Rail MOW Maintainer-Track Power/OCS #2108-288300-06

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.

The Traction Power Technician will perform complex and specialized troubleshooting, preventative and corrective maintenance, and repairs of traction power substations and overhead contact system and their associated sub-systems.  

The traction power equipment includes, but is not limited to, high voltage AC/DC switch gear, rectifiers, transformers, breakers, and active disconnect devices and interlocks. The overhead contact system includes but is not limited to aerial 500mcm wires tensioned at 3000 lbs. and associated hardware such as poles, fasteners, hangers, arms, insulators, disconnect switches, feeder cables, trolley frogs, and gliders. 

The Traction Power Technician will be responsible for assuring that all equipment is working and aligned properly to prevent damage to system and rail vehicles. This position requires working on live high voltage equipment, utilizing tension rigging and operating specialized service vehicles on an active rail system.  

The Traction Power Technician will provide emergency response and will be called upon to provide support for other areas in regard to light rail service, special events, streetcar, public safety and service.  

This position will require working on a rotating on call basis in addition to being subject to being called in at any time 24/7. 

Works with other members of the systems maintenance workforce and all related vocations to provide safe and reliable equipment for daily revenue service.

Responds to rail system emergencies that involve major service delays and/or serious equipment failures.  Renders whatever remedial actions are needed to restore revenue service.

Follows and adheres to all systems standards, policies and procedures applicable to the day-to-day operations of revenue service.

Complies with and enforces all safety regulations set forth by CATS, FRA, OSHA, IEEE, FTA, and NCDOT.

Prepares reports and correspondence.

Assists in generating comprehensive operational and maintenance procedures that ensure safety to employees and equipment.

Utilizes computer-based maintenance and material management system.

Assists in OJT training of other rail personnel when instructed by supervisor.

Works cohesively with internal and external CATS, City, contractors, vendors, and utility companies to restore equipment to proper work conditions.

All other job-related duties as assigned.

Ability to plan and follow direction.

Must successfully pass the required training as defined by the areas of responsibilities and CATS.

Demonstrate knowledge of preventative and corrective maintenance practices.

Perform troubleshooting, maintenance and repair of complex and components.

Safely operate a variety of standard and specialized hand tools and shop power equipment.

Read, follow and utilize electrical, electronic, and mechanical drawings.

Ability to communicate effectively and clearly in English both orally and in writing.

PC skills including all Microsoft Office programs.

Essential Duties:

NOTE:  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 requirements or not having the ability to perform essential skills may be grounds for disqualification.

• Positions in this classification are considered “Safety Sensitive” under Federal Transit Administration (FTA) drug and alcohol regulations.
• Must be determined to be fit for duty at all times while performing job functions.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively and clearly in English both orally and in writing.
• Must be able to successfully meet the Physical Requirements and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities listed.
• Must have the ability to document work on logs, spreadsheets, documents and forms as well as utilizing computerized maintenance 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 be able to troubleshoot to the lowest replaceable component.
• Must have the ability to capably use all tools of the trade as well as standard shop equipment.
• Must successfully complete all training assignments and maintain qualifications where required.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift and carry at least 50 lbs.
• Must be able to manipulate 100 lbs.
• Standing and walking on uneven surfaces while working.
• Sitting while performing work.
• Bending while performing work.
• Twisting while performing work.
• Reaching while performing work.
• Kneeling while performing work.
• Crouching while performing work.
• Ability to work at and above shoulder level.
• 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:

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

Special Provisions

• This position is considered “Safety Sensitive” under FTA guidelines and will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.  

• Must be able to pass a written test to demonstrate knowledge in regard to areas listed under responsibilities in order to be considered for oral portion for an interview. 

• Must comply with all safety regulations set forth by CATS, OSHA, FTA, FRA, and NCDOT as they apply to CATS Light Rail System.  

• Will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing under FTA guidelines 

• Must be able to pass a DOT pre-employment physical. 

• Must be able to obtain and retain a City of Charlotte Driving Permit throughout employment.

• Requires a valid driver’s license and must be able to retain CDL Class B throughout employment.

• Requires a valid driver’s license and the ability to attain a North Carolina commercial driver’s license within the timelines outlined by CATS.

• Must be available to work irregular hours and shifts depending upon the needs of CATS.

• Must be available to respond to emergencies on a 24 hour, 7 days a week basis.

Must have experience repairing and maintaining complex digital, electrical, electronic, and electro-mechanical systems and their components down to the lowest replaceable unit level.  Experience in the maintenance of Light Rail Power Substations and OCS equipment is preferred.

A high school diploma or equivalent with proof of completion of electrical/electronics training schools in the US Armed Forces or an Associate’s Degree/Certificate in electrical engineering or electrical technology from an accredited Technical School or equivalent experience. 

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.

As of October 1, 2021:

The City of Charlotte requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for any new City of Charlotte employees.  

The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such, will consider reasonable accommodations as required by law.

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.

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.