Program Manager, Rail Operations - Line 2

JOB SUMMARY

Rail Operations manages the delivery of diesel and electric rail services, including management of the thirty-year P3 contract with the Rideau Transit Maintenance Group for the rail maintenance contract for the LRT system, ensuring safe and reliable operations that meet service standards, comply with all regulatory safety and operating requirements, and provide a safe, reliable, efficient, effective, on time, courteous and cost-effective rail service to a growing and diverse City of Ottawa. 

You are responsible for managing the safe, timely and reliable delivery of service on the O-Train, including recruiting, training, developing and leading a team of Superintendents and Light Rail Operators who deliver rail service on the Trillium Line and the Confederation Line.  

You are engaged in the following key activities:

• lead the service delivery for the O-Train Trillium Line and Confederation Line;
• develop and foster an employee culture focused on safety, performance and service;
• recruit, train and develop staff for Trillium Line and the Confederation Line operations;
• assist with development of training materials, operating bulletins, safety notices, and feedback on vehicle and system issues in order to deliver a safe and reliable service;
• monitor compliance with the safety management system requirements and ensure compliance with all railway regulatory issues by OC Transpo staff; and
• coordinate with other City departments to ensure that information on service issues, adjustments and changes are openly shared amongst key stakeholders.

You maintain contact with other branches within the city, provincial and national representatives, outside agencies and companies, and contractors for the city, where required; respond to questions from the general public, customers, media (as required) including senior staff; and represent the city at public meetings where necessary.

You also direct the implementation of operational and customer service strategies, the operations of the work unit, and manages financial and human resources; and are accountable for hiring and dismissal, performance management and discipline of staff as necessary, and acting as spokesperson for the employer at grievance hearings when required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of 4 year university degree in transportation or engineering, planning, operations research, operations management, or related field

Minimum of 7 years of related and progressively responsible experience in a labour intensive railway-operating environment, managing a changing and dynamic service product, and regulatory oversight, including experience in:

• managing of rail operations staff including organizing, developing and managing rail related teams and activities
• managing human resources in a unionized work environment
• working with budgets/financial processes

KNOWLEDGE

• Rail operations activities including driver training and dispatch, control centre principles for light rail systems, operating rules for light rail systems, planning and scheduling principles, access requirements, and understanding of DMU or electric light rail systems.
• Knowledge of the operation of light rail transit and emergency response procedures for transit systems including dealing with customer service issues, passenger emergencies, system emergencies and recovery, evacuations, and restoration of service procedures.
• Legislation, policies, regulations, guidelines and operational procedures relevant to rail operations including knowledge of rail regulatory requirements at federal, provincial and municipal, where required.
• Supervisory experience and motivational techniques. Working knowledge of corporate human resource policies, practices and collective agreements related to managing in a unionized environment, including hiring, dismissal, performance management and the grievance procedure
• Financial management practices, processes for preparing unit and transit system budgets
• Protocols for developing submissions, briefings, major reports
• Methods used to deal with the media in a professional manner
• Business software and information systems (SAP, MS Office, Outlook)
• Must possess the training, experience and knowledge to organize the work and its performance – previous experience on electric light rail systems would be an asset.
• Must be familiar with all applicable health and safety legislation, have knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the work place, and have knowledge of appropriate actions to be taken in order to ensure the health and safety of staff in accordance with applicable legislation and City policies and procedures.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Core Behaviours
Core behaviours define the City's expectations of the behaviours employees should demonstrate in performing their work.  They are reflective of the City's culture and values and guide all our present and future activities.  Every employee is encouraged to learn, embody, and demonstrate these core behaviours.

Review the Core Behaviours.

Leadership Competencies
The City has defined key competencies that leaders are expected to embody and demonstrate to successfully move the organization towards achieving its strategic objectives and create an organizational culture that supports and empowers employees to excel, grow and reach their full potential. These leadership competencies and associated behaviours are expected to be demonstrated by leaders at all levels of the organization. 

Review the Leadership Competencies.