Rail Safety And Compliance Section Director - Rail Div. - Austin or Dallas

 TxDOT’s Rail Division is looking for a Section Director who oversees fourteen rail compliance investigators, four transit program managers, and a transit consulting team who ensures compliance with both state and federally mandated safety regulations.  Do you have a passion for railroad safety, mentoring, and leading safety teams with high inspection standards?  This job is for you.

At TxDOT we value employee work-life-balance. In keeping with our commitment to this value our employees benefit from a wide array of programs and activities that include flexed and compressed work schedules, wellness leave incentive, in-house wellness center, career
development programs, tuition assistance, and various other benefits.

This position will report to either the 6230 E. Stassney Location, Austin Texas  or the SSO Office located at 10300 North Central Expressway, Suite 500, Dallas, TX.  

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Directs and oversees the department's rail and transit safety inspection/compliance program. Reports to the Rail Division Director. Manages professional, technical and administrative employees. Work requires contact with governmental officials, special interests’ groups, railroad companies, governmental transportation entities, rail transit agencies and private entities. Employees at this level are virtually self-supervising and assume direct accountability for the work product.

Essential Duties:

• Advise the division on long-range budgetary and staffing needs to support the rail safety and compliance program.
• Oversee the development, management, and administration of the rail safety program.
• Develop and monitor the program operating budget and assist with the legislative appropriation request.
• Coordinate with the federal government on state and/or national initiatives.
• Communicate with railroads, transit agencies, and other government entities.
• Handle questions and concerns from the public and government officials about railroads and rail transit matters in Texas.
• Provide technical expertise, assistance, and guidance related to rail and transit safety.
• Provide analysis of rail safety legislation and regulations and assess rail safety statistics.
• Assess trends in the safety performance of railroads and transit agencies in the State, including at rail highway grade crossings.
• Oversee the collection of the Rail Safety Program Fee and the issuance of penalties for violations of rail safety standards in conjunction with the F.R.A.
• Coordinate risk assessments in areas of responsibility of potential fraud, waste and abuse in conjunction with the administration, development, and implement      of policies and procedures to identify, prevent and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse.
• Coordinate technical support in the implementation, administration and enforcement of laws and regulations relating to rail and transit safety in Texas.
• Coordinate the development of regulations, administrative rules and procedures related to rail safety inspection.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures for departmental activities.
• Oversee the department's federal/state rail safety inspection program.
• Participate and serve as a liaison to state and federal agencies and organizations with interests and responsibilities pertaining to the rail safety section program.
• Participate in rail transportation and rail safety inspection related research.
• Direct the completion of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) annual report to the Governor and Rail Transit Agencies (RTA).
• Ensures Rail Transit Agencies (FTA) compliance with the departments state safety oversight programs, standards, Texas Transportation Code, and the Texas Administrative Code
• Direct and oversee train derailment and railroad employee injury/fatality investigation in conjunction with FRA and NTSB.
• Review monitors and analyzes state and federal legislation and directs the implementation of legislation for rail and transit safety.
• Direct the development and function of rail safety program efforts Statewide in accordance with TxDOT policies and procedures and in conjunction with the Federal Railroad Administration's regional rail safety program and their regulation and processes and the Federal Transit Administration.
• Manages the collection of Hazardous Materials data from railroads in support of the Texas Department of Emergency Management.
• Oversee the implementation of the rail safety’s drone program.
• Coordinate and prepare clearance deviation request.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Relevant work experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Experience:

• Seven (7) years of experience in Transportation experience including rail, rail safety inspection or highway/rail programs and projects. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Related graduate education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis.
• Must have three (3) years of managerial/supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications:  Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline
• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic plans
• Grant management
• Demonstrated success in building and leading effective teams 
• Excellent communication and presentation skills 

Competencies:

-  Knowledge of the railroad industry, including economic and operating considerations and equipment.
-  Knowledge of the general safety and health principles and practices applicable to the railroad and rail transit industry.
-  Experience applying Federal regulations and standards of at least one of the seven disciplines and basic knowledge of other disciplines:  Bridge, Track, Signal & Train Control, Hazmat, Operating Practices, Motive  Power & Equipment, Grade Crossing & trespass prevention.
-  Knowledge of railroad accident investigation techniques.
- Experience conducting special investigations (including accident investigations) and inspections involving railroad rail and components to obtain determination of cause and produce useful and accurate results.
- Plan and develop the program’s principles, practices, and methodologies
- Develop, implement, and monitor budgets and resources
- Safeguard information technology systems based on applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations specific to area of responsibility.
- Maintain the inter-relationships between state and federal rail programs
- Manage grants and contract development
- Communicate vision and develop and direct the program
- Set objectives and goals that support overall section’s strategy/results; anticipate and adjust for roadblocks
- Direct and establish objectives; clarify roles and responsibilities through individual performance plans; monitor and measure performance against goals; evaluate results and make necessary adjustments to meet deadlines
- Persuade and negotiate critical issues
- Interpret and analyze legislation, rules, and regulations
- Direct the development of policy and operating procedures
- Analyze and organize business and technical data
- Communicate complex ideas and information clearly, concisely, and effectively
- Develop and give executive presentations
- Provides organizational leadership; foster collaborative relationships; initiate and support quality management
 activities and performance management measures to provide the highest quality products and services
- Manage financial and personnel resources to achieve individual and organizational goals
- Collaborates and builds effective working relationships with internal/external members to accomplish goals.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions:

• Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
• Subject to outside environmental conditions; no effective weather protection
• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour
• Subject to noise
• Subject to vibration
• Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals
• Subject to atmospheric conditions-fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation
• Subject to air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids
• Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device
• Works in narrow aisles or passageways
• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs. at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs.
• Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs.
• Climbing - ascending/descending ladders, stairs, scaffoldings, ramps, etc.
• Balancing-walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling.
• Stooping-bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist.
• Kneeling-bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee(s)
• Crouching-bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine.
• Reaching-extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
• Standing-prolonged periods of time
• Walking-moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another.
• Pushing-using upper extremities to press against object with force to move in a direction.
• Pulling-using upper extremities to exert force moving objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting-raising objects from lower to higher position/horizontally to a different position
• Fingering-picking, pinching, typing; working primarily with fingers rather than whole hand.
• Grasping-applying pressure to an object with fingers and palm
• Feeling-determining size, shape, temperature, or texture of objects
• Talking expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Hearing-perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication.
• Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading.
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes visual inspection of small defects/parts.
• Close Visual Acuity-using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts
• Visual Acuity-operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment.
• Visual Acuity-determine work quality/make general observations of facilities/structures.

Conditions Of Employment:

Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Please click this link to read the information for applicants: Additional Applicant Information