JOB SUMMARY

Rail Operations manages the delivery of diesel and electric rail services, including management of the thirty-year P3 contract with the Rideau Transit Maintenance Group for the rail maintenance contract for the LRT system, ensuring safe and reliable operations that meet service standards, comply with all regulatory safety and operating requirements, and provide a safe, reliable, efficient, effective, on time, courteous and cost-effective rail service to a growing and diverse City of Ottawa. 

You manage all contracting activities, obligations and projects related to light rail operations, including those belonging to Signalling, Right of Way, Rail Traffic Control, Rail Structures, Maintenance Facilities, Rolling stock and Motive Power. You monitor ongoing contractor performance and compliance against contract requirements and work closely with Operations to ensure that third party contractors meet their obligations with respect to maintenance requirement and the operational needs of the system.

As project manager, you: manage all repairs and upgrades to the light rail system; engineering requirements for maintenance of rail structures; identify, plan and implement improvements in infrastructure and equipment; participate in budget preparation and control; and develop, establish, cultivate and maintain a network of contacts both within and outside of the organization to facilitate the contracting process and requirements, and to maintain continuous and harmonious business relationships.

In addition, you: advise management on all matters related to budget and contracting out, service level agreements, rail crossing agreements; ensure that all existing policies and procedures are current and optimize productivity and efficiency; recommend changes and alternatives to improve operations and service delivery; and serve as a member of the Rail Management Team, representing management on committees and working groups, and participating in official reviews and investigations.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of 4 year university degree in Business Administration, Transportation Planning or related field.

Minimum of 5 years of Contract and Project Management experience, preferably in rail or another mode of the transportation industry with demonstrated skills in supply management, project management and procurement, contract management, budget management, and performance and productivity evaluation.

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of the issues and principles pertaining to Light Rail and Transit Operations, including local government structure, and related Federal and Provincial legislation, regulations, standards, codes and by-laws relating to railway structures such as bridges and tunnels and railway operations 
• Possess an understanding of principles of evaluation methods/techniques and project risk management
• Knowledge of the principles of contract management
• Processes for preparing section and division budgets 
• SAP (Accounting and purchasing module) 
• Supply management and procurement processes including, but not limited to:
  • Processes for developing RFPs/RFTs 
  • Processes for tendering and contracting work
• Principles of project management, including monitoring, cost containment/control and reporting
• Rail operation activities including signalling, rail traffic control railway operating rules, railway governance, planning and scheduling principles
• Confined space legislation and work practices 
• Possess a good understanding of collective agreements and the transportation industry, preferably as they apply to light rail operations
• Risk management principles to ensure contractor safety in the rail corridors
• Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Proven ability to work independently, with minimum supervision, and collaboratively with all staff as part of a team  
• Possess organizational skills and flexibility to plan, organize and prioritize own work, act decisively, and deal effectively with multiple demands, conflicting/shifting priorities, pressures and deadlines
• Able to draft RFPs, select the most appropriate bidder, track the contract obligations to expected conclusions, evaluate productivity and efficiency, and assess contractor performance  
• Able to manage and complete concurrent complex, multi-million dollar, contracts/projects according to schedule and within budget
• Oversee the activities of technical staff, consultants, contractors, and integrate activities with other levels of governments, railroads and external agencies
• Able to create and amend agreements
• Able to establish and maintain an efficient network of contacts
• Able to prepare, defend and control budgets
• Possess computer literacy in MS Office Suite in a Windows environment, including use of the intra/Internet 
• Able to communicate effectively, mediate and negotiate persuasively 
• Possess excellent interpersonal, communication, and writing skills
• Able to think analytically, and concentrate/focus on accuracy and detail 
• Able to demonstrate sound judgement
• Able to act courteously and exercise tact and diplomacy
• Innovative and able to demonstrate a results-oriented approach to problem solving
• Possess maturity, patience, tact, integrity 
• Flexible and able to deal with contentious issues/situations 
• Possess a work record of good attendance and job performance