Director- Capital Program Delivery and Oversight

Metro-North Railroad reserves the right to remove this posting prior to 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 provides senior level support to the Metro-North Senior Advisor – Capital Program Delivery & Oversight, a member of the Executive Leadership Team, and is responsible to ensure that Metro-North’s priorities and critical infrastructure projects are executed in accordance with Metro-North’s strategic plan and corporate goals and policies. The purpose of this position is to support the Senior Advisor, representing Metro-North on priority Capital Program matters impacting MNR customers and communities, acting as a senior level point of contact between MNR and other stakeholders, such as MTA Construction & Development (MTA C&D), Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), and various municipalities within the territory. This position will assist the Senior Advisor in ensuring key capital initiatives are being advanced by monitoring capital program progress, identifying significant capital investment opportunities, risks, challenges, and areas of concern, working to ensure appropriate intervention so that solutions can be identified quickly. This position will facilitate collaborative solutions to conflicts and competing priorities and seek consensus across MNR departments and across the MTA family.

Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Advisor, Capital Program Delivery & Oversight on customer-facing Metro-North capital program matters by working with Metro-North’s operating departments (including Maintenance of Way, Transportation, OCC, Operations Planning, Maintenance of Equipment) as well as senior leadership, MTA C&D, MTA Real Estate, and CTDOT to oversee and ensure capital scope and project delivery and support MTA pursuit of funding opportunities (e.g., federal discretionary grants) aligned to Metro-North priority needs. In this capacity, ensure Metro-North investments advance timely through prioritizing projects, scheduling, and adequate project support, including station area and community impacts. 
• Monitor and evaluate Capital Planning and Program compliance to stakeholder commitments and regulatory requirements, understand challenges and areas of risk, and provide regular updates to the Metro-North Executive Leadership Team. Participate in stakeholder meetings and work with the appropriate departments to identify solutions to mitigate risks and troubleshoot areas of concern, including transit-oriented development, accessibility, customer information and safety impacts. 
• Support the Senior Advisor, Capital Program Delivery & Oversight on identifying capital strategies to support new environmental regulations and opportunities in sustainability, decarbonization, and resiliency.  Work with MTA C&D, Legal, and key Metro-North business units to ensure Metro-North core mission is preserved as sustainable opportunities are developed and implemented.
• Support the Senior Advisor for third party projects that directly impact Metro-North railroad facilities and operations, such as Penn Station Access and Penn Reconstruction. Act as a functional intermediator between internal departments when required to ensure safe train operations, minimize disruptions to train service and railroad operations, and ensure customer and community impacts are considered in the planning and execution of the projects. 
• Advocate for Metro-North’s Capital Program needs and participate in the development of the MTA Twenty-Year Needs Assessment and Five-Year MTA Capital Program, CTDOT’s Capital Program on Metro-North territory and other Non-MTA funded capital projects. Support Senior Advisor in identifying capital implications and opportunities resulting from MTA-wide Operations-based business re-tooling initiatives.  This includes strategies to maximize capital investment opportunities which streamline the Operation and reduce operating costs.
• Building upon recommendations of the MTA Twenty-Year Needs Assessment, represent Metro-North’s interests as new plans to expand service are progressed through the planning and environmental phases •              Represent Metro-North’s interests in evaluating Transit-Oriented development opportunities, as well as other capital interests related to Station Area planning and connecting services, including trails. 
• Represent MNR in select Capital Program procurement processes, including project scope and contract reviews, and in the selection process, where required. 
• Participate on various MNR teams including quarterly stations & safety steering committee, MTA accessibility meetings, C&D/Metro-North monthly meetings, Trails committees (as needed), Senior Operations Leadership Team, CDOT Monthly CEO calls, among others.
• Review and comment on analysis necessary to develop and/or support railroad initiatives and capital projects including grant applications, alternatives analysis, life cycle cost analysis.
• Participate in the development of long-term Capital investment strategies for the railroad, including infrastructure resiliency programs at MNR. Provide support for the Senior Advisor for Metro-North’s role in select all-agency infrastructure resiliency programs and efforts.
• Assist the Senior Advisor in advocacy for various MNR Capital Program related initiatives to ensure compliance with mandated requirements, such as Title VI, Americans with Disabilities Act. 
• Represent MNR in the MTA Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Program in the Metro-North service territory and on MTA Resiliency initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Must be detail-oriented, with strong analytical, planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent leadership, negotiating, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and excellent presentation skills.
• Demonstrated technical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong project management skills with adherence to deadlines
• Strong knowledge of railroad infrastructure and safety requirements.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory requirements for railroad infrastructure projects.
• Must be able to interact with senior managers and executives at Metro-North, within the MTA family, and at outside agencies.

The following is/are preferred:

• Familiarity with railroad assets and operations

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Planning, Business Administration/Operations, Public Administration,  or related field required.
• Minimum of twelve (12) years of blended, progressive, relevant experience in planning, studies, design and/or project management in transportation or a related public sector.

The following Education is preferred

•Master’s Degree in Planning/Engineering

Other Information

Pursuant 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.

Selection Criteria

Due to the competitive nature of the selection process, not all qualified candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the position are guaranteed an interview. To be selected for a position, one must meet the following criteria: (1) satisfy the minimum requirements listed in the job posting, (2) if applicable, successfully pass a written and practical exam, (3) satisfy a background investigation (including but not limited to, employment, education, and criminal history), and (4) pass a verbal interview. Metro-North may also require the applicant to undergo a physical ability test, and, if the Company extends a conditional offer, may require him or her to undergo a medical examination, which may include toxicological testing. Failure to pass any step within the hiring process will result in the disqualification of your application.

Additional Criteria for Current Employees: Current Metro-North employees must be in active service to be eligible for consideration. Agreement Employees applying for a position outside of their present craft are required to have worked in your current union for at least one (1) year preceding the Application Deadline to be eligible to apply for a posted position, and have completed the agreed upon formal training commitment, including on-the-job training or lock-in requirement, if applicable (for example: Signal Trainee, Foreman-In-Training, etc.). If you are transferring to another craft, you may be required to forfeit your seniority in your present union. Non-agreement employees must have worked in your current position for a minimum of one (1) year preceding the Application Deadline. Along with a background investigation (including but not limited to, employment, education, and criminal history), employees are also subject to an internal investigation, which includes an evaluation not limited to discipline records and performance assessments.

We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. If interested, please apply online at www.mta.info

Based on evaluation of education, skills, experience, and interview.

How to Apply

MTA employees must apply via My MTA Portal. You can submit an online application by logging into My MTA Portal, clicking the My Job Search ribbon, and selecting the “Careers” link. Logging in through My MTA Portal will link your BSC ID number to your job application to identify you as an internal applicant.

Equal Employment Opportunity

ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE TO BE CONSIDERED.  METRO-NORTH NO LONGER ACCEPTS HARD COPIES OF RESUMES.

Qualified applicants can submit an online application by clicking on the 'APPLY NOW' button from either the CAREERS page or from the JOB DESCRIPTION page.

If you have previously applied online for other positions, enter your Username and Password.  If it is your first registration, click on the CLICK HERE TO REGISTER hyperlink and enter a Username and Password; then click on the REGISTER button.

When applying for positions, please ensure that you attach a resume during the application process and that you receive a confirmation e-mail that your application was accepted.  If you do not receive an email confirmation, your application may not have been received and will not be able to be considered after the deadline date.  If you encounter problems, please call the BSC Customer Management Center at (646) 376-0123 Monday through Friday (except MTA-HQ holidays), 8:30am - 5:00pm.

EMPLOYEES WHO DO NOT APPLY ONLINE VIA THE INTRANET MAY BE DISQUALIFIED FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION.

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.