Assistant Manager of Rail Transportation

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department

Salary: $81,226.00 - $116,762.94 Commensurate with Experience

Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service.

 

This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region.

 

Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs.

 

The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

SUMMARY

The Assistant Manager of Rail Transportation supports the day-to-day management of rail transportation operations, including rail dispatch and field service delivery, to help ensure safe, reliable, coordinated, and procedurally compliant service. Reporting to the Manager of Rail Transportation, this role provides operational leadership to dispatch and field supervision staff and supports effective execution of daily service across assigned shifts, lines, or operating areas.

This position helps coordinate rail dispatch activities, frontline field operations, staffing and coverage, service response, operating rule compliance, communications, and documentation. The Assistant Manager works closely with Rail Field Supervisors, Lead Rail Field Supervisors, Rail Dispatchers, the Rail Control Center, maintenance, safety, security, and other transportation personnel to maintain service continuity and support timely response to changing operating conditions.

The role also supports workforce performance, training and qualification activities, incident response and follow-up, field and dispatch quality assurance, implementation of operating procedures and service changes, and continuous improvement. This position requires sound operational judgment, strong communication, and the ability to lead effectively in a fast-paced, safety-sensitive transit environment.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Rail Transportation Operations Leadership

• Support the day-to-day management of rail transportation operations, including field supervision and rail dispatch functions.

• Provide direction and operational support to Lead Rail Field Supervisors, Rail Field Supervisors, Lead Rail Dispatchers, Rail Dispatchers, and other assigned staff.

• Help ensure transportation activities are carried out safely, reliably, and consistently with operating rules, procedures, service priorities, and management expectations.

• Maintain awareness of system conditions, staffing, service performance, and emerging operational issues across assigned areas.

• Support consistent execution of transportation responsibilities across shifts, lines, and operating conditions.

Service Execution and Operational Coordination

• Support daily service execution by coordinating staffing deployment, shift coverage, field assignments, dispatch activities, and other transportation requirements.

• Work closely with the Rail Control Center, field supervisors, dispatchers, maintenance, and other operational partners to address service conditions and maintain continuity of operations.

• Monitor delays, service disruptions, equipment-related impacts, staffing concerns, and other issues affecting transportation service.

• Support implementation of temporary operating changes, service adjustments, special instructions, and operating bulletins.

• Help ensure transportation resources are deployed effectively to support safe and dependable service.

Dispatch and Communications Oversight

• Oversee day-to-day dispatch activities, workload distribution, staffing coverage, communications practices, and operational documentation.

• Reinforce clear, accurate, timely, and professional communication among dispatch, field operations, the Rail Control Center, and other operational partners.

• Help ensure dispatchers follow established communication protocols, procedures, escalation requirements, and documentation standards.

• Monitor the quality and consistency of dispatch communications, logs, delay coding, and other operational records.

• Support effective use of dispatch systems, radios, status boards, logs, and other transportation communication tools.

Field Operations and Rules Compliance

• Reinforce compliance with rail operating rules, standard operating procedures, bulletins, communication requirements, and safety expectations.

• Conduct or oversee field checks, ride checks, operator observations, audits, and related reviews of transportation performance.

• Monitor the effectiveness of field supervision and frontline service delivery and address observed gaps in performance, conduct, or procedural compliance.

• Support implementation and field reinforcement of new or revised operating rules, procedures, bulletins, and service expectations.

• Help ensure field supervision practices remain consistent and responsive across assigned operating areas.

Incident Response and Service Recovery

• Respond to incidents, delays, emergencies, customer-impacting events, and abnormal operating conditions affecting rail transportation service.

• Coordinate with field supervisors, dispatch, Rail Control Center personnel, maintenance, safety, security, and other departments to support timely service response and recovery.

• Provide operational direction within assigned authority and ensure significant issues are escalated appropriately.

• Support organized transportation response during special events, planned outages, severe weather, and other high-impact operating conditions.

• Participate in incident reviews, investigations, debriefs, and follow-up activities related to transportation operations.

Workforce Leadership and Performance Management

• Supervise, coach, and support assigned field supervision and dispatch personnel.

• Support staffing schedules, shift coverage, attendance follow-up, workforce readiness, and assignment planning.

• Monitor employee performance and address issues related to proficiency, professionalism, communication, service delivery, documentation, and accountability.

• Support performance management, corrective action, training coordination, qualification activities, and employee development.

• Reinforce a culture of safety, accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Documentation, Reporting, and Operational Improvement

• Review transportation logs, reports, observations, incident documentation, and other operational records for accuracy, completeness, and appropriate follow-through.

• Prepare or support reports and summaries related to service performance, incidents, staffing, field observations, dispatch activity, and operational concerns.

• Identify recurring service, communication, staffing, or process issues and provide recommendations to the Manager of Rail Transportation.

• Support audits, operational reviews, investigations, and documentation requests affecting rail transportation functions.

• Participate in implementation of process improvements intended to strengthen service coordination, communication, reliability, and operational consistency.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Core Competencies:

The position requires demonstrated competency in the following areas:

Rail Transportation Operations Supervision

Ability to support safe, reliable, and coordinated rail service through effective oversight of field and dispatch operations.

• Provides clear direction and support to transportation staff.

• Maintains awareness of service conditions, staffing, and operational priorities.

• Reinforces consistent execution across field and dispatch supervisory functions.

Service Coordination and Operational Judgment

Ability to assess changing operating conditions, coordinate transportation resources, and make sound decisions within established authority.

• Responds effectively to service disruptions and changing operating demands.

• Recognizes when issues require escalation or broader coordination.

• Balances service continuity, safety, staffing, and operational requirements.

Communication and Coordination

Ability to maintain clear, timely, and disciplined communication across transportation functions and operational partners.

• Reinforces accurate information flow and professional communication practices.

• Coordinates effectively with field operations, dispatch, the Rail Control Center, and other departments.

• Supports continuity and clarity during routine and disrupted operations.

Rules Compliance and Operational Accountability

Ability to reinforce operating rules, procedures, documentation standards, and professional expectations in a safety-sensitive environment.

• Identifies and addresses gaps in rule compliance or operational execution.

• Supports consistent documentation and required follow-through.

• Reinforces accountability for safe and professional performance.

Staff Leadership and Development

Ability to supervise, coach, and develop employees operating in real-time transportation environments.

• Provides useful feedback, direction, and performance support.

• Reinforces readiness, professionalism, and accountability.

• Supports training, qualification, and employee development activities.

Incident Response and Service Recovery

Ability to remain organized and effective during incidents, emergencies, and abnormal operations.

• Supports coordinated response and timely restoration of service.

• Maintains composure and sound judgment during high-pressure situations.

• Ensures appropriate communication, escalation, and follow-up.

Supervision Given to:

• Lead Rail Field Supervisors

• Rail Field Supervisors

• Lead Rail Dispatchers

• Rail Dispatchers

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate degree in transportation, business administration, public administration, operations, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Four (4) years of experience in rail transportation operations, rail dispatch, transit operations, railroad operations, control center operations, or another closely related operating environment.

• Experience serving in a lead, trainer, field supervision, dispatch leadership, or other responsible role involving direction of staff or daily transportation operations.

• Experience applying operating rules, procedures, communications protocols, or safety requirements in an active transportation environment.

• Experience responding to service disruptions, incidents, or other time-sensitive operational issues.

• Ability to work varying hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and emergencies as operational needs require.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a rail transit or fixed-guideway transportation environment.

• Experience supervising field operations, dispatch staff, or transportation personnel in a 24/7 operating environment.

• Experience with rail dispatch systems, transportation communications, scheduling, rostering, or related operational tools.

• Experience conducting field observations, ride checks, operational reviews, or performance investigations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Rail transportation operations, including field supervision, dispatch, service coordination, and real-time operational response.

• Rail operating rules, procedures, communication protocols, escalation practices, and safety requirements.

• Incident response, service recovery, and cross-functional transportation coordination.

• Workforce supervision practices, including staffing, scheduling, performance management, coaching, and training support.

• Dispatch and transportation documentation practices, operational reporting, and quality control requirements.

Skill in:

• Supervising field and dispatch personnel in a fast-paced transportation environment.

• Coordinating staffing, service execution, workload distribution, and response to changing operating conditions.

• Monitoring transportation performance, identifying issues, and ensuring appropriate follow-through.

• Supporting incident response and service recovery across multiple operational functions.

• Coaching and developing supervisors, dispatchers, and other transportation staff.

• Reviewing logs, reports, observations, and operational documentation for accuracy and completeness.

• Communicating clearly with frontline employees, managers, control center staff, and cross-functional partners.

Ability to:

• Lead transportation operations in a safety-sensitive environment with shifting service demands and priorities.

• Maintain awareness of system conditions, staffing, operational risks, and service impacts.

• Apply sound judgment in directing staff and responding to operational issues.

• Coordinate field and dispatch functions to support reliable service delivery.

• Reinforce accountability, rules compliance, communication discipline, and professional standards.

• Manage multiple operational priorities while maintaining effective follow-through.

• Remain composed and provide effective leadership during disruptions, emergencies, and high-pressure situations.

Working Environment and Physical Demands:

• Works in a combination of field, station, yard, dispatch, office, and other operational environments supporting rail transportation service.

• Works in a fast-paced, safety-sensitive environment requiring sound judgment, clear communication, and timely response to changing operating conditions.

• May be required to work varying shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, or emergency assignments in support of 24/7 rail operations.

• Involves periods of sitting, standing, walking, riding rail service, using computers, radios, phones, and other communications or operational equipment, and reviewing or completing reports and documentation.

• May be exposed to varying weather conditions, noise levels, active rail environments, passenger-facing situations, and other physical conditions associated with rail field and dispatch operations.

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 and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

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 self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 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 our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.