Signal & Train Control Inspector

Initial Posting Date

10/27/2025

Application Deadline

11/10/2025

Agency

Department of Transportation

Salary Range

$6,240 - $9,674

Position Type

Employee

Position Title

Signal & Train Control Inspector

Job Description

Rail Compliance Inspector – Signal & Train Control Inspector

Oregon Department of Transportation

Commerce and Compliance Division

Rail Safety & Regulatory Program

Salem

This position is open for recruitment and fully funded following the 2025 Special Legislative Session.

The Role

Are you passionate about rail transportation safety? Join our team as a signal & train control inspector where you will conduct various investigations and ensure enforcement of federal and state regulations across 24 railroads and more than 900 highway-rail grade crossings. This unique role combines field inspections, technical analysis and interagency collaboration to enhance rail safety and mobility statewide. In addition to evaluating crossing designs, signal systems and traffic operations, you will manage projects and serve as a subject matter expert in policy development and in legal proceedings. Ideal candidates for this position bring a mix of analytical skills, federal rail regulation knowledge and commitment to public safety. If you’re ready to help shape the future of rail infrastructure in Oregon, we want to hear from you!

Each employee of the Oregon Department of Transportation in the Commerce and Compliance Division (CCD) must be aware of, and adhere to, OAR 740-020-0010 and ORS 823.007. Failure to follow applicable administrative rules and statutes may impact employment. Not sure what this means? Visit the Commerce and Compliance Division (CCD) laws and rules website or contact the recruiter listed below for more information.

We provide a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system that connects people and helps Oregon's communities and economy thrive. We encourage people from all backgrounds and abilities to apply for our positions.

Before applying, visit our applicant information website to learn more about our process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, you must apply through your employee Workday profile.

A Day In The Life

• Observe operation of locomotives and rolling equipment to ensure compliance with program regulations.
• Audit railroad company records to ensure compliance.
• Observe railroad employees completing operational duties.
• Investigate and review information regarding accidents and unacceptable operating practices.
• Organize and participate in joint investigations and interdisciplinary taskforce operations.
• Reply to and resolve complaints.
• Administer Oregon’s enforcement program for multiple railroads.
• Serve as subject matter expert and technical expert witness as needed.
• Participate in and facilitate sessions at conferences and seminars.
• Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions approximately 70% of the time and requires use of approved personal protective equipment.
• Must be prepared for timely responses to accident investigations that may require long hours or overnight stays.
• To request a copy of the position description, which includes all duties and working conditions, please email ODOTRecruitment@odot.oregon.gov.
  
  

What’s In It For You

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, paid leave and so much more. Learn more about working at the Oregon Department of Transportation and the benefits we offer.
• Comprehensive and equitable base salary offer within the listed range. Through an equal pay assessment, we will determine the salary offer using the information you provide in your submitted application materials. Please ensure your application materials are detailed, accurate and reflect your skills, experience (paid and unpaid) and education as they relate to the position when applying.
• The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity!
  
  

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Minimum Qualifications

Four years of recent (within the last five years) experience in highway-rail grade crossing construction or maintenance;

OR

Two years of recent (within the last five years) experience in railroad signal highway-rail grade crossing construction or maintenance and a bachelor's degree in engineering;

OR

Successful completion of the Federal Railroad Administration apprentice training program. Proof of the completion of the apprentice program must accompany the application.

Special qualifications: Driving is an essential function of this position. You must have a valid US driver license and an acceptable driving record. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s). Your license does not have to be issued in Oregon to be considered.

What We’d Like To See

If you have these attributes, let us know in your application materials! It's how we will choose whom to move forward! You do not need to have all these qualities to be eligible for this position. We may also use transferable skills, experience and education to help us decide who will move forward.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Title 49 CFR regulations pertaining to signal and train control.
• Railroad transportation operations management preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to use investigative techniques and fact-finding principles and practices.
  
  

How To Apply

• Complete the following required steps:
• Fill out the application or attach a resume. Please contact the recruiter under the ‘Need help?’ section if you have any questions about how to fill out the experience fields or to attach a document. Your submitted experience fields or attached resume must include dates (MM/YYYY) for each employer.
• Attach a cover letter. Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience and training relates to the qualities that you have under the “what we’d like to see” section above.
• Your cover letter must be limited to no more than two (2) pages.
• Please address your cover letter to Karla Tackett, Rail Safety & Regulatory Branch Manager.
• Generic cover letters that do not address the qualities that you have under the “what we’d like to see” section may receive lower scores than those that addressed the desired qualities.
• You must upload your cover letter in the ‘Resume/Cover Letter’ section of the application.
• Complete questionnaire. Answer the checkbox-style questions before submitting your application.
• After you submit your application, please respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.
• If you are a veteran, you may receive preference. The task to upload your documents will be available after you submit your application. For privacy reasons, please do not attach your military service document(s) to your application or combine it with any other required document attachments.
  

Need help?

• For questions, call 503-931-1206 or email ODOTRecruitmentTP@odot.oregon.gov.
  
  

Additional Information

• We do not offer visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. We are not an E-Verify participating employer, and we are unable to proceed if E-Verify participation is required [e.g., STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension].
• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process.
• We may use this recruitment to fill multiple or future vacancies.
• We will conduct name-based criminal background checks on final candidates, including current ODOT employees. All applicants may be subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as driver license, LEDS (Law Enforcement Data System), and/or education verification as required for the position.
• You will be represented by the Association of Engineering Employees of Oregon (AEE).
  
  

ODOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices. Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding EEO/AA/ADA, contact 1-877-336-6368 (1-877-EEO-ODOT). This information can be made available in an alternative format by contacting ODOT Recruitment at 503-986-3700. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.

Rail, Compliance, Enforcement