Diesel Rail Operator

CityofOttawa • Ottawa, ON

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Rail Operations manages the delivery of diesel and electric rail services, including management of the thirty-year P3 contract with the Rideau Transit Maintenance Group for the rail maintenance contract for the LRT system, ensuring safe and reliable operations that meet service standards, comply with all regulatory safety and operating requirements, and provide a safe, reliable, efficient, effective, on time, courteous and cost-effective rail service to a growing and diverse City of Ottawa.

You are responsible for the safe operation and movement of trains on the Trillium Line including operating diesel rail vehicles in accordance with CROR (Canadian Railway Operating Rules) for light rail safety and in accordance with Transit Services’ policies and procedures for train
operation.

You carry out your functions and duties in a safe, courteous and efficient manner. Your responsibilities include but are not limited to customer service onboard vehicles and on the platforms, assisting with customer events and inquiries, testing vehicles, operating vehicles, special operations, recovering from on board vehicle failures of a minor nature, making customer announcements and making prudent judgement under a variety of conditions during the course of duty.

Requirements

• Grade 12
• Successfully complete and pass the following in-house courses: Trillium Line Orientation, Trillium Line Operating Rules, General Operating Instructions (GOI) and Special Instructions (SI), Canadian Railway Operating Rules (CROR), Radio Proficiency, Train Control Operations, Diesal Rail Operator Training, Workplace Safety, Customer Service, Vehicle Systems and operation, Revenue Service and Emergency Procedures, On-the-Job Training and certification
• Minimum of 6 months of Transit experience including transit services, transit routes, branch policies, and standard operating procedures
• Demonstrated experience with relevant customer service experience including direct contact with the public and dealing with a diverse population
• Demonstrated experience in a high-volume and high-demanding operational environment
• Valid Ontario unrestricted G class driver’s licence (or provincial equivalent) with no more than 6 demerit points accumulated
• Light Rail Vehicle Operations
• Radio communications protocol and emergency response techniques
• Dispute resolution techniques
• Trillium Line network
• Transit services and transit routes
• City/Branch policies and procedures affecting Transit Services, including standard operating procedures, emergency standing orders and control centre procedures
• Workplace occurrence and incident reporting
• Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers
• City of Ottawa landmarks and locations
• Ability to pass medical testing at time of hire and on an on-going basis (Railway Medical Rules for Positions Critical to Safe Railway Operations)
• Ability to work and maintain professional composure while under stress and pressure
• Ability to maintain a high performance level of dependability, reliability and safety
• Learn to operate a light rail vehicle in a safe manner
• Able to adapt/react to changes in operating conditions/environment
• Able to operate in a highly diverse cultural community
• Attentive to detail and able to adhere to specific detailed procedures
• Persuasive and tactful with excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills
• Basic understanding of and ability to use computers
• Able to multi-task, solve problems and make decisions
• Able to remain calm in stressful situations
• Able to exercise sound judgement
• Able to work with minimum direct supervision and in a team environment
• Ability to sit for long periods of time in the driver's seat
• Ability to bend, twist body and to manipulate controls independently or simultaneously at any given time
• Constant twisting and neck rotation of different ranges to check mirrors, equipment, etc.
• Ability to perform required pre-trip inspection, which involves walking, bending, squatting, climbing, reaching, twisting body in many different positions
• Constant gripping, pulling and pushing to manipulate control
• Ability to walk on track surfaces including uneven group, enter/exit the vehicle from track level, and support emergency activity at track level as required.
• English oral, reading, writing; Various language requirements, locations may require English only, French only OR Bilingual competencies. Some positions require English oral, reading, and writing. Some positions required French oral, reading and writing.
• Successful candidate will be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) with the Police Services detachment in their jurisdiction to the City of Ottawa’s satisfaction.
• Valid Ontario unrestricted G class driver’s license (or provincial equivalent) with no more than 6 demerit points accumulated

Nice To Haves

• Experience and formal training combined with demonstrated performance and ability may substitute for stipulated academic requirements.

Responsibilities

• Safe operation and movement of trains on the Trillium Line
• Operating diesel rail vehicles in accordance with CROR (Canadian Railway Operating Rules) for light rail safety and in accordance with Transit Services’ policies and procedures for train operation
• Carrying out functions and duties in a safe, courteous and efficient manner
• Customer service onboard vehicles and on the platforms
• Assisting with customer events and inquiries
• Testing vehicles
• Operating vehicles
• Special operations
• Recovering from on board vehicle failures of a minor nature
• Making customer announcements
• Making prudent judgement under a variety of conditions during the course of duty
• Perform required pre and post trip inspections
• Use a radio and microphone and to communicate effectively
• Call out stops as required
• Read and understand trip dockets
• React and deal with emergency situations as they arise
• Conducts self in an appropriate manner as a representative of Transit Services
• Uses sound judgement at all times
• Works safely on the job
• Respects co-workers
• Assures the quality of services to all customers both internal and external

Benefits

• Training rate is 50% of full-time Diesel Rail Operator wage rate ($20.055/hr) (2026 Rates of Pay)
• Rates of pay after successful completion of training are as follows: 1st - 8th month - 85% of Diesel Rail Operator rate ($34.094/hr), 9th - 16th month - 90% of Diesel Rail Operator rate ($36.099/hr), 17th - 24th month - 95% of Diesel Rail Operator rate ($38.105/hr), After 24 months - Full Diesel Rail Operator rate ($40.110/hr) (2026 Rates of Pay)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED