Position Summary:
The incumbent works in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Office of Railroad Safety, Office of Railroad Systems, Technology and Automation, Operating Practices (OP) Division. The FRA Office of Railroad Safety promotes and regulates safety throughout the Nation’s railroad industry.As the field expert responsible for the interpretation and administration of FRA regulations and procedures concerning railroad operating practices.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and coordinate the investigation of serious train accidents in the region with particular emphasis on accidents involving human causal factors, railroad operating rules and procedures, and testifies as an expert witness at formal hearings or legal proceedings, if required.
- Work with the Deputy Regional Administrator(s) to develop training programs to be used for Railroad Safety Inspectors within the region. Train, counsel, and mentor State and Federal inspectors.
- Direct and guide Railroad Safety Inspectors in the examination of various railroad records and reports to monitor compliance with applicable regulations and laws, as well as, conducts training, counseling, and mentoring of State and Federal inspectors.
- Provide technical advice and guidance on railroad operating practices to Railroad Safety Inspectors assigned to the Region to promote uniform understanding and application of laws, rules, and regulations, railroad operating practices, hours of service, accident/incident reporting, drug and alcohol testing, engineer certification and training, and railroad occupational safety and health.
- Represent the FRA at meetings with railroad supervisors and management, railroad employees, officials of railroad labor organizations, railroad suppliers and shippers, and manufacturers to negotiate solutions to a wide range of local or regional problems.
Required Education & Experience:
- Experience dealing with the railroad industry, labor unions, the general public and state and local governments on matters relating to operating practices as a technical authority.
- Knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with compliance inquiries, including application of compliance rules and criteria and ability to make appropriate decisions and issue citations, fines, or orders.
- Knowledge of guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with an Accident investigation including preservation of accident scene, root cause analysis, and evidence detection and handling.
- Experience applying Federal regulations, laws, and standards to plan and manage a regional safety program related to railroad operating practices.
- Experience interpreting and enforcing railroad operating practices and procedures pertaining to rail safety in order to disseminate information and ensure uniform application or rules and regulations.
- Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and tools used to analyze program, organizational, and mission performance; includes methods that deliver key performance information (for example, comparative, trend, diagnostic, root cause, predictive) used to inform decisions, actions, communications, and accountability systems.
- Railroad accident investigation techniques.
- Skill in written an oral communication.