Operations Supervisor, MOW Lead Supervisor Position Available In Mecklenburg, North Carolina

Operations Supervisor, MOW Lead Supervisor 3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 700 East 4th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

Date Opened:

Friday, April 25, 2025 12:00

AM Close Date:

Friday, May 16, 2025 12:00

AM Department:

Charlotte Area Transit System Department Operations Support Salary:

$77,312.40 – $96,640.50 Commensurate with Experience SUMMARY The incumbent will direct the Maintenance of Way staff, including Leads, Train Control Maintainers, Traction Power Maintainers, and Overhead Catenary System (OCS) Maintainers within the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Maintenance of Way department. This Lead Supervisor position is an active frontline supervisory role. The Lead Supervisor will assist the Maintenance Way Manager in guiding and overseeing the department’s operations and assume the Manager’s responsibilities in their absence. Additionally, this role will advise on repairs and maintenance related to the CATS Blue and Gold Line rail infrastructure systems, subsystems, and projects. This position presents an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to ensure the smooth functioning of departmental operations and project management while playing a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of rail infrastructure. The incumbent will supervise staff, troubleshoot traction power and signaling systems, perform Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), and ensure compliance with revenue requirements set by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Railroad Administration regulations. The role provides considerable autonomy, allowing the supervisor to exercise independent judgment within established guidelines. This position offers a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the organization’s success by ensuring that preventive and corrective maintenance is completed efficiently and to the highest standards. The person in this role supervises, guides, and collaborates with supervisors and maintainers during their shift. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that preventive and corrective maintenance are performed according to standards and SOPs for the Maintenance of Way (MOW) department, including aspects of the Overhead Contact System (OCS), signals, and substations.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Work with members of the workforce and all related maintenance of way disciplines and departments to provide safe and reliable rail infrastructure. Provides supervision to departmental personnel and ensures all departmental goals are accomplished; promotes and supports team culture. Directs, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs all systems related to rail infrastructure, such as train control and signaling systems and subsystems, overhead contact system, traction power substations, and power distribution, and all maintenance and emergency support equipment, using all the necessary tools and equipment to accomplish tasks. Responsible for responding to rail emergencies involving significant service delays and vehicle accidents. Oversee the management of signaling systems to ensure proper signaling is in place for safe train movement. Provides guidance and support to Rail Operation in the event of an incident and assists in restoring rail service. Performs acceptance and pre-service testing of rail systems equipment and multi-system tests as required. Conducts sessions with teams to improve work results, processes, and work plans. Develops plans to increase department efficiency and reliability by identifying and implementing process improvements. Discretionary ability to decide vendor/internal material and development strategy by partnering with Managers and others to evaluate, recommend, and implement alternative delivery systems to maximize internal resources and leverage available finances. Track the performance of traction power systems (e.g., substations, circuit breakers, transformers) to ensure consistent and uninterrupted service. Serves as departmental internal QA and subject matter expert resource by reviewing parts, work performance, and preventive and corrective actions. Evaluate personnel performance, document performance after completing required training programs, and verify the ability to operate specific equipment and perform specified Maintenance of Way department duties. Ensure compliance with industry regulations, internal standards, and safety protocols. Prepare regular reports on system status, issues, and actions taken. Researches and prepares technical and administrative reports in support of the operation. Assists in resolving rail maintenance emergencies. Identifies and resolves workplace problems, including monitoring of tardiness or absenteeism. Schedules and directs planned maintenance as the OEM and CATS management outlines. Follows and adheres to all Maintenance of Way standards, policies, and procedures applicable to the day-to-day operations of MOW and revenue service. Ensure that all aspects of the catenary system (wires, supports, connectors, etc.) are regularly inspected for wear, damage, or any issues affecting train operations. We will comply with all safety regulations issued by CATS, APTA, OSHA, FTA, FRA, IEEE, and NCDOT. Responsible for assigning equipment and personnel to meet all operating requirements per all established rules, regulations, practices, policies, and procedures. The incumbent directly supervises technical and professional employees and subordinate supervisors. Performs other related duties as required.

Essential Duties:

Note:

Essential Skills are the abilities and competencies that candidates must possess or demonstrate to effectively perform their required duties. Failing to meet these requirements or lacking the capability to perform essential skills may result in disqualification. The candidate must be available to work irregular hours and shifts depending upon the business needs of CATS. Candidates may be required to respond to emergencies on a 24-hour, seven-day basis. Communicate effectively and clearly in English, both orally and in writing. Must accurately document work on logs, spreadsheets, documents, and forms and utilize computerized maintenance terminals, laptops, and handheld computers. Must complete a 6-month probationary period. Must be computer literate and can adapt to the use and understanding of existing software and future upgrades. Must be able to use all trade tools, typical shops, and heavy equipment. Must have the ability to be able to operate all rail-related heavy equipment and vehicles. Must complete all training assignments with passing scores and maintain qualifications. Must be able to work in the safety-critical environments associated with operating a rail system. Must meet Physical and Sensory Requirements and the Special Provisions listed below. Must have and must maintain a valid driver’s license. Strong leadership and team management skills with a demonstrated ability to supervise, motivate, and develop team members. Excellent problem-solving skills, especially under pressure. Ability to manage multiple efforts simultaneously, balancing both technical and administrative responsibilities. Excellent communication and skills to collaborate effectively with internal teams, vendors, and external stakeholders. Physical Requirements Must have the ability to lift and carry at least 60 lbs. Must be able to manipulate 100 lbs. Must be able to stand and walk on uneven surfaces while working. Must be able to work while in the following positions or conditions: sitting, bending, twisting, kneeling, reaching, crouching, lying down prone or supine, at shoulder level or above, or any combination listed above.

Work Environment:

Outdoor work in varying weather conditions. Exposure to loud noises, heavy equipment, and moving trains. Physically demanding tasks, including standing, walking, and lifting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Principles of organization, motivation, supervision, and personnel management; Theory, operation, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of light rail critical infrastructure, including the troubleshooting, repair, and replacement of electrical/electronic and mechanical components, associated sub-systems, and other related repairs; Principles of electricity, electronics, and digital circuits; Industrial safety and general shop safety rules and regulations and hazardous materials handling, and storage regulations as applied to rail maintenance shops; Theory, the operation and use of computers and computerized diagnostic and test equipment.

Ability To:

Plan, scheduled, prioritized, and organized the work for optimal effectiveness and efficiency of production while meeting established standards and deadlines. Prepare correspondence and reports and analyze data with recommendations. Work independently with limited supervision. To implement and establish a productive and motivating work environment in and out of the maintenance shop. Developing cooperative and effective working relationships with those with whom one comes in contact.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the above tasks and possession of the following knowledge and skills: The required knowledge, skills, and abilities obtained through training, apprenticeships, education, and experience are equivalent to five (5) years of supervision of rail maintenance, electronics, industrial maintenance, and operational knowledge. Graduation from an accredited college/technical/military with an associate degree supplemented with six (6) years’ experience in electrical, electronic, hydraulic, mechanical, or an equivalent combination of post-high school education with more than eight (8) years of experience in maintenance craft (electrical, electronic, , mechanical, ) directly related to rail transit, or an equivalent combination of progressively responsible experience working with maintenance and repair of rail infrastructure, signals, and power distribution systems.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check. Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports. Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments. The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online. Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job. You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby where we have workstations available. Our office is located at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays. For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us . The City of Charlotte is committed to making the job application process accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modification will be provided. To make a request, please email HRADAAdministration@charlottenc.gov , call 704-962-6168, or visit us in person at 700 4th St., Charlotte, NC 28202 .

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees. The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.