Rail Maintenance Of Way Supervisor, Traction Power Supervisor

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department

Salary: $77,358.00 - $111,201.54 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 Traction Power Supervisor, using guidelines set forth by CATS, will direct the maintenance staff in the performance of their duties regarding the maintenance, servicing, inspection, and cleaning of the CATS power systems including traction power substation, overhead contact systems, power distribution, vehicle maintenance facility and associated equipment. This position will oversee and direct complex and specialized troubleshooting, preventative and corrective maintenance, and overhauls to high power equipment such as AC/DC switchgear, transformers, rectifiers, breakers, disconnect switches, high tension overhead wire as well as ancillary support and emergency response equipment. The traction power supervisor will respond to incidents that could affect revenue service, responding in such a manner as to provide safety to patrons and employees and to minimize damage to equipment. The traction power supervisor will be called upon to provide support for other areas in regard to light rail service, wayside equipment, and public safety. The traction power supervisor will ensure that equipment is maintained to applicable IEEE, FTA, APTA, NCDOT, and CATS standards.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Works with other members of the Systems maintenance workforce and all related vocations to provide safe and reliable systems and equipment for daily revenue service.

• Responds to rail system emergencies that involve major service delays and/or serious equipment failures. Renders whatever remedial actions are needed to restore revenue service.

• Follows and adheres to all systems standards, policies and procedures applicable to the day-to-day operations of safe train movements and revenue service.

• Supervises staff in the inspection, maintenance, and repair of all equipment related to systems including but not limited to traction power substations, overhead contact system, distribution system, and all maintenance and emergency support equipment.

• Oversees the performance of acceptance testing and pre-service testing of newly acquired systems and equipment.

• Oversees planned maintenance as outlined by the OEM, IEEE, APTA, NCDOT, and CATS management and evaluates needed changes or upgrades and submits them to management for review. Complies with and enforces all regulations set forth by CATS, OSHA, IEEE, FTA, and NCDOT.

• Is responsible for ensuring compliance of safety and security responsibilities of this position and for complying with CATS’ safety and security rules, procedures and policies.

• Prepares and maintains comprehensive reports and correspondence.

• Generates comprehensive operational and maintenance procedures that ensure safety to employees and general public.

• Ensures accuracy of all inspection reports, training records, and other relevant documents.

• Utilizes computer-based maintenance and material management system to track and plan maintenance and repairs as well as track materials needed to perform maintenance.

• Provides technical support, training and research to ensure traction power staff is qualified and have appropriate resources to perform job functions.

• Coordinates with rail system instructor/supervisor to develop and implement appropriate employee training. Trains other rail personnel including hourly and management employees on traction power systems and equipment. Work cohesively with other CATS and other City department as well as contractors and utility companies to restore equipment to proper working condition.

• Directly support continuous implementation and compliance of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) State Safety Oversight Program Standards (SSOPS) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations 49 CFR Part 673 and 672 related to the Safety Management System (SMS) and the CATS Agency Safety Plan (ASP). Support Safety performance goals of CATS 

• Encourage employees to proactively support and report safety concerns following the CATS Safety Reporting options as described in your training and in the ASP. 

• As part of your responsibility to support the CATS Safety Culture, report safety concerns and issues through the various methods established by CATS as outlined in the ASP. 

• Advocate and promote a strong safety culture within CATS with regard to transportation services, capital programs, facility operations and maintenance, worksite procedures, employees, and customers following SMS and ASP. 

• Participate in internal and external ASP audits. 

• All other job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Candidate must be able to plan, organize and monitor all work in regard to traction power as well as areas outside of their normal work purview.

• Ability to demonstrate knowledge in all areas listed under responsibilities.

• Knowledge of preventative and corrective maintenance practices.

• Perform troubleshooting, maintenance and repair of complex systems as they relate to traction power.

• Safely operate a variety of standard and specialized hand tools and shop power equipment.

• Read, follow and utilize electrical, electronic, and mechanical drawings.

• Ability to communicate effectively and clearly in English both orally and in writing PC skills including all Microsoft Office programs.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to attain a North or South Carolina Class B Commercial driver’s license within the timelines outlined by CATS and the City of Charlotte, NC, USA.    

• Candidate may be required to work irregular hours and shifts depending upon the needs of CATS. Candidates will be required to respond to emergencies on a 24 hour, 7 days a week basis.

• Must successfully complete 6-month probationary period.

• Positions in this classification are considered “Safety Sensitive” under Federal Transit Administration (FTA) drug and alcohol regulations.

• Ability to communicate effectively and clearly in English both orally and in writing.

• Must be able to document work on logs, spreadsheets, documents, and forms as well as utilizing computerized maintenance terminals, personal, laptop and handheld computers.

• Must be computer literate and can adapt to the use and understanding of existing software and future upgrades.

• Must be able to troubleshoot and repair traction power equipment and all associated distribution systems and sub-systems to the lowest replaceable component.

• Must have the ability to capably use all tools of the trade as well as standard shop equipment.

• Must successfully complete all training assignments and maintain qualifications where required.

Physical requirements

• Ability to lift and carry at least 50 lbs.

• Must be able to manipulate 100 lbs.

• Standing and walking on uneven surfaces while working.

• Able to sit, bend, twist, reach kneel and crouch while performing work.

• Ability to work at and above shoulder level.

• Must be able to work in all required Personal Protective Equipment and Safety gear.

• Must be able to work in the assigned uniform approved by CATSS

Sensory requirements

• Speech

• Touch

• Hearing

• Vision - vision must be 20/20 or correctable to 20/20 (near, distance and peripheral)

A written exam to demonstrate knowledge is required as a part of the selection process. Only candidates who pass the written exam are considered for the oral portion of the selection process.

Preferred Qualifications:

Four years of experience in the supervision and management of staff performing all aspects of maintenance and servicing of high voltage equipment and power distribution systems.

Four years of experience repairing and maintaining high voltage equipment and power distribution systems.  Experience in rail DC power systems and high-tension catenary systems preferred.

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires completion of one or more of the following:

Associate degree in Electrical Engineering or certificate of completion in Electrical Systems from an accredited technical school.

Completion or apprenticeship program as a lineman or high voltage electrician

Completion of applicable electrical training schools in the US Armed Forces.

This position is considered a security and Safety Sensitive position and will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing under FTA guidelines as well as all procedures and guidelines in alignment with the City of Charlotte and CATS Drug and Alcohol Policies. 

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 Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us

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.