Senior Manager, Rail Car Appearance

Location: Chicago
Posted on: June 23, 2025

Job Description:

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Prepares analyses and summary reports to provide management information regarding production forecast/actual levels, quality and individual staff accountability of rail car appearance programs. Maintains ongoing dialogue with labor representatives on topics of joint concern. Evaluates and recommends improvements in work procedures and methods related to department programs. Represents the department and company and participates in the development of programs at various company and industry wide forums, competitions and events. Develops, monitors and conducts pre-training orientation for new employees. Forecasts material and personnel needs and interfaces with responsible CTA departments such as Engineering, Personnel, Purchasing and Training to ensure that staffing, material and training requirements are met in a timely manner. Recommends educational/technical training for management staff. Participates in Rail Operation planning sessions with transportation and maintenance to determine if competing interests are being served. Actively participates in planning the design, development and enhancement of rail car appearance systems, equipment and facilities. Contributes to the development of programs, policies, goals and objectives. Hires, trains, develops, monitors, and evaluates performance of staff. Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval. Performs related duties as assigned. MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Reporting to this position are the following jobs: Job Title Managers and Coordinators, RCA CHALLENGES Coordinate the utilization of pick distributed resources to handle production requirements for entire rail system. Anticipate potential problems with production and develop plans for immediate resolution. Implement data collection and automation ideas. Recommend innovative programs to increase quality product without increase in manpower. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering or a combination of education and experience relating to the position. Required to possess current Rail Safety Training certification. State of Illinois Driver’s License. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Must possess the physical strength and agility to negotiate track, ballast and footwalk conditions in a rail yard and on the right of way. Must have the stamina to work excessive hours during emergency situations with durations up to two weeks. Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery. Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Skills to supervise, counsel and coordinate the activities of assigned personnel. Comprehensive knowledge of the structure, accountability functions and overall mission of the Rail Operations Division. Thorough knowledge and understanding of the scope and types of repairs, inspection and maintenance performed at the terminal level. Analytical skills to identify problems leading to equipment failure and determine causative factors. Thoroughly knowledgeable of pertinent rules, regulations, policies, procedures and collective bargaining agreements governing assigned employees. Interpersonal and interviewing skills to achieve desired results when circumstances warrant. WORKING CONDITIONS Office and field environment. Demanding work schedule involves 50-55 hour weekly commitment often over a 6-day week. Common for interaction with subordinate managerial and union staff at multiple field locations with 24/7 staffing. On call 24/7 with company vehicle issued in order to monitor multiple field locations and to respond to major bus and rail emergencies. EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED Expected to direct operation of automated tools and equipment including but not limited to car washers, pumps, floor scrubbers/strippers, electric steamers and buffers. Exposed to solvents and solutions used in cleaning, waxing, stripping and graffiti removal. Expected to operate office equipment, 8 channel radio and company/personal vehicle. Employees and/or union members will be given priority consideration in the hiring process, per the applicable labor contracts. Final salary will be determined in part by the qualifications of the selected candidate and may be higher or lower than target. Applicants, if hired,must comply with CTA's residency ordinance. CTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws; except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for our workforce and supporting the communities we serve. CTA will make reasonable accommodations for the known disabilities of otherwise qualified applicants for employment as well as its employees, unless undue hardship would result. If you require an accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact arc@transitchicago.com prior to the submission of your application or upon notification of your actual test date. CTA will work with you to determine if an accommodation can be provided. During the hiring process, CTA's Human Resources department will contact candidates with next steps . Failure to respond to these correspondences in a timely fashion may result in your application being closed out for non-responsiveness. Please click link below to review the benefits offered at the CTA. https://www.transitchicago.com/hrbenefits/

Keywords: , Rockford , Senior Manager, Rail Car Appearance, Engineering , Chicago, Illinois