Senior Director of Maintenance of Way (MOW)

Posting number: 26-20126

Department: MBTA - Maintenance of Way

Division: 332-Surface Light Rail

Job classification: Senior Director of Maintenance of Way (MOW)

Posting type: Open/External and Promotional/Internal

Categories: Maintenance

Summary

This position will oversee 300 + employees, consultants, and contractors responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, upgrade, design, construction, and all other activities associated with the Authority's track infrastructure.  This includes the operation and maintenance of the track infrastructure system for revenue service across the entire transit system (Red, Orange, Blue, Green, and Mattapan Trolley lines) and of non-revenue track infrastructure systems in the maintenance yards and facilities. 

Examples of duties

• Responsible for the ongoing enhancement of the customer experience through the oversight and direction of all activities associated with the repair, maintenance, and modification of all track infrastructure.
• Provide the Chief of E&M Infrastructure with ongoing leadership, direction, and information relating to the current state of MOW and capital improvement projects. 
• Provide support to the three other functional areas of Engineering & Maintenance (E&M); Signals & Communications Maintenance (SCM), Power Systems Maintenance (PSM), and Stations, Facilities, and Structures (SFS). As a key leader, be prepared to lead E&M in the absence of E&M department leadership.
• Supervise in a heavily unionized environment and through a Director, Deputy Director, Superintendents, Supervisors, Forepersons, and other maintenance, engineering, and administrative staff responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, modification, design, installation, and all other activities associated with the Authority’s track assets.
• Lead and monitor resource allocation decision-making, including operation and capital budget requests and implementation, alignment with strategic goals, and resource priorities, and establish a strategy for defining key performance indicators (KPIs) for the department with clear definitions, milestones, and metrics.
• E&M strives to shift from primarily reactive-based maintenance to predominantly preventative and ultimately predictive maintenance. Through process development, data analytics, and strategic planning, the director will provide the structure and support needed to drive modernization of maintenance through data analytics as it applies to Preventive Maintenance and Inspections (PMIs) and to ensure system safety. 
• Establish and monitor preventative maintenance schedules to be implemented by field staff.
• Develop and maintain procedures, manuals, specifications, etc. for all required testing, preventative maintenance, inspections, repairs, etc. associated with track infrastructure.
• Develop and implement production schedules for renewal, replacement, upgrades, and programmatic maintenance of track assets.
• Review all specifications and RFPs associated with the selection of consultants and/or vendors for services and materials related to power systems maintenance, repairs, and modifications.   Review all submittals from contractors and/or vendors and participate in the selection process.
• Ensure all inventory, equipment, facilities, and materials under their control are protected, maintained, and stored in a safe operating condition.
• Participate in the development and management of the department's annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring sound fiscal oversight of all resources.
• Work with the Office of Administration to review and assess current and future staffing needs and participate in all phases of the recruitment and selection of employees for the department.
• Ensure all crews have received the proper training to perform maintenance tasks, operate equipment and vehicles, and comply with authority policies and procedures.
• Monitor and oversee any investigations into system failures and the implementation of corrective actions.
• Ensure the department's compliance with Authority policies and procedures, including compliance with all applicable safety standards, discipline processes, and mandated trainings.
• Establish and maintain sound union/management relations while upholding the rights and interests of management and adhering to collective bargaining agreements.
• Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or co­worker in a courteous and professional manner.
• Respond, directly or through others, and/or report to work for emergencies, extreme weather conditions, or any other abnormal conditions that impair service or the safety of service, twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle to visit work sites and to assist at emergencies, service disruptions, and/or other events as needed.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
• Assist in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the Authority, including the EEO, Anti-­Discrimination and Anti­-Harassment and Anti­-Retaliation policies.
• Perform related duties and projects as assigned

Additional responsibilities may include a focus on one or more departments or locations.   See applicable addendum for department or location-specific functions.

Supervision

• Team of 300+ maintenance or way staff, including Directors, Deputy Directors, Supervisors, Engineers, Superintendents, Forepersons, Trackpersons, System Repairers, Laborers, Equipment Operators, etc. 

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Twelve (12) years of experience in a transit or industrial setting managing, reviewing, designing, and implementing contract & procurement, engineering, and/or maintenance processes.
• Seven (7) years of experience in people management and/or enterprise-wide project leadership in a transit and/or industrial environment.
• Experience developing and monitoring operating and capital budgets.
• Experience developing and articulating capital investment programs.
• Experience making presentations as needed to executive management, staff, and regulatory agencies.
• Have the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Have excellent customer service and conflict resolution skills.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license without infractions in accordance with MBTA policy.
• Have the ability to provide internal and external customers with a courteous and professional experience.
• Have the ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.

Substitutions

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement. 
• An associate degree from an accredited institution with an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement. 
• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience. 
• A nationally recognized certification or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Supplemental information

• Experience with all aspects of the inspection, maintenance, repair, upgrade, design, and/or construction of rail track structures for a public transit provider or other transportation industry.
• Experience in supervising and managing personnel responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, upgrade, design and/or construction of rail track structures in a unionized environment.
• A Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited institution.
• A Master's degree in Civil Engineering or related field from an accredited institution.
• A Professional Engineering (PE) Certification.