Manager - CMC Systems and Workforce

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:

The position will support the Assistant Director-CDMS in the capacity of an I.T. contact and represent the Metro-North Crew Management Administration (CMC) in the implementation and maintenance of the new Crew Dispatching and Management System (“CDMS”) to support the Train & Engine crew dispatching, management, picking, and time reporting operations at Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company (“MNCR”).  CDMS is based on configurable business rules which are administered and modified through rule and decision tables, as governed by Collective Bargaining Agreements and other business processes.  The system replaces the legacy systems currently in place, the Crew Management System (“CMS”), which is provided by a mainframe technology vendor.  Under the tutelage and guidance of AD-CDMS, the incumbent shall support and guide the CDMS project in the following major phases: mobilization and planning, design and configuration, development, testing (unit-, factory acceptance-, integration-, parallel-, performance-, and user acceptance testing), implementation, rollout, training, maintenance, and support.  Support the daily operations functions by providing oversight and guidance to the CMC workforce. 

Responsibilities:

• Assist the AD-CDMS in the application design, development, and testing process to ensure that CMC needs are being met.  Identify necessary future feature enhancements.  Act as the primary resource in developing application testing plans and oversee the software testing process utilizing represented staff.  Provide software testing reports as required.
• Ensure the accuracy of the new software output and communicate any discrepancies to the vendor and I.T. PMO.  Specifically ensure the accuracy of Federal Hours-of-Service rules, systemic and accurate implementation of Labor Agreements, Claims, Extra board sequencing, Pick, Vacations, Holiday Swaps, and Payroll.  Coordinate with the Payroll Department to test in parallel the accuracy of T&E payroll and interface into the Kronos system.  Review CDMS input and output data to ensure its accuracy.
• Interact with other CMC Managers to ensure CDMS design and workflow are workable, and delivered software meets their needs.  Lead business process mapping workshops under the direction of AD-CDMS.
• Serve as the Backup Workstream Lead for all CDMS project workstreams pursuant to the agile software development methodology.  Assist AD-CDMS in prioritizing features and overseeing the development team’s work progress.
• Document vendor performance in terms of meeting CMC needs, adhering to schedule, and quality of work, and providing regular feedback to AD-CDMS and I.T. PMO on project progress.  Coordinate with I.T. PMO on all task items to ensure project milestones are completed.  Work with I.T. Application Developers for integration of other existing or future systems.
• Support field operations as needed by coordinating with Track 25 and the Planning Department any extra T&E crews needed to support service disruptions based on qualifications, and hours of service.
• Execute schedule loads (including schedules for crew book changes, Holiday and Special Schedules, Service Changes, and other ad hoc schedule changes).  Identify and correct all discrepancies and inconsistencies between feeds from several departments to ensure schedule loads are accurate in CMS to build foundational knowledge for CDMS infrastructure.
• Assist in developing end-user training materials and participate in end-user training and solution deployment.
• Execute daily morning reports at the direction of AD-CDMS and provide operational status reports to CMC staff every morning.
• Support the daily operations functions by providing supervision and guidance to the CMC workforce and assisting the A/D Crew Management Workforce.
• Other duties as assigned.  

Required Qualifications:

• Basic working knowledge of rail transportation operations and infrastructure.
• Basic working knowledge of hardware or software design process.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to organize and influence a team reporting to another part of the organization.
• Strong planning, time management, and organizational skills.
• Must possess quantitative and analytical skills.
• Ability to make decisions and prioritize between competing demands.
• Oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate with all levels within the organization and external agencies.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office or similar.  Ability in Excel to organize, format, and calculate data with formulas.
• Ability to learn, operate, and train others on new computer systems.
• Ability to understand complex interconnected problems and intricate processes.
• Must be motivated and able to take initiative to proactively address upcoming issues and problems.
• Ability to visualize or imagine a future state that is different from the current process, and to communicate that vision with others.
• Must be able to work nights/evenings.

Preferred Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

The selected candidate will be required to gain the following knowledge within 6 months:

• Knowledge of both ACRE1 & ACRE 9 Collective Bargaining Agreements, MNR Operating Rules, On-board Service Manual, Familiarity with Physical Characteristics of MNR, Federal Rules regarding the operation of trains and equipment, 49 CFR Part 228 Hours-of-Service Rules. 
• Knowledge of Transportation Line operations, and equipment programs.

Required Education/Experience and Training:

• Associate degree in Transportation, Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Public Administration, or another related field.  A high school diploma or GED with two additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. 
• Minimum of two years of progressively complex experience in an Operations environment with emphasis on service delivery or process management.
• Minimum one year experience in a supervisory capacity managing a diverse workforce.
• Demonstrated equivalent education, experience, or technical credentials may be deemed acceptable.

Preferred Education/Experience/Training (Not Required):

Other satisfactory combinations of relevant experience, education, and/or technical credentials will be considered.

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 their 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

HOW TO APPLY:

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

For instructions on completing the online application, go to the MTA intranet site and click on the PeopleSoft Information hyperlink. From there select the User Guides hyperlink to gain access to the "Viewing/Applying for Jobs Online" guide under the Recruiting section of the page.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.