RAILROAD SAFETY SPECIALIST III - Grade Crossing

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Under direction of the Rail Safety Program Administrator, this position performs field inspections concerning informal crossing complaints received by the Commission and prepares reports and correspondence to resolve these matters; participates in formal hearings concerning grade crossing and bridge closures/improvements; completes vehicular traffic surveys, directional traffic studies and surveys and physical layout of the area surrounding particular crossing(s); meets with railroad representatives, local officials and highway authorities concerning proposed highway-rail crossing safety projects; assists with programs to promote public awareness of safety at highway-rail crossings, reviews detailed costs estimated of costs for highway-rail crossing improvements, negotiates cost divisions for Stipulated Agreements within agency policy directives, prepares written reports, correspondence, Stipulated Agreements, and draft Commission Orders concerning highway-rail crossing safety projects.

Requirements

Requires a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or related technical field.
Requires four years experience in the railroad grade crossing safety field.
Requires the applicant to pass a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
Requires ability to communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing.
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
On a rotational basis, may be required to serve as duty officer.

Nice To Haves

Prefers working knowledge of crossing surface construction and automatic crossing warning devices.
Prefers ability to recognize grade crossing safety defects.
Prefers ability to understand and apply Commission policies on selection of crossing improvement projects and cost allocations.
Prefers technical knowledge of the design, installation and maintenance of grade crossing signal and control circuitry systems.
Prefers technical knowledge concerning the design and construction and reconstruction of grade separation structures, connecting roads to access grade crossings and crossing surfaces.
Prefers ability to collect and review data and field information in order to render preliminary findings, conclusions and recommendations both informally and at formal hearings.
Prefers ability to oversee less experienced personnel, review their work, provide training, and assess performance.
Prefers working knowledge of computer hardware and software, database input, reporting, and workflow.
Prefers ability to establish and maintain working relationships with fellow employees, the public, local and state authorities, railroad and Federal Railroad Administration and railroads and their employees.
Prefers knowledge of the Illinois Commercial Transportation Law and Illinois Commerce Commission regulations.

Responsibilities

Monitors and performs all aspects of highway-rail crossing safety including programming, preliminary engineering, detailed design, construction, maintenance, operations, and investigations of complaints and incidents.
Performs the full range of rail crossing activities (from routine to most complex) in accordance with 625 ILCS 5/18c and 92 IL Adm. Code Sections 1500, 1535, and 1536, and provides additional training and work guidance to lower-level railroad safety specialists.
Oversees less experienced personnel, reviews their work, provides training, assesses performance, and provides input on performance evaluations of less experienced specialists.
Performs field inspections and attends field meetings, completing crossing reviews from preliminary engineering through construction phases. Completes vehicular traffic surveys, directional traffic studies and surveys and physical layout of the area surrounding particular crossing(s).
Meets and coordinates with railroad representatives, local officials and highway authorities concerning ongoing highway-rail crossing safety projects, from preliminary engineering to completion.
Reviews estimates, plans, and funding participation.
Investigates compliance and responds to inquiries concerning unsafe/defective crossings.
Testifies as an expert witness in formal Commission hearings concerning grade crossing and bridges (open/close crossing; closures; improvements, complaints).
Provide outreach and assistance on what is needed for an application to the ICC for assistance from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) and selection of the crossing into the ICC’s 5-Year Crossing Safety Improvement Program (CSIP).
Reviews detailed estimates of costs for highway-rail improvements and negotiates satisfactory cost divisions for stipulated agreements with Commerce Commission policy.
Monitor GCPF relative to all projects assign and ensure project close-out and de-obligation of any residual funds from a project.
Prepare written reports, memos, e-mail, and other correspondence including Stipulated Agreements, formal filings, and draft Commission Orders concerning highway-rail safety projects.
Promotes the Operation Lifesaver Program and all Commission rail safety programs; meets with industry, government, labor, and safety groups devoted to reducing accidents, improving grade crossings, and resolving controversies rising from rail safety issues; assists with programs to promote public awareness of the safety at rail-highway crossings; attends workshops and seminars.
Maintain project management (new Petitions, Stipulated Agreements, Citations, etc.) and crossing complaint information for entry into the Railroad Information and Location System (RAILS).
Prepares monthly project and complaint status reports for submission to the Rail Safety Program Administrator.
Serve as Duty Officer or responder as assigned.
Follow-up with railroad, highway agency, and other ICC Staff to ensure highway-rail grade crossings are re-established after incidents in accordance with Commission orders, rules, and regulations.
Serve at the Illinois Emergency Operations Center when activated for large scale incidents, events, training, or other activities.
Review FOIA requests and provide applicable documents.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of those duties enumerated above.

Benefits

A Pension Program
Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources
5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)