Executive Director Communication and Signal & Positive Train Control

Job ID: 7101

Business Unit: Metro-North Railroad

Location: New York, NY, United States

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Department: Positive Train Control

Date Posted: Apr 18, 2024

Description

POSTING NO.

7101

JOB TITLE:

Executive Director Communication and Signal & Positive T rain Control

DEPT/DIV:

Operations /Maintenance of Way

WORK LOCATION:

420 Lexington Avenue

FULL/PART-TIME

FULL

SALARY RANGE:

E xecutive

DEADLINE:

Until Filled

This position is eligible for teleworking which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective hire date.

Metro-North Railroad reserves the right to remove this posting before the Application Deadline.

Opening:

MTA Metro-North Railroad is a dynamic organization, operating out of the jewel of New York City, Grand Central Terminal. We provide service to over 86.5 million customers, traveling in and out of New York and Connecticut. A subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North Railroad is one of the busiest commuter railroads in the nation. MTA Metro-North Railroad strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities to its employees.

Position Objective:

This position is responsible for overseeing and coordinating Metro-North Communications and Signal systems, Operations Technology (CTC/SCADA) systems , and Positive Train Control (PTC) labor, material, equipment, third-party contracts, and design resources to effect safe, economical operations, maintenance, upgrades, installation, testing and construction of communications and signal, CTC/SCADA and PTC infrastructure at all wayside right-of-way locations , interlockings, grade crossings, yards, shops, onboard, mobile and portable radios, base stations, CCTV & security systems, back office CTC/SCADA and PTC control centers. This position is directly responsible for planning, directing, budgeting, managing, and coordinating the functions with Metro-North, MTA organizations , and workgroups. PTC program includes but is not limited to design, oversight , and coordination to ensure compatibility with Metro-North Railroads (MNR) existing fleet, wayside , and operating parameters. The position will have responsibility for the new design, manufacture, testing, maintainability (manuals, maintenance allocation charts, bills of material, etc.) , and acceptance. In addition, this position is responsible for overseeing the coordination of Positive Train Control (PTC) as promulgated by the RSIA of 2008 and all stakeholders , both internal and external including Executive Management, MTA, FRA , and CDOT. PTC requirements are outlined in the Federal Register identifying the prescriptive elements including system implementation, development , and safety certification requirements. In addition, this position is responsible for executing various activities to support MTAs cybersecurity program and ensure compliance with the Federal Railroad Association (FRA), TSA (Transportation Security Administration) , and New York State regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership, strategy, planning , and direction to the Communications and Signal (Signal Maintenance, Capital, Communications and Systems), Operations Technology (CTC/SCADA) , and PTC Workgroups in the execution of the design, maintenance, upgrades, installation , and testing of systems utilized for operational and corporate functions. Ensure all applicable federal requirements of the communications and signal systems are met.

• Ensure all Communication and Signal, Operations Technology and PTC Department workgroups meet budget and schedule requirements in the execution of the work related to the systems installed and maintained.

• Provide technical and operations analysis of C&S systems and provide senior management with required reports and documentation.

• Oversee specification development, design , and procurement activities for the Positive Train Control and other Major Signal Projects. This includes oversight of the manufacturers on behalf of MNR to ensure that systems are built in compliance with the technical specifications .

• Represent MNR interests with; Long Island Railroad, CDOT, General Contractors, system suppliers, integrators regulatory agencies , and MTA.

• Coordinate both the Design and Construction phases of the Project by providing cost and schedule estimates, preparing project plans , and coordinating the project team.

• Report on the status of projects and initiate corrective action to achieve project objectives.

• Evaluate, and facilitate updates to schedule and budget along with tracking progress and cost status.

• Provide leadership, engineering, design , and support of all wayside and on-board PTC systems and interfaces.

• Review and approve design submittals, drawings, site plans , and design changes.

• Coordinate activities between the various groups (Communications and Signal, Control Systems, Operation Services, Maintenance of Equipment (MofE) , and Centralized Train Control and facilitate design, construction, testing , and commissioning of the new systems.

• Direct all activities related to ensuring that all maintenance and reliability requirements are consistent with technical requirements and ensuring that all required support documentation is delivered in a timely manner.

• Ensure warranty administration plan is comprehensive, complete, clear , and manageable for all stakeholders and system acceptance process and criteria are established and agreed upon by all stakeholders, and system components and system design comply with all applicable Federal, NYS, MTA , and MNR mandates policies and procedures.

• Provide leadership and direction in the execution of the Cybersecurity Program in coordination with MTA IT Cybersecurity Stakeholders for compliance with FRA, TSA , and NY State regulations.

• Provide departmental leadership in supporting Metro-North Railroads Safety Program through the execution of required activities and policies associated with personnel working along or on the railroad right-of-way and other locations .

• Select, develop , and motivate personnel within the Department.

• Provide career development for subordinates.

• Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling.

• Review the performance of staff.

• Promote safe work practices and provide safe work conditions.

• Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.

• Perform other assignments as requested by Senior Management.

  Required Qualifications:

  Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Must have working knowledge of related Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, and project management involving transportation systems in a public sector procurement environment.

• Must possess the ability to effectively direct extremely large, complex projects with myriad aspects, such as r esearch & d evelopment, FRA Regulations, system procurements , and maintenance of equipment.

• In-depth knowledge of equipment design, preventive maintenance, program planning, technical services, rolling stock and wayside system integration and configuration control requirements; system and components; and basic understanding of microprocessor controls.

• Must have a diverse engineering and technical background in the fields of electrical/mechanical engineering concepts, principles, and practices.

• Must have strong knowledge of signal software and hardware utilization and technical disciplines.

• Strong leadership, managerial, operational, analytical, administrative, communication , and human resource skills.

• Must be a competent and seasoned leader who will develop the capacities of the organization, and have the experience to implement organizational change with strong judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Knowledge of Railroad Signal and Communication Systems.

• Must be able to implement and participate in Metro-North Railroads Priority One Safety Program .

• Experience with design engineering/maintenance of CTC, Power Control Systems , and Communications Systems.

• Must possess progressively responsible, recent experience with complex system acquisition, technology, development/implementation procurement.

  Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering.

• 15 years of progressive experience in the transportation industry with complex vital and non-vital signal system hardware and software including both relay, and microprocessor technology.

• 10 years of experience managing a staff including union and management staff and responsibility towards a highly complex departments budget.

  The following is/are preferred:

• Professional Engineer (PE) License

  Other Information

  This position is safety-sensitive and subject to toxicological testing.

  According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the Commission).

  Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MNR drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.

  Equal Employment Opportunity

  MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

  The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.