Deputy Chief of Mechanical Officer - Transit

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

This position will work with the Chief Mechanical Officer in overseeing maintenance and repair activities for all rail maintenance divisions, including both Heavy Rail and Light Rail, the bus maintenance division, and the bus and rail shops at the Everett Main Repair Facility. The Deputy CMO, working closely with the CMO and the Rail, Bus, and Everett maintenance management staff, is responsible for enhancing the MBTA customer experience through the oversight and direction of all activities associated with the engineering, repair, maintenance, and overhaul of all bus and rail vehicles to ensure greater reliability of vehicle fleets.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, oversee, and ensure the availability of employees, equipment, and vehicle fleets to provide safe service, meet car count requirements, and otherwise support Service Performance divisions during emergencies, special events, and other service disruptions.
• Manage all bus and rail vehicle maintenance, engineering, and associated personnel through Directors, Deputy Directors, Superintendents, and Supervisors working at all bus garages, Heavy Rail and Light Rail carhouses, and the rail and bus shops at the Everett Main Repair Facility.
• Plan and direct departmental operational plans; implement departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities.
• Assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Ensure and oversee that all Vehicle Maintenance inventory, equipment, facilities, and materials are protected, maintained, and stored in a safe operating condition.
• Assess, monitor, and oversee development and use of annual and long-term vehicle maintenance and preventative maintenance plans, goals, and schedules to maximize vehicle availability and reliability, utilizing accepted industry/best practices.
• Oversee periodic review and update of planned maintenance instructions for each fleet.
• Establish project/program goals and monitor progress to ensure the efficient and timely use of department resources.
• Assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing necessary changes.
• Stay well-informed of industry advancements and emerging market technologies.
• Monitor and manage all Vehicle Maintenance department capital projects and spending.
• Participate in the development and management of the Vehicle Maintenance department's annual budgets and ensure sound fiscal oversight of all resources.
• Work with relevant internal teams to review and assess current and future staffing needs.
• Participate in all phases of the recruitment and selection of employees for the department, as needed.
• Ensure the department’s compliance with Authority policies and procedures, including all applicable safety standards, discipline processes, and mandated training
• Provide updates as needed to the Executive Directors of Heavy Rail, Light Rail, Bus, and the Chief Operating Officer on projects, maintenance activities, and vehicle failures.
• Understand and comply with FTA regulations and direction regarding bus and rail vehicle maintenance requirements and ensure Vehicle Maintenance divisions comply with MBTA safety standards and policies in accordance with FTA regulations.
• Oversee, monitor, and support internal and external investigations in an effective and timely manner, including but not limited to audits by MBTA Safety, DPU, and FTA, and which may include investigating bus and rail vehicle failures and developing corrective action plans.
• Monitor and ensure the implementation of any mitigation plans needed to address areas of concern identified by KPI reviews or by the maintenance management staff.
• Ensure each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or co-worker, is responded to in a courteous and professional manner.
• Review all specifications, RFPs, and submittals associated with the selection of consultants and/or vendors for services and materials related to rail and bus vehicle repairs and upgrades, and participate in selection processes.
• Lead strategic partnerships and collaborations with external agencies, vendors, etc. to improve Vehicle Maintenance capabilities.
• Respond, directly or through others, and/or report to work for emergencies, extreme weather conditions, or any other abnormal conditions that impair service or the safety of service, twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle to visit work sites and to assist at emergencies, service disruptions, and/or other events as needed.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
  
  
  

Supervision

• Supervise all bus and rail vehicle maintenance, engineering, and associated personnel through Directors, Deputy Directors, Superintendents, and Supervisors working at all bus garages, Heavy Rail and Light Rail carhouses, and the rail and bus shops at the Everett Main Repair Facility.
  
  
  

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Ten (10) years of experience in transportation equipment or fleet vehicle maintenance, repair, or procurement.
• Five (5) years of related experience in a supervisory / management capacity.
• Demonstrated knowledge of operations and activities of a comprehensive rail transit vehicle maintenance, repair, quality assurance, and warranty administration program.
• Demonstrated experience with life-cycle maintenance (LCM) regimes.
• Demonstrated experience with elements of rail vehicle maintenance, specific to Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), at the Director level or above, with experience overseeing the operation of multiple rail maintenance facilities.
• Demonstrated experience with elements of road vehicle maintenance specific to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) standards.
• Familiarization with National Transit Database recordkeeping and submittal requirements.
• A valid driver’s license in accordance with MBTA policy.
  
  
  

Substitutions Include

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An associate degree from an accredited institution with an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.
  
  
  

Preferred Experience And Skills

• None
  
  
  

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.
  
  
  

Disclaimers and Definitions:

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com .
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer . For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions .
• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.