Mechanical Supervisor (Alaska Railroad)

Full Job Description

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Supervises normal operations of the Locomotive, shop areas, to ensure all aspects of maintenance, overhaul, and running repair work within the Mechanical Department, are routinely repaired, maintained and serviced in a safe, effective and timely manner. Provides leadership and effective supervision to employees in the Mechanical Department. Ensures equipment is in compliance with all applicable FRA, OSHA, ARRC, and FTA, AAR rules and regulations. Responsible for ensuring proper shop operations, (e.g. Certified AAR Wheel Shop, machine shop, air rebuild shops) function as intended, maintaining production requirements, and complying with all applicable rules and regulations. Routinely performs relief assignments/duties associated with Planner/Scheduler work when required and as necessary. Areas of supervision include Anchorage.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Ensures locomotive maintenance and repairs are completed in a safe, effective, timely manner compliant with ARRC policies, applicable FRA regulations. Compiles and prepares documentation pertinent to applicable FRA, AAR, FTA, OSHA rules and regulation compliance. Supervises the daily terminal activities to ensure performance goals, customer commitments, and operating plans are met and executed. Works with external and internal customers in the design and execution of plans to ensure their needs are met. Notifies the Director of Locomotive & Terminal Logistics of deficiencies, areas of improvement, and required changes in operation.

Interfaces with Capital Projects and outside contractors to oversee building maintenance and facility improvements and ensure they occur without impact to rolling stock repair activities. Ensures outside contractors comply with on-site safety procedures and compliance.

Performs safety oversight during day-to-day repair activities, as well as emergency response situations. Performs safety audits and Operational Monitoring tests to ensure safety rules/ guidelines are followed. Recommends and implements job processes directed at risk analysis and reduction. Conducts daily job briefings and scheduled safety meetings per ARRC and Mechanical Department safety action plan.Ensures shop environmental requirements are complied with, including spill response, new item Material Safety Data Sheets (M.S.D.S.’s), as well as updates, and proper handling/storage of hazardous materials. Establishes and ensures compliance with the ARRC Safety plan in conjunction with Safety Department and ARRC senior leadership. Conducts safety audits and operational monitoring. Enforces rules, investigates incidents/injuries, and oversees corrective action.

Supervises craft personnel in accordance with ARRC Human Resources policies and applicable collective bargaining agreements, ARRC safety rules, policies. Responsible for hiring, training, and supervision of skilled craft employees. Oversees compliance with corporate attendance and personnel policies. Educates, mentors, trains, retrains, and issues discipline to staff as necessary. Works with management staff to ensure proper Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Job Aids, Terminal Bulletins, JSAs, and other instructions are written, monitored, kept current, and complied with as necessary based on environmental and operating conditions.

Maintains records and insures calibration/certification of test equipment and lifting devices per FRA, AAR, FTA, OSHA and ARRC standards. Participates in audits to ensure compliance with ARR standards during Mechanical Department operational audits. Performs follow-up to discrepancies/exceptions identified during audit activity.

FACTOR 1: Technical and Operational Knowledge

Must have the knowledge of, and skill in applying a comprehensive range of principles, concepts and practices to monitor assignments concerning equipment repair sufficient to: enhance equipment readiness and efficiency, develop and recommend changes, ensure utilization of the work order system and review applicable reports concerning equipment history related to equipment repair cost effectiveness, recommend changes to maintenance procedures, and ensure that modifications or new equipment will satisfactorily interface with existing equipment.

Extensive experience in the areas of mechanical and electrical systems maintenance is required and training in welding desired. Knowledge of of 49 CFR parts 200 to 399 regulations preferred.

Must be able to understand and comply with instructions. Knowledge of principles, policies and procedures in the areas of safety, human resources, and purchasing is required.

Must have a positive attitude towards safety, be able to project that image to co-workers/subordinates and be a team player. Knowledge of safe work practices and methods is required.

The ability to work cooperatively with ARRC supervisors and employees is required.

Skill in operating a personal computer and a working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software, preferably Word, Excel, is preferred.

Record management skills are required in maintaining shop maintenance and personnel records. Possession of a driver’s license is required. Possession of a Class A CDL is preferred.

Individual must possess leadership and organizational skills as well as an excellent working knowledge of day-to-day railroad operations.

Incumbent must be able to work effectively under pressure and in situations that require firm decision making. Ability to work independently with a strong work ethic is required.

Individual must be able to work in a methodical and process oriented manner and to meet critical deadlines related to on-time train departures and customer commitments.

Must be able monitor daily employee performance as well as long term performance analysis to ensure goals are being met safely, timely, and efficiently.

FACTOR 2: Analytical Skills and Impact

Incumbent must have the ability to analyze, evaluate and monitor assigned projects. Incumbent uses a working knowledge of AAR, APTA, FTA, OSHA and FRA regulations to ensure corporation’s compliance.

Incumbent monitors employees’ practices, repair methods, and makes assessment of training needs.

Incumbent is jointly responsible for management of inspection reports/records and preventative maintenance completion.

Compliance with regulations determines the corporation’s ability to pass inspections and avoid costly fines.

Must have the ability to establish initial repair and replacement cost estimates, obtain technical data, interpret and report the operational capabilities of equipment, evaluate appropriateness of modifications to equipment, identify and resolve any new or unusual equipment issues and recommend solutions based on economic feasibility and technical effectiveness.

Monitoring the repair of locomotive fleet requires the integration, evaluation, and analysis of information from a variety of data base applications and in compliance with American Association of Railroad (AAR) and Federal Railroad Agency (FRA) regulations and guidelines.

Information processing requires the usage of custom spreadsheets, database applications, and unique data transmission/manipulation methods.

Must have the ability to analyze and interpret AAR and FRA regulations and their impacts on the operation of the Alaska Railroad locomotive fleet.

FACTOR 3: Supervision and Control

Incumbent directly supervises up to 20/25employees assigned to the ARRC Mechanical Department.

Specific areas of responsibility include the supervision of craftsmen involved in locomotive maintenance and repair. Subordinate supervisors include union represented work leaders.

Incumbent monitors and provides necessary documentation relevant to employee performance as it applies to attendance and performance, in both safety and production areas.

Incumbent reports directly to Director, Locomotive & Terminal Logistics.

Incumbent is responsible for the observance of and ensuring subordinates comply with ARRC accounting and procurement policies and procedures (e.g. p-cards, blanket purchase orders)..

FACTOR 4: Communication

Communicates with employees and supervisors at all levels.

Communications include daily updates with represented mechanics, fellow departmental and other department supervisors, department management safety and training consultants, and compliance officials..

The purpose of the communication is to ensure schedules are met, a safe working environment is provided to employees, and equipment is maintained and repaired in a timely manner.

Works with vendors to convey specifications of equipment, and obtain needed parts and components. Works with customers to ensure their freight is handled correctly and received in a timely manner.

FACTOR 5: Working Conditions

Work is performed within an office, shop environment or outside work sites.

This position calls for flexibility to work weekends, holidays, non-standard work shifts, swing shifts, evenings and on-call duty, as well as for the use of personal protective equipment including hard-hat, safety glasses and steel-toed boots.

Incumbent must be available for call out at all times and be able to travel at short notice.

While working at derailments or performing repair activities in outlying points, outside work is sometimes required in extreme inclement weather conditions.

May be exposed to hazardous conditions such as 80 mph winds, down to 60 below zero temperatures, up to 100-degree temperatures, and faces hazards from chemicals that are used in the workplace.

Noise hazards are faced daily. Hazardous footing is prevalent.

Requirements

Required:

High school diploma or GED

Five (5) years of mechanical equipment production, maintenance, or quality assurance experience

One (1) year of demonstrated leadership, lead craftsman or supervisory experience

Valid/Active driver’s license

Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing, in addition to good records management skills.

Preferred:

Experience in the areas of locomotive, heavy equipment, or freight/passenger car maintenance and inspection

Familiarity in derailment activities and re-railing of equipment.

Skill in operating a personal computer and a working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software (preferably Word, Excel, and Production Management software)

Knowledge of ARRC write-up procedures, working knowledge of Title 49 CFR, parts 200 to 399, and Title 49 CFR Part 238 regarding passenger regulations

Possession of a Class A CDL is preferred.

The above reflects only the more significant details for the performance of the job and is not intended to be all inclusive.

Qualifications

Please be sure to include REQUIRED AND DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS in your APPLICANT PROFILE &/OR RESUME.

Please include any REQUIRED AND DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS in your APPLICANT PROFILE and/or RESUME.

If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment and whether full- or part-time.

Your application will be closely reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met.

If they are not, the applicant will not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

IF you are selected for an interview, then you MUST be able to submit a copy of a current driving record that reflects the past three (3) years of driving history.

The State of Alaska DMV Driving Records are available online: https://online.dmv.alaska.gov/onlinedrivingrecords

Additional Information