Rail Safety Specialist

Job Location: Central Office, Jefferson City Missouri

Why you’ll love this position: The rail safety specialist performs program administration activities related to railroad and/or passenger rail, including light rail and Amtrak. Responsibilities include administration of state and federal funds necessary for program operations, crossing and other rail safety projects, and oversight of improvements and expansion. Responsibilities are performed under moderate supervision.

MoDOT will bring candidates onto the team as entry, intermediate, or senior level, based on your skills and experience. This opening is for one of our CAREER-LADDER positions which offers the opportunity for career advancement without having to participate in the competitive selection interview process. As you continue to learn, acquire new skills, and gain experience, you can be promoted to a higher-level position.

Note for internal applicants: Successful candidates already at rates above the posted salary will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine final salary outcome.

• RAIL FREIGHT SAFETY SPECIALIST DUTIES:
  Assists with prioritizing prospective rail crossing project upgrades; works with and responds to inquiries from cities, counties, and railroads on rail grade crossing projects; coordinates diagnostic review inspections; identifies potential closures.
• Administers the grade crossing construction program; recommends when projects are ready for inspection; maintains communication with railroads, divisions, and districts regarding rail infrastructure projects.
• Notifies inspectors of projects impacting their area of expertise; updates project tracking and grade-crossing inventory databases; reviews and makes recommendations regarding railroad signal plans, design criteria, and bill payment; prepares and transmits agreements to railroads and public agencies; may testify in hearings in grade-crossing signal cases.
• Investigates requests for railroad crossing upgrades and prepares report of findings; investigates applications for rail system improvements and modifications such as requests for upgraded railroad crossing warning devices, and prepares report of recommendations.
• Assists supervisor in the development of the section’s annual priority list of crossings, corridor projects, and security plans by identifying rail system security concerns.
• PASSENGER RAIL SAFETY SPECIALIST DUTIES:
  Conducts periodic safety and security audits for rail fixed guideway systems (light rail); develops corrective action plans on audit deficiencies as needed; conducts a full plan audit on all components every three years in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration Audit Team.
• Conducts periodic safety and security compliance inspections of light rail systems to determine compliance with the System Safety Program Plan and Security Plan, including inspection of employee procedures, facilities, passenger stations, operating and security procedures, and fire and life safety.
• Conducts annual administrative reviews and makes updates and revisions to the State Safety Oversight Manual, as necessary.
• Coordinates and participates in annual compliance inspections of light rail systems for highway rail grade-crossing signals, tracks and structures, and hours of service, as applicable.
• Conducts investigations of light rail and freight railroad employee safety issues such as walkway safety, rail employee health and facilities, and structural clearances.
• BOTH RAIL FREIGHT SAFETY SPECIALIST AND PASSENGER RAIL SAFETY SPECIALIST:
  Prepares reports and summaries as required; maintains certification in a railroad safety organization by making requires annual safety presentations and makes additional presentations to city and county officials, as necessary.

• High School Diploma or GET/HiSET and four years of experience in multimodal transportation, project management, federal or state grant program management, transportation planning, program administration, funds administration, or related field, OR
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, civil engineering, public administration, or related field.

• Strong…