Commuter Rail Operations & Compliance Manager

About the Department

Are you ready to lead and make an impact in South Florida's vibrant transportation network? The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority ("SFRTA"), the operator of Tri-Rail, is seeking qualified candidates for the role of Commuter Rail Operations and Compliance Manager to join our team. This supervisory position, reporting directly to the Director of Operations, is critical to ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable commuter rail services in South Florida. The ideal candidate will oversee daily rail operations, ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, and maintain the safety and efficiency of our rail vehicles and infrastructure.

If you possess the expertise, professionalism, leadership skills, and drive to excel in this role—and are passionate about delivering exceptional commuter rail service in a dynamic and impactful environment—we encourage you to apply!

Position Duties

Essential Duties

• Operations Management: Oversee the daily operations of commuter rail services, including scheduling, dispatch, and coordination with maintenance teams to ensure optimal service delivery.

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations, including safety protocols and operating rules, to maintain the highest standards of operational integrity and safety.

• Maintenance Oversight: Manage the maintenance programs for rail vehicles and infrastructure, ensuring all assets are in optimal condition and contributing to reliable service performance.

• Safety Management: Develop and implement safety policies and procedures to ensure the well-being of passengers and staff. Lead incident investigations and ensure through reporting and corrective actions.

• Contract Management: Work closely with contractors responsible for rail service operations and maintenance, ensuring contractual obligations are met and that service delivery meets SFRTA standards.

• Stakeholder Coordination: Collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as internal departments, to align operational goals with broader organizational objectives.

• Regulatory Compliance Monitoring: Oversee contractor adherence to Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), FRA, FTA, and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) policies and regulations, ensuring that all operations meet stringent federal and state requirements, safeguarding operational integrity and safety.

• Agreement Development and Management: Support the development, negotiation, administration, and review of operating and other agreements with regional railroad entities, ensuring effective management for smooth coordinated operations.

• Capital Project Planning and Management: Plan, budget, and manage capital rehabilitation projects and other special projects, ensuring that infrastructure improvements and other capital initiatives are executed efficiently and within budget.

• Staff Management and Follow-Up: Manage staff through daily interactions, assignments, and follow-ups, supporting internal team management and complementing the primary operational responsibilities. 

• Training and Development: Ensure that staff are properly trained, equipped with the necessary tools, and adhere to company guidelines, with training responsibilities potentially shared with Human Resources and other departments. 

• Operational Analysis and Reporting: Conduct analyses of SFRTA's operations and prepare monthly reports to monitor performance and support continuous improvement efforts. 

• Acting in Director of Operations’ Absence: Direct the Operations Department functions in the absence of the Director of Operations, serving as a backup to ensure continuity of leadership and decision-making.

• Workforce Management and Compliance: Ensure the fair and consistent application of SFRTA's rules, regulations, and policies, including strict adherence to EEO, Anti­ Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation policies, to maintain a respectful and legally compliantworkplace.

Minimum Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge:

• Commuter Rail Operations: Strong working knowledge of commuter rail operations, including knowledge of FRA and FTA regulations, rail vehicle maintenance practices, safety protocols, operating rules, scheduling dispatch functions, and train and engine service operations, including Onboard and Wayside Signaling.

• Regulatory Compliance: In-depth knowledge of federal and state regulatory requirements, including FRA, FTA, FDOT, and NTSB policies and regulations, and the ability to ensure strict adherence to governing standards particularly 49 CFR Parts 217, 218, 239, 240, 242 ,270, and 272. 

• Maintenance Management Systems: Familiarity with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) such as Maximo or Infor EAM, to effectively manage and track maintenance activities. 

• Operations Management Software: Knowledge of rail operations management software, such as Train Management Dispatch Systems (TMDS), to facilitate scheduling, dispatch, and real-time operations monitoring. 

• Project Management Tools: Knowledge of project management software like Microsoft Project or Primavera P6 for planning, budgeting, and managing capital projects and special initiatives.

Skills:

• Leadership: Proven ability to lead and manage a team of operations and maintenance professionals, providing clear direction and ensuring high performance. 

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to address operational challenges, develop effective solutions, and continuously improve service delivery. 

• Data Analysis and Reporting: Proficiency in using data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau, Power BI) for analyzing operational performance, safety data, and preparing reports. 

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders, including contractors, regulatory bodies, and internal teams. 

• Stakeholder Coordination: Strong skills in coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including local, state, and federal agencies, as well as internal departments, to align operations with organizational goals.

Abilities:

• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail, especially regarding compliance, safety matters, and contract management. 

• Safety Management: Ability to develop and implement safety policies and procedures, conduct safety audits, and lead incident investigations to maintain a safe operating environment. 

• Regulatory Compliance Monitoring: Ability to oversee contractor adherence to FTA, FDOT, FRA, and NTSB policies and regulations, ensuring that all operations meet stringent federal and state requirements. 

• Project Execution: Ability to effectively plan, budget, and manage large-scale capital rehabilitation projects and other special projects, ensuring that they are completed on time and within budget. 

• Use of Communication Tools: Ability to efficiently utilize enterprise communication tools, such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, to manage team communications and coordinate with stakeholders.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Outlook).

• Database programming/management. 

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in Transportation Management, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field is required. 

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in rail operations, including managing the day-to-day activities of a commuter rail service or a similar transportation system, to include a minimum of three (3 )years in a managerial or supervisory role as a Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers and certified under 49 CFR Parts 240 and 242 for a combined minimum of five (5) years. 

• Master’s degree in business administration (MBA), Public Administration (MPA), or a related field is preferred. 
• Certification in Project Management 

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in rail operations, including managing the day­ to-day activities of a commuter rail service or a similar transportation system, to include a minimum of five (5) years in a managerial or supervisory role, with direct responsibility for leading teams as a Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers and certified under 49 CFR Parts 240 and 242 for a combined minimum of ten (10) years.

• Possession of a valid Florida driver's license or ability to obtain such within 90 days

Other Qualifications