Motive Power & Equipment Inspector

The position

The position requires strenuous physical activity, including substantial walking, climbing, lifting, and pulling requiring use of arms and back. Substantial travel, mostly within the state, required. Most work is done outside regardless of the weather.

Responsibilities

• Aid the Transportation Director/Rail Safety Program Manager with the administration of the Nebraska Freight Rail Safety Program.
• Plan and conduct periodic safety inspections to ensure rail cars and locomotives are in operational compliance with State and Federal safety standards.
• Inspect and observe required tests of railroad rolling stock, including motive power and other on-track work equipment and related appurtenances to assure carrier compliance.
• Prior to and/or during assembly and installation, inspect component parts and tests to determine their suitability for intended service.
• Review existing and proposed motive power and equipment designs, construction, operation, and maintenance to determine compliance with all applicable laws.
• Conduct investigations of collisions, reportable derailments, and other accidents that might have resulted in serious injury. Determine probable causes of accidents and if any State or Federal laws were violated and write reports of findings and conclusions.
• Conduct complaint investigations that allege unsafe conditions or non-compliance of motive power and equipment, safety appliances, and power brake regulations.
• Participate in special studies and projects as assigned by the director and/or the Federal Railroad Administration.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements / Qualifications

• At least four years of recent experience in the construction or maintenance of railroad rolling equipment.
• A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical specialization. Education may be substituted for two of the four years of this experience requirement and successful completion of the apprentice training program.
• An applicant with less experience may be considered if they are accepted into the FRA certification training program. Permanent employment will require successful completion of the FRA certification training program.
• Must possess a valid Nebraska Driver’s License.

Knowledge

• Construction, testing, inspecting, and repair of railroad freight cars, passenger cars, locomotives, and air brakes.
• Rail transportation functions, the organization of railroad, shipper, and manufacturer companies, and standard industry rules for personal safety.
• Railroad operating procedures associated with the operation of freight cars, passenger cars, locomotives, and air brakes sufficient to understand the safety significance of deviations and combinations of deviations.
• Proper remedial action to be taken in order to bring defective freight cars, passenger cars, locomotives, and air brakes into compliance with applicable Federal standards.

Skills

• Effective oral and written communication.
• Research methods/techniques; conducting independent research.
• Communicating/presenting information to individuals and groups.
• Listening to/understanding/explaining complex information; strong analytical/problem-solving skills.
• Comprehending information conveyed in a document or report.

Ability

• Understand and detect deviation from railroad equipment maintenance standards accepted in the industry and ensure compliance with Freight Car Safety Standards, Safety Glazing Standards, Locomotive Safety Standards, Safety Appliance Standards, and Power Brake Standards and related regulations, requirements, and standards.
• Read and comprehend written materials such as training and enforcement manuals, regulations, operating and safety rules of the railroad, and similar materials.
• Compose narrative reports of investigative findings that are clear, complete, and grammatically acceptable.
• Record data on standard report forms with a high degree of accuracy.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.