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.

What you'll do:

• 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 gradecrossing 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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.

Preferred Qualities:

• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders and maintain effective communication
• Knowledge of basic safety principles and willingness to learn rail specific safety standards
• Problem-Solving skills to address project delays and technical challenges
• Proficiency in data tracking, reporting, and documentation
• Commitment to public safety and continuous improvement

Special Working Conditions/Job Characteristics

• Railroad experience preferred.
• Job requires regular, statewide, overnight travel.
• Job requires exposure to physical hazards, health and safety risks, and/or adverse or otherwise undesirable characteristics in the environment.
• Job may require operation of vehicles to plow snow and spread ice control materials. (Training is provided in-house; prior experience is not required)

MoDOT offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Visit our CAREERS page to explore all we have to offer. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for MoDOT, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found HERE .

At MoDOT you will play a key role in maintaining the seventh largest highway system in the United States. We value team players who are open-minded and work well with others to accomplish goals and fulfill our mission of safety, service, and stability. We see the growth of our team members as an investment, both in MoDOT's future and yours. If you're looking for diverse opportunities, challenging work, and a flexible environment, we want to talk to you about joining our winning team. MoDOT operates on shared values and your success in our organization depends upon modeling these values. CLICK HERE to view our mission, values, and tangible results. If you embrace these values, we welcome your application.

cohrmocareers@modot.mo.gov

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• State of Missouri

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