Rail Operator

Date Opened: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 12:00 AM Close Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025 12:00 AM Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department Operators & Drivers Salary: $23.00 - $38.18 Commensurate with Experience SUMMARY Operates Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) in a safe, efficient, and controlled manner. Keeps the Rail Operations Control Center informed of any unusual situations via a radio. Performs pre-trip safety inspections on LRVs prior to operating them and completes walk-around inspections as required. Must be customer service focused and must be able to keep an LRV on schedule at all times. Must be able to clearly communicate both orally and in writing and be able to comply with extensive set of rail operating rules and procedures. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Operates CATS LRVs during revenue and non-revenue service including main line operations. Operates LRVs safely in accordance with operating rules, procedures, and scheduled running times. Operates two-way radio systems in accordance with CATS established rules and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations. Electrically and manually operates switches and other systems as required. Conducts pre-trip inspection of assigned light rail vehicle equipment in accordance with rules and standard operating procedures. Performs en-route troubleshooting on vehicle problems to restore service. Provides assistance to patrons as required such as announcing station stops, bus connections, and other communication pertaining to Light Rail Operations and guides and assists customers with accessing alternate bus service. Works variable shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required for operational efficiency. Notifies Rail Operations Control Center of any emergency, abnormal or unsafe conditions as required. Maintains knowledge and adheres to rules, procedures, policies, bulletins, notices and regulatory requirements pertaining to rail operations to ensure a safe, efficient and courteous service to customers. Attends required training classes to maintain required license and rail operator certification. Assists in providing on-the-job instruction to student personnel to help qualifying them as Rail Operators. Completes forms and paperwork such as accident/incident reports and defect cards as required. Performs other duties as assigned. As part of your responsibility to support the CATS Safety Culture, report safety concerns and issues through the various methods established by CATS as outlined in the ASP. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES Ability to pass a DOT medical certification physical examination, possess a Class B or A CDL with passenger endorsement, comprehend rules and procedures, and successfully complete Rail Operator training program Ability to maintain a continuous focus on safety and ability to operate LRVs during varying operating and weather conditions Follow oral and written instructions with minimal supervision. Must demonstrate a favorable attitude toward public service. Ability to communicate effectively and clearly in English both orally and in writing Some PC skills to include Microsoft Office programs. Must have a good driving record. Ability to pass a DOT medical certification physical examination, possess a Class B or A CDL with passenger endorsement, comprehend rules and procedures, and successfully complete Rail Operator training program Ability to maintain a continuous focus on safety and ability to operate LRVs during varying operating and weather conditions Follow oral and written instructions with minimal supervision. Must demonstrate a favorable attitude toward public service. Ability to communicate effectively and clearly in English both orally and in writing Some PC skills to include Microsoft Office programs. Must have a good driving record. NOTE: Essential Skills are skills and abilities that candidates must be able to perform or have the ability to perform in the performance of their required duties. Not meeting the requirements or not having the ability to perform essential skills may be grounds for disqualification. Candidate may be required to work irregular hours, shifts, inclement weather, special events and overtime as required. Candidates may be required to respond to emergencies on a 24 hour, 7 days a week basis. Must complete 6 month probationary period. Ability to communicate effectively and clearly in English both orally and in writing. Must be able to accurately document work on logs, spreadsheets, documents and forms as well as use a computerized train operator display. Must have the ability to effectively operate LRV controls and all LRV accessories. Must successfully complete all training assignments and maintain qualifications where required. Must be able to safely couple, uncouple and operate LRVs in the yard and shops. Must be able to work in the safety critical environments associated with operation of a rail system. Must have regular and consistent attendance. Must successfully complete all required training and maintain needed qualifications and employee requirements. Must meet Physical and Sensory Requirements and the Special Provisions listed below. This position is considered ?Safety Sensitive? under FTA guidelines and will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing. Physical Requirements: Must be able to manipulate a crank on the Trolley (streetcar). Must be able to stand and walk on uneven surfaces while working. Must be able to sit for extended periods and have the ability to reach at shoulder level or above. Must be able to work in all required Personal Protective Equipment and Safety gear. Must be able to work in the assigned uniform approved by CATS. Ability to work both inside and outside in varying weather and environmental conditions Must be able to turn a crank located inside the LRV (Trolley/Streetcar) minimum 50 times while standing to raise and lower the pantograph. Must be able to board and disembark LRVs on ballast track. Sensory Requirements: NOTE: Employees must have the following sensory requirements: Speech Touch Hearing Vision ? 20/20 or correctable to 20/20 (near, distance and peripheral) Special Provisions: Employees working in a CDL eligible position with a valid Commercial Driver?s License are eligible to receive a 2.5% premium added to your base weekly pay. This position is eligible for a shift differential. Employees regularly assigned to 2nd?or 3rd?shifts will be eligible to receive a 2.5% premium added to your base weekly pay. This position is considered a security and safety sensitive position and will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing under FTA DOT guidelines. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Minimum age at time of employment in the classification of Rail Operator is 21. High school graduation or equivalent and one year relevant work experience AND Commercial Driver's License (CDL) w/ Passenger endorsement CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT The City?s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check. Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate?s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports. Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments. The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer. HOW TO APPLY Apply online. Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job. You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby where we have workstations available. Our office is located at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays. For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email [email protected]. The City of Charlotte is committed to making the job application process accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modification will be provided. To make a request, please email [email protected], call 704-962-6168, or visit us in person at 700 4th St., Charlotte, NC 28202. BENEFITS The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees. Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte?s benefits. The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace. We want you to work with us! Team?Charlotte?is a diverse 8,000-plus member team serving one of the largest cities in America. The City of Charlotte is committed to creating an inclusive culture where our employees can show up and belong as their full, authentic selves. Diversity is our strength, as an organization and a community, and this strength is amplified through our pursuit of justice and equity. Our goals are to provide high-quality services to 860,000 Charlotte residents, and help those who need us the most. Departments provide services including: police and fire protection, waste and recyclables collection, water and sewer services, road construction and maintenance, transit services, planning and development services, and operation of Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

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