Are you a railroad employee looking for a change? If yes, TxDOT’s Rail Division is looking for an experienced Operating Practice Rail Safety Investigator I or II. We offer a 40-hour week with 4-10 hour days or 5-8 hour days, flexible work schedule, with 14 paid holidays/agency days, and weekends off.

At TxDOT we value employee work-life-balance. In keeping with our commitment to this value our employees benefit from a wide array of programs and activities that include telework, flexed and compressed work schedules, wellness leave incentive, in-house wellness center, career development programs, tuition assistance, and various other benefits.

The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position based on the applicant's work experience, education, skill level, and all other appropriate factors, and based on business needs.

To learn more about TxDOT, we welcome you to watch the following video . Stassney Campus: https://youtu.be/u42vEZacDgA

At TxDOT, we value employee work-life balance. In keeping with our commitment to this value, our employees benefit from a wide array of programs and activities that include:

• Low Turnover
• Retirement Pension
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Paid Leave/Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for full-time employees
• On the Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Comprehensive Wellness Program/Wellness Leave Incentives
• Career Development Programs/Opportunities for advancement

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Rail Safety Investigator I

Under the guidance of a certified Railroad Investigator, learns to perform routine rail safety inspections at designated facilities within the state to determine compliance with State Railroad Statutes and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rail safety standards. Work requires extensive contact with federal, state, and local governmental officials, special interest groups, railroad companies and other private entities. Work requires out of state travel related to FRA training and routinely requires statewide travel. Employees at this level perform work under the guidance and supervision of a certified state rail investigator or federal rail inspector.

Rail Safety Investigator II

As a certified Rail Investigator, performs routine rail safety inspections at designated facilities within the state to determine compliance with State Railroad Statutes and the Federal Railroad Administration rail safety standards. Work requires extensive contact with federal, state, and local governmental officials, special interest groups, railroad companies and other private entities. Work requires extensive statewide travel which also includes out-of-state travel. Employees at this level establish their own work plan and priorities to meet set objectives.

Essential Duties:

Rail Safety Investigator I
• Participates in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Field Orientation Standard On-the- Job Training (OJT) Program to complete all job training objectives and receives letter of completion from Federal Railroad Administration
• Under the guidance or direction of a certified railroad investigator or federal rail inspector, conducts railroad related accident and compliant inspections.
• Under the guidance or direction of a certified railroad investigator or federal rail inspector, conduct investigations or follow-up inspections to determine compliance on rail safety standards.
• Under the guidance or direction of a certified railroad investigator or federal rail inspector, may conduct safety inspections of specific railroad- related property, operations, personnel or other areas of rail-related issues or events.
• Under the guidance and supervision of a certified state railroad investigator or federal rail inspector, identifies remedial actions necessary to correct deficiencies identified during investigations.
• Under the guidance and supervision of a certified state railroad investigator or federal rail inspector, investigates public complaints regarding railroad operations or facilities.
• Under the guidance and supervision of a certified state railroad investigator or federal rail inspector, may advise railroad companies on railroad safety matters.
• Under the guidance and supervision of a certified state railroad investigator or federal rail inspector, prepares, writes, and issues reports relating to inspections of individual railroads.
• Prepares, writes, and submits weekly training logs/reports to FRA Training Coordinator and lead railroad investigator.
• Available to be on-call to support program needs.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Rail Safety Investigator II
• Develops individual railroad safety inspection programs and projects for area of expertise.
• Available to be on-call to support program needs.
• Conducts accident and compliant investigations.
• Conducts investigations or follow-up inspections to determine compliance or continued deficiencies on rail safety standards.
• Conducts safety inspections of specific railroad-related property, operations, personnel or other areas of rail-related issues or events.
• Identifies remedial actions necessary to correct deficiencies identified during investigations.
• Investigates public complaints regarding rail operations or facilities.
• May advise railroad companies on rail safety matters.
• Prepares, writes, and issues reports relating to inspections of individual railroads.
• Recommends violations and refers to the Rail Safety Section Director and suggests penalties for railroads failing to comply with applicable regulations.
• Travels and makes on-site visits, inspections, and analysis.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Rail Safety Investigator I

Education: High School Grad or Equivalent in general high school studies.

Experience: 5 years' experience in railroad Industry-related occupations, railroad inspections or rail safety activities. (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated parttime equivalent). Related college education or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
Mandatory: Safety Impact Certificate.
Meets qualifications per 49 CFR 212 to participate in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Field Orientation Standard On-the-Job training and complete the certification within 24 months of hire.

Rail Safety Investigator II

Education: High School Grad or Equivalent in general high school studies.

Experience: 6 years' experience in railroad operations and inspection; rail safety investigative work. (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated parttime equivalent). Related college education or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
Mandatory: Safety Impact Certificate.
Required to provide FRA documents for Operating Practices Certification.
This is a safety impact position and will be subject to drug testing.

Preferred Qualifications:

Competencies:

Rail Safety Investigator I
• Railroad industry, including economic and operating considerations and equipment
• General safety and health principles and practices applicable to the railroad industry
• Railroad industry and infrastructure
• Federal Railroad Administration circulars, orders, and regulations to include Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations
• Rail investigative practices and procedures
• Railroad accident investigation techniques
• Applicable policies and procedures
• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations
• Preparing detailed reports
• The use of personal computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems

Rail Safety Investigator II
• Applicable analysis methodologies
• Applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations specific to area of responsibility for safeguarding information and information technology related systems
• Railroad industry and infrastructure, including economic and operating considerations and equipment
• Railroad industry and infrastructure
• Applicable policies and procedures
• Federal Railroad Administration circulars, orders, and regulations to include Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations
• Rail investigative practices and procedures
• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations
• Preparing detailed reports
• The use of personal computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
• Subject to outside environmental conditions; no effective weather protection
• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour
• Subject to noise
• Subject to vibration
• Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals
• Subject to atmospheric conditions-fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation
• Subject to air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids
• Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device
• Works frequently in small/crawl spaces; manholes; areas that can cause claustrophobia.
• Works in narrow aisles or passageways
• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs
• Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs
• Climbing - ascending/descending ladders, stairs, scaffoldings, ramps, etc
• Balancing-walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling..
• Stooping-bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist.
• Kneeling-bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee(s)
• Crouching-bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine.
• Crawling-moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet
• Reaching-extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
• Standing-prolonged periods of time
• Walking-moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another.
• Pushing-using upper extremities to press against object with force to move in a direction.
• Pulling-using upper extremities to exert force moving objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting-raising objects from lower to higher position/horizontally to a different position
• Fingering-picking, pinching, typing; working primarily with fingers rather than whole hand.
• Grasping-applying pressure to an object with fingers and palm
• Feeling-determining size, shape, temperature, or texture of objects
• Talking expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Hearing-perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication.
• Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading.
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes visual inspection of small defects/parts.
• Close Visual Acuity-using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts
• Visual Acuity-operate machines, such as drill presses, power saws, and mills.
• Visual Acuity-operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment.
• Visual Acuity-determine work quality/make general observations of facilities/structures.

Conditions of Employment:
Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
    

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination in the workplace. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Please click this link to read the information for applicants: Additional Applicant Information