Assistant Field Operations Manager – Railroad

Qualdoc•Kansas City, MO

About The Position

The Assistant Field Operations Manager helps lead railroad field crews and emergency response activities. The role combines field leadership, project coordination, safety oversight, and hands-on operational support for derailments, rerailing, specialty lifting, railcar work, and track maintenance. The position supports supervisors and crews across multiple job sites and requires sound decision-making in demanding field environments. The role coordinates daily work, manpower, equipment, schedules, and priorities; monitors progress, productivity, quality, safety, and costs; and provides field direction, coaching, and problem-solving. It also involves responding to emergency service calls, visiting job sites, communicating with customers and regulatory personnel, supporting workforce planning and employee development, maintaining operational records, and coordinating equipment maintenance. Frequent overnight travel, on-call availability, extended hours, and outdoor field work are required.

Requirements

Previous experience leading or supervising field-based teams.
Strong communication and leadership skills, including the ability to coach and influence others.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn operational software.
Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
Ability to complete required safety training and certification programs.
Must be available for on-call assignments and able to report within one hour when called.
Willingness to work extended hours, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience in railroad, heavy equipment, construction, or related field operations.
Working knowledge of DOT and FRA regulations.
CDL Class A or B.
Experience operating heavy equipment, including cranes, trucks, and excavators.
Ability to understand and use crane load charts and rigging requirements.

Responsibilities

Support supervisors and field crews across multiple assignments.
Coordinate daily work, manpower, equipment, schedules, and project priorities.
Monitor job progress, productivity, quality, safety, and costs.
Provide hands-on direction, coaching, and problem-solving in the field.
Respond to emergency railroad service calls when needed.
Conduct job-site visits to identify safety concerns, operational risks, and quality issues.
Communicate with customers, field partners, and regulatory personnel.
Help recruit, train, coach, and evaluate employees.
Assist with workforce planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
Maintain accurate records for payroll, labor hours, equipment usage, and projects.
Track equipment condition and coordinate maintenance, repairs, or replacement.
Support customer relationships and participate in industry events and professional activities.
Ensure field operations comply with DOT and FRA regulations and applicable safety requirements.