Chief Dispatcher

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority•Austin, TX

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Dispatcher serves as the tactical authority for CapMetro’s rail dispatching function and reports directly to the Manager, Rail Dispatch. The role establishes and maintains consistent operating rules, dispatcher qualification and certification standards, training requirements, and operational testing practices across all dispatch shifts, and ensures that Supervisors, Rail Dispatch apply those standards. The Chief Dispatcher is the subject-matter authority on dispatching rules, procedures, and FRA compliance requirements, translating management direction and regulatory requirements into the operating rules, timetables, special instructions, and training standards that govern daily dispatch work. The position provides standards-level oversight of rail dispatch operations across all shifts, promotes consistent and compliant service, and resolves complex issues escalated beyond the Supervisor level. It represents the Manager, Rail Dispatch on dispatch-related matters as delegated and may deputize for the Manager during absences. The Chief Dispatcher also oversees dispatcher staffing, scheduling, work assignments, and work/rest compliance, and provides tactical, cross-shift direction during major service disruptions. Work is primarily performed in an office, Operations Control Center (OCC), or rail dispatching environment. The position is onsite, with the primary workplace at a CapMetro facility or field location and an expectation to work there four or more days per week. The incumbent is an on-call escalation point and may need to respond to emergencies, major service disruptions, or other critical incidents outside normal operating hours. Regular and predictable attendance at the assigned work location is essential. The role is designated security-sensitive, and annual background checks will be conducted. Visa sponsorship is not available; applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Requirements

Eight years of progressively responsible experience in rail, transit, or railroad dispatching operations, including direct train dispatching experience.
Two years of lead, supervisory, or standards-development experience, including developing or enforcing operating rules, training standards, or certification programs across multiple shift teams.
Thorough knowledge of railroad operating rules, procedures, and industry practices, including signaling, dispatching, track, and bridge operations.
Strong knowledge of rail safety principles, Safety Management System practices, and applicable FRA regulations related to dispatcher certification, training and qualification records, operational testing, hours of service, and regulatory documentation.
Ability to coach Supervisors, Rail Dispatch and hold them accountable for consistent application of standards without performing their day-to-day shift supervision duties directly.
Ability to recognize and respond to safety risks, rule deviations, communication breakdowns, or compliance gaps affecting dispatch across shifts.
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, including the ability to communicate professionally across a politically, economically, and culturally diverse workforce.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate regulatory and policy direction into clear operating rules and training standards.
Strong problem-solving and organizational skills, including the ability to assess cross-shift operational issues and develop standardized solutions.
Proficiency in standard business and operational software applications, including word processing, spreadsheet, scheduling, and training or records management tools.
Ability to sit and stand frequently throughout an eight-hour workday; reach vertically and horizontally; and use telephone, radio, or headset equipment effectively.
Ability to lift and move materials weighing up to 20 pounds and perform sustained work at a computer workstation for up to six to eight hours per day.
Ability to operate effectively with frequent interruptions and competing priorities and respond to on-call escalations outside normal operating hours.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Business Administration, or a closely related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Establish, maintain, and enforce dispatching operating rules, procedures, and standards in coordination with the Manager, Rail OCC, field supervision, Safety, and Training.
Ensure dispatch standards are consistent across all three shifts and aligned with CapMetro operating plans, contractual obligations, and applicable FRA, TxDOT, and internal safety requirements.
Lead FRA-focused compliance for dispatcher certification, qualification, recertification, training curriculum, knowledge testing, operational testing coordination, and regulatory recordkeeping.
Direct the development, review, and maintenance of dispatching documentation, including Books of Rules, Standard Operating Procedures, timetables, bulletins, and special instructions, and route documentation to the Manager, Rail Dispatch for approval before publication.
Monitor dispatch activity, safety trends, and rule compliance across all three shift teams; review shift-level reports and coordinate preventive and corrective actions with Safety, Training, and Supervisors, Rail Dispatch.
Coordinate dispatcher training, qualification, certification, and recertification schedules across shifts, ensuring supervisors have the tools and standards to track completion and identify gaps.
Maintain standardized dispatch training, qualification, certification, and operational testing records to support audit readiness.
Serve as the escalation point for rule interpretation questions, cross-shift staffing conflicts, and operational issues beyond shift-level authority.
Deputize for the Manager, Rail Dispatch on dispatching matters during absences and provide tactical, cross-shift direction during major service disruptions.
Oversee dispatch floor operations at the standards level to support safe and efficient movement of passenger, freight, and excursion rail service.
Support incident response and after-action reviews by consolidating dispatch information across shifts, identifying rule-compliance issues, and tracking corrective actions to completion.
Coordinate regularly with the Manager, Rail Dispatch regarding staffing, cross-shift performance trends, training needs, and FRA compliance matters.
Model professional conduct, calm decision-making, and safety leadership.
Oversee dispatcher staffing, scheduling, work assignments, and work/rest compliance; take appropriate action to prevent or address excess service conditions and support compliance with Hours-of-Service requirements.
Support CapMetro’s Safety Management Systems (SMS) process by ensuring staff follow safety and security policies, consider safety in their actions, and report safety and security concerns.
Perform other rail-related duties as assigned.
Direct and manage department personnel through planning, scheduling, delegation, and oversight of work assignments; coordinate work with vendors and consultants; conduct personnel actions, including hiring and interviewing; and oversee hiring, training, assignments, and performance evaluations.