Senior Rail Operations Project Manager

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

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Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

HDR is seeking a Senior Railroad Operations Project Manager who will: 

1.     Develop operating plans for freight and passenger rail projects

2.     Create and deliver planning documents, reports, and presentations that describe and elaborate new or changed rail operations;

3.     Advise and mentor Rail Traffic Controller ® (RTC) modelers, support the development of realistic RTC model inputs, and analyze and verify RTC model outputs;

4.     Provide freight and passenger rail operations expertise to internal HDR team members, including engineers, economists, planners and environmental scientists;

5.     Be the primary point of contact with clients and maintain HDR’s reputation as an expert, trusted advisor;

6.     Maintain and develop client relationships with freight railroad officials and public agency officials

7.     Participate in industry associations and events;

8.     Lead proposal development efforts;  

9.     Demonstrate ownership and personal responsibility for delivering quality products that adhere to scope, schedule, and budget while meeting client expectations.

The successful candidate will have verifiable experience in freight rail planning and understand national freight rail traffic patterns; typical main line, yard, and branch line operating practices; regulatory requirements related to rail operations; and operational needs and market strategies of the railroad industry.

This position is expected to seek out and develop opportunities for HDR market growth and work proactively and collegially as a member of numerous teams and multiple projects at any one time. The candidate is required to have excellent oral and written communication skills to proactively engage HDR clients.

Preferred Qualifications:

·       Broad knowledge of U.S. and Canadian freight railroad operations, regulations, networks, markets, infrastructure, and rail network strategic planning. Knowledge base includes understanding of the ownership, traffic characteristics, geography, and commercial and strategic roles and value of rail lines and rail traffic types in the U.S. and Canada, including intermodal, bulk commodity, and manifest freight. Familiarity with the terminology, business practices, labor arrangements, management organization, and regulatory environment of freight railroading at Class I, regional, and short line railroads.

·       Experience in railroad operations or operations planning with a Class I or II railroad in a position such as Trainmaster, Train Dispatcher, Manager of Train Operations, or Service Designer.

·       At least fifteen (15) years of experience in the railroad industry is required.

·       Knowledge of intercity and commuter passenger rail operations. Must understand the interactions of train operations on shared passenger and freight rail corridors and the technical requirements for developing passenger rail improvement projects and new services on dedicated and shared-ownership corridors.

·       Experience in writing and preparing documents to support projects that include freight-railroad initiatives, shipper initiatives, and projects intended for public funding, including the development of grant applications, operating plans, economic models, Service Development Plans, Project Management Plans, and Project Financial Plans.

·       A Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, communications, economics, or social science field is preferred.

·       Prefer knowledge of the application and use of the Rail Traffic Controller ® (RTC) model including working with RTC modelers to develop methodology for model cases and usage, and analysis of model results. Must be able to work with modelers to develop model inputs and present and explain model outputs to internal and external clients.

Travel Requirements: Travel may be up to 50%

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