Director, Advanced Train Control Systems (Alaska Railroad Employees Only)

State of Alaska•Anchorage, AK

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Advanced Train Control Systems manages Alaska Railroad train control systems and related projects to support the safe and efficient movement of trains on ARRC tracks and advance ARRC goals and initiatives. The role directs maintenance and management of ARRC train control systems, including the Positive Train Control (PTC) system, and supports compliance with applicable federal regulations and mandates. It collaborates with ARRC departments on PTC procedures and training and conducts research on industry trends to support an effective, safety-critical system. The Director leads the ATCS Department and its employees, assigns and prioritizes work, supports team performance, and manages contract employees and related contracts. The role establishes department policies and procedures for real-time, round-the-clock system support and oversees quality assurance for software and technology programs and projects. It also develops department goals and employee performance objectives, monitors progress, resolves technical problems, and manages annual operating and capital budgets, business cases, and cost-benefit analyses. The position exercises broad judgment over train control systems and projects, including policy development, project planning and oversight, procurement, cost control, and project reporting. It communicates with ARRC employees and management, customers, vendors, and government officials, and may present, negotiate, or defend significant or controversial matters. The position is based in a corporate office environment, requires travel along the Railbelt and out of state, and may involve site visits to shops, yards, and outside work sites. The incumbent may sit for extended periods, use computer equipment, and receive calls outside normal business hours in support of production train control systems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in transportation, logistics, computer science, business administration, engineering, information systems, telecommunications, or a related field, plus five years of experience leading, managing, implementing, supporting, testing, maintaining, engineering, administering, or overseeing train control systems, programs, or projects; alternatively, ten years of railroad operational, signaling, telecommunications, train control systems, PTC, systems engineering, or related railroad technology experience may substitute for the degree.
Excellent knowledge of train control systems, telecommunications, networks, programming, signaling systems, or related railroad technologies.
Thorough knowledge of train control aspects of railroad operations, including computer-aided dispatch and positive train control systems.
Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong service orientation, self-motivation, and ability to direct work independently.
Ability to oversee day-to-day operations and implementation activities and understand organizational goals and objectives.
Proven leadership ability, including setting priorities judiciously and motivating employees in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
Ability to communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical audiences and work constructively with people who have diverse viewpoints and objectives.
Superior analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities.
Familiarity with project plans, schedules, progress reports, procurement processes, budgets, cost-control methods, and federal grant-reporting procedures.
Ability to manage and direct projects to meet schedules and budgets, ensure delivery of materials and services as specified, and monitor and report costs.
Ability to determine the intent of guidelines, develop work policies and guidelines, and formulate interpretations.
Ability to travel along the Railbelt and out of state.
Dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other computing equipment; ability to sit for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of geomatics, the General Code of Operating Rules, and track maintenance practices.
Expert knowledge of project management principles, planning concepts, methods, and practices.
In-depth knowledge of applicable laws and regulations relating to PTC technology, telecommunications, and railroad signaling.

Responsibilities

Direct maintenance and management of ARRC train control systems.
Manage the Positive Train Control system to support safe and efficient train movement and compliance with applicable federal regulations and mandates.
Collaborate with ARRC departments to maintain PTC procedures and training.
Research industry trends to support an effective, safety-critical system.
Supervise and manage ATCS employees, set priorities, assign work, and support team morale and performance.
Manage contract employees and related contracts in support of ARRC corporate objectives.
Resolve technical problems in a cost-effective manner.
Develop, track, and control capital and operating budgets.
Prepare business-case justifications and cost-benefit analyses for capital spending and initiatives.
Develop short- and long-range departmental goals and objectives and set team-member performance objectives.
Monitor and provide feedback on team progress against goals, objectives, and schedules.
Establish ATCS policies and procedures to ensure real-time, round-the-clock support for train control systems within the department’s purview.
Oversee quality assurance for software supporting train movement and for ATCS technology programs and projects.
Direct all phases of assigned projects, including analyzing options, identifying performance and cost improvements, and making project decisions.
Develop project plans, schedules, and progress reports; oversee procurement, budgets, cost controls, and required reporting.
Communicate and work toward solutions with ARRC employees and management, customers, vendors, and government officials.
Travel along the Railbelt and out of state and visit shops, yards, and outside work sites while overseeing testing and implementation.