Electric Rail Operator

CityofOttawa • Ottawa, ON

5d • 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.

Your primary responsibility is the safe operation and movement of trains on the Confederation Line. You operate electric rail vehicles in accordance with Confederation Line rules and regulations 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. 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

• Completion of Grade 12
• All candidates must complete and pass the following in-house courses (designed by Rideau Transit Group and OC Transpo): Confederation Line Orientation, Confederation Line Operating Rules, Train Control Operations, Electric 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
• Confederation 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
• Must pass medical testing at time of hire and on an on-going basis
• 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
• Able to project a positive and professional image at all times, through personal appearance and conduct
• Able to act independently
• Able to communicate clearly in writing, in person, and by using corporate communications technologies, such as 2-way radio, etc.
• Able to deliver excellent customer service at all times and to deal with all situations in a professional manner by remaining calm and self-controlled when dealing with difficult situations, and co-operating with Transit Supervisors and other City of Ottawa personnel to meet customers' transit needs
• 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 and post trip inspections, which involves walking, bending, squatting, climbing, reaching, twisting body in many different positions
• Ability to use a radio and microphone and to communicate effectively
• Ability to call out stops as required
• Ability to read and understand trip dockets
• Ability to react and deal with emergency situations as they arise
• 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.
• Ability to perform required pre-trip inspection, which involves walking, bending, squatting, climbing, reaching, twisting body in many different positions

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 Confederation Line.
• Operate electric rail vehicles in accordance with Confederation Line rules and regulations for light rail safety and in accordance with Transit Services’ policies and procedures for train operation.
• Carry 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.
• 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 and assures the quality of services to all customers both internal and external.

Benefits

• Training rate is 50% of full-time Electric Rail Operator wage rate ($19.505/hr) (2026 Rates of Pay)
• Rates of pay after successful completion of training are as follows: 1st - 8th month - 85% of Electric Rail Operator rate ($33.159/hr), 9th - 16th month - 90% of Electric Rail Operator rate ($35.109/hr), 17th - 24th month - 95% of Electric Rail Operator rate ($37.060/hr), After 24 months - Full Electric Rail Operator rate ($39.010/hr) (2026 Rates of Pay)

What This Job Offers

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