Rail Grinding Program Manager

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
  • In lieu of a Bachelor's degree, a high school diploma or GED and four (4) years of experience supervising rail grinding efforts, in addition to the experience stated below, will be considered

Experience

• Seven (7) year of experience supervising rail grinding efforts either in the field or as a manager, controlling an overall rail grinding program
• Demonstrated project management and contract development experience highly preferred

Certification/Licensure

• N/A

Preferred

• Engineer in Training Certification

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.

Mission Essential Designation:

• In accordance with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) this job has been identified as critical to mission essential functions. Incumbents in this role may be required to report to or continue to work in the event of authorized office closings or service suspensions due to severe weather, natural disaster, fire, operational emergencies or related events.

Job Summary:

The Rail Grinding Program Manager develops and executes the rail grinding contract, ensuring through proactive scheduling and quality control that the Metrorail system rail health is maintained in optimal condition.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops Rail Grinding contract and provides technical guidance for requested service as COTR. Identifies when contract extensions or termination of contractor is warranted. May assist in developing other contracts for short duration automatic track inspection services and serve as COTR. Rationalizes need for rail grinding and establishes definition of work required. Starts the procurement process and seeks funding sources leading to award of contract. Serves as procurements technical guide to ensure rail grinding contract and other short duration automatic track inspection services meets technical needs and answers bid questions as part of evaluation of vendor's technical competence. Ensures delivery of contract document with specific standards and detailed scope of work for bidding and submission to procurement. Assists Procurement with negotiations. Starts project closeout process for termination of a contract. Works collaboratively with various WMATA departments, including Procurement, Wayside Work Planning, and the Office of Track and Structures and RAIL budget staff. Verifies the effectiveness of actions performed by rail grinding contractors and confirms that all services have been rendered according to contractual obligations.
• Leads contractor mobilization at WMATA and guides contractors through WMATA requirements to prepare for safe work on WMATA property. Initiates scheduling of contractor vehicle safety and compatibility inspection for all contractor vehicles required to perform work. Registers contractor crew members for WMATA's contractor badging and scheduling contractor Roadway Working Protection training.
• Provides day to day management oversight of rail grinding contract, including oversight of performance and review of invoices with recommendations on payment. Develops service augmentations and contract modifications or new contracts as needed. Ensures contractors are meeting contractual specifications and submitting accurate and appropriate invoices. Ensures compliance with terms and identifies conflicts or changes requiring resolution at contract renewal.
• Prioritize needs for rail grinding services and develop grinding schedule, utilizing multiple data sets developed by contractor and WMATA, in additions to, input from TRST, ATC and respective engineering staff. Determines the order of how rail grinding resources are applied to ensure optimal effectiveness and utilization of the service.
• Studies feasibility for rail grinding at specific locations. Makes determination on required maintenance efforts based upon defect severity. Assists in scope development for rail renewal projects where defect condition is too severe to grind away to ensure rail grinding services are most efficiently utilized, and locations are not under- or overserved. Informs work planners about locations where grinding is not effective and to have rail renewal scheduled. Performs track inspection to assess rail conditions at key locations considering wheel/rail interaction theory.
• Performs track walking inspections and reviews of automated track inspections data, to understand the quality of completed grinding product, in addition to reviews of contractor performance. Informs contractors of quality of work deficiencies and seeks corrective action.
• Maintains preparedness for the coordination of emergency responses to safety sensitive conditions requiring rail grinding. Makes efforts to eliminate Loss of Shunt (LOS) conditions where trains cannot be adequately monitored by the Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC), due to rail head condition interference. Redirects rail grinding efforts to the location of concern to rectify LOS safety sensitive concerns and reschedule previously assigned work as needed.
• Performs rail wear trend analysis and wheel/rail interface studies involving new development of contracts with contractors as needed to understand if design standards need to change and to what new standard.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Attends industry events and seminars and continuously reviews and updates WMATA Rail Grinding Contract specifications, work instructions, materials, and best practices to keep up to date and relevant for effective and quality maintenance. Shares knowledge with and develops subordinate and peer staff and facilitates WMATA's standing as a leader in transit maintenance and reliability by remaining at the forefront of technology, practices, available services and materials.

The essential duties 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.