Description

This position is eligible for teleworking which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

Metro-North Railroad reserves the right to remove this posting before 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 serves as the lead for a team delivering training primarily to trainee and incumbent Maintenance of Equipment employees. Oversees the day-to-day training activities and follow-up of individual contributors on the team. Serves as the primary relationship manager with leadership in the Maintenance of Equipment Department (e.g., Assistant Chief Mechanical Officers, Foremen, administrative leadership) regarding all issues concerning training and recertification of employees in the relevant programs and locations. Responsible for analyzing employee performance issues, including safety-critical issues, and recommending and implementing training and non-training recommendations to address those issues. Balances conflicting priorities to achieve training objectives. Leads develop and motivates Maintenance of Equipment training staff. Coordinates with other Assistant Director(s) on the team on planning and implementation of shared training responsibilities, including but not limited to recertification, refresher, and regulatory training. Coordinates with peers in the Training Department to implement joint program initiatives, address logistical/resource issues, and support program development efforts. Assists in the assessment of team and organizational needs and establishment of plans to address those needs. Evaluate, recommend, and implement/facilitate learning activities to build future capabilities to support Metro-North Railroad in meeting organizational goals. Delivers training and testing as required to meet operational needs.

Responsibilities:

• Manages the day-to-day activities of all team members and trainees, ensuring alignment with the Training Department and client needs. Addresses issues in collaboration with unit, Training Department, and client department management. This includes but is not limited to, overseeing the planning and implementation of all training activities, monitoring and evaluation of student progress, and organization of classroom and student schedules. Delivers training and testing as required to meet operational needs.
• Assesses training programs on an ongoing basis, recommends changes as appropriate and ensures effective implementation of changes. This includes, but is not limited to, quality improvements, delivery methodologies and mechanisms, and feedback/coaching strategies. Assists in the assessment of team and organizational needs and establishment of plans to address those needs. Leads the team in assessing and reporting on student progress; ensures a consistent and effective approach to student evaluation.
• Maintains a strong alignment between the Transportation Department and the team by working with Transportation managers and support departments to develop and implement training programs that match organizational structures and staffing needs. Ensures effective communication with other teams and departments. Responsible for analyzing Conductor flags performance issues, including safety-critical issues, and recommending and implementing training and non-training recommendations to address those issues.
• Will assist with all classroom and field training as well as field observations. As needed, handles other responsibilities as assigned.
• Leads, manages, coaches, motivates, and develops staff.
• Keeps current with industry-leading training trends and operational trends through participation in MNR meetings, benchmarking, external partnerships, and industry affiliations.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Training Core Competencies:

Technical Training Expert

• Create and deliver effective and efficient training processes and services tailored to unique business needs.
• Manage people and training-related costs.
• Ensure internal and external customer focus.
• Apply information technology to rapidly deliver quality training products and services.
• Demonstrate success working across businesses by building a foundation of communication and partnership.
• Demonstrate strong planning, organizational, analytical, and communication (verbal, written, presentation) skills.
• Working knowledge of automated Human Resources and learning systems (including TIMS, KRONOS, LMS).

Performance Consultant

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and foster teamwork.
• Develop and align strategies with business and serve as an inside consultant for line management.
• Assist line managers in solving organizational, personnel, and change-related issues.
• Contribute to the management team's strategic decision-making.
• Foster systems thinking, customer focus, and continuous learning.
• Strategically manage workforce development.
• Keep current with business trends, rules/regulations, and the training implications.
• Ability to change priorities while meeting deadlines.

Change Agent

• Understands the organizational culture and what is effective and ineffective.
• Demonstrate project planning skills and meet deadlines even as priorities change.
• Institutionalize change capability within the organization.
• Help line managers to lead and facilitate change.
• Act as a consultant in organizational effectiveness.
• Enhance management development.

Training Competencies

• Ability to design, develop, implement, facilitate, evaluate, and measure training and development activities.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles
• Assist in forecasting MNR training needs.
• Ability to identify and correct unsafe conditions and work practices and emphasize the importance of safety to others.
• Ability to analyze performance problems and implement solutions.
• Actively partner with management to identify training and development needs.
• Display excellent presentation, oral, and written communication skills.
• Develop and maintain a network of contacts with third-party vendors and business partners.
• Working knowledge of multiple human resources disciplines including organizational change, employee relations, diversity, and performance management.
• Valid drivers license required.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, Human Resources Management, and/or related field. Demonstrated equivalent experience, education, and/or technical credentials may be considered in place of a degree, to include four (4) years of additional related experience.
• Current qualification in one or more relevant areas of instruction.
• Minimum of five (5) years of related experience. Must include experience training and/or certifying employees in relevant crafts.
• Experience may include relevant training and qualification periods, as well as education in addition to or beyond the above requirement.

The following is/are preferred, but other satisfactory combinations of relevant experience, education, and/or technical credentials will be considered:

• Supervisory experience.
• Experience working with a unionized workforce.
• Training certification.
• Customer service experience.
• Knowledge of Metro-North Operating Rules and RWSM.

Other Information

This position is safety-sensitive and subject to toxicological testing.

According 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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

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