Trainee - Rail Traffic Controller

THIS JOB POSTING IS BEING UTILIZED TO DEVELOP A ROBUST PIPELINE OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TO ADDRESS FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS POSITION. SUCCESSFUL PASSING OF A PRE-EMPLOYMENT ASSESSMENT WILL BE REQUIRED.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or GED
• Successful passing of pre-employment screening tests including (English, Emergency Dispatch Communications).

Experience

• A minimum of three (3) years of military, transit or customer service experience preferably, Or any experience performing work requiring demonstrated communication, concentration, decision making and problem-solving skills.

Certification/Licensure

• Roadway Worker Protection Level 2 within one month of hire
• Successful completion of the Rail Traffic Controller Training Program achieving certification within one year of hire

Preferred

• Vocational or technical training in any engineering discipline
• Technical Certification/Licenses in an engineering related area
• Associate’s degree, or vocational or technical school degree in an engineering discipline

Medical Group

Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Job Summary

The Student Rail Traffic Controller (SRTC) attends and successfully completes all modules of the Washington Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Rail Traffic Controller training course, in which they are taught to serve as part of the Rail Operations Control Center’s front line expert incident-management team. The SRTC learns how to receive incoming information, including emergency communications from various internal and external sources (e.g., field-based personnel). Learns how to analyze information quickly; devise safety-critical service-oriented solutions, and direct real-time decisions to emergency responders for immediate implementation and disposition. The learns to SRTC support the safe resolution of reported incidents (e.g., mechanical failures, derailments, floods, fires, etc.), the restoration of rail service delivery and the successful facilitation of special events. Students will learn how to facilitate the safe, efficient control and operation of the WMATA rail transit system and to exercise sound, independent judgement and perform actions in accordance with established WMATA rules, procedures and guidelines.

The STRC must demonstrate their acquired skills and knowledge through the successful passing of examinations, practical demonstration and on the job training assessments.

This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to the rules and regulations of the WMATA Drug and Alcohol Policy.

• Successfully completes the Rail Traffic Controller training program, which includes classroom study, on the job training and knowledge/practical examinations.
• Learns to proficiently, identify all Station Alpha-numeric, signals and switches.
• Learns how to operate the Advanced Information Management (AIM) console to correct rail system alarm conditions in accordance to the Metrorail Safety Rules and Procedures Handbook (MSRPH) and Standard Operations Procedures.
• Learns how to laisse with the ROC Assistant Superintendent, Rail Supervisors, Car Maintenance, Systems Maintenance, Metro Transit Police, Emergency Management, Fire Liaisons and other WMATA offices as well as, local police and fire departments to address adverse conditions or reported problems, emergencies and incidents within the Rail System. Learns how to respond to incoming communications (e.g., radio calls) from Train Operators, Field Supervision, Terminal Supervisors, Interlocking Operators, Station Managers and other field operations staff and external agencies to provide incident management and delay-mitigation oversight.
• Learns how to monitor the status of various systems and devices related to rail operations, such as: interlockings, Automatic Train Control, CB-EMIS, A/C and Traction Power Substations, ventilation fans, drainage pumps, fire alarms, Intrusion Detection Warning (IDW) alarms and intrusion alarms.
• Learns how to receive reports from train operators and station managers on accidents, disabled trains, sick/injured customers, intoxicated/disorderly customers, assaults, robberies and other occurrences. Learns to follow the operating procedures for dispatching supervisors, Metro Transit Police, local police/fire department or other related supporting agencies and how to accurately record all events in the maintenance database (i.e. Maximo) and to prepare detailed reports of all incidents/occurrence defined by OCC Management.
• Learns how to coordinate with Car Maintenance and the appropriate towers for replacement of defective trains. Learns how to communicate with various rail yards to ensure that the proper number of rail cars are available for each day's service. Learns how to monitor and exercise continuous and complete control over movement of Roadway Maintenance Machines (maintenance units) on the mainline.

• The essential duties listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.