Rail Traffic Controller Trainee Job at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Washington DC

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  • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
  • Washington DC

Job Description

Job Description

Would you like to make an impact by working at the heart of one of the largest transit systems in America? Do you possess the necessary skills to continuously drive improvement in an organization that affects millions of people every year? Are you a safety conscious person with the ability to work in a high pressured, fast-paced, communications heavy and safety-focused environment?

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is seeking talented, dedicated, safety driven individuals for the role of Rail Traffic Controller Trainee! As a Rail Traffic Controller Trainee, you will be required to attend a 6 to 9-month high-quality training program where you will learn the responsibilities, safety protocols and rules and regulations associated with becoming a Certified Rail Traffic Controller. Certified Rail Traffic Controllers are responsible for the safe and efficient movement of train operations that transport riders and colleagues the Metrorail system to include managing incidents and emergencies, coordination the deployment of resources, and communication of safety critical information. There is an associated probationary period of 6 months and once becoming a Certified Rail Traffic Controller, you will be required to satisfy a 2-year residency period in the role.

If you value safety and integrity; possess superior interpersonal, technical, analytical, and multi-tasking skills; have the ability to remain calm under pressure and make critical decisions; can follow safety procedures and manage emergency situations, this may be the opportunity for you. Visit our website at to learn more about this amazing opportunity.


Minimum Qualifications

Education

  • High School Diploma/GED
  • Successful Completion of pre-employment assessment

Experience

  • A minimum of two (2) years of rail, bus, air transportation or maintenance operations experience. Experience must include operating, dispatching or equipment movement activities.
  • Or , a minimum of two (2) years of control center emergency response dispatching experience.

Certification/Licensure

  • N/A

Preferred Qualifications

  • 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 with rail or bus operations, rail environment to include, dispatching train/equipment movement activities.
  • Knowledge of Metrorail Operating Rules (MOR) or Roadway Worker Protection Program (RWPP), or similar industry railroad safety rules and procedures, preferred.
  • Background in signals systems and/or an understanding of how to use high voltage equipment
  • College 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.

Job 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 Metro Integrated Command & Communications Center (MICC) - Rail Section's front line expert incident- management team. The incumbent learns to uphold the MICC 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.

Principal Job Duties

  • 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 and exercise continuous and complete control over 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 MICC Assistant Operations Manager, 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 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 Maintenance Operations and Communications Section 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 MICC Assistant Operations Manager, 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 MICC Management.
  • Clearly records incidents/occurrence as defined by MICC management and uses the MICC maintenance database (Maximo) to manage reports.

Other Duties

  • Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

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.

Job Tags

Traineeship, Work experience placement, Local area, Immediate start

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