Utilities Inspector 2

West Virginia; Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 46,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

Public Service Commission in West Virginia seeks a Railroad Operating Practices Inspector to oversee adherence to federal and state operating rules, hours of service, certification standards, and safety regulations for railroad operations. Duties include accident investigations, site inspections, and enforcement actions as needed.

The role requires driving, travel within the northern portion of West Virginia, and ability to work in various weather conditions, with a special salary range defined

Qualifications

• Four years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience in criminal justice, law enforcement, engineering, operations, maintenance, safety, inspection or investigation in the area of assignment which includes work with a public utility or an industrial power distribution system, railroad, trucking fleet, or a pipeline carrier.

Responsibilities

• Investigates serious railroad accidents and visits accident sites to determine causes and recommend preventive measures.
• Inspects yards, shops, and facilities for compliance with safety regulations and blue signal protections.
• Examines carrier records for reporting accuracy and regulatory compliance; documents findings and prosecutions when needed.
• Travels and observes operations to ensure lawful practices, including night, weekend work and overnight travel as required.

Job description

As a railroad operating practices inspector, the incumbent is concerned with railroad operating rules and practices, hours of service for railroad employees involved in the movement of trains, federal locomotive engineer and conductor certification standards, occupational safety conditions and reporting, and employee training and qualifications. In this capacity, the inspector: investigates serious railroad accidents, visits accident sites, makes inspections and tests of situations and objects to determine the operational condition of affected equipment. Questions employees and witnesses to develop facts. Writes narrative reports describing the accident, the cause or causes and recommends measures to prevent similar accidents in the future; examines carrier records to determine that all reportable personal injuries and accidents have been properly reported; examines carrier records to determine if employees connected with the movement of trains were permitted to remain on duty contrary to provisions of law; examines carrier records to determine if employees connected with the movement of trains are in compliance with federal alcohol and drug regulations; examines carrier records to determine if employees connected with the operation of trains are in compliance with federal regulations concerning locomotive engineer and conductor certification; investigates complaints from railroad employees or the general public regarding unsafe practices involving train operations; investigates reportable accidents and incidents involving railroad operations to determine probable cause and if regulations were violated; observes railroad employees in the performance of operational duties related to the movement of trains for compliance with the law, including utility employees; inspects railroad yards, repair shops, and locomotive repair and servicing facilities for compliance with blue signal protection regulations; when required, submits evidence for prosecution for violations and enforces the provisions of the appropriate federal laws; and performs other related duties as assigned.

Physical demands: the work regularly requires long periods of walking around railroad yards both day and night. Position also requires bending, crouching and stretching to inspect wreckage, track or equipment, climbing steep embankments around road beds, climbing ladders on bridges, trestles, railroad cars, loading platforms and racks, signal towers and signal masts.

Duties require working during inclement weather. The nature of work may require night and weekend hours. This position requires frequent overnight travel and a valid driver’s license is a requirement.

This position is posted with an inspection territory comprising the northern portion of West Virginia. Duties may require work within other portions of the state as necessary.

***See the special salary range for the Public Service Commission below.

Training:

Graduation from a standard high school or the equivalent.

Experience:

Four years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience in criminal justice, law enforcement, engineering, operations, maintenance, safety, inspection or investigation in the area of assignment which includes work with a public utility or an industrial power distribution system, railroad, trucking fleet, or a pipeline carrier.

Substitution:

Successfully completed study in an accredited college or university in criminal justice, law enforcement, engineering, engineering technology, safety or industrial hygiene may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Special Requirement:

Possession of a valid driver's license. Employees must successfully meet federally-required certification standards by the end of the probationary period.

Note:

Criminal justice/law enforcement experience and/or training is appropriate for the Motor Carrier Division only.

PSC salary exemption per West Virginia Code §24-1-1

Special salary range for the Public Service Commission:

The Public Service Commission has established a salary range of $45,673 to $71,490 for this classification.