Senior Project Manager Operations Planning & Analysis

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

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Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Transportation is responsible for providing safe, efficient and dependable transportation to commuters on all Metra-operated lines: Milwaukee North and West, Rock Island, Metra Electric, Southwest Service, North Central Service and Heritage Corridor and those lines operating under purchase of service agreements: BNSF and Union Pacific. In addition to all employees directly involved in providing train service, the Transportation Department also oversees the Dispatching Office and Crew Management Center.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Interline Train Operations, the Sr. Project Manager, Operations Planning & Analysis is responsible for the full life cycle of assigned operations related projects; overseeing scope, timeline, and quality standards; ensuring project alignment with operations objectives and goals; and providing support to the capital delivery department including the project management oversight team, external stakeholders, and partners operating on the agency's mainline via trackage rights agreements to facilitate the successful completion of complex projects.

The primary duties include: Facilitate the successful completion of operations related projects; provide supervision, guidance, and training as needed to internal and external project teams and consultants; assign tasks, monitor performance, and ensure teams operate in compliance with the agency's policies and procedures. Collaborate with key stakeholders during all phases of track, station, and other infrastructure projects; and manage the communication and timely flow of information between all parties throughout project life cycle. Provide project subject matter expertise; review scope; advise on project challenges and feasibility from an operations perspective; and assist in the development of key performance indicators (KPIs) to describe and illustrate phases of multiple projects and processes. Monitor project status; maintain related documents; identify risks and develop and recommend solutions that may be complex in nature; ensure projects operate safely, within scope, and stay on schedule; and prepare reports on progress detailing issues and deliverables; and present information to senior management. Serve as department lead on the development and implementation of short-, intermediate-, and long-term interdepartmental service plans, schedule changes, and projects; conduct research to collect and analyze data needed to forecast ridership during construction season; and identify areas in need of service adjustments. Coordinate team's day-to-day activities, assign tasks/projects and monitor performance, and provide guidance and training, but is not a supervisor. Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment. Responsible for the safety objectives, goals, and program of the organization ensuring compliance with applicable safety rules and regulations. Works under both inside and outside environmental conditions under prevailing conditions of heat, cold, rain, and snow. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

1. Bachelor's degree in Public or Business Administration, Engineering, Transportation, Urban Planning or related field or in lieu of a specified degree, any combination of education and experience that equals four (4) years in project management.
2. In addition to #1, must have a minimum of five (5) years of project management experience in a transportation related field preferably transportation planning.
3. Have at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.
4. Considerable knowledge of transportation or urban planning principles.
5. Considerable knowledge of program or project management principles and techniques.
6. Considerable knowledge of research methodologies.
7. Considerable knowledge of railroad operations and issues affecting on-time performance.
8. Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, OneDrive) and SharePoint.
9. Familiar with SQL, PowerBI, geographic information system (GIS), enterprise asset management systems (EAMs) such as Maximo or ServiceMax, and Adobe products for data management, presentation creation, and other tasks required for the job.
10. Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from internal employees and public and governmental agencies on issues in the area of responsibility.
11. Strong organizational and analytical skills needed to prioritize timelines, project schedules, and manage complex projects.
12. Ability to set priorities, develop work schedules, monitor progress towards goals, meet deadlines, and track information and activities.
13. Ability to provide a high level of customer service when working with the public, vendors, contractors, and agency staff.
14. Ability to work independently or on a team on multiple tasks with a sense of urgency.
15. Ability to foster teamwork by working cooperatively and effectively with others to establish goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance communication.
16. Ability to distill complex information into understandable communications for diverse audiences.
17. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
18. Must be able to operate a vehicle.
19. Must be willing to travel within Metra's 6-county region.
20. Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.

Preferred:

1. Statistical and quantitative methods experience.
2. PMP Certification.

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees' use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for pre-employment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to RAC@Metrarr.com.