Assistant Chief Engineer - Structures

Job ID: 7783

Business Unit: Long Island Rail Road

Location: Jamaica, NY, United States

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Department: Engineer - Facilities Maint

Date Posted: Jul 5, 2024

Description

Title: Assistant Chief Engineer - Structures

Department: Engineering

Post Date: 07/05/2024

Close Date: 07/18/2024

Hay Point Evaluation: 1090

Salary Range: $133,509 - $200,264

Position Classification: Safety Sensitive

Location: Queens

Reports To: Deputy Chief Engineer

This is a Non-Represented Position.

This position is eligible for telework which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

Please note that this position has been designated as a “Policy Maker” pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics. As such, you will be required to complete a Financial Disclosure Statement that will be provided to you by the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics.

Summary

This position is responsible for managing LIRR infrastructures assets valued at several billion dollars (i.e., Stations and Platforms; Facilities; Shops and Yards; Bridges; Tunnels; Viaducts; Retaining Structures; Culverts; Drainage Systems; etc.) and hundreds of millions of dollars of investment within Capital Programs. Responsible to direct and control Engineering’s Resources (Labor, Materials, Equipment, construction and maintenance of bridges and buildings, third Party Contracts, and Design) to effect economical operations, maintenance and construction of LIRR infrastructure at key facilities (shops and yards) including the joint facilities agreement at Penn Station with Amtrak and the Structures Division. This position is accountable for planning, directing, budgeting, managing, and coordinating the functions of the Engineering Department and Structures and Facilities Division to maintain safe working conditions; and improve operations and maintenance functions/practices. Responsible to oversee all regulatory inspections of line structures across the system and life safety systems at facilities. This position will have overall responsibility for MEP (maintenance, electrical, plumbing, fire suppression) facility systems, utility systems and third party contracts (i.e. - HVAC, FA, Elevator, Escalators). Responsible for overseeing execution, completion, and maintenance of Force Account Construction capital program investments. This position also oversees all operational and safety aspects concerning elevators and escalators on LIRR property. Additionally, this position will also coordinate and execute the commissioning process for all new facilities and line structures as they transition from construction to beneficial use for operations. Ensures engineering procedures and initiatives are followed through with or completed and create a professional working environment for continuous improvement. Establishing standards and controls to ensure adherence for construction, maintenance, testing and inspection of all wayside electrical systems. Ensure project scopes, estimates, reports, and schedules are accurate. Ensure department procedures are updated to reflect current practices and audits are addressed. This position will provide the support necessary for recruiting, selection, hiring and training of new positions in the Structures and Facilities Division. Responsible for safety of structures and facilities employees; 3rd Party Contractors; and implementation of safety initiatives to improve employee and operational safety. The ACE – Structures is also required to coordinate resources and forces of other departments necessary to achieve Capital and Maintenance goals. This individual will coordinate and work with union leadership on all aspects of safety, performance and discipline. This position also assists in directing 24/7 emergency response to critical operational issues, derailments, storm-related events, etc. This position is responsible for making critical safety related decisions 24/7 for both normal operations, maintenance, and emergency situations.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Provide leadership and direction to Engineering Facilities maintenance operations for all identified LIRR east and west facilities. This includes maintenance standards, construction practices, ensuring minimal service disruptions and ensuring safety of all. Oversight of third-party contractors’ Capital construction and maintenance work through standardized inspections. Responsible for maintenance contracts. Develop and implement programs for preventive maintenance, using data to predict future defects. Direct and monitor facility construction projects to ensure they are efficiently scheduled and adequately funded. Define and incorporate facilities infrastructure needs into the Strategic Business Plan on a continual basis.

• Provide leadership and direction to Structural Projects, Maintenance, Civil Inspection and Design Groups on rehabilitation, construction, maintenance, supervision, repair of railroad assets. Ensure that scopes, schedules and budgets are carried out safely, in compliance with state, city, county regulation and have minimal impact on train service. Oversight of third-party contractors’ Capital construction and maintenance work through standardized inspections.

• Provide leadership and direction to the Elevator & Escalator Group on inspection and maintenance of Third-Party Contractors as it pertains to LIRR Elevator & Escalator (E&E) at the LIRR stations and facilities. Provide guidance with compliance of LIRR lifecycle replacement program.

• Ensure department-wide safety programs are in place and attended by staff to minimize injuries to personnel and damage to equipment. Ensure adherence to safety rules and regulations. Promote safe work practices and provide safe working conditions for employees and customers. Identify and organize modular training programs for specific work task. Review training programs and/or develop programs that improve productivity, enhance job knowledge and provide resource development to keep current with new technologies.

• Direct preparation and management of Engineering Structures and Facilities budgets, schedules and estimates to ensure proper cost control. Identify material, labor schedule and contractors efficiencies to reduce costs and maximize productivity. Review cost reports; investigate overrun/ under run conditions. Ensure all necessary materials are procured for both maintenance and construction projects for the Department. Develop/Implement 5-year and 20-year Infrastructure strategy plans. Provide direction and guidance for development of strategy and policy/procedures.

• Respond to internal and external correspondence relating to Structures and Facilities Maintenance issues. Manage employee relation issues with various labor organizations and Labor Relations Department as necessary including Amtrak’s labor force. Communicate with department managers on a daily basis concerning progress of all Engineering work.

• Represent the Chief Engineer at meetings with outside agencies and other departments within the organization upon request. Perform other assignments as requested by Senior Management.

• Develop and oversee maintenance service level agreement or checklist of Facilities Maintenance group including Elevators & Escalators (E&E) that would ensure that the facility is complete and in proper working order which would eliminate the potential for maintenance problems at the time of commissioning.

• Select, develop and motivate personnel within the department. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary. Review direct reports and approve performance appraisals. Promote safe work practices and provide safe working conditions. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.

• Ensure a safe working environment and adherence to guidelines of company safety policies and procedures. Lead by example.

• All other assignments at the request of senior management.

  QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering field is required. Demonstrated, directly related, equivalent experience and education may be considered in lieu of the degree, subject to approval

  • Must be a seasoned manager with progressively responsible experience in Structures experience in a railroad engineering environment.

  • Must be a seasoned manager with responsible experience in facilities management in an engineering environment.

  • Must possess effective management experience (for both represented and professional employees) with a primary responsibility for a multi-million-dollar budget and could make immediate decisions with the potential to impact the operating budget.

  • Must possess experience managing in a complex multi union environment with working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and union work rules.

  • Must possess prior experience dealing with and managing outside contractors and outside agencies with consistency.

  • Must possess strong understanding and basis in design/rehabilitation of structures & construction procedures & methods as related to a commuter railroad.

  • Must possess experience developing and implementing long term facility maintenance solutions.

  • Must possess an extensive understanding of engineering principles as they apply to all Engineering disciplines.

  • Must be able to analyze equipment and compile trend analysis on defects relating to elevators, escalators, HVAC systems, or structural defects in any of the facility buildings.

  • Must possess the ability to plan, forecast and set objectives/goals to support corporate goals and determine course of action as well as the development of long term deferred maintenance plans.

  • Must possess ability to direct business functions associated with operations, including reliability schedules, budgeting, utility costs, resource, and material allotment.

  • Must possess project management skills and ability to direct strategy for Capital Program as they relate to facilities.

  • Must possess strong, effective leadership and management skills in order to lead and direct forces, develop the organization, including setting high standards of professional conduct.

  • Must have demonstrated technical, leadership, management, organizational, facilitation, and negotiating skills necessary to effectively administer new corporate guidelines; lead all facets of design, construction, and maintenance including standards; and to provide direction to staff and coordinate activities with other Engineering disciplines and LIRR departments.

  • Must have experience in the development of scopes, estimates, schedules and budgets.

  • Must possess ability to effectively motivate, develop and influence others in a positive and productive manner to meet department/corporate goals and ensure consistent and high standards among department personnel.

  Must have demonstrated a high level of initiative, problem solving skills and decision-making abilities with ability to influence change.

  • Must possess ability to represent the department/company at various events and functions, while being sensitive to local issues and political climate.

  • Must demonstrate a high level of initiative, problem solving skills and decision-making abilities.

  • Must be regularly available to work off-hours and on a 24/7 basis for issue resolution/mitigation.

  • Must possess ability to motivate, train and influence others in a positive and productive manner to meet department/ corporate goals and new initiatives. Must be self-motivated.

  • Must possess ability to ensure adherence to corporate/ department safety policies.

  • Must possess ability to lead and direct forces, develop the organization, including setting high standards of professional conduct.

  • Must possess strong understanding of company/department operations, policies and procedures.

  • Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills are required.

  • Must have a valid driver’s license.

  PREFERRED/DESIRABLE SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Professional Engineering License

  • Advanced degree in Engineering or related field

  • Knowledge of railroad operations including Amtrak, related FRA (Federal Railroad Administration), OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and NEC (National Electric Code) rules and regulations is desirable.

  Other Information:

  In addition to meeting the minimum requirements of the position, the selection process may include, but is not limited to, a pre-screening assessment (i.e., physical, written and/ or practical evaluation) and interview. Candidates forfeit further consideration in the process if they fail to participate in any step of the process when scheduled. Make up dates/times will not be given. In addition, LIRR employee applicants must be in their current position for the 12 months immediately preceding the close date of this posting and must possess a satisfactory work history, including attendance and discipline record. A record of more than 10 sick days in two of last three years is considered unsatisfactory attendance. Not all qualified applicants are guaranteed an interview due to the competitive selection process. A medical examination and safety sensitive drug/alcohol test may also be required.

  Equal Employment Opportunity:

  MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

  The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.