Railroad Chief Mechanical Engineer job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Railroad Chief Mechanical Engineer in details. A complete job description concludes Railroad Chief Mechanical Engineer key duties/responsibilities, Railroad Chief Mechanical Engineer job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Railroad Chief Mechanical Engineer duties:

1.      Monitors the performance of the Bridge & Building, Signal and Track departments to ensure compliance with company safety and operating rules, policies, procedures, union agreements and governmental regulations.

2.      Responsible for promoting and maintaining a safe work environment and must have the ability to immediately respond to safety concerns as they arise.

3.      Manages the maintenance and control of all bridges, structures, dispatching, signal, and hump computer systems. Ensures adequate inspections are performed.

4.      Plans, develops and controls expenditures of annual capital and maintenance budgets as well as a five-year plan.

5.      Develops and maintains accurate timelines for project estimates, control, and execution.
 Assesses vendors for competence, capabilities, resources, and financial status.

6.      Monitors progress of all civil projects and compares actual costs with estimates. Assists in developing railroad facilities that increase rail revenues.

7.      Works with federal, state and local agencies to protect railroad franchise and obtain funding for projects in the public sphere.

8.      Prepares monthly reports, detailing progress and costs.

9.      Reviews and studies existing equipment, facilities, systems, and processes to improve safety and efficiency, increase quality, and reduce costs.

10.  Provides for proper training of engineering employees.

11.  Must be able to work cross-functionally with other operating and administrative departments.

II. List of Railroad Chief Mechanical Engineer qualifications

1.      Bachelor''s degree in civil, structural, or mechanical engineering, or related discipline.

2.      Eight to ten years of railroad engineering experience including three or more years of management of non-agreement supervisors.

3.      Experience maintaining hump yards, signal systems, communication systems, and bridge structures.

4.      Experience working under a strong labor union influence.

5.      Excellent communications and organizational skills, as well as analytical skills for reviewing costs and preparing budget reports.

6.      Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Project, Access and familiar with CAD design.

7.      Working knowledge of American Railway Engineering and Maintenance Association standards as well as standards and practices employed by US Class I railroads.

8.      Experience managing civil engineering firms specializing in railroad work in a heavy rail traffic environment.

9.      Ability to work outdoors and in a fast paced 24/7 operational environment.

10.  Must be eligible to work in the United States.

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.