Manager, MOW Projects (Alaska Railroad)

State of Alaska•Anchorage, AK

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is responsible for ensuring that Maintenance of Way (MOW) projects completed by MOW capital forces are designed, planned, constructed, and inspected in accordance with FRA, AREMA, and ARRC standards. The Manager, MOW Projects is accountable for all phases of assigned projects, including logistics, procurement, supervision, equipment management, planning, construction, quality control, and safety. This role ensures project objectives are met on time and within budget, administers ARRC policies and procedures, and implements safety, health, and environmental programs. The position supervises foremen, provides safety leadership, monitors rules compliance, and conducts safety meetings and inspections. Additionally, the role involves planning, monitoring, and evaluating work crew productivity and safety, tracking physical production, managing work crew activities in consideration of train movements, and supporting budget development. The incumbent monitors AFE and equipment budget performance, authorizes procurement, evaluates equipment performance, and resolves equipment issues. A key responsibility includes reviewing and completing various administrative and operational reports, staying knowledgeable of current track maintenance techniques through continuing education, and coordinating recruitment and training programs. The role may also require participation in Incident Command exercises.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent is required.
Five (5) years of progressively responsible field construction or maintenance experience is required.
A minimum of two (2) years of experience in supervising, directing, or training field construction work is required.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
To be considered a valid driver’s license, an employee must always maintain at least a three-year continuous period free of any Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Operating Under the Influence (OUI) convictions.
Must have, or be able to obtain, and ARRC track car operator’s license.
Has technical competence in the supervision of the construction, modification, maintenance, and repair of railroad infrastructure, ensuring conformance with plans, specifications, and applicable instructions.
Understands traffic schedules and customer service requirements.
Has a working knowledge of industry standard safety and quality control procedures as well as an understanding of construction scheduling, budgeting, planning, and inventory management and administration.
Is conversant with applicable corporate administrative instructions, policies, standards, practices, applicable bargaining unit agreements, FRA regulations and possesses relevant computer skills to include good working knowledge of work processing and spreadsheet applications.
Understands railroad maintenance equipment and heavy construction equipment.
Has strong leadership skills and working knowledge of construction and maintenance supervisory principles and practices.
Recognizes and proposes alternative solutions to new and technical problems; interfaces with ARRC employees, vendors, contractors, and equipment manufacturers to determine the best solution.
Anticipates needs and authorizes purchase of equipment, supplies, and materials while tracking and keeping within budgetary constraints.
Allocates manpower, equipment, materials, and financial assets to achieve construction and maintenance goals most effectively.
Tracks production of work gangs, evaluates work activity, and analyzes work methods and procedures for the purpose of developing and implementing work process improvements, increasing efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity, and making recommendations to improve safety.
Ensures quality of work, timely completion, and minimal impact to train operations.
Ability to understand and apply FRA, AREMA, and ARRC standards, regulatory agency requirements and applicable codes.
Uses sound judgment in selecting, interpreting, and applying the appropriate guidelines based on the situation and nature of work being performed.
Supervises a staff consisting of approximately 35 represented employees on extra gangs and work trains.
Employees supervised include: foreman, work leaders, welders, equipment operators, and laborers.
Directs all phases of assigned projects and resolves personnel and safety issues.
Must use tact and diplomacy and develop quality relationships with contractors and vendors.
Must possess ability to communication effectively, both written and verbally.

Nice To Haves

An academic degree in Engineering, Construction Management or a related field may substitute field experience on a year-for-year basis.
Experience constructing and/or maintaining railroad track infrastructure is preferred.
An academic degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Accountable and responsible for all phases of assigned projects including logistics support, material procurement, on-site supervision, equipment management, planning, mobilization and demobilization, construction, quality control, and safety.
Ensures project objectives are met on time and within budget.
Administers ARRC policies and procedures.
Implements ARRC safety, health, and environmental policies and programs and monitors compliance/progress.
Supervises foremen of capital, grant and expense projects.
Provides safety leadership in the field.
Ensures that proper protection is being provided for and used by gangs.
Monitors rules compliance for all field personnel.
Conducts on-site safety meetings and inspections, investigations and reports on rule violations, personal injuries, and equipment and property damage.
Plans, monitors, and evaluates work crew productivity and safety.
Evaluates and makes specific recommendations to improve safety and productivity.
Tracks physical production by work gangs.
Manages, plans, schedules, and coordinates work crew activities in consideration of existing train movements and operating plans.
Supports development of annual and capital budgets for approval.
Helps identify and prioritize projects and organizes work programs that fit within available funding.
Monitors Capital AFE (Authority for Expenditure) and heavy equipment budget performance.
Authorizes procurement of budgeted equipment, supplies and materials.
Evaluates equipment performance.
Identifies equipment problems on gangs and works with appropriate parties to resolve them.
Reviews and completes a variety of administrative and operational reports including cost estimates, maintenance and capital plans, efficiency tests, and federally mandated inspection reports.
Remains knowledgeable of current track maintenance techniques through continuing education and training efforts.
Coordinates recruitment and training programs and develops personnel bids.
Provides relief coverage for coworkers during periods of absence.
May be required to participate in Incident Command exercises and activities.