilities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Data collection and analysis

Tools

COMPASS

ProjectWise Explorer

MS Office Suite

Job description

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (CTDOT), is accepting applications for the position of Transportation Rail Officer 1 within the Bureau of Public Transportation located in New Haven, CT.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!

Professional growth and development opportunities

A healthy work/life balance to all employees

Join an award winning agency! CTDOT has been recently awarded the Employer of the Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE) and named the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) CT Employer of the Year for 2024!

POSITION SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Safety and Security support and oversight of passenger and freight operators throughout the State.
• Performing inspections and Diagnostic Team Reviews of at-grade highway-rail crossings.
• Oversight of Transit Security Program and Homeless Outreach across rail and CTfastrak systems.
• Interacting with Security and Law Enforcement Partners.
• Interpreting, implementing, and participating in FRA, FTA, FHWA, TSA, and other regulatory requirements as applicable.
• Participation and oversight of implementation of 49 CFR Part 270 SSPP, System Security Plans, Cyber Security, and other regulatory safety and security responsibilities.
• Liaison between railroads and CTDOT Engineering for compliance with Change Management, Configuration Management, and Risk Based Hazard Analysis.
• Providing coordination between other Department offices, various transportation providers, and municipalities during the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of related properties and projects.
• Safety Outreach utilizing Operation Lifesaver and internally-created safety messaging.
• Participating in trainings, industry groups, and conferences as appropriate.
• Participating in rail operational exercises and post-incident safety investigations.
• Performing investigations and providing testimony for rail regulatory hearings.

THE ROLE

Work within the Office of Rail – Safety and Security Unit based at the Component Change Out building (CCO) in New Haven, CT. This position requires to participate in all functions of the Unit. This position will take complementary role in implementing the 49 CFR Part 270 Program specifically focusing on Risk Based Hazard Analysis, Safety Assurance, Change and Configuration Management, and Safety Certification for Capital Rail Projects and significant rail operational changes. This position will provide supportive collaboration with other members of the unit, as well as both FRA and FTA, other CTDOT bureaus, host railroads, and government partners during the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of rail-related projects. This position will provide supportive collaboration for the Unit’s work in security, unhoused outreach, and Operation Lifesaver rail safety outreach. This position requires to work on rail tracks near live rail traffic, and in a highway traffic setting, in all manner of conditions and weather. This position may provide support for planning and execution of 49 CFR Part 239 emergency exercises and training.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Monday - Friday
• Full-time (40 hours per week)
• First shift
• There may be instances that require working outside of normally-scheduled hours/days, as well as occasional emergency on-call response to incidents.
• Location: New Haven, CT
• P-4 (Engineering and Scientific) bargaining unit
• This position is eligible to apply for telework after successful completion of the working test period, and thereafter, in accordance with the Telework Policy. Employees in their initial working test period must work on site.

ABOUT US

As one of Connecticut's largest State agencies, DOT employs approximately 3,300 individuals statewide in five bureaus. It is the DOT's mission to improve quality of life through transportation. We have a significant transportation infrastructure system that is essential to maintaining mobility for Connecticut residents and businesses and supporting economic and community development while preserving environmental and cultural resources. The Department of Transportation is committed to cultivating a diverse staff that is representative of the communities we serve. Applications from individuals having diverse backgrounds and life experiences are strongly encouraged.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Public Transportation this class is accountable for assisting in the conduct of rail transportation programs, projects and activities in one or more of the specialized areas of operations, equipment, construction, maintenance, capital projects, finance and administration.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Assists in the development and/or implementation of projects and activities for rail transportation involving operations, equipment, construction, maintenance, engineering, capital projects, administration or finance relating to rail activities;
• Assists in the preparation of various documents that may include technical reports, train operating schedules, service contracts, service and non-service related agreements including leases, licenses and easements, equipment procurements, maintenance, service cycles and specifications, construction schedules, project contracts, force account agreements, construction methods, design functions, project budgets, material specifications, audit schedules, financial contracts or reviews, grant applications, quarterly reports and other administrative instruments;
• Collects and analyzes data and develops findings based on the analysis;
• Monitors and reviews rail operational and/or budgetary activities for conformance with terms and conditions of the agreements or contracts;
• Coordinates activities and projects with local, regional, State and Federal agencies;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of the principles and practices of railroad functions in operations, rail equipment, rail construction, rail maintenance, engineering, capital projects, finance or administration.

Skills: interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills.

Ability to collect, organize and analyze data and to formulate conclusions; monitor and review project status and to report on progress; understand and interpret agreements, rules, laws and regulations; utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of experience in a professional or technical capacity in a railroad or railroad related organization.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in the transportation or transportation construction environment
• Knowledge of 49 CFR 270 regulations
• Experience with contract management, or project management
• Experience with utility construction and permitting processes
• Experience in developing relationships with stakeholders
• Experience in identifying problems, researching solutions, applying critical decision-making and measuring results
• Experience analyzing engineering reports or plans
• Experience communicating with various constituents through phone, email, and face to face interactions
• Experience in prioritizing work assignments and meeting deadlines on various group and individual projects
• Experience using COMPASS, ProjectWise Explorer, and the MS Office Suite with an emphasis on Excel, SharePoint, Teams, and Outlook including managing data, composing correspondence and report writing.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury or physical harm from railroad or construction environments and a moderate degree of discomfort from exposure to year round weather conditions.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.