Engineering Group Manager - Rail
Engineering Group Manager - Rail
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$ 196500 - 255500
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Job Description
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is seeking a strategic motivated and flexible leader to join VTA to lead its Rail Engineering Capital Program. In this role experience in leading the delivery of capital improvements for transit and facility projects is important. These projects include upgrades and state of good repair work throughout the light rail network and at the light rail operating and maintenance yard.
The Engineering Group Manager Rail position reporting to the Deputy Director for Transit and Facility Engineering manages a diverse talented team of seasoned staff well-versed in the delivery of capital projects in the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority operation and maintenance responsibility. This position is responsible for directing and leading collaboration on planning design development (including technical analysis in support of preliminary engineering and final design) construction management and close out overall program/project management (including scopes costs schedules and quality of work) management of staff resources (both VTA and consultant) coordination with project stakeholders within VTA and the community (working with VTA public information and government affairs staff). The capital program for this position is centered on the light rail infrastructure in the VTA network.
Definition
Under general direction the Engineering Group Manager Rail organizes directs and manages design and construction for rail capital projects including associated consultant services and construction contract management.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is an at-will executive management position that serves at the discretion of the General Manager. This position has direct responsibility for engineering design development and construction implementation of rail projects. These projects range widely in level of complexity involving management of VTA staff and contracted professional engineers multiple professional engineering agreements materials and equipment procurement civil and systems construction contracts and coordination of assigned activities with other departments and outside vendors.
Ideal Candidate
An ideal candidate will exhibit high-level people skills including the ability to work with the already existing capable team of engineers and support staff who are charged with managing phases of work from the condition evaluation phase through the close of projects. Superior collaboration and communication skills in working with both other VTA divisions and outside stakeholders are crucial for this position. The ability to maintain and to build upon the existing relationships between VTA divisions will be critical for the continued success of the teams efforts.
The position will be responsible for budgeting staffing and communication of items going to the VTA Board of Directors (Board). Communication on items to the Board requires an ideal candidate to possess superior written and verbal communication skills. The position will be responsible for the reviewing and developing of Board memos as well as the presentation of the items at committee and Board meetings.
Working knowledge of light rail engineering is required and knowledge of operations and maintenance for an active light rail yard is preferred. Understanding of light rail design criteria and CPUC regulations are required for a successful candidate and experience in administration of engineering and construction for capital projects is essential. Other required technical working knowledge include but is not limited to the following: local regulations regarding transportation and facility design construction financing real estate and environmental requirements and practices of public works management and administration; sustainable practices related to the delivery of capital programs/projects and inclusion and belonging related programs related to the delivery of capital programs/projects.
If you have a strong affinity and passion for delivering local transit and facility improvements within the environment of a dynamic agency we encourage you to apply. Please consider joining us to take your career to another level at one of the largest programs charged for improving the local transit system! Your leadership will make a significant impact on the future of transportation in our community.
The successful candidate will possess a combination of equivalent experience and education that provides the knowledge and abilities necessary for successful job performance. Included in this are graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in engineering and extensive increasingly responsible professional level experience in engineering construction management contract administration and supervision for projects including managing design and/or construction teams in a public agency or similar organization. Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California is required.
Position Highlights
The Group Manager Rail is expected to hit the ground running to lead ongoing efforts on a wide variety of projects and related efforts such as:- Delivery of a wide range of projects with a variety of funding sources
- Delivery of capital improvement program for critical transit projects
- Directing and managing a team of in-house professionals in the evaluation programming and implementation of the VTA light rail infrastructure
- Directing multiple professional services contracts to deliver engineering documents for all phases of the transit and facility project delivery process
- Directing the advertising award and administration of construction contracts for rehabilitation and improvements
- Elevating VTAs inclusion and belonging efforts
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area VTA is Santa Clara Countys authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus) congestion management transportation-related funding highway design and construction real estate and transit-oriented development and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local state and federal partners VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable accessible community-focused innovative and environmentally responsible transportation options promoting the regions vitality. VTA provides bus light rail and paratransit services andparticipatesas a funding partner in regional rail services including Caltrain Capital Corridor and the Altamont Corridor Express.
To learn more go to: .
Our Community
Santa Clara County sometimes referred to as Silicon Valleyis unique for its innovation natural attractions and social diversity. Withnumerousamenities and perfect weather it has long been considered one of the best places in the United States to live and work. calendar of festivals and celebrations supports the community spirit. Nearby open space provides easy access to mountain parks trails lakes streams and beautiful coastal beaches. San Jos has received accolades for its vibrant neighborhoods healthy lifestyle and diverse attractions from national media including Business Week and Money magazines.
The countys population of 1.9 million is the largest in Northern California and is rich in ethnic culture and diversity. Enjoy access and theoptionto explore our closely neighboring counties of San Francisco and Alameda.
Classification Bargaining Unit:Non-rep
Recruitment Timeline
Final Filing Date:Friday June 20 2025 at 11:59PM
Tentative Interviews:Week of July 14 2025Essential Job Functions
Typical Tasks
- Selects supervises trains motivates assigns counsels and disciplines project staff;
- Manages the development and implementation of department goals objectives policies and priorities for the work unit;
- Directs the planning environmental analysis design and oversight of the construction of capital projects for rail facilities ensuring they are built on time within budget and to appropriate standards;
- Manages groups of in-house and contract planning engineering and construction personnel engaged in rail improvement and maintenance activities;
- Oversees staff who serve as project managers for the SVRT project;
- Organizes mobilizes and directs project personnel and coordinates the efforts of other organizations involved in the project;
- Plans schedules and coordinates design procurement and construction activities;
- Negotiates approves and monitors contractual agreements with other governmental agencies private consultants and private contractors;
- Provides final review of plans specifications reports and other documents prepared by subordinates or outside parties;
- Provides timely communication of contract status and issues and maintains technical and administrative control of rail projects;
- Develops monitors and manages project budgets; approves forecast of funds needed for staffing equipment materials and supplies;
- Approves expenditures and implements adjustments;
- Authorizes contract payments;
- Coordinates with federal state and local agencies during project implementation and ensures compliance with their administrative guidelines;
- Represents VTA before the Board of Directors city councils and other federal state regional and local agencies VTA policy advisory boards and commissions and before local citizens in public meetings and hearings;
- Prepares reviews and approves detailed correspondence and reports;
- Represents VTA in design and construction related legal and financial issues contractual matters public safety and related issues;
- Consults with department and division heads in the formation of administrative policies and is responsible for their implementation;
- Establishes independent field office and provides overall direction to subordinate staff regarding professional standards work quality and quantity performance and accountability;
- Performs related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Employment Standards
Sufficient training education and experience that demonstrates possession of the required knowledge skills and abilities.
Development of the required skills knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major work in construction management engineering contract administration or a related field and extensive increasingly responsible experience in engineering construction management contract administration and supervision on rail transit projects including at least three years supervising design or construction personnel in a public agency or similar organization.
Registration as a professional engineer or architect in the State of California is required.Supplemental Information
- Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of organization administration and fiscal and personnel management;
- Principles and practices of contract administration engineering design management and construction management;
- Principles and practices of design installation operation and modification of heavy and/or light rail transit facilities and equipment;
- Principles and methods of construction inspection materials testing and contract negotiation;
- Safety practices in the construction industry;
- Methods materials equipment and techniques of public works transit design and construction;
- Use of and standards for construction materials for public works and transit construction;
- Construction claim avoidance and claim resolution techniques;
- Laws ordinances and standards for public works or transit construction;
- Federal state regional and local funding programs and processes;
- Principles of supervision training employee development motivation and effective discipline;
- Quality control/quality assurance practices in the design and construction industry.
- Select supervise train motivate assign evaluate counsel and discipline staff;
- Direct an integrated team of VTA employees and consultants in the development of rail and tunnel projects;
- Direct inspections and achieve compliance with contracts construction plans and specifications;
- Negotiate contractual agreements with other agencies utilities consultants and contractors;
- Interpret and enforce laws and ordinances;
- Prepare and manage budgets and schedules;
- Perform engineering and design computations accurately;
- Review and prepare correspondence and complete reports;
- Effectively represent VTA before the Board of Directors city councils and other federal state regional and local agencies boards and commissions and before local citizens in public meetings and hearings;
- Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing;
- Take initiative reason logically and be creative in developing and introducing new ideas;
- Define problem areas and evaluate recommend and implement alternative solutions to complex issues and problems including engineering problems;
- Oversee project quality;
- Establish cooperative relations with staff contractors technical committees community organizations representatives of federal state regional and city agencies and the general public.
Whatsin it for You
Health:VTA participates in a CalPERS-sponsored medical plan with VTA contribution toemployeeand dependent premium health insurance premiums. Employees pay a monthly contribution of any amountin excess ofthe Kaiser Bay Area Family rate.
Flex Spending Account: $300 employer-funded Health FSA for eligible employees
Vision:VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
Dental:Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
Leave:17days of vacation (accrued)80 Hours ofsicktime(accrued) 12paid holidays per yearand 1 floating holiday per year.
Retirement:
Participation in CalPERS
Classic Members:2%@55
PEPRA Members:2%@62
457 Deferred Compensation Plan (voluntary)
Retiree medical coverage for eligible employees with VTA contributions to the retirees medical premium
Additional Perks:
All active full-time employees and their eligible dependents are eligible for transit passes for use over VTA lines including VTA Paratransit services.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to each employee eligible dependent and household member 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Tuition Reimbursement
Professional Development Fund
Wellness Programs
As we continue to implement ourVTA Forward Plan we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.
For more information about our VTA Forward Plan visit: Instructions
Please read this entire job announcement before applying for the position. Print and keep a copy of this announcement so that you can refer to it. Questions not answered within this job announcement may be sent to.
To ensure consideration completed applications must besubmittedonline to the Human Resources department by the stated closing time and date posted. When the stated closing date is continuous applyimmediately; the position may close without notice. You will receive an immediate email confirming receipt of your submitted application. If you do not receive this email contact NEOGOVs Applicant Assistance Line at between 8:00AM to 5:00PM (PST) Monday through Friday excluding holidays.
Onlyon-lineapplications will be accepted for this recruitment (paper applications or resumes will not be accepted). Job Interest Notification Cards or copies ofprevious partial or un-submittedapplications are not an acceptable substitutetoa completed application.
ALL APPLICATION AND TESTING NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE SENT BY E-MAIL.Applicants should select e-mail as the preferred method of notification. Candidates mustmaintainan up-to-datevalidand reliable e-mail address. Candidates are also responsible formaintainingup-to-date phone numbers and addresses on their on-line account. Due to the number of applications received candidates must check their application status through their on-line account. ContactNEOGOVforassistanceif needed.
Information on how to apply for jobs at the VTA is available on the VTA Employment website and from the NEOGOVs Applicant Assistance Line . NEOGOVApplicant support is available from 8:00AM to 5:00PM (PST) Monday through Friday excluding holidays.
Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations
The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment/examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If you wish to request an accommodationcall the Human Resources Department at or email at.
Application Processing Information
All related current and past work experience (including VTA experience) must be listed and fully described in the Work Experience section of the application (See Resume is not acceptable). Incomplete or improperly completed online applications may be rejected even if you are qualified for the position for which you are applying. It is your responsibility to ensure that the online application reflects the work experience and education needed to meet the requirements for the position you are applying for. Although your resume may have all your experience and education details please make sure to complete each section of the online application to ensure that your information is accurately captured during our screening process.
All applications are subject to review as to meeting minimum qualifications at any point in the recruitment process. Passing any step is no guarantee of continuation if it isdeterminedthat the applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications asstatedin the class specification.
Candidates found to have exaggerated/falsified their qualifications experience training and/or education may be disqualified at any point in the recruitment process and may be denied future employment with the VTA.
If selected for the position candidates willbe requiredto complete a criminal conviction disclosure form. Candidates who successfully become VTAemployees andfail todiscloseany of the criminal background information asmay be subject to discipline up to and including discharge.
Eligible Lists typicallyremainin effect for six (6) months. However Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2)years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment. If you have questions related to an Eligible List you might be on or were on you should contact Human Resources.
If you have questionsregardingyour status as an applicant for this position please call the Human Resources Department at or email at.
VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities or religious needs absent undue hardship.
VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employeeson the basis ofage ancestry color marital status mental or physical disability genetic information national origin immigration status political affiliation race religion creed sex gender identity gender expression sexual orientation pregnancy medical condition disabled veteran or veteran status etc.
Required Experience:
Manager
Employment Type
Full-Time
