Manager, Rail Car Appearance

Job Description - Manager, Rail Car Appearance )

Salary: $

Front line management ensuring cleanliness of CTA’s fleet of rail cars. Plans and coordinates the implementation of Rail Car Appearance programs and activities to ensure service levels and quality results are achieved. Maintains quality standards of cleanliness for our customers in the areas of terminal platforms, rail yards, terminal routes and campaign activities.

• Prepares analyses and summary reports to provide management information regarding service forecast/actual levels, quality and individual staff accountability of rail car appearance programs.
• Conducts site audits to determine if section quality and production are within standards. Visually surveys rail cars in yard and line of road to determine if vehicle should be pulled for immediate service or meets appropriate standards to remain in scheduled cleaning cycle. Adjusts cleaning schedule as appropriate. Investigates and responds to complaints from internal and external customers.
• Evaluates and recommends improvements in work procedures and methods related to department programs. Conducts disciplinary interviews and investigations regarding attendance and work performance. Maintains ongoing dialogue with labor representatives on topics of joint concern.
• Forecasts material and personnel needs and interfaces with responsible CTA departments such as Engineering, Personnel, Purchasing and Training to ensure that staffing, material and training requirements are met in a timely manner. Recommends educational/technical training for management staff.
• Participates in planning sessions with transportation and maintenance to determine if competing interests are being served.
• Actively participates in planning the design, development and enhancement of rail car appearance systems, equipment and facilities. Contributes to the development of programs, policies, goals and objectives. Represents the department and company and participates in the development of programs at various company and industry wide forums, competitions and events.
• Hires, trains, develops, monitors, and evaluates performance of staff. Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

• Reporting to this position are the following jobs:
  Car Servicers and other staff.

• Anticipating potential problems and develop plans for immediate resolution.
• Implementing data collection and automation ideas.
• Recommending innovative programs to increase quality without increase in manpower.
• Maintaining quality service within tight budget constraints compounded by high employee turnover and day-to-day absenteeism.
• Maintaining a clean fleet of assigned rail cars under harsh environmental conditions and high public usage.

• High school diploma required, continued secondary education a plus. Experience as a Car Servicer, other applicable vehicle or facility maintenance experience, or janitorial related experience preferred.
• Experience supervising large workforce, particularly in a union environment preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Required to pass current Rail Safety Training certification.

• When in the field – extensive traversing, positioning self and moving. Moves, transports and maneuvers materials or equipment weighing up to 75 pounds.
• Must possess the physical strength and agility to negotiate track, ballast and footwalk conditions in a rail yard and on the right of way.
• Must have the stamina to work excessive hours during emergency situations with duration up to two weeks.
• Exposed to solvents and solutions used in cleaning, waxing, stripping and graffiti removal.
• Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery.

• Working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and union contract provisions governing Car servicers, a plus.
• Strong Microsoft Word and Excel, PowerPoint skills preferred.
• Strong verbal and written…