Rail Traffic Controller Trainee

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or GED

Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience working in a safety-sensitive position, requiring excellent and verbal communication skills, extended periods of concentration, strict adherence to safety procedures and critical decision-making under pressure.

Other Requirements

• Successful completion of pre-employment assessment.

Certification/Licensure

• N/A

Preferred

• Experience working in a Rail Transportation Supervisor, Interlocking Operator, Rail Yard Master, Terminal Supervisor, Train Dispatcher, Emergency Management or Air Traffic Control experience to include, dispatching and train or aircraft movement activities.
• Experience working in a control center environment
• Background in signals systems and/or an understanding of how to use high voltage equipment.
• Colledge degree
• Technical Certification in a relevant field

Medical Group

Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

SUMMARY

The Rail Traffic Controller (RTC) Trainee attends and successfully completes all modules of the Washington Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) Rail Traffic Controller training course, in which they are taught to serve as part of the Rail Operations Control Center's front line expert incident- management team. The incumbent learns to uphold the ROCC's values of safety, trust, and accountability to support the department's vision to become a world-class, safety-driven control center and the best place to work at Metro. The trainee learns how to facilitate the safe, efficient control and operation of the WMATA rail transit system and to exercise sound, independent judgement and perform actions in accordance with established WMATA rules, procedures, and guidelines, to include:

• How to receive incoming information, including emergency communications from various internal and external sources (e.g., field-based personnel)

• How to analyze information quickly; devise safety-critical service-oriented solutions, and direct real-time decisions to emergency responders for immediate implementation and disposition.

• How to support the safe resolution of reported incidents (e.g., mechanical failures, derailments, floods, fires, etc.), the restoration of rail service delivery and the successful facilitation of special events.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Rail Traffic Management

• Learns how to communicate with various rail yards to ensure that the proper number of rail cars are available for each day's service.

• Learns how to receive reports from train operators and station managers on accidents, disabled trains, sick/injured customers, intoxicated/disorderly customers, assaults, robberies and other occurrences.

• Learns how to monitor the status of various systems and devices related to rail operations, such as: interlockings, Automatic Train Control, CB-EMIS, A/C and Traction Power Substations, ventilation fans, drainage pumps, fire alarms, Intrusion Detection Warning (IDW) alarms and intrusion alarms.

• Learns how to monitor the status of various systems and devices related to rail operations, such as: interlockings, Automatic Train Control, CB-EMIS, A/C and Traction Power Substations, ventilation fans, drainage pumps, fire alarms, Intrusion Detection Warning (IDW) alarms and intrusion alarms.

• Learns how to monitor and exercise continuous and complete control over movement of Roadway Maintenance Machines (maintenance units) on the mainline.

Emergency Response

• Learns to follow the operating procedures for dispatching supervisors, Metro Transit Police, local police/fire department or other related supporting agencies.

• Learns how to coordinate with Car Maintenance and the appropriate towers for replacement of defective trains.

Procedural Compliance

• Learns how to operate an Advanced Information Management (AIM) console to correct rail system alarm conditions in accordance to the Metrorail Safety Rules and Procedures Handbook (MSRPH) and Standard Operations Procedures. Cooperates with the ROC Assistant Superintendent, Rail Supervisors, Car Maintenance, Systems Maintenance, Metro Transit Police, Emergency Management, Fire Liaisons and other WMATA offices, as well as local police and fire departments to address adverse conditions or reported problems, emergencies and incidents within the Rail System.

• Learns the process of how to grants employees permission to enter the roadway for inspection and repair activity in accordance with roadway worker protection rules to support state of good repair.

• Learns how to manage single tracking and system segment shutdowns to create safe work areas and moves work equipment to worksites to also support state of good repair.

• Learns how to monitor and exercise continuous and complete control over movement of Roadway Maintenance Machines (maintenance units) on the mainline. Monitors closely and directs all manual movements of trains on the mainline.

Coordination and Collaboration

• Coordinates with MOC and ROIC to effectively manage the Right of Way and efficiently relay information. Communicates information concisely with internal and external stakeholders and provides timely updates on an as needed basis.

• Learns how to laisse with the ROC Assistant Superintendent, Rail Supervisors, Car Maintenance, Systems Maintenance, Metro Transit Police, Emergency Management, Fire Liaisons and other WMATA offices as well as, local police and fire departments to address adverse conditions or reported problems, emergencies and incidents within the Rail System.

• Learns how to respond to incoming communications (e.g., radio calls) from Train Operators, Field Supervision, Terminal Supervisors, Interlocking Operators, Station Managers and other field operations staff and external agencies to provide incident management and delay-mitigation oversight.

Reporting

• Accurately records all events and prepares a detailed report of all unusual incidents/occurrence as defined by OCC Management.

• Clearly records incidents/occurrence as defined by OCC management and uses the ROCC's maintenance database (Maximo) to manage reports.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.