District 61- Unit 001 – Baton Rouge (Railroad Coordinator)

At DOTD, our mission is to innovatively develop and sustain safe and reliable infrastructure comprising highways, multimodal transportation assets, micro-mobility systems, and public works. We are proud to serve the people of Louisiana with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity.

About this position

The position serves as both the DOTD District Railroad Coordinator, Crash Reimbursement Specialist, and the technical expert on Maintenance Management Systems. The DOTD District Railroad Coordinator is to serve as the district-wide railroad technical expert, advisor, and coordinator. The incumbent is required to have specialized knowledge of the federally mandated LADOTD Rail Inventory Manager System (RIMS) and serves as a liaison to communicate and coordinate design, construction, traffic, and operations matters concerning highway/rail construction and safety projects between the Department and the Class I Railroads and all the Short Line Railroads in the District.

One year of experience or training in the building construction trades, building maintenance, maintenance or repair of mechanical equipment, or as a parks building and grounds attendant; OR

Six semester hours in construction management, construction technology, or engineering, or any combination of these courses.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

• Responsible for inspection and evaluation of public railroad crossings (on & off system) located within District 61. Coordinates all DOTD maintenance, construction, and traffic operations activities on, or near, highway-railroad crossings in District to ensure that all appurtenant Federal Rail Safety Standards and each railroad company's requirements are in place and followed. This requires obtaining permission, and/or permits, from the railroad owner, arranging for railroad flaggers, communication of train schedules, and arranging for road closures and detours as needed. Provides assistance and guidance to Project Engineers on construction projects in the vicinity of a railroad. Coordinates and serves as main point of contact DOTD Construction Projects which involve railroad crossing work near railroad right-of-way. Coordinates state highway roadway closures required during repair and/o replacement of the highway/rail crossings. This requires coordination between DOTD maintenance and traffic personnel, contractors, state/local police, and city and parish officials. Conducts inspections of highway/rail crossing in certifying highway/rail safety and construction projects conform to railroads/DOTD agreements.
• Functions as the Project Engineers lead inspector of newly constructed railroad crossings, installation of cantilevers and signals, repair of existing crossings, and other railroad related projects. Inspects all district-wide, public highway/rail crossings to determine condition of roadway approaches, sight-clearance track and surface crossing conditions, and crossing signals and sign age in accordance with Federal Rail Administration standards and requirements. Conducts the actual inspection and determines proper approach grade and the installation of the surfacing; and also verifies the proper installation of the warning signs, signals, adequate sight distance, and/or gates at the crossing for those crossings funded under the Federal Highway/Rail Safety Program and in accordance with the current Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Maintains and manage the highway/rail inventory for all (on and off-system) crossings located within District's jurisdiction documenting varied physical attributes and potential impediments to safety at the crossing location. Receives and acts upon complaints from the general public and elected officials concerning deterioration of railroad crossings on state highways; then advises and coordinates with the railroad companies to conduct those necessary repairs with minimal disruption to the traveling public. Coordinates field inspections and assists in resolving problems at crossings with appropriate District personnel and the DOTD Headquarters 'Statewide Railroad Coordinator in Baton Rouge. Coordinates, plans, and supervises placement of FHWA-mandated pavement markings and advance warning signs at railroad crossings for federal railroad safety projects (both on and off-system) in conformance with the current version of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
• Serves as the primary Construction Coordinator and Inspector on behalf of the Project Engineer for construction safety projects associated with the installation of New Highway/Rail Crossing Signal Hardware and New Crossing Surfaces. Submits a daily diary for each of these projects when railroad contractors or crews are working. Present at all active project sites on a daily basis when railroad contractors or crews are working on projects. Performs Quality Control/Quality Assurance as well as all contract administration duties on behalf of the ADA of Operations. Serves as the primary DOTD representative for determining the acceptance of district railroad projects and responsible for all document processing as well as finalization and closure of the project. Reviews and audits all of the railroad project invoices, billings, and project estimates. Serves as the District's Primary Point of Contact in facilitating communications and addressing issues regarding the project development, project delivery, and construction of highway and bridge projects which cross railways.
• Assists the Highway/Rail Safety Engineer at DOTD Headquarters by providing and verifying inventory data (via field inspections and meetings with Railroad, Parish, and varied Municipal officials) for the DOTD-maintained, Highway/Rail Inventory system. Meets with DOTD Headquarters Highway/Rail Safety personnel, Statewide Railroad Coordinator and railroad company representatives for on-site inspections at highway/rail crossings falling under the Federal Highway Safety Program. Attends and participates in public meetings with off-system railroad crossings owners and elected official. Attends municipal council and Police Jury meetings as the DOTD District representative to promote closure of specific highway/rail crossings, as well as for potential upgrades at their remaining crossings.
• Participates in Crossing Accident Reduction Enforcement (CARE) Events with local and State Police along with Railroad Special Agents. Volunteers for duties with Operation Lifesaver Program.
• This position is responsible for monitoring, maintaining, and updating the District 61 Reimbursable Crash Data Report. Serves as the District liaison between District personnel, DOTD Legal Section, and Insurance Entities involved in damage claims to DOTD property. Are imbursement package is compiled and all documented costs associated with there pair of the asset is forwarded to the Legal Section (Section47) for reimbursement.
• This position is responsible for the districtwide management user support program of DOTD'S Maintenance Management System (Agile and SAP). Serves as the subject matter expert for AGILE Assets and a SAP expert for District 61. The position is responsible for field user support within the District. Incumbent is required to answer all questions in the use of AGILE and SAP (inventory management), and support on complex activities. The incumbent applies knowledge of DOTD operations in the management and upkeep of work reporting within the Maintenance Management System including analysis to prepare correspondence, documentation, and program reports. Researches errors on various reports and distributes to parish maintenance units for correction in both Agile and SAP. Assists parish maintenance units with error corrections when needed.
• Supports the Assistant District Administrator of Operations with the daily callout log and complaints received from Crocketts Security Guard Service LLC and the assigned Administrative Coordinator. The information is generated from phone calls received from customer service complaints from the general public, public officials, law enforcement, etc.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional or Job Appointment

Compensation: Engineering Technician Consultant - 2,057.60/biweekly

How To Apply:

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Contact Information:

John Fontenot

ADA of Operations

225-231-4102

“The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities. DOTD does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or pregnancy, and prohibits harassment of any type.”