Senior Rail Operations Advisor at Metrolinx

AI Summary

Metrolinx is seeking a Senior Rail Operations Advisor in Canada to join their Service Design – Short Term Implementation team. This role focuses on developing and maintaining rail timetables, ensuring optimal customer service and operational efficiency for passenger transportation services. Key requirements include a diploma in Business Administration or a related field, along with progressive experience supervising rail operations, preferably within a public transit environment. The advisor will play a crucial role in maintaining service continuity and enhancing overall operational excellence for Metrolinx's extensive transit network.

About the Opportunity at Metrolinx

Metrolinx is dedicated to connecting communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, operating essential transit services like GO Transit and UP Express, alongside the PRESTO fare payment system. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, Metrolinx is also at the forefront of building new and improved rapid transit infrastructure, including significant GO Expansion projects, Light Rail Transit routes, and major expansions to Toronto’s subway system. This commitment ensures people can travel better, faster, and easier. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values at Metrolinx, guiding their approach to serving with passion, thinking forward, and collaborating as a team. The Senior Rail Operations Advisor will be instrumental in shaping the future of rail service delivery, contributing directly to the operational success of a vital public transit network. This role offers a unique opportunity to apply extensive experience in a dynamic environment, directly impacting the daily lives of countless commuters who rely on Metrolinx's rail operations.

Key Responsibilities and Operational Impact

Reporting to the Manager, Rail Service Design, the Senior Rail Operations Advisor will be responsible for a range of critical duties aimed at optimising passenger rail transportation services. A primary focus involves developing and meticulously maintaining rail timetables, ensuring a delicate balance between exceptional customer service, robust operational efficiency, and available network capacity. This role demands the ability to identify and implement effective solutions under compressed timelines, crucial for maintaining service continuity and achieving operational excellence across the Metrolinx network. Collaboration is key, as the advisor will liaise extensively with Maintenance, Operations, and Capital Projects teams to align equipment performance with overarching service delivery goals. Monitoring special service plans and their effectiveness is also a vital component, leading to the development and implementation of alternative strategies for continuous improvement in rail operations. The advisor will engage with various internal stakeholders to ensure all technical and operational variables are accurately identified and incorporated into future service plans and rail-related infrastructure projects. Furthermore, the role involves detailed analysis of network performance, running times, dwell times, and schedule adherence to pinpoint opportunities for enhancement. Supporting incident investigations and root cause analysis for rail service disruptions, and leading continuous improvement initiatives to reduce downtime and enhance overall fleet performance, are also essential functions. Representing Rail Service Design, the advisor will ensure technical and operational variables within transit service plans or infrastructure projects are integrated into standard operating procedures and contingency playbooks.

Skills and Qualifications for this Rail Operations Role

To excel in this Senior Rail Operations Advisor position at Metrolinx, candidates should possess a strong foundation of skills and qualifications. Completion of a diploma in Business Administration or a related field is required, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience. Demonstrated years of progressive experience supervising and monitoring rail operations services are essential, with a preference for experience gained within a public transit environment. Prior experience utilising Train Plan rail mapping and timetabling software, along with IVU resource planning software (or equivalents like Hastus), is preferred, though training will be provided to ensure comfortable utilisation. Experience with Open Track or similar rail network simulation software would be considered a valuable asset for this operational role. A comprehensive knowledge of applicable legal and regulatory requirements governing the delivery of passenger rail services is mandatory. This includes familiarity with standards from Transport Canada (TC), Federal Railway Administration (FRA), American Association of Railways (AAR), American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Transportation Association of Canada (TAC), and the Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR), as well as Ontario provincial and municipal standards, best practices, building codes, contracts, and environmental legislation. Strong analytical skills are also crucial for investigating operating problems and formulating effective solutions to enhance service delivery. Metrolinx encourages applications from individuals who may not meet every single qualification but possess a strong desire to contribute and grow within their team, recognising that diverse experiences strengthen their internal capabilities.