Deputy Chief Transportation Officer

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

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Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws, including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Transportation is responsible for providing safe, efficient, and dependable transportation to commuters on all Metra-operated lines: Milwaukee North and West, Rock Island, Metra Electric, Southwest Service, North Central Service, Union Pacific, Heritage Corridor, and the line operating under a purchase-of-service agreement: BNSF. In addition to all employees directly involved in providing train service, the Transportation Department also oversees the Dispatching Office and the Crew Management Center.

Reporting to the Chief Transportation Officer, the Deputy Chief Transportation Officer (Operations) is a senior leadership role responsible for directing and overseeing daily commuter transportation operations, ensuring safety, efficiency, and for managing fleet and crew resources in alignment with agency and regulatory objectives. May serve as Acting Chief Transportation Officer during absences, represent Transportation on steering committees, task forces, and interdepartmental work groups.

The primary duties include: Provide operational oversight of Metra's Consolidated Control Facility (CCF), including daily dispatch, crew management, and consistent management. Provide operational oversight of Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Positive Train Control (PTC) regulatory compliance within the Transportation Department. Coordinate with the Chief Transportation Officer, Metra Police Department, Safety and Regulatory Compliance Department, municipal authorities, and partner railroads to support incident scene control, response coordination, and related investigations. Provide operational oversight of Metra's Interline Train Ops Team. Contribute to planning and evaluation of track outages, capital projects, service improvements, and other initiatives impacting operations. Approve time off, coordinate staff schedules, fill vacancies as necessary, and ensure compliance with departmental and company policies and objectives. Decide/implement staffing decisions, performance evaluations, and performance improvement, disciplinary, and/or termination procedures. Make recommendations regarding hiring, performance evaluations, disciplinary and/or termination procedures. Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment. Works under both inside and outside environmental conditions under prevailing conditions of heat, cold, rain, and snow. This position is subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing. Perform otherrelated duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

1. Bachelor's Degree in Transportation, Business, Engineering, Public Administration or related field is required; equivalent experience may substitute.
2. In addition to #1, must have ten (10) years of progressively complex transportation operations experience, including train movement, crew management, and safety.
3. Must have eight (8) years of management or supervisory experience that includes day-to-day employee management, assigning tasks, providing guidance and training, monitoring performance, budgeting, hiring, conflict management, disciplining and termination.
4. Considerable knowledge of Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, rules, and standards.
5. Considerable knowledge and experience with transportation logistics, dispatching, crew calling, and communications.
6. Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Access and Project).
7. Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills to develop and present information to senior leadership, external groups and organizations.
8. Strong planning, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
9. Strong leadership and management skills.
10. Ability to contend with changing priorities, emergencies, and conflicting demands.
11. Ability to establish processes and procedures that improve operating efficiencies.
12. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
13. Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit, for extended periods of time.
14. Hearing/Visual acuity, far/near, depth perception, field of vision, color vision.
15. Must be able to operate a vehicle.
16. Must be willing to travel within and outside of Metra's 6-county region.
17. Must be available on-call 24-hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year, including weekends and holidays.

Preferred:

1. MBA or secondary studies in business, Organizational Leadership, or Public Administration.

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Some positions require an Enhanced Background Check due to the nature of the role. This may include additional criminal history, employment and education verification, credential validation, and other legally permissible checks. All screenings are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and require candidate authorization.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees' use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. For general assistance, please contact talentacquisition@metrarr.com. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Reasonable Accommodations Committee at RAC@metrarr.com.

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.