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 Supervisors, Rail Dispatch apply those standards. As the subject-matter authority on dispatching rules, procedures, and FRA compliance requirements, the Chief Dispatcher translates management direction and regulatory requirements into operating rules, timetables, special instructions, and training standards governing daily dispatch work. The position provides management oversight of rail dispatch operations across all shifts by establishing and monitoring operational standards, ensuring regulatory and procedural compliance, promoting consistent service delivery, and resolving complex operational issues. The Chief Dispatcher serves as an escalation authority beyond the Supervisor level and represents the Manager, Rail Dispatch on dispatch-related matters as delegated. The role also oversees dispatcher staffing, scheduling, work assignments, and work/rest compliance; supports incident response and after-action reviews; 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 role involves safety-sensitive coordination, FRA-focused compliance oversight, time-critical decisions, concurrent priorities, and accountability for standards, documentation, and audit readiness. The incumbent is an on-call escalation point and may need to respond to emergencies or critical operational incidents outside normal operating hours. 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. Regular and predictable attendance at the assigned work location is essential. Visa sponsorship is not available; applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The position is security-sensitive, and annual background checks will be conducted.

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 and hold them accountable for consistent application of standards without directly performing their day-to-day shift supervision duties.
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 effectively and 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 with standard business and operational software, including word processing, spreadsheet, scheduling, and training or records-management tools.
Ability to sit and stand frequently during 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 work at a computer workstation for up to six to eight hours per day.
Ability to work effectively amid frequent interruptions and competing priorities, and to respond as an on-call escalation point to emergencies or critical incidents outside normal operating hours.
Currently authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is unavailable.
Regular and predictable attendance at the assigned work location.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Business Administration, or a closely related field; an equivalent combination of directly related education, training, and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Establish, maintain, and enforce dispatch operating rules, procedures, and standards in coordination with the Manager, Rail OCC, field supervision, Safety, and Training, ensuring consistency across all three shifts and alignment with operating plans, contractual obligations, and applicable regulatory and safety requirements.
Lead FRA-focused compliance for dispatcher certification, qualification, recertification, training curriculum, knowledge testing, operational testing coordination, and required recordkeeping.
Develop, review, and maintain dispatch documentation, including Books of Rules, Standard Operating Procedures, timetables, bulletins, and special instructions, routing documents to the Manager, Rail Dispatch for approval before publication.
Monitor dispatch activity, safety trends, and rule compliance across shift teams; review shift reports and coordinate preventive or corrective actions for recurring issues, patterns, staffing concerns, or compliance trends.
Coordinate dispatcher training, qualification, certification, and recertification schedules across shifts, and ensure Supervisors have standards and tools to track completion and identify gaps.
Maintain organized, standardized dispatch training, qualification, certification, and operational testing records to support audit readiness.
Serve as an escalation point for Supervisors on rule interpretation, 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; ensure adherence to Hours-of-Service requirements and take appropriate action to prevent or address excess service conditions.
Support CapMetro's Safety Management Systems 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.
Plan, schedule, delegate, and oversee department personnel work assignments; authorize, coordinate, and schedule work with vendors and consultants; conduct personnel actions, including hiring and interviewing; and oversee hiring, training, work assignments, and performance evaluations.