HWY-RAILWAY CROSSINGS SAFETY TECHNICIAN

Job Responsibilities

This position is responsible for performing field inspections of automatic crossing protection device installations, formally reviewing, evaluating, approving general layout plans and estimates for rail force account projects, and for performing the technical evaluations of payment requests for all rail crossing work involving state, city, county, and township routes in Illinois. The incumbent will prepare agreements for local rail crossing force account projects utilizing federal or state funds. This position is responsible for the department’s response for Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) stipulated agreements and for the distribution of ICC orders. The incumbent is also responsible for monitoring rail/highway projects after installation of the warning devices and crossing surfaces through project closeout.

Railroad inspections performed:               150+ annually
Railroad bills handled:                               225+ annually
Railroad plans and estimates handled:     100+ annually
Railroad agreements processed:               40+ annually

This position reports to the Highway Railway Safety Engineer. There are no subordinates reporting to this position.

This position operates within an environment of preparing agreements for rail crossing force account projects on the local highway system utilizing federal or state funds. This position obtains department responses for ICC stipulated agreements, reviews and recommends approval of general layout plans, conducts on-site operational inspections, and evaluates final and progressive bills for local railroad crossing improvements.

A typical problem for the incumbent includes maintaining knowledge of the appropriate state and federal design criteria and policies to assure policy compliance of railroad plans and constructed projects stay consistent with cost-safety effectiveness. The greatest challenge is ensuring safety of operation for each crossing improvement based on the magnitude of accident potential should the installation be inadequate.

Job Responsibilities (continued)

This position is responsible for preparing agreements for rail crossing force account projects on the highway system utilizing federal or state funds. These agreements define scope of work, parties responsible for payment, and methods of reimbursement. The incumbent will obtain responses from department personnel for ICC stipulated agreements, work with the Highway-Railway Safety Engineer in resolving any problems the department may have before they are executed by the department and distribute all ICC orders to bureau and district personnel immediately upon their issuance. This position personally reviews and recommends approval of general layout plans and rail force account estimates when assigned, ensures proposed work is in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and ensures cost estimates are acceptable to the department. After construction by railroad forces of all projects, the incumbent notifies district personnel for inspection of completed work, monitors district inspections, and works with railroads and local agencies to resolve deficiencies. The incumbent will perform a final on-site operational inspection to ensure signals and gates are operational, quantities used, and materials installed are in accordance with approved estimates, and the project is following the ICC order or rail agreement with railroad personnel. The incumbent is responsible for timely and accurate technical analysis of final bills and progressive bills for rail-highway signal and crossing work and submittal of projects for audit after final review. This includes ensuring on-site inspections, final bill submittals, and audits are progressing toward completion.

Under direction of the Highway-Railway Safety Engineer, the incumbent has the freedom in accomplishment of assigned duties and for independent decision making. This position may be assigned additional rail-related duties at the discretion of the Highway-Railway Safety Engineer. Unusual or serious problems are referred to the Highway-Railway Safety Engineer for resolution. The incumbent is constrained by state, federal, and ICC rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

The incumbent maintains internal contact with personnel from the districts, Bureau of Local Roads, and auditors. Outside contacts are with local agency, railroad, and ICC personnel. Frequent in-state and occasional out-of-state travel which may require overnight stay is required for this position. Successful completion of a background check is required.

The effectiveness of this position can be measured by the efficiency and timeliness of general layout plan and estimate review, field inspection completion, technical review of railroad bills and resolution of problems, and rail-highway agreement preparation. Effectiveness is also measured by the accurate and timely resolution of other rail related problems.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Prepares agreements for rail/highway projects utilizing federal or state funds.
2. Provides the department’s responses for ICC stipulated agreements and for distribution of ICC orders.
3. Reviews rail/highway crossing general layout plans and detailed cost estimates.
4. Ensures timely notification of district personnel for completed rail projects and performs timely and accurate on-site operational inspection.
5. Resolves inspection findings with the railroad and local agencies.
6. Performs technical evaluation of final and progressive bills for railroad crossing improvements and submits projects for audit after the final bill is submitted.
7. Monitors rail/highway projects after installation of warning devices and/or crossing surfaces through project closeout.
8. Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules. Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Position Requirements

• Education/Experience
  • Completion of two years of college in civil engineering technology, pre-engineering, or a job related technical/science curriculum PLUS five years of engineering experience, OR
  • Seven years of engineering experience.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Frequent in-state and occasional out-of-state travel which may require overnight stay.
• Successful completion of a background check.

Position Desirables

• Working knowledge of the modern methods and techniques associated with the installation and operation of railroad crossing protection devices and activities involving highway-railway grade crossing safety.
• Ability to assimilate engineering data into comprehensive technical reports.
• Strong oral and/or written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain professional and cohesive working relationships.
• Ability to work in office and field environments.