Rail Compliance Inspector Operating Practices Inspector

Rail Compliance Inspector – Operating Practices Inspector
Oregon Department of Transportation
Commerce and Compliance Division  
Rail Safety & Regulatory Program
Salem

The role: 
Join our dedicated safety and regulatory programs teams as an operating practices inspector! Responsibilities include traveling throughout Oregon and providing oversight of railroad operating rules, records and training programs, administering the operating practices program for freight and passenger rail and providing technical consultation to ensure compliance with federal regulations. In addition, you will conduct investigations, design and deliver training programs and respond to complaints or inquiries. Apply for this exciting opportunity today!  

Notice to Applicants: 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.

Our first application screening is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 13, 2023. We encourage interested applicants not to delay in applying.

We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our positions and hope you will join us on our path to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are an agency that embraces social equity through our values, strategic planning, and actions. Leaning into our equity priorities means we continually examine what we do, the impact we have, and our progress toward weaving social equity into who we are. To learn more about our social equity commitments, visit our Social Equity website. 

Before applying, click here to 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 and analyze railroad company records in regard to 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.
• Respond to and resolve complaints.
• Serve as subject matter expert and technical expert witness when needed.
• Administer Oregon’s enforcement program for multiple railroads.
• Assist branch manager in development of standards and procedures for inspection and enforcement.
• Compile and maintain statistical data related to railroad accidents and unsafe practices.
• Participate in and facilitate sessions at conferences and seminars.
• Work is performed outdoors and in all weather conditions approximately 60% of the time and requires use of personal protective equipment.
• Frequent in and out of state travel is required. Hybrid work options available.
• 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, competitive benefits packages and so much more. Learn more about working at the Oregon Department of Transportation.
• Live, work and play in Oregon!

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Minimum qualifications:

Two years of recent (within the last three years) experience in developing or administering railroad operating rules.

OR

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

Special qualifications: Driving is an essential function of this position. You must have a valid 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, education and alignment with ODOT values to help us decide who will move forward.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Knowledge of Title 49 CFR regulations pertaining to operating practices.
• 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 Chris Malm, Rail Safety & Regulatory Branch Manager.
    • Generic cover letters and/or 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.
    • If you are an internal applicant, you must upload your cover letter in the ‘Resume/Cover Letter’ section of the application.
    • If you are an external applicant, you must upload your cover letter in the ‘Resume/CV’ 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 an 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 come before the public records request and gender identity questionnaire tasks. 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.
• This recruitment will remain open until filled. Our first application screening is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Monday, 11/13/2023, but we may close the announcement at any time after this date when we have received an adequate number of applications. We cannot guarantee that we will consider applications received after this screening date. We encourage interested applicants not to delay in applying.
• 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.

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