Sr Director, Track and Structures

The final salary will depend on the candidates qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

Clickhereto learn more about our benefits!

Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America serving Cook DuPage Will Lake Kane and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe reliable and efficient commuter service.

Engineering is responsible for building and maintaining the majority of Metras fixed assets such as buildings stations bridges track electrical telecommunications and signal systems. The Engineering Department also monitors the condition of and assists in building and maintaining the fixed assets on the freight lines where Metra trains operate. The Engineering Department is divided into two major groups: Capital Projects and Communications and Maintenance.

Reporting directly to the Deputy Chief Engineering Officer the Senior Director Track and Structures provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Track Bridges Facilities and Electrical Maintenance departments; direct the maintenance design and capital construction activities supporting the agencys infrastructure; oversees the procurement utilization and maintenance of Maintenance of Way (MOW) equipment and rolling stock; develops and administers departmental budgets; leads analytical reviews of maintenance practices and operational performance; participates in contract negotiations and ensures compliance with collective bargaining agreements; and directs response and recovery efforts during field emergencies.

The primary duties include: Direct the overall operation maintenance capital improvement and regulatory compliance of Metras Track & Structures functions across all districts providing executive leadership for Track Buildings & Bridges Electrical Maintenance and Maintenance of Way capital construction programs. Lead and participate in labor contract negotiations and administer collective bargaining agreements. Oversee disciplinary matters ensure the timely processing of job bulletins and position abolishments and direct the preparation and administration of seasonal position postings. Oversee the development administration and monitoring of departmental budgets for personnel equipment materials and supplies. Authorize expenditures manage overtime costs prioritize budget adjustments and ensure material requirements and contractual agreements are in place to support safe and efficient operations. Direct analytical studies and evaluations of maintenance practices operational performance and asset reliability. Review findings and recommendations and implement programs processes and best practices to improve efficiency service reliability cost-effectiveness and infrastructure performance. Direct the planning coordination and execution of Maintenance of Way (MOW) capital programs including annual tie renewal programs Buildings & Bridges capital projects facility improvements and other infrastructure initiatives. Represent the department with external agencies contractors governmental entities and partner railroads. Approve time off coordinate staff schedules fill vacancies as necessary and ensure compliance with departmental and company policies and objectives. Decide/implement staffing decisions performance evaluations and performance improvement disciplinary and/or termination procedures. Make recommendations regarding hiring performance evaluations disciplinary and/or termination procedures. Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment. Responsible for the safety objectives goals and program of the organization ensuring compliance with applicable safety rules and regulations. Works under both inside and outside environmental conditions under prevailing conditions of heat cold rain and snow. This position is subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing. Perform otherrelated duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act not the Social Security Administration.

1. Bachelors degree in engineering OR in lieu of a specified degree any combination of education and experience that may be substituted for the required degree that equals four (4) years in engineering maintenance.
2. In addition to # 1 must have ten (10) years of engineering maintenance experience that includes leading complex capital projects and contract administration preferably in a railroad environment.
3. Must have six (6) years of supervisory experience that includes day-to-day employee management budgeting hiring conflict management disciplining and termination.
4. Comprehensive knowledge of railroad engineering maintenance principles practices and standards related to track bridges buildings facilities and Maintenance of Way (MOW) infrastructure.
5. Extensive knowledge of Maintenance of Way equipment machinery and rolling stock operations maintenance and utilization.
6. Comprehensive knowledge of construction methods project management principles contract administration and technical specification development.
7. Thorough knowledge of applicable Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Department of Transportation (DOT) OSHA and other regulatory requirements governing railroad operations and infrastructure maintenance.
8. Knowledge of budgeting financial management asset management and operational performance measurement.
9. Strong leadership management and employee development skills with the ability to lead large diverse workforces in a unionized environment.
10. Strong planning organizational analytical and problem-solving skills.
11. Strong verbal written and presentation communication skills.
12. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with employees labor representatives contractors regulatory agencies government entities and other stakeholders.
13. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word Excel PowerPoint Project and related business applications.
14. Ability to lead and manage a complex engineering maintenance organization with multiple operating disciplines and geographically dispersed operations.
15. Ability to direct multiple large-scale maintenance construction and capital improvement projects simultaneously.
16. Ability to manage project scope schedules budgets resources and quality standards to achieve organizational objectives.
17. Ability to establish and implement policies procedures and best practices that improve safety operational efficiency asset reliability and service performance.
18. Ability to analyze complex operational technical and financial issues and develop effective solutions.
19. Ability to make sound decisions and effectively lead emergency response and recovery efforts during infrastructure-related incidents and service disruptions.
20. Ability to interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements contracts policies and regulatory requirements.
21. Must possess and maintain a valid drivers license.
22. Hearing/Visual acuity far/near depth perception field of vision color vision.
23. Must be able to operate a vehicle.
24. Must be willing to travel within and outside of Metras 6-county region.
25. Must be available on-call 24-hours/day 7 days/week 365 days/year including weekends and holidays.

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Some positions require an Enhanced Background Check due to the nature of the role. This may include additional criminal history employment and education verification credential validation and other legally permissible checks. All screenings are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and require candidate authorization.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana Metra prohibits applicants and employees use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia) or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes while on duty subject to duty on Metra property or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. For general assistance please contact . If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application participate in interviews complete any pre-employment testing or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process please direct your inquiries to the Reasonable Accommodations Committee at .

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race color sex religion national origin age gender identity disability or any protected categories assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.