Apply early as this job may be removed or filled prior to the closing date, which is approximately seven (7) days after the posting date.

Job Location: Aurora
Other Potential Locations: Aurora, IL
Anticipated Start Date: 02/13/2023
Number of Positions: 1
Salary Range: $107,800 - $127,400
Salary Band: 31

Position Objective:

Be a safety champion for all safety related matters involving intercity passenger rail and commuter rail operations that utilize the BNSF network and/or are employed by BNSF staff to operate the service. Support BNSF’s passenger operations leaders that drive BNSF’s safety vision. Provide safety-related technical support, guidance, and coaching to public partners sponsoring passenger rail. Develop and maintain processes that ensure adherence towards all regulatory commitments and safety action plans for all passenger operations across BNSF. Facilitate community outreach programs that support protecting BNSF’s franchise and public image in the passenger operations environment.

Duties-Job responsibilities

Compliance:

• Outline, compile, write, and complete and annual System Safety Program Plan compliance audit and report to BNSF Senior management. Ensure that all Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness Plans required by the Federal railroad Administration (FRA) and for passenger services operated over BNSF trackage are current and that BNSF responsibilities are understood and carried out. Ensure that any FRA safety audit of a commuter rail operation on BNSF property, regardless of who operates the trains, is circulated among BNSF stakeholders and whatever BNSF action is required is undertaken and completed. Ensure that all BNSF train crews are current with all FRA training and operating certifications before they assume any duties running a commuter train which operates over BNSF trackage.

• Track and remedy Metra Engineering Issue Track reports. Assign work to the appropriate departments, track work, and ensure all BNSF assigned tasks are completed and closed out.
• Organize monthly mechanical/ops/clerical meetings and track short and long-term objectives. Ensure forward momentum of assigned tasks and maintain cross department communication.

Planning:

• Review and update annually or as conditions dictate the HARP document for each commuter rail service operated with BNSF train crews. Assess BNSF and industry-wide safety trends and develop a WBT and classroom training program designed to mitigate the risks leading up to incidents and incorporate shorter versions of the same program into the daily, weekly, and monthly train crew safety briefings. Lead an annual risk assessment of the physical property used in the operation of commuter and intercity passenger train service operating over BNSF trackage and develop plans to mitigate such identified risks.
• Assist operations and mechanical with ongoing facility maintenance and capital projects. Coordinate with appropriate department and Metra to quickly respond to facility defect reports or requests of new service. Ensure facilities are maintained to BNSF standards in both appearance and safety.
• Capital investment annual program of projects: introduce the program to the communities and BNSF crews to inform these parties of planned work and its impact on operations and the communities. Provide input to the annual list of projects to be funded by Metra, as it relates to station inspection responsibilities and/or station improvements.

Training:

• Where BNSF train crews operate commuter service, insure the integration of all Passenger Operations safety plans with similar Division plans. Oversee and ensure completion of all BLE and SMART-TD training required for their members to operate a commuter train over BNSF trackage. Design and carry out multiple emergency response, safety, and securely plans, table top exercises, and field drills. Review annually and update as needed WBT and classroom training for all BNSF train crews operating commuter trains over BNSF trackage.

Community Coordination & Interface:

• Establish and maintain community contacts with all cities and villages along BNSF Metra route as to eliminate any barriers to the safe operation of trains (e.g. vegetation control, station maintenance and renewal, grade crossing improvement projects, etc.). Serve as primary contact for permit requests, platform work, and other projects that will directly affect communities. Ensure communication on the forward end of work to strengthen the BNSF brand and better community involvement.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years safety experience is required
• An undergraduate degree in a relevant field OR equivalent combination of education and 5 plus years of relevant work experience
• Working knowledge of the General Code of Operating Rules, FRA safety regulations, policies programs, as well as personal protective equipment, safety engineering, accident/injury investigation procedures and operating rules, as well as BNSF safety rules and practices.
• Experience with behavior-based and/or risk reduction safety programs
• Able to develop site specific Work Plans and Job Safety Analyses
• Strong writing and speaking skills are required.
• A working knowledge of IT systems is desirable.
• Teaching experience is desirable.
• Travel – Up to 25%

Other information:

The duties and responsibilities in this posting are representative categories to be used in deciding whether to apply for the position. These general categories do not necessarily constitute an exhaustive list of duties of this position.

BNSF Railway is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC): Federal authority requires BNSF employees, whose work requires unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities, to obtain a TWIC. A TWIC is a condition of employment for such positions and requires candidates to those positions to submit to a TSA security assessment (to include, but not limited to, providing: biographic information; identity documents; fingerprints; digital photograph). More information is available at www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic.