Deputy Director of Maintenance of Way

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, and sustainability and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

Purpose and Scope

This position will assist the Director of Maintenance of Way in providing oversight to approximately 350 employees. Manage a heavily unionized environment including Engineers, Project Managers, Superintendents, Supervisors, Forepersons, Operators, Trackpersons, and Laborers.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for the ongoing enhancement of the customer experience through the oversight and direction of all activities associated with the repair, maintenance and modification of all track infrastructures.
• Supervise in a heavily unionized environment and through Superintendents, Supervisors and Forepersons all maintenance, engineering, and administrative staff responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, modification, design, installation, and all other activities associated with the track infrastructure.
• Review all specifications and RFPs associated with the selection of consultants and/or vendors for services and materials related to track infrastructure maintenance, repairs and modifications.
• Ensure all crews have received the proper training to operate necessary manual and motorized equipment and vehicles.
• Review all submittals from contractors and/or vendors & participate in the selection process.
• Establish and monitor annual preventative maintenance schedules to be implemented by field staff.
• Establish project goals and monitor progress to ensure the efficient and timely use of department resources.
• Manage and coordinate any investigations into systems failures and the implementation of corrective actions.
• Provide updates as needed to the Senior Director – Engineering & Maintenance on project and maintenance activities.
• Monitor all capital spending for the department.
• Develop strategic plan for capital needs and preventative maintenance.
• Ensure the availability & deployment of support to Service Performance divisions during emergencies and other service disruptions.
• Ensure all inventory, equipment, facilities, and materials under their control are protected, maintained, and stored in a safe operating condition.
• Participate in the development and management of the department’s annual operating and capital budgets ensuring sound fiscal oversight of all resources.
• Work with the Office of Administration to review & assess current & future staffing needs.
• Participate in all phases of the recruitment and selection of employees for the department.
• Ensure the department’s compliance with Authority policies and procedures, including compliance with all applicable safety standards, discipline processes, and mandated trainings.
• Establish and maintain sound union/management relations while upholding the right and interests of management and adhering to collective bargaining agreements.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle to visit work sites to assist at emergencies, service disruptions, and/or other events as needed.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
• Assist in the management of the workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Available to work all shifts and locations as assigned or directed.
• Available to work as per assignment by the MBTA twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as directed by supervisory staff for severe weather conditions, emergencies or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Have the ability to work any and all shifts and/or locations assigned or directed.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field from an accredited institution.

Minimum Experience And Required Skills

• Eight (8) years of experience with all aspects of the inspection, maintenance, repair, upgrade, design, and/or construction of rail track structures for a public transit provider or other transportation industry.
• Four (4) years of experience in supervising and managing personnel responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, upgrade, design and/or construction of rail track structures in a unionized environment.
• Have excellent analytical, problem solving, planning, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with a courteous and professional experience.
• Experience developing monitoring operating capital budgets.
• Experience making presentations as needed to executive management staff and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Have excellent customer service and conflict resolution skills.
• The ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.

Preferred Experience And Skills

• A Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited institution.
• A Professional Engineering License (PE).

Substitutions Include

• High school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) from an accredited institution with the ability to comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Twenty (20) years of experience with all aspects of the inspection, maintenance, repair, upgrade, design, and/or construction of rail track structures for a public transit provider or other transportation industry may be substituted for the degree requirement.
• Eight (8) years of experience in supervising and managing personnel responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, upgrade, design and/or construction of rail track structures in a unionized environment.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
• Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared “states of emergency,” employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA’s ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.