Deputy Director of Railroad Systems Engineering

Caltrain

Position Description

San Carlos, California

INTRODUCTION

Caltrain is seeking a seasoned and accomplished transit executive to serve as its next Deputy Director of Railroad Systems Engineering.

BACKGROUND

SamTrans is constituted as a special district under California state law. It is governed by a board of nine appointed members; two county supervisors, one transportation expert appointed by the county Board of Supervisors, three city council persons appointed by the cities in the county to represent the county's judicial districts, and three citizens appointed by the other six board members (including one from the coastside). In addition to managing Caltrain, SamTrans also manages the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, a separate board charged with administering the half cent sales tax levy funding various highway and transit improvement projects. SamTrans operates a 446 square-mile bus service area throughout San Mateo County and into portions of San Francisco and Palo Alto, and has 305 total fixed-route revenue vehicles and 93 Paratransit vehicles.

Caltrain is the commuter rail system serving San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties that spans 77 miles and is governed by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (PCJPB), which consists of agencies from the three Caltrain counties. Each member agency has three representatives on a nine-member Board of Directors. The member agencies are the City and County of San Francisco, SamTrans and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. Caltrain operates a fleet of 29 locomotives and 123 passenger cars. The average weekday ridership for Caltrain is over 60,000 passengers.

Currently, Caltrain is going through a modernization program, The Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP). The electrification of the railway is a transformative change, and this is the most exciting time in the 150 year history of the railway. The primary purpose of the Project is to improve Caltrain system performance, reduce long-term environmental impact by reducing noise, improve regional air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBLITIES

The Deputy Director, Railroad Systems Engineering will report to the Director Engineering and Maintenance, and will be responsible for railroad systems engineering and civil/systems integration for the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain).

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

  • Responsible for all railroad systems engineering and the integration of civil and systems contractsincluding communications, Positive Train Control (PTC) and control systems, signaling, grade crossings, overhead contact system (OCS), traction power, Electric Multiple Units (EMU) vehicles, CCTV, Public Address (PA), and Visual Message Signs (VMS). Responsible for the development and oversight of all aspects of the Caltrain PTC system including back office/wayside/onboard communications systems.
  • Responsible for the continued development, operation, and maintenance of all Caltrain systems including SOGR/preventative maintenance including the oversite of contractors responsible for system maintenance.
  • Responsible for providing systems support for the Caltrain modernization including signals, grade crossings, traction power, communications, and vehicle systems; and for integrating these systems with Caltrain.
  • Responsible for the management of the Caltrain Fiber Optic network and related contractors.
  • Develop and maintain engineering standards for all railroad systems elements.
  • Liaison with operations on the development of railroad systems as appropriate to ensure Caltrain service/safety and customer experience goals.
  • Supervise staff. Hire, mentor, and take appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action. Ensure EEO policies and procedures are followed. Participate in selection of staff. Coordinate staff training and professional development. Establish performance objectives. Monitor and evaluate employee performance.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Assist the Director, Engineering and Maintenance by directing and coordinating the Railroad Systems Engineering work program.
  • Manage and oversee the design of railroad systems including design document preparation.
  • Coordinate with the civil and structural design efforts, architectural design efforts, IT initiatives, contracts, construction management, operations, and safety and security.
  • Provide technical analyses and recommendations regarding design, construction, and operational issues.
  • Manage oversight of work effort to ensure control of projects scope, schedule, and budget;
  • Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of program service delivery methods and procedures; and recommend service and staffing levels.
  • Report to management on systems programs.
  • Advise staff and management on quality concerns and solutions
  • Work with CalMod and PTC programs to ensure effective transition of the programs from implementation to operations and maintenance from Railroad Systems.
  • Evaluate job performance of staff which also includes the professional development of staff through the identification of on-the-job and other professional development opportunities.
  • Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect one’s self, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures in an effort to reduce or eliminate accidents.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Sufficient education, training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, or a closely related field.
  • Five years full-time increasingly responsible management experience in the area of civil or rail engineering, construction management, and/or public works project management.
  • Three years full-time direct supervision of engineering staff.
  • Must be a registered Professional Engineer in the state of California.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  • Must be familiar with railroad systems requirements including all rules and regulations.
  • Must have experience with systems projects carried out on the right-of-way of an operating railroad.
  • Must possess a valid California drivers’ license with a safe driving record.