PTC Program Manager

Job Title: Positive Train Control Program Manager

Industry: Commuter Rail Operations

Reports To: Deputy General Manager - Maintenance

Position Summary: 

The PTC Program Manager (PTC PM) reports to the Deputy General Manager - Maintenance (DGM-Maintenance) of Denver Transit Operators and oversees the functionality and compliance of the Commuter Rail Positive Train Control (PTC) system and administration of the guiding PTC program documents.

The PTC PM is responsible for the daily oversight of PTC system functionality, ensuring the timely processing of PTC incidents, service requests, work orders, etc., whether they be attended to by either or both the DTO direct workforce and subcontracted entities.

This program manager position will work throughout the Denver Transit Operators organization to root out opportunities for improvement in the PTC system functionality.

The PTC PM will pursue PTC malfunction and failure root causes, through coordination and collaboration with internal stakeholders, product line guardians, and control center personnel.

Description of Duties:

• Daily oversight of PTC system functionality, ensuring the timely processing of PTC incidents, service requests, work orders, etc.
• Pursuit of PTC malfunction or failure root cause, through coordination and collaboration with internal stakeholders, product line guardians, and control center personnel.
• Interface in a dotted line relationship with stakeholders and department heads to root out opportunities for improvement in the PTC system functionality.
• Ownership of the PTC Safety Plan (PTCSP), PTC Development Plan (PTCDP), and PTC Implementation Plan (PTCIP) and compliance to all guiding PTC documents and Federal Regulations. This amounts to fluency of all documents and authoring updates to them, when warranted.
• Manage complex upgrades and updates to the PTC system in coordination with discipline owners and through management of subcontracts.
• Chair the DTO PTC Committee.
• Work closely with the DTO Configuration Manager to ensure that the PTC Configuration Management Plan (PTC CMP) remains accurate to DTO’s PTC system and ensure compliance of planned PTC system changes to the PTC CMP.
• Ensuring DTO’s system, Operations, and rolling stock fleet compliance to 49 CFR Part 236 in concert with Maintenance of Way, Information Technology, and Vehicle Maintenance teams.
• Advise the DGM-M, Deputy General Manager – Operations, and General Manager of critical shortfalls in the PTC system functionality, even if they don’t rise to the level of a regulatory malfunction or failure.
• Recommend, where appropriate, capital project financial investment in the PTC system through the annual budgeting process with DGMs, GM, and CFO, including a 3 to 5 year look ahead. Planning, scoping, and executing such capital projects would follow as the PTC Program Manager’s responsibility.
• Complete PTC reporting requirements of regulatory and Concession Agreement necessity.
• Generate and adjust Key Performance Indicators that best inform health of the PTC system and identify opportunities for improvement. Analyze trends in performance, equipment and systems reliability and develop recommendations to improve PTC functionality performance and minimize PTC-caused disruptions to service.
• Liaise with all pertinent departments to ensure PTC-related training is accomplished on time.
• Represent DTO in client (Regional Transportation District) and regulatory meetings (Federal Railroad Administration) on matters pertaining to PTC.
• Coordinate the creation and maintenance of records of inspections and maintenance of systems and infrastructure in accordance with FRA requirements, DTO standards and other regulatory requirements.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Operations Planning, Business Administration, Transportation Planning or a related discipline required. An equivalent combination of related education and experience may be substituted for the above stated minimums.
• 5 years’ experience in progressively responsible positions to provide an adequate background in PTC-enabled rail transportation railroads.
• 10 years’ experience in progressively more senior railroad positions highly desired.
• Experience as designer of record for PTC systems or team lead for subsystems of PTC highly desired.
• Experience interfacing with the Federal Railroad Administration at a programmatic or technical level highly desired.
• Working knowledge of applicable government regulations pertaining PTC systems.
• Knowledge of transit programs and operations preferred, including transportation economics and the political, social and psychological factors that influence public transportation issues.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills including writing, presentation, and meeting along with extensive experience communicating orally and in writing within and outside of an organization.
• Ability to effectively communicate across a diverse organization and with external stakeholders (contractors, government regulators, and ultimate client).
• Demonstrated computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.
• Strong commitment to a culture of safety.
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Experience in project management, construction management and/or maintenance/operations coordination preferred. 
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to interact constructively and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in software applications required for storing and analyzing data and preparing correspondence, reports and presentations.
• Must be available 24 hours/7 days a week to respond to emergencies with the ability to work alternate shifts and days as required.
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. and successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment physical examination.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test and be willing to comply with the DTO Drug and Alcohol Policy.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Colorado driver’s license.