Rail Car Technician #2204-289200-01

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.

Rail Car Technicians perform preventive and corrective maintenance on Siemens Light Rail Vehicles. Maintenance services are provided seven days a week, during the daytime, evening, and night shifts. Rail Car Maintenance operates two shops.  It is necessary to complete the RCM Technician training successfully.  After training, personnel will perform recommended preventative and corrective maintenance on rail transit vehicles.  Besides assisting light rail operations, streetcar operations, wayside operations, and public safety, the incumbent may also act in a support capacity for other departments.

• Performs maintenance as outlined by the Rail Operations Maintenance.
• Must maintain the standard tools of the trade, and the department will provide all specialty tools.
• Technicians follow and adhere to all Rail Car Maintenance standards, policies, and procedures applicable to the day-to-day operations of the rail cars and revenue service.
• Work with all Rail Car Maintenance workforce members and related vocations and departments to provide safe, reliable, and clean rail vehicles ready for daily revenue service.
• Maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs all systems related to rail vehicle systems such as propulsion, braking, HVAC, automatic train protection, doors, auxiliary power, power collection, pneumatics and hydraulics, trucks, car body, and all maintenance and emergency support equipment using all the necessary tools and equipment to accomplish tasks.
• Responds to rail system emergencies that involve significant service delays and serious vehicle accidents. Renders whatever remedial action is needed to retrieve rail vehicles back to the yard and restore service.
• Performs acceptance testing and pre-service testing of newly acquired rail vehicles as well as needed multi-system tests as required.
• Complies with all safety regulations by CATS, OSHA, FTA, FRA, and NCDOT.
• All other job-related duties as assigned.
• 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.

Essential Duties:

• Candidates must pass a written exam to demonstrate knowledge.
• Candidates must pass an oral test and interview to be considered for employment.
• Demonstrate knowledge of preventative and corrective maintenance practices.
• Ability to perform testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of electronic, electrical, electro-mechanical, and mechanical systems.
• Must be able to read, follow, and utilize electrical, electronic, mechanical, and pneumatic schematics and drawings.
• Follow oral and written instructions with minimal supervision.
• Safely operate a variety of standard and specialized hand tools and shop power equipment.
• PC skills, including all Microsoft Office programs.
• Must have a valid driver's license and the ability to attain a North Carolina driver's license within the timelines outlined by CATS and the City of Charlotte, NC, the USA, at the start of employment. NOTE: See Special Provisions.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift and carry at least 60 lbs.
• Must be able to manipulate 100 lbs.
• Must be able to stand and walk on uneven surfaces while working.
• Must be able to work while in the following positions or conditions: sitting, bending, twisting, kneeling, reaching, crouching, lying down prone or supine, at shoulder level or above, or any combination listed above.
• Must be able to work at heights on platforms and man lifts.
• Must be able to work in pits and under lifted heavy equipment.
• Must be able to work in all required Personal Protective Equipment and Safety gear.
• Must be able to work in the assigned uniform approved by CATS.

Sensory Requirements:

NOTE: Employees must have the following sensory requirements:

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

Special Provisions:

• This position is considered “Safety Sensitive” under FTA guidelines.  Candidates/ Employees must pass pre-employment drug test and will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing under FTA guidelines.
• Candidates must pass a 9-month probationary period.
• Candidates may be required to acquire and maintain a Commercial Driver’s License depending upon the needs of CATS.
• Disclaimer: This position description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

The applicant must minimally have a high school diploma or GED: supplemented by a degree or certificate in the following fields:

• Mechanical engineering
• Electrical engineering 
• Electrical technology 
• Industrial technology
• Machinist certificate
• Military Training (mechanical or electrical)
• Proof of completion of electrical or electronics from the Armed Forces 

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.

This position is considered a security and Safety Sensitive position and will be subject to random drug testing and alcohol testing under FTA guidelines as well as all procedures and guidelines in alignment with the City of Charlotte and CATS Drug and Alcohol Policies.

The City of Charlotte requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such, will consider reasonable accommodations as required by law.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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.

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.