Light Rail Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Alternate Concepts, Inc. (ACI) and Herzog Transit Services, Inc. (HTSI), collectively the ACI/Herzog Joint Venture, along with our key subcontractors are seeking applicants for the Hudson Bergen Light Rail operation located in Hudson County, New Jersey. ACI was founded in 1989 with their corporate office located in Boston, MA and Herzog founded in 1969 with corporate offices located in St. Joseph, MO and Fort Worth, TX. Combined our companies provide FRA/FTA compliant transportation, equipment maintenance, dispatching, right-of-way maintenance, facility maintenance and dispatching services for 20 distinct client properties. In addition to the Joint Venture being the upcoming operator/maintainer of the Hudson Bergen Light Rail, we currently jointly operate the Tren Urbano heavy rail service in San Juan, Puerto Rico and the CTDOT’s Hartford intercity service in Connecticut.

ACI/Herzog Joint Venture, along with our key subcontractors, are currently seeking a Full-Time General Superintendent - Maintenance of Way to join our team.

The pay rate for this position is $130,000 - $170,000 annually.

The General Superintendent - Maintenance of Way provides executive leadership and direction for all Maintenance of Way activities on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) system. The position is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient inspection, testing, repair, maintenance, rehabilitation, and capital renewal of HBLR infrastructure — including track, signals, traction electrification systems (TES) and overhead catenary (OCS), stations, elevators, structures, right-of-way, and all associated systems and equipment.

HBLR is a 32-mile light rail system serving Hudson Counties, comprising 24 stations and one maintenance yard, with ballasted, direct-fixation, and embedded track; 88 mainline turnouts; eight diamonds; a moveable frog; and a double-track tunnel. The General Superintendent ensures that all of these assets are maintained in good working condition in full compliance with contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and agency expectations.

The successful candidate will lead a diverse workforce of union-represented employees and non-union management personnel, coordinate closely with Operations and agency stakeholders, and ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient execution of all maintenance, inspection, rehabilitation, and capital improvement activities that support daily passenger service and the long-term state of good repair of the system.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership & Organizational Management

• Provide leadership and direction for all Maintenance of Way departments, including Track, Signals, TES/OCS, Stations, Elevators, Structures, Facilities, and related infrastructure assets.
• Manage and develop a diverse workforce consisting of managerial, supervisory, technical, and union-represented employees.
• Train, mentor, and develop supervisors and managers while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Participate in labor-management discussions and assist with grievance administration and workforce planning.

Maintenance, Inspection & Reliability

• Plan, organize, and direct the inspection, testing, repair, maintenance, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of HBLR infrastructure and associated systems.
• Develop, implement, and oversee preventive, corrective, and emergency maintenance programs to ensure a safe and reliable operation, and ensure preventive maintenance work orders are completed on schedule and accurately documented in the maintenance management system (e.g., Trapeze EAM).
• Oversee specialized track programs including walking inspections, continuous welded rail (CWR) inspection, special track work inspections, ultrasonic testing, Unattended Geometry Measurement System (UGMS) runs, and rail grinding.
• Review and analyze track geometry reports, rail defect reports, track and signal inspection reports, and asset condition assessments to identify deficiencies and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and implement programs, strategies, and best practices to improve maintenance procedures, increase productivity, improve reliability, and reduce operating expenditures.
• Maintain a working knowledge of structural assets — including bridges, aerial structures, the tunnel, retaining walls, platforms, drainage systems, and station infrastructure — to support maintenance planning and capital rehabilitation.

Planning, Budget & Capital Programs

• Develop short- and long-range strategic plans, annual maintenance work plans, staffing plans, and resource allocation for Maintenance of Way operations.
• Plan, develop, administer, and allocate capital and operating budgets, and manage the allocation of personnel, equipment, and financial resources.
• Lead the planning, prioritization, and execution of capital asset rehabilitation, state-of-good-repair, and capital improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate the acquisition, distribution, and inventory control of materials, tools, equipment, and spare parts.
• Manage contractors and consultants performing major rehabilitative work, inspections, and capital projects, ensuring work is carried out on schedule, on budget, and in full compliance with the contract and applicable regulations.

Compliance, Reporting & Coordination

• Direct workforce compliance with HBLR, NJ TRANSIT, FTA, FRA, DOT, OSHA, State Safety Oversight and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all contractual deliverables, reporting requirements, inspection frequencies, and performance metrics are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Develop performance measures, monitor departmental effectiveness, and prepare and deliver reports, presentations, and performance updates to leadership and agency stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Executive Management, Operations, Safety & Training, Vehicle Maintenance, NJ TRANSIT, NJ TRANSIT Police, contractors, consultants, and external agencies.
• Ensure departmental compliance with Roadway Worker Protection, job safety briefing requirements, lockout/tagout, electrical safety, and operating rules requirements when personnel are fouling or working near the right-of-way.

Emergency Response

• Direct emergency response and repairs for track, signal, power, station, and infrastructure failures to restore service and minimize customer impacts.
• Ensure the rapid response of Maintenance of Way personnel to emergencies and service disruptions, responding directly or through subordinate managers twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
• Ensure each inquiry — whether from a customer, vendor, contractor, regulator, or employee — is handled in a professional and courteous manner and complies with company policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive railroad or transit management experience with responsibility for maintenance operations and personnel leadership.
• Experience managing both union-represented employees and non-union management personnel within a complex transportation environment.
• Knowledge of railroad or transit maintenance practices related to track, signals, TES/OCS, stations, elevators, structures, and facilities.
• Strong understanding of FTA, FRA, DOT, OSHA, and NJ TRANSIT regulations, inspection requirements, and maintenance standards.
• Demonstrated experience administering capital and operating budgets and managing annual work plans, contract requirements, and large-scale maintenance, rehabilitation, and capital improvement programs.
• Ability to read, interpret, and administer contracts, technical specifications, annual deliverables, and performance requirements.
• Experience reviewing and interpreting track geometry reports, rail defect reports, track and signal inspection reports, and asset condition assessments.
• Strong knowledge of project management principles, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, contractor management, and capital project oversight.
• Exceptional verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, labor organizations, regulatory agencies, contractors, elected officials, and employees at all levels.
• Strong analytical, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively under pressure and make critical decisions during emergencies and service disruptions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with the ability to develop reports and presentations and train staff as needed.
• Valid driver's license, with availability to respond to emergencies on a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week basis.
• Willingness to work in both office and field environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Transportation, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related field. Equivalent railroad or transit management experience may be substituted for formal education.
• Direct experience with light rail, rapid transit, subway, or commuter rail operations and maintenance practices.
• Demonstrated expertise in electrical power distribution and traction power systems, including maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and operation of TES, OCS, positive and negative voltage power cables, substations, and associated infrastructure.
• Knowledge of engineering, construction management, process improvement methodologies, and modern maintenance practices.
• Experience managing capital programs, state-of-good-repair initiatives, or capital asset rehabilitation projects.
• Familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (e.g., Trapeze EAM).

Location and Availability Requirements:

• Must reside, or be willing to relocate, within one (1) hour of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system in Jersey City, NJ.
• Must be available for emergency response and after-hours operational support on a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week basis as necessary.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• The employee must be able to distinguish between visual colors.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop; kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 70 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• This is a unique opportunity to lead a diverse maintenance organization responsible for one of the region's premier light rail systems. The General Superintendent will play a key role in ensuring safety, reliability, regulatory compliance, and the successful execution of the maintenance and capital programs that support daily passenger service and the long-term health of the railroad.

AHJV reserves the right to revise this job description from time to time.

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees assigned to this job.

It is the policy of ACI/Herzog Joint Venture to provide equal opportunity in employment for all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, age, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, military status, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by law.