Assistant Director – Maintenance of Way Training (Working Equipment Specialization) Job ID: 10420 Business Unit: Metro-North Railroad Location: Various, United States Regular/Temporary: Regular Department: Operations Training Date Posted: Feb 3, 2025 Description POSTING NO. 10420 JOB TITLE: Assistant Director – M aintenance of W ay (MofW) Training DEPT/DIV: Human Resources WORK LOCATION: Various FULL/PART-TIME FULL SALARY RANGE: $ 107,570 .00 – $ 139,971 .00 DEADLINE: February 06, 2025 Metro-North Railroad reserves the right to remove this posting before the Application Deadline. Opening: MTA Metro-North Railroad is a dynamic organization, operating out of the jewel of New York City, Grand Central Terminal. We provide service to over 86.5 million customers, traveling in and out of New York and Connecticut. A subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North Railroad is one of the busiest commuter railroads in the nation. MTA Metro-North Railroad strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities to its employees. Position Objective: This position leads a team responsible for delivering training to both trainees and incumbent Maintenance of Way employees who operate roadway maintenance machines. The role oversees day-to-day training activities and provides follow-up support to team members, ensuring consistent quality and effectiveness of the training provided. As the primary liaison with leadership in the Maintenance of Way Department, this position manages all training and recertification efforts related to roadway maintenance machines, addressing any concerns or issues that arise. Key responsibilities include analyzing employee performance, particularly in safety-critical areas, and developing and implementing both training and non-training solutions to address identified issues. The position requires the ability to balance competing priorities to meet training objectives effectively. In addition, this role leads, develops, and motivates the Roadway Maintenance Machine training staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability. Collaboration with other Assistant Directors is essential to coordinate shared training responsibilities, such as recertification, refresher courses, and regulatory training. The position also works closely with peers in the Training Department to coordinate joint initiatives, address logistical and resource challenges, and support the development of new training programs. Additionally, this role contributes to assessing team and organizational training needs, helping to create plans that support the overall goals of Metro-North Railroad. It evaluates, recommends, and implements learning activities to build future capabilities, ensuring that the organization maintains a skilled, knowledgeable workforce in the operation of roadway maintenance machines and aligns with safety and performance objectives. Responsibilities: + Manages the day-to-day activities of all team members and trainees, ensuring alignment with Training Department and client needs. Addresses issues in collaboration with unit, Training Department, and client department management. This includes, but is not limited to, overseeing the planning and implementation of all training activities, monitoring and evaluation of student progress, and organization of classroom and student schedules. + Assesses training programs on an ongoing basis, recommends changes as appropriate, and ensures effective implementation of changes. This includes, but is not limited to, quality improvements, delivery methodologies and mechanisms, and feedback/coaching strategies. Leads the team in assessing and reporting on student progress; ensures consistent and effective approach to student evaluation. + Maintains a strong alignment between the Maintenance of Way Department and the team by working with Maintenance of Way managers and support departments to develop and implement training programs that match organizational structures and staffing needs. Ensures effective communication with other teams and departments. + Leads, manages, coaches, and develops staff. + Keeps current with industry-leading training trends and operational trends through participation in MNR meetings, benchmarking, external partnerships, and industry affiliations. + As needed, handles other responsibilities as assigned. Required Qualifications: Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Must have demonstrated ability in the following core competencies: Technical Training Expert: + Create and deliver effective and efficient training processes and services tailored to unique business needs . + Manage people and training-related costs . + Ensure internal and external customer focus . + Apply information technology appropriately to rapidly deliver quality training products and services . + Demonstrate success working across businesses by building a foundation of communication and partnership . + Demonstrate strong planning, organizational, analytical and communication (verbal, written, presentation) skills . + Strong technical background in Maintenance of Way operations preferably Structures . + Demonstrated knowledge of railroad operating rules and railroad safety rules . Performance Consultant: + Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and foster teamwork . + Develop and align strategies with business and serve as inside consultant for line management . + Assist line managers in solving organizational, personnel, and change-related issues . + Contribute to management team's strategic decision-making . + Foster systems thinking, customer focus, and continuous learning . + Strategically manage workforce development . + Keep current with business trends, rules/regulations, and the training implications + Ability to change priorities while meeting deadlines . Change Agent + Understand the organizational culture and what is effective and ineffective . + Demonstrate project planning skills and meet deadlines even as priorities change . + Institutionalize change capability within the organization . + Help line managers to lead and facilitate change . + Act as a consultant in organizational effectiveness . + Enhance management development . Training Competencies + Ability to design, develop, implement, facilitate, evaluate, and measure training and development activities . + Knowledge of adult learning principles . + Assist in forecasting MNR training needs . + Ability to identify and correct unsafe conditions and work practices and emphasize the importance of safety to others . + Ability to analyze performance problems and implement solutions . + Actively partner with management to identify training and development needs . + Display excellent presentation, oral, and written communication skills . + Develop and maintain network of contacts with third party vendors and business partners . Required Education and Experience: + Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, Education, and/or related field. Demonstrated equivalent experience, education, and/or technical credentials to include an additional four years of related experience may be considered in lieu of degree. + Current qualification in one or more areas of instruction relevant to Maintenance of Way operations. + Minimum of five (5) years of related experience. Examples of relevant experience include railroad maintenance of way operations, training and development, and/or other related operations, technical, or professional experience. Must include experience training and/or certifying employees in relevant crafts. Experience may include relevant training and qualification periods. The following is/are preferred : + Knowledge of Metro-North safety procedures. + Knowledge of Metro-North Operating Rules governing Maintenance of Way. + Supervisory experience. + Experience working with a unionized workforce. + Training certification. Other Information This position is safety-sensitive and subject to toxicological testing. According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”). Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MNR drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position. Equal Employment Opportunity MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities. The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.