TriMet is seeking a Manager of Light Rail Systems Engineering!

The TriMet Rail Systems workgroup in the Design and Construction Department of the Engineering and Construction Division needs an experienced manager to provide leadership, personnel management, project management and technical expertise.

The Rail Systems workgroup is responsible for supporting TriMet maintenance with engineering support and project delivery related to traction electrification and train signal systems. This includes a wide range of activities such as applying focused subject matter expertise to resolve specific issues, delivering significant projects that provide new or replace significant electrification and signal infrastructure, identifying and advancing high-value innovations, updating criteria and maintaining records of existing systems and staying current with relevant industry standards and innovations.

Our department works closely with rail maintenance, rail transportation, operations engineering, safety, information technology, engineering and construction civil and vehicle engineering teams, as well as program management to ensure excellent service to the riding public.

Your role as the Manager of Rail Systems is to lead and manage a dedicated, high-performing and diverse group of subject matter experts and project managers to deliver a portfolio of rail systems initiatives and projects.

This position will perform personnel manager duties as a fully competent and experienced personnel manager.

While Professional Engineering registration from the State of Oregon or ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment is desired, it is not a minimum requirement for this position.

The Manager of Rail Systems has a high level of independence, opportunities to exercise significant judgment, and works with limited supervision from the Director of the Design and Construction Department.

This role requires being onsite a minimum of three (3) days per week in Portland, Oregon. 

Salary Range: $137,860.00- $206,789.00

Ensure a commitment to safety through consistent and professional behaviors in performance of job requirements that demonstrate safety is a fundamental value that guides all aspects of our work. Perform related duties as required.

Serve as a good steward of TriMet by regularly utilizing our transit system to maintain a strong and current understanding of customers’ experiences and of TriMet’s product and service offerings.

Essential Functions

1. Direct and manage the scope, schedule and budgets for a portfolio of rail systems and related projects assigning available internal and external resources for development, design, scheduling, estimating, contracting, fabrication, testing and turnover to operations. Determine appropriate contracting method. In conjunction with individual project managers, procurement and legal staff, address bid or other contracting issues, monitor progress, make regular on-site and fabrication facility visits, develop regular reports on progress. Provide updates to Director, Executive Director, and TriMet management of progress and issues.
2. Coordinate with Program Management to develop annual budgets for assigned rail systems staff and related projects. Participate in identifying and securing external and internal funding sources. Draft intergovernmental agreements or other documents to secure funding. Report on project milestones and progress. Participate in closeout; prepare for and assist with internal and external audits.
3. Manage, review and approve contract change orders and supporting documentation. Provide final review and approval authority for changes not to exceed $100,000.
4. Coordinate project efforts by internal staff, consultants, and public and private agencies. Coordinate with other departments and outside agencies on assigned rail systems and related projects
5. Responsible for effective management of project managers, and all assigned staff, including recommending hiring, disciplinary action, assigning work, coaching and performance evaluations.
6. Provide senior level technical direction related to design and construction of rail systems and other assigned projects.
7. Supervise subject matter experts, project managers, design managers, and construction managers. Coordinate consultants and assigned TriMet staff to ensure timely support and expected progress on a portfolio of projects as assigned. Enlist special or additional resources as needed to complete the work. Supervise planning, engineering and construction work of consultants and TriMet staff.
8. Oversee contract packaging for bidding including development of drawings, specifications and other documents developed by consultants and TriMet staff.
9. Manage and coordinate the delivery of engineering support services for TriMet Operation's rail systems and the work of engineers and technicians related to TriMet's existing rail systems.
10. Responsible for the analysis and resolution of complex problems pertaining to design and construction of rail system projects and others as assigned. Responsible for the managment and oversight of testing and troubleshooting of new and existing traction power and signaling systems. Responsible for systems integration testing and review and approval of test results.

Position Requirements

A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree is required with a Bachelor's Degree in electrical or mechanical engineering being preferred.

A minimum of six (6) years of experience are required. *

Four (4) years of experience in traction power, rail signal and communication systems are required.

Two (2) years of experience supervising other management or professional level staff are required.

Professional registration from the State of Oregon is desired upon hire.

Or any equivalent combination of experience and training.

*The amount of credit a candidate receives for prior years of experience is based on the relevancy of that experience to the required or preferred prerequisites of the job description. Experience is prorated based on hours worked. LRHR assigns and validates the "credited experience".  

Selection Criteria

Type of Position / Grade / FLSA
Grade 20, Exempt, Non-Union, Full-Time.

Salary Range
Minimum: $137,860.00
Maximum: $206,789.00

Salary offers will be determined by a candidate’s education, training and relevant experience. Any final offer of employment will fall within the range stated above.  For transparency, we choose to list the full available grade range, however, TriMet’s salary administration process will ultimately determine the final salary offered.

Selection Process

Candidates will be selected based at a minimum on the result of:
1. Application Review (please include: Cover Letter and Resume)
2. Panel Interviews
3. Reference Check

Supplemental Information
Make sure you describe in detail how your education, training and work experience fit with this role. You are encouraged to attach a resume, cover letter, training certificates and/or letters of recommendation with your application. You are permitted five attachments of less than 5MB each.

Internal applicants: Information in your personnel file will not be used in lieu of information requested on your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you are a qualified veteran and would like to apply for veterans' preference points, you will need to reflect your status on the application and attach supporting documentation at the time of application submission.

If you need accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act for any part of the application process, contact our Human Resources staff at 503-962-7505, or the TTY line at 7-1-1. Note that we require a minimum of two workdays' notice prior to the need for accommodation.

TriMet is an equal opportunity employer, committed to developing an organization that is reflective of and sensitive to the needs of the diverse community we serve, including veterans, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement

As applied to the workplace, applicants and employees must be qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Essential functions may include required job functions performed infrequently as well as production standards related to the quality and quantity of work.

If a person with a disability could meet job qualifications with a reasonable accommodation, TriMet will work with the employee to accommodate the need. If TriMet's accommodation is effective in allowing the employee to perform the essential functions of the job, it need not be the employee's preferred accommodation.  

About TriMet

TriMet provides bus, light rail and commuter rail transit services in the Portland, Oregon, metro area. We connect people with their community, while easing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution — making the Portland area a better place to live.

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