Senior Rail Engineer

Description

Under the general direction of the Director of Engineering & Maintenance, the Senior Rail Engineer plays an integral role in the engineering aspects of rail-related services and the development and maintenance of the rail infrastructure necessary to deliver safe, convenient, reliable and user-friendly public transportation services. The types of projects that the Senior Rail Engineer typically leads and participates in include basic infrastructure and support facilities for light and heavy rail systems, including track additions and replacements, rail bridge renovations and replacements, drainage structures and systems, coastal bluff stabilization, environmental permitting, and habitat restoration.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This position is distinguished by its role in representing NCTD in the coordination of all phases of railroad projects, requiring a high level of interaction between multiple departments, outside agencies including SANDAG, and consultants. S/he serves as the configuration manager for the District's rail infrastructure. Qualifying applicants possess advanced knowledge of multiple facets of railroad engineering, including stations, earthwork, drainage, grades, clearances, signaling, surveying, operations, alignment, and special track work structure. The applicant must demonstrate a high degree of creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in planning, organizing, coordinating, and solving engineering and construction problems. This position is designated as Safety-Sensitive under NCTD authority (non-DOT) and will participate in a random testing pool under those guidelines.

Supervision Received and Exercised
This position works under the general direction of the Director of Engineering & Maintenance. This position is responsible for project oversight, including supervision of contractors, consultants, and subordinate staff. Further, this position is expected to participate in the sharing of expert knowledge and as a vital member of various project teams that may be instituted.

Working Conditions
Normal working conditions for this position are in both an office and field setting. Business travel may be required periodically between District sites, governmental agencies, consultants' facilities, and other locations as required.

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Reviews and/or monitors the progress of railroad development and restoration projects. Directs and reviews the work of design consultants.
• Ensures that projects are completed within budget and on schedule.
• Develops and updates design standards, manages the configuration of railroad assets, verifies consultant work, performs constructability reviews, and responds to daily railroad engineering matters.
• Directs development of rail projects in conjunction with SANDAG.
• Troubleshoots issues with key personnel within the Rail Division, as well as with consultants and other agency personnel on the local, state, and federal level.
• Coordinates, facilitates, and provides direct engineering assistance for activities related to capital rail design and rail related construction projects within NCTD.
• Acts as a primary point of contact representing NCTD on the development and execution of railroad projects by NCTD and third parties.
• Coordinates NCTD staff and executive review of all SANDAG and other agency projects planned for or under construction along the San Diego Subdivision of the Los Angeles–San Diego–San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Corridor.
• Ensures that District and third-party rail projects conform to federal, state, and District design standards, inter-agency agreements and MOUs, and other governmental regulations.
• Provides engineering support to NCTD's Maintenance of Way Department.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience/Education

• Qualified candidates will have a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of civil engineering experience, including five (5) years in project management and rail design and construction.
• Experience in civil, structural, geotechnical, environmental, CEQA/NEPA and transportation engineering, with specific experience in railroad and/or light rail design and construction, is required.

A combination of experience/skills and education to fulfill the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position may be considered.

Certificates/Licenses

• Registration as a professional Civil Engineer in the State of California preferred.
• Possession of and the ability to maintain a California driver's license, Class C, and a satisfactory driving record for the last five years.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain annual access to Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton.
• Must be able to become RWP Qualified on NCTD owned railroad properties.
• Maintain compliance with the District's policy regarding Conflict of Interest and Ethics policies.

General Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of principles of civil and structural engineering, with demonstrated experience with railroad facilities and railroad operations.
• Familiarity with pertinent code and regulatory requirements of agencies such as the FRA and the CPUC.
• Working knowledge of engineering standards such as AREMA, ACI, ASTM, Amtrak MW1000, and BNSF.
• Working knowledge of computer-aided design systems, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation, and scheduling software as it relates to project management.
• Ability to create and maintain good working relationships through excellent communication and teambuilding skills, including the ability to engage successfully with both internal and external contacts and the public.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to prepare and deliver clear and concise reports.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills; ability to gather, organize, analyze, and present data to appropriate sources.
• Demonstrated use of discretion and judgment in execution of duties.
• Ability to manage and maintain simultaneous, transitional, and emerging priorities.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer software programs including the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to respond in person to system emergencies and system problems on any shift and under any weather or time-of-day circumstances.

Supplemental Information

Physical Requirements
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must possess the ability to use the phone and computer for extended periods, manual dexterity to complete clerical functions and work with office equipment, and lift equipment up to 25 pounds on a daily basis. The employee must be able to hear, see, and communicate verbally to exchange information. The employee must be able to physically travel between District locations and other destinations, work in evenings when required, work in hazardous conditions, and negotiate a variety of different and irregular terrain as is typical along a railway right of way. The employee may be subject to fumes, odors, dusts, gases, chemicals. The employee must be able to walk, climb, balance, bend, carry, push, reach, sit, and stand.

Machines / Tools / Equipment

• Ability to operate a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a fax and scanner machine, copy machine, and telephone.
• Ability to carry and operate a mobile on-call device.

Application Information: All applicants must complete and submit an online application at www.gonctd.com/careers. A job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check. Salary based upon experience, not to exceed midpoint of stated range. NCTD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NCTD provides its employees with a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits are available to employees working 20+ hours per week, with any employer contributions prorated accordingly for employees who work less than 40 hours per week. Highlights are listed below:

Retirement:

CalPERS: NCTD participates in the CalPERS retirement program with benefit formulas of 2% @ 60 and 2% @ 62. Benefits are calculated based on your age at retirement, the number of years of service credit with CalPERS, and the highest average pay rate in a 36 month period.

457 Deferred Compensation/401(a) Plans: NCTD offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation savings plan through VOYA. Employees are eligible upon hire, and can contribute a designated percentage of their compensation into the plan in accordance with IRS limits. Additionally, NCTD matches 50% of employee 457 contributions, up to 8% of payroll (4% max contribution) into a 401(a) plan. Employees are vested in NCTD contributions over a 3 year period.

Medical Insurance: NCTD participates in the CalPERS medical insurance program and offers a rich variety of plans to choose from. NCTD contributes towards monthly medical premiums. If selected coverage is greater than the NCTD contribution, employees will pay the additional premium via pre-tax payroll deduction.

Dental Insurance: NCTD offers dental coverage through United Concordia with a PPO or DHMO option.

Vision Insurance: NCTD offers vision insurance through Medical Eye Services.

Life Insurance: NCTD provides group Life/AD&D insurance at no cost to the employee in the amount of $50,000. Additional, voluntary supplemental life insurance is available for the employee and eligible dependents at the employee's cost.

Long Term Disability Insurance: NCTD offers voluntary Long Term Disability Insurance at the employee's cost. Coverage up to 60% of your hourly wage ($6,000/mo max) can be purchased.

Accident Insurance: NCTD offers voluntary accident insurance at the employee's cost. Coverage is available for employee and dependents for a flat monthly rate.

Critical Illness Insurance: NCTD offers voluntary Critical Illness insurance at the employee's cost. Employees may elect coverage up to $10,000 in increments of $2,500 and between $2,500 - $5,000 for dependents.

Flexible Spending Account Plan: NCTD offers the following plans for pre-tax employee contributions:

• Health Care
• Dependent Care
• Commuter Transit
• Commuter Parking

Holidays: NCTD recognizes 9 holidays annually: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

PTO/Paid Time Off: Employees earn PTO in accordance with the following schedule:

• 0 through 2.99 years: 176 hours per year
• 3.00 through 6.99 years: 216 hours per year
• 7+ years: 256 hours per year

Transportation Passes: Employees and eligible dependents receive a complimentary "Compass Card" which can be used to ride any NCTD transit service at no charge.