Manager, Rail Dispatch

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

The Manager, Rail Dispatch reports to the Director of Transportation Operations. The Manager, Rail Dispatch holds strategic and administrative responsibility for CapMetro's Rail Operations Control Center (OCC) dispatching function. This position owns the OCC's budget, staffing plan, and program-level policy direction; leads interagency coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), TxDOT, and other CapMetro departments and operating modes; and is accountable for the overall safety, performance, and regulatory standing of the OCC. The Dispatch Manager provides senior-level directions to the Chief Rail Dispatcher, who translates that direction into operating rules, training standards, and day-to-day consistency of practice across dispatch shifts. While this role may perform day-to-day floor supervision or shift-level coaching of Dispatchers; these responsibilities belong mainly to the Chief Rail Dispatch and the Supervisors, Rail Dispatch. This position focuses on program-level leadership: budget and staffing decisions, contractor, and vendor oversight during the rail insourcing transition, systemwide service planning, regulatory relationship management, and serving as CapMetro's senior point of contact for major service disruptions and emergency events affecting rail dispatch.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Note: The duties and primary responsibilities below are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this job and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. OCC Strategic Leadership, Budget, and Regulatory Oversight

• Own the OCC's operating budget, staffing plan, and resource allocation, ensuring the dispatching function is adequately funded and staffed to support safe, compliant, and reliable rail operations.
• Serve as CapMetro primary point of contact with the FRA, FTA, TxDOT, and other regulatory or oversight bodies on matters related to rail dispatching, representing CapMetro in regulatory reviews, audits, and stakeholder meetings.
• Direct the development and approval of program-level deliverables, including the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Plan, Staffing Plan, Rail Activation Plan, and dispatch-related sections of CapMetro System Safety Program Plan (SSPP).
• Ensure organizational compliance and accountability with OCC policies and regulatory requirements by directing the Manager, Rail Dispatcher and Supervisors in the execution of operating rules, training standards, and consistent shift-level practice; review and approve rule changes, timetables, and special instructions developed by the Rules Committee prior to publication.
• Exercise senior operational authority during major service disruptions, systemwide emergencies, or abnormal operating conditions, providing strategic direction to the Manager, Rail Dispatch and coordinating with executive leadership, other CapMetro departments, and external agencies.
• Oversee dispatching and performance at the program level during the rail insourcing transition, ensuring practices, training records, and documentation align with CapMetro standards.
• Serve as a member of the Risk Management Oversight Team and support Emergency Management Team activities, including drills, tabletop exercises, simulations, and after-action corrective action planning.
• Collaborate with CapMetro planning staff to develop and implement an Integrated Bus and Rail Service Plan consistent with CapMetro strategic objectives.
• Establish OCC-wide performance expectations and reporting standards for on-time performance (OTP), delay management, incident response, and customer communications.
• Approve staffing models and shift structures recommended by the Manager, Rail Dispatch to ensure sufficient qualified coverage for planned service, special events, and emergency response.
• Ensure OCC practices support full compliance with FRA and TxDOT regulations, CapMetro SSPP, and Safety Management System (SMS) policies at the program level.

Rail Operations

• Provide program-level direction for rail dispatching in support of passenger, freight, and excursion service, setting the strategic framework within which the Manager, Rail Dispatch and Supervisors, Rail Dispatch operate.
• Coordinate systemwide service interruptions across rail and bus operations, ensuring multi-modal response strategies are executed to minimize passenger impacts.
• Direct schedule control, operational analysis, and service planning efforts, evaluating existing and proposed rail operations, and approving operational readiness for service changes.
• Serve as the primary technical authority and escalation point above the Manager, Rail Dispatch for rail dispatching and transportation operations matters requiring executive visibility.
• Coordinate with Safety, Training, Legal, and regulatory stakeholders to prepare for FRA reviews, address compliance findings, and track corrective actions arising from dispatching-related audits.
• Promote a strong safety culture, accountability, and continuous improvement across the OCC, reinforcing clear expectations for the Manager, Rail Dispatch and, through that role, the Supervisors and Dispatchers.

CapMetro SMS Support & Other Duties Assigned

• Support Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Safety Management Systems (SMS) process by ensuring staff follows safety and security policies, considers safety in every action, and ensures safety and security concerns are reported.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field required. An equivalent combination of directly related education and professional experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for up to four (4) years.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in the transit or railroad industry, including at least three (3) years in railroad or rail transit operations, dispatching, or OCC management.
• Two (2) years of management experience, including budget ownership, staff oversight through subordinate leaders, and regulatory or contract oversight within a railroad or transit operating environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of railroad operating rules, procedures, and industry practices, including signaling, dispatching, track, and bridge operations, sufficient to direct program-level policy for safe and compliant rail service.
• Strong knowledge of rail safety principles, Safety Management System practices, and FRA and TxDOT regulatory requirements related to railroad dispatching, certification, training, operational testing, and regulatory recordkeeping.
• Demonstrated ability to own and manage an operating budget, staffing plan, and resource allocation for a safety-sensitive, 24/7 operating function.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with the FRA, FTA, TxDOT, and other regulatory or governmental stakeholders, and to represent CapMetro credibly in external forums.
• Demonstrated executive-level leadership capability, including the ability to direct subordinate leaders (rather than perform tactical work directly), hold managers accountable for outcomes, and translate policy and regulatory direction into organizational expectations.
• Experience overseeing outsourced or contracted operating functions, including performance management and transition of contracted work to an internally operated model.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the OCC to executive leadership, the CapMetro Board, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and strategic planning skills, with the ability to assess systemwide operational issues and develop program-level solutions.
• Proven ability to manage rail passenger and freight operations within a multi-modal transit system, including coordination with other operating modes and departments.
• Proficiency in standard business and operational software applications, including word processing, spreadsheet, budgeting, scheduling, and project management tools.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily performed in an office, Operations Control Center (OCC), or rail dispatching environment with responsibility for safety-sensitive coordination, FRA-focused compliance oversight, time-critical decision-making, and operational supervision. The position involves managing multiple concurrent priorities and overseeing staff engaged in complex work where safety, accuracy, communication, regulatory compliance, documentation, and audit readiness are essential. The incumbent must be able to sit and stand frequently throughout an eight-hour workday; reach vertically and horizontally; and effectively use telephone, radio, or headset equipment. The role requires the ability to lift and move materials weighing up to 20 pounds, perform sustained work at a computer workstation for up to six to eight hours per day, and operate effectively in an environment with frequent interruptions and competing priorities. The incumbent in this role serves as an on-call escalation point and may be required to respond to emergencies, major service disruptions, or other critical operational incidents outside of normal operating hours. Regular and predictable attendance at assigned work location is an essential function. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Mobility Status:

As an Onsite position, the incumbent’s primary workplace is a CapMetro facility or field location. Expected to work in the office or field location 4+ days a week. Mobility status is subject to change at any time based on business needs or organizational decisions.

COMMITMENT TO EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CapMetro is an equal employment opportunity employer and committed to creating a welcoming environment for all employees. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, pregnancy, age, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. CapMetro makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and organization needs at the time.

SECURITY SENSITIVE POSITION

This position has been identified as a “Security Sensitive” position. CapMetro will conduct annual background checks on incumbents in this position. A position is “Security Sensitive” if it's incumbent handles currency, has access to sensitive, computerized databases, has access to master keys, or works in an area of the CapMetro that has been designated as a security-sensitive area.