The RAILROAD SPECIALIST 2 performs the more difficult investigations, inspections, and analyses of railroad safety, service, and operations to assure compliance with laws, rules, and regulations. The investigations and inspections assigned to personnel involve the more technical, legal, and controversial railroad issues. Personnel in this class may coordinate and review the activities of assigned project members.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the second level of a two-level series. It is distinguished from the lower level by involvement in the more difficult assignments in terms of technical, legal, and controversial issues and decisions involving the railroads and the public. Personnel in this class are required to interpret regulations and determine their applicability to specific and frequently unusual circumstances.

Personnel in this class are frequently required to select and implement non-prescribed courses of action based on investigations and analyses of individual railroad practices. Studies, investigations, or projects directed by these employees often result in recommendations affecting agency policy or position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Allocation of positions to this class will depend on the total work performed which may include one or a combination of the duties or tasks listed below:

1. Track Inspection

Typical tasks:

1) as part of the ATD LINES participation program under the auspices of the Federal Railroad Administration:

a. Inspects all railroad track structures at least once a year for compliance with Federal safety regulations using gauge and level measuring devices, ultrasound metal flow detection devices, and radar; notes all deviations from standards;

b. Takes track out of service for any violations found to be creating a serious safety hazard; prepares detailed violation reports for legal action by Federal Railroad Administration;

c. Conducts visual inspections of railroad facilities, measures objects for proper side and overhead clearance, measures walkway area for proper length, width, and footing conditions to determine compliance with ATD LINES rules and regulations on personnel safety;

d. Prepares detailed inspection reports citing violations found, corrective measures needed to obtain compliance, and recommending to Public Utility Commission formal complaint action against railroad when appropriate;

e. Conducts follow-up inspections when reports submitted by railroad on corrective measures taken appear to be incorrect or incomplete based on violations found during inspection;

f. Audits railroad company's track inspection records to verify tracks have been inspected at the required times, that defects were accurately reported, and proper actions were taken to correct defects;

g. Prepares a report on audit results for agency and Federal Railroad Administration;

h. Conducts in-depth investigations of derailments which do not involve motor vehicles, by collecting and analyzing accident data to determine cause;

i. Provides training to railroad personnel on inspection and reporting requirements;

j. Presents and defends testimony in State and Federal proceedings;

2) as part of the ATD LINES rail program:

a. Inspects and documents condition and salvage value of rail lines scheduled for abandonment;

b. Assists the public by serving as a liaison with the proper rail authority to help resolve rail service problems at the local level;

c. Develops maintenance schedules and programs for rehabilitating.

2. Crossing Safety

Typical Tasks:

a. Reviews all Commission's orders prepared by staff on disposition of applications for technical accuracy, for completeness of final order for any conflicts with previous orders, and for uniformity with division guidelines;

b. Trains and provides technical advice to staff on procedures for handling applications and preparing orders;

c. Analyzes comprehensive draft land use plans as they relate to railroad crossing applications for possible conflict with agency statutes, rules, and policies;

d. Prepares maps, tables of vehicle counts, photos, drawings, and other exhibits to substantiate staff position on crossing issues;

2). Inspects all automatic crossing protective device installations for effectiveness in providing warning to roadway users and for compliance with regulations, makes recommendations to railroad personnel on necessary improvements, and explains maintenance procedures to keep crossing signals operating properly;

a. Analyzes requests for proposed construction or alterations of crossings where automatic protective devices may be installed, to determine the most appropriate type of automatic device to install at the crossing base;

b. Prepares recommendation to the Commission on appropriate protective devices;

c. Develops and maintains current data on all automatic protective device systems installed at grade crossings;

d. Prepares testimony and exhibits and testifies as staff witness at formal hearings;

3). Coordinates statewide crossing safety education program;

4). Prepares, processes, and manages Grade Crossing Protection account billings, balance records, and reports.

3. Equipment Inspection, Hazardous Materials, and Waste Enforcement Program

Typical Tasks:

1). As part of the Federal railroad program, inspects railroad cars, locomotives, and cabooses, including the power brakes, for compliance with Federal regulations governing railroad motive power and equipment;

a. Takes out-of-service railroad equipment found to have defects creating a serious safety hazard;

b. Prepares detailed violation reports for legal action by the Federal Railroad Administration;

2). Inspects railroad equipment for compliance with ATD LINES regulations on sanitation and the transportation of hazardous materials;

a. Discusses with railroad official violations found during inspection and recommendations for necessary improvements;

b. Prepares detailed inspection reports citing violations found, corrective measures needed to obtain compliance, and recommending formal complaint action against railroad when appropriate;

a. Prepares and defends testimony in State and Federal proceedings;

a. Assists in the formulation of rules and regulations pertaining to the safe transportation of hazardous materials and waste;

b. Resolves complaints concerning transportation of hazardous materials and waste;

c. Monitors changes and revisions in hazardous materials regulations.

4. Rate and Service

Typical Tasks:

1). Analyzes rail cost and revenue data for intrastate and interstate rate cases;

a. Prepares and presents testimony and/or statements for intrastate rate cases at public hearings and interstate cases before the Interstate Commerce Commission;

b. Resolves rail shipper service complaints received

c. Analyzes rail line abandonment and merger proposals;

d. Assists in coordination of preparation of protest statements with shippers;

e. Analyzes railroad annual reports for accuracy and completeness;

f. Coordinates billing and collection of annual rail gross revenue fees;

g. Conducts shipper surveys;

2). Maintains railroad branch line status and data base;

a. Functions as liaison with shippers and local governments affected by public rail line abandonments;

b. Acts as legislative liaison on rail line abandonment matters;

c. Prepares and submits rail line abandonment protests before the appropriate Federal agency;

d. Conducts maintenance analysis of rail lines to be, or which have been, abandoned;

e. Coordinates and assists in development of new short line operations;

3). Manages track scale inspection/certification program;

a. Coordinates scale inspection schedule;

b. Authorizes invoices,

c. Maintains records;

4). assists in the formulation of rules and regulations pertaining to railroad rates, services, and agency functions.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS>/P>

Personnel in this class are in contact by phone and in person on a regular basis with railroad personnel to discuss railroad safety problems, to provide information on findings from investigations or audits, or to resolve issues relating to the construction, alteration, or closure of railroad crossings or maintenance of track structure, locomotives, and freight cars.

Personnel in this classification may also have regular contact with city, county, and State road authorities to discuss railroad crossing safety problems and solutions or to resolve issues regarding applications to construct, alter, or close railroad crossings.

These personnel also have occasional contact with the public through written communications or by phone to respond to inquiries regarding railroad related issues. >/P>

Personnel also meet occasionally with staff of the Legal Department to prepare for pending hearings including staff testimony and other relevant information.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Personnel in this class work under the general supervision of a program manager who assigns work orally and in writing. Personnel are expected to resolve most conflicts and problems with little technical assistance from the supervisor. Assignments are normally reviewed only upon completion; however, due to their complexity or potential affect, some assignments may be monitored while in progress. Guidelines are available in the form of State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations related to railroad track, equipment, and crossing safety. These guidelines are used in conducting inspections, investigations, and audits and in reviewing requests for railroad crossing construction or alteration projects. They are also interpreted to the public and railroad personnel when providing information or technical assistance.

GENERAL INFORMATION

KNOWLEDGE

1. General knowledge of a specific area of the railroad industry such as railroad operations, engineering, finance, or marketing.

2. General knowledge of State and Federal railroad rules, regulations, laws, policies, and procedures.

3. General knowledge of railroad safety regulations. General knowledge of hazardous material and hazardous waste transportation requirements.

4. General knowledge of the principles and theories of economics as they relate to the railroad industry.

5. General knowledge of engineering and safety standards applicable to construction and maintenance of railroad crossing protective devices.

6. Basic knowledge of the interaction of the railroad industry, its various segments, regulatory authorities, and the public.

7. Basic knowledge of arithmetic including calculating percentages.

SKILLS

1. Skill in understanding and applying information from engineering drawings, specifications, and reports.

2. Skill in identifying and analyzing problems and in making independent decisions based on analyses of information and relevant laws.

3. Skill in interpreting and applying established transportation regulations. Skill in writing clear and concise reports, letters, orders, and recommendations.

4. Skill in interviewing to obtain information.

5. Skill in planning, organizing, and implementing a study, investigation, or analysis within a prescribed timeframe.

6. Skill in oral presentations.

7. Skill in communicating effectively to obtain or explain technical information.

ABILITIES

1. Ability to work with limited supervision. 3. Ability to maintain harmonious relationships and personnel, and reach agreement with industry, railroad, government, and other representatives who may be uncooperative or angry.

4. Ability to effectively represent the agency under rigorous examination and cross examination in judicial and quasi-judicial hearings.

5. Ability to make decisions on the severity of safety infractions.

Every position in this class will require some but not all of the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:

1. Skill in applying engineering and safety standards to railroad track construction and maintenance.

2. Skill in applying engineering and safety standards to railroad rolling stock construction and maintenance.

3. Skill in applying engineering standards applicable to railroad crossings and crossing protective device installation, operation, and maintenance.

4. Skill in applying railroad cost analysis techniques.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

Qualifications for positions in this class are set by Federal regulations and require a specific number of years of experience.

An applicant's experience and education must be recent enough to insure a current knowledge of the standards and practices required for this class.>/P>

NOTE:

The KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS are required for initial consideration. ABILITIES may be required for initial consideration, at any time during the selection process, or during a trial service period as a final stage of the selection process. Some duties performed by positions in this class may require different KSA's. No attempt is made to describe every KSA required for all positions in this class. Additional KSA requirements will be explained on the recruiting announcement.