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Rail Controller #2008-289400-01

Date Opened
Monday, August 15, 2022 2:30 PM
Close Date
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 11:11 AM
Section
Charlotte Area Transit
Salary
  • $64,803-$72,904/yr; Commensurate with Experience

Overview

The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 17th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 872,498 citizens. A major commerce center, Charlotte hosts several of the nation’s largest banks and technology companies.

Also known as the Queen City, Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We work hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play. Join us in helping to keep our City thriving, ensuring upward mobility and advancement in the workplace.

Summary

The Rail Controller, under minimal supervision, ensures that the light rail system is safe, efficient, and reliable by directing Rail Operators, Supervisors,  Maintenance personnel and Contractors during mainline and yard operations. Rail Controllers, monitor, manage and control all  scheduled revenue service, special train movements, special events, and activities along the rail right of way.  This is a professional traffic management position of a difficult nature requiring extensive supervisory skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment during highly stressful situations.  The Rail controller must be able to multi-task, communicate in writing and verbally provide instructions in a clear and concise manner.  Adherence to rules/policies and procedures, while exercising independent judgment is required in solving rail service issues and during rail emergencies.  Start-up experience to include rail- car commissioning, test track operations, system integration, control center procedures, and pre-revenue service is desirable.  This position reports to the Chief Rail Controller in Rail Transportation.  This is a security and safety sensitive position.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

  • Maintains two-way radio communications with LRT operators, Field Supervisors, Maintenance and other personnel in accordance with FCC regulations during test and start-up operations and during revenue service operations.
  • Coordinates and maintains red tag and supervisory power outages when personnel and contractors are working on or near the right of way.
  • Coordinates and monitors the acceptance and commissioning of new light rail vehicles and test tract operations.
  • Coordinates the removal and/or Sectionalization of traction power by operating traction power substation feeder breakers and catenary Sectionalization switches.
  • Monitors train movement on the mainline including revenue trains, test trains, student training and special event trains.
  • Adjust service levels and headways as indicated by operating conditions and passenger loads.
  • Completes forms, incident reports, maintains records and documents.
  • Performs related duties as required.
  • Directly support continuous implementation and compliance of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) State Safety Oversight Program Standards (SSOPS) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations 49 CFR Part 673 and 672 related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and the CATS Agency Safety Plan (ASP). Support Safety performance goals of CATS.
  • Encourage employees to proactively support and report safety concerns following the CATS Safety Reporting options as described in your training and in the ASP.
  • As part of your responsibility to support the CATS Safety Culture, report safety concerns and issues through the various methods established by CATS as outlined in the ASP.
  • Advocate and promote a strong safety culture within CATS with regard to transportation services, capital programs, facility operations and maintenance, worksite procedures, employees, and customers following SMS and ASP. 
  • Participate in internal and external ASP audits.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • Candidates must pass a phone screening interview and computer based entry test to demonstrate knowledge in regards to areas listed under responsibilities in order to be considered for the formal interview process.
  • Understanding of the Policies and Procedures of CATS and working knowledge of Light Rail Operations Policy and Procedures related to CATS light rail vehicles and operators.
  • Light Rail operation schedule.
  • Organize work and set priorities.
  • Make accurate time calculations.
  • Keep legible and accurate records.
  • Work independently.
  • Thorough Knowledge of and proficiency in Supervisory Control and Data Acquisitions (SCADA) system.
  • Proficiency in sectionalizing the traction power system.
  • Operate computer terminals and systems including common software programs, as well as a computerized dispatch system.
  • Operate a two-way radio, public address system, variable message boards, camera system, and emergency notification messaging system.
  • Communicate effectively in English, both orally and writing.
  • Work various days, hours, and shifts as required.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with internal and external departments
  • Willingness to evaluate employee’s adherence to CATS rules and regulations and to report irregularities to management.

Essential Duties:

Essential Skills are skills and abilities that candidates must be able to perform or have the ability to perform in the performance of their required duties.  Not meeting the requirement or not having the ability to perform essential skills may be grounds for disqualification.

  • Candidate may be required to work irregular hours and shifts depending upon the needs of CATS.
  • Candidates may be required to respond to emergencies or a 24 hour, 7 days week basis.
  • Must complete 6-month probationary period.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and clearly in English both orally and in writing.
  • Must be able to accurately document work on logs, spreadsheets, documents and forms as well as utilizing computerized terminals, personal laptop and handheld computers.
  • Must be computer literate and have the ability to adapt to the use and understanding of existing software and future upgrades.
  • Must successfully complete all training assignments and maintain qualifications where required.
  • Must be able to work in the safety critical environments associated with operation of a rail system.
  • Must successfully complete all required training and maintain needed qualifications and employee requirements.
  • Must meet Physical and Sensory Requirements and the Special Provisions listed below.

Physical Requirements:

  • Must be able to work while in a seated position for extended periods of time.
  • Must be able to work in the assigned uniform approved by CATS.
  • Must be able to pass a CATS agility testing and or DOT physical.  

Sensory Requirements: 

  • Speech
  • Touch
  • Hearing
  • Vision – 20/20 or correctable to 20/20 (near, distance and peripheral)  

Preferred Qualification

Minimum of five (5) years transit/transportation experience with two (2) years of rail and supervisory experience highly desired. 

Rail/Bus control center experience is highly desirable.

Start-up experience to include car commissioning, test track operation, system integration, control room procedures and pre-revenue service are desirable. 

Minimum Qualifications

High school graduation or equivalent and five years relevant work experience

OR

Associate's Degree and three years relevant work experience

Salary

$30.70 - $40.29/per hour - Commensurate with Experience

Conditions of Employment

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How To Apply

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby where we have workstations available. Our office is located at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

Anyone seeking an accommodation to apply for a job may call (704) 336-2285 for assistance or you may email questions to CityHrJobPostingsNotify@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

Benefits

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.


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