Rail Dispatcher

Location:

Landover Hills, MD

Posted on: 8/19/2026

Competitive Benefits Package PLTO offers an excellent compensation and benefits package (Medical, Dental, 401(k) retirement, vacation, holiday and sick pay, etc.

About the Organization Purple Line Transit Operators (PLTO) is a member of a private consortium (Purple Line Transit Partners) which holds a Public-Private Partnership (P3) contract with the Maryland Department of Transportation/Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT/MTA) for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and financing of the Purple Line, a new 16 mile/21 station light rail transit line located in Montgomery County and Prince George's County, Maryland ().

PLTO's role in the Project is for the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of the Purple Line for a 30-year O&M Period after the service opens to the public, currently scheduled for winter 2027. Prior to this opening, PLTO is responsible for participating in system design, testing, and service start-up activities; conducting certain facilities and equipment maintenance scopes; and building the organization which will perform the O&M Period activities.

PLTO is a limited liability company comprised of two members Alternate Concepts Inc. (ACI) and CAF USA, Inc. (CAF). ACI is an industry leader in mass transit operations and maintenance and is the O&M provider for the only two Design-Build-Operate-and-Maintain (DBOM)/Design-Build-Finance-Operate-and-Maintain (DBFOM) transit projects in the U.S:
Tren Urbano in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Eagle P3 in Denver, Colorado. CAF USA, Inc. (a division of the international Spanish railway manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) designs, manufactures, maintains, and supplies equipment and components for railway systems and is a certified rail maintenance organization with a presence on five continents.

Salary Range: $35.10 - $39.90

Benefit Package: PLTO offers an excellent compensation and benefits package (Medical, Dental, 401(k) retirement, vacation, holiday and sick pay, etc.

General Description: Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Operations, the Rail Dispatcher ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient movement of Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) across the system. This position monitors and directs rail activities from the Operations Control Center (OCC), coordinates communications among multiple departments, responds to operational issues and emergencies, and maintains compliance with established rules, procedures, and safety standards.

• Act as the central communication liaison between PLTO Rail Operations and other departments involved in the safe and efficient movement of LRVs.
• Monitor, control, and maintain safe rail operations along the mainline, in yards, and on test tracks.
• Execute OCC functions in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), rules, and directives.
• Perform SCADA functions related to train control, traction power, and facilities, ensuring accurate and safe system operations.
• Communicate effectively with Rail Operators, Supervisors, Maintenance, MOW, Contractors, Security, and Instructors to coordinate rail movement and service continuity.
• Initiate and implement service recovery procedures to mitigate operational disruptions.
• Establish routes, signals, power commands, and SCADA-based controls in accordance with rules, safety procedures, and Track Allocation directives.
• Dispatch and control movement in both operational and testing environments, including contractor access.
• Demonstrate proficiency in Central Control System (CCS) functions, software tools, and subsystem architecture.
• Receive, interpret, and respond to system alarms and alerts from fare collection, traction power, security devices, networks, and facility hardware.
• Monitor and use CCTV, radio systems, and communications tools to support operations and emergency responses.
• Maintain accurate incident reporting, including delays, work orders, defects, and exceptions.
• Calculate train arrival times and make required announcements.
• Safely manage traction power de-energization and restoration using approved methods.
• Verify authorization and PPE compliance for personnel entering the right-of-way.
• Coordinate emergency response activities, including acting as liaison with Incident Command and first responders.
• Provide on-the-job training to PLTO personnel and assist with recordkeeping of train movements and exceptions.
• Respond professionally to…