Planner​/Scheduler; Alaska Railroad

Purpose of Position

The Planner/Scheduler leverages experience in mechanical equipment production, maintenance, or quality assurance to plan, schedule, and coordinate mechanical maintenance activities. The incumbent maintains records, performs root cause failure determination, trending analysis, and reports on maintenance‑related activities.

Prepares a detailed Weekly Master Schedule verifying the availability of required materials and special equipment, allocating resources to job requirements, balancing work scheduled with man‑hours available, and ensuring all preventative/predictive maintenance inspections are performed at predetermined frequencies. Coordinates with other departments to include all required inputs.

Manages backlog of repairs and maintenance, determines resource availability, addresses unplanned maintenance requirements, and ensures partner expectations are met. Schedules follow‑up to monitor compliance and completion shortfalls.

Ensures the Mechanical Department’s Quality Assurance Program is administered to maintain AAR Certification.

Plans details by determining best methods to perform the job, sequencing activities, determining required resources (equipment, drawings, instructions, diagrams), and developing a total estimated cost including labor, materials, and external charges.

Utilizes JD Edwards to assemble planned job packages including detailed work orders, job plans by task, labor plans by craft or skill, bills of material, and parts acquisition plans.

Coordinates each day of the Weekly Master Schedule with Mechanical Department Supervisors and Managers, assists in finalizing daily schedule requirements, and reschedules work displaced by emergencies or corrective work.

Ensures job completion is recorded to equipment history promptly. Maintains essential records and files for accurate management reports, interprets historical equipment cost information, participates in budget preparation, tracking, analysis, and periodically analyzes cost trends with recommendations.

Performs other maintenance‑related tasks and special assignments as requested by the Mechanical Operations Managers and may participate in Incident Command exercises and activities.

Must have practical knowledge of maintenance methods, procedures, machines, and materials; ability to plan for production control for overhaul or repair of complex machinery. Knowledge, skill, and experience to prevent or alleviate production delays, scheduling conflicts, and lack of materials, faulty processes, labor shortages, or skilled trade imbalances. Good working knowledge of railway equipment terminology, data, and standards. Must be able to observe and analyze maintenance operations to determine if schedules are followed or can be improved and determine causes of maintenance delays.

Experience in mechanical and electrical systems maintenance and knowledge of safe work practices are required. Knowledge of automated maintenance management systems, word processing, and spreadsheet software is preferred.

Must be able to apply methods to investigate, analyze, plan, and implement corrective action and establish cost controls for complex maintenance problems. Collect, analyze, and interpret specialized information concerning complex equipment. Use analytical techniques to determine what is to be done, how best to do it, and other options. Estimate material and manpower requirements accurately and exercise initiative in sourcing information for project estimates and plans.

Reports to the Director, Locomotive & Terminal Logistics. Assists Mechanical Supervisors and Managers in scheduling, planning, and assignment of maintenance work. Analyzes maintenance production requirements; plans for phases including labor, coordinates job scheduling, materials, and funding; handles problems and deviations per policies.

Contacts ARRC employees, government agencies, and vendors to plan and schedule work, coordinate activities, and exchange information. Influences, motivates, and…