Director of Mechanical Maintenance

MBTA
Boston, MA, USA
$144,020 - $173,137 yearly

Job Description

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Director of Mechanical – RRO will direct, plan, and supervise the day-to-day and long-range maintenance, planning, capital program execution, and regulatory compliance of commuter rail and supporting facilities operated for the provision of service. This multi-disciplinary senior management role encompasses Mechanical Operations, Capital and Operating project management, Force Account management, Contract Compliance, Engineering, Design and Construction oversight, environmental compliance, municipal coordination, and enforcement of MBTA safety policies and procedures.

The Director will supervise a small professional staff and oversee multiple Mechanical Contractors, Construction Contractors, consultant groups, vendors, suppliers, and Force Account personnel to ensure contractor compliance with contract requirements and regulatory standards. The position is strongly focused on the daily delivery of safe and reliable service, continuous improvement of the Commuter Rail fleet, and the advancement of passenger equipment and facility State of Good Repair (SGR) initiatives, including locomotive and coach overhauls, restorations, and new vehicle procurements.

This position focuses on mechanical services and operations, including revenue and non-revenue rolling stock, and associated maintenance facilities that support existing and projected Railroad Operations service demands.

Duties & Responsibilities

Investigate, monitor, and analyze performance and maintenance issues to identify trends; develop fleet repair plans, long-term overhaul or replacement strategies, restoration and State of Good Repair (SGR) initiatives; assess related performance measurement penalties; and implement corrective actions in compliance with applicable regulations, environmental requirements, and industry best practices.
Monitor, manage, and oversee the performance of maintenance and repair activities of commuter rail passenger equipment and facilities; direct the Commuter Rail contracted operator and Mechanical contractors to plan and perform work consistent with 49 CFR 200–299, MBTA Railroad Operations Standards, Operating Agreements, OEM life cycle manuals, MBTA/FRA policies, Life Safety requirements, and industry best practices, while supporting daily service demands.
Provide oversight of all day-to-day facility and mechanical support operations, including coordination of maintenance scheduling/production, defect mitigation, alternative service plans, and service delivery improvements.
Develop, implement, and manage multi-million-dollar Capital, Operating, and State budgets in support of facility/yard expansions, upgrades, and enhancements to maintenance and operational capabilities; ensure budgetary goals are achieved in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Lead and manage capital investments and major facility enhancement projects, including Engineering, Design, and Construction oversight, Force Account project management, environmental impact and conservation compliance, and contractor performance management.
Coordinate and collaborate with commuter rail and water contractors, vendors, suppliers, consultant groups, construction contractors, Force Account personnel, local municipalities, and State and Local Building Inspectors in all phases of fleet and facility planning and service delivery; develop and sustain a robust vendor/contractor support network.
Coordinate permitting efforts with State and Local Building Inspectors and municipalities; ensure compliance with State and Local Building Codes; and attend and participate in public hearings as required.
Conduct periodic reviews of performance measurements with commuter rail contractors; monitor contractor adherence to FTA, FRA, NORAC, DTE, NTSB, environmental regulations, MBTA Safety Policies and Procedures, and all other applicable requirements.
Conduct inspections of passenger trains and maintenance facilities to ensure safe and effective performance and conformance with operating rules, orders, recommendations, Life Safety standards, and related policies.
Investigate and analyze mechanical failures/issues and develop and implement compliant solutions that are in the best interests of the Authority.
Support and advance SGR initiatives, including complete locomotive overhauls, passenger coach overhauls and restorations, legacy fleet improvements, and support for new vehicle procurements and commissioning efforts.
Provide MBTA Vehicle Engineering support for new and overhauled locomotives and coaches, including acceptance, commissioning, testing, and First Article/First Article Inspection (FMI) efforts.
Oversee the design, testing, and production of special service passenger equipment.
Provide support for the continued development and implementation of RRO Mechanical parts programs, material management systems, and other specialized mechanical programs.
Confer daily with MBTA officials and other internal Railroad Operations departments regarding prioritization of work activities, long-term planning, capital coordination, and impacts to passenger movement and service delivery.
Assist with departmental community relations activities, coordination of special events such as special train operations, and respond to customer complaints communicated through MBTA feedback programs.
Ensure fair and consistent workforce management practices and strict adherence to Authority rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies, including EEO, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation policies.
Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while maintaining effective working relationships with employees, contractors, municipalities, building inspectors, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders.
Respond or report to work as directed during emergencies, extreme weather, or other abnormal conditions impacting service or safety, twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
Drive a company or personal vehicle to visit work sites and assist at emergencies and/or events as needed.
Respond to each inquiry from customers, vendors, or co-workers in a courteous and professional manner.
Work any and all shifts and/or locations as assigned or directed.
Perform related duties and special projects as assigned.

Supervision

Manages the mechanical team and contracted operators as necessary.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution in Transportation, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
Seven (7) years of experience in railroad operations, maintenance, and/or operations management.
Five (5) year's supervisory/manager/ leadership experience.
Experience with FRA operations compliance.
Effective organizational, analytical, and confidentiality skills.
Working knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications.
Effectively communicate with customers, employees, and vendors.
Have excellent customer service and conflict resolution skills.
The ability to provide internal and external customers with a courteous and professional experience.
The ability to work any and all shifts and/or locations as assigned or directed.
Be available to work twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
A valid driver’s license in accordance with MBTA policy.

Substitutions Include

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 (1) year of experience.

Preferred Experience and Skills

Experience with contract/vendor management in a passenger railroad environment.
Experience with passenger train railroad operations and/or maintenance.
Familiarity with FTA, FRA, NORAC, DPU, and NTSB policies and procedures.

Job Conditions:

Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.

Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.

Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.

Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.

Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.

Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.

Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.

On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.

Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.

ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.

Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.

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