Metrolinx is connecting communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Metrolinx operates GO Transit and UP Express, as well as the PRESTO fare payment system. We are also building new and improved rapid transit, including GO Expansion, Light Rail Transit routes, and major expansions to Toronto’s subway system, to get people where they need to go, better, faster and easier. Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

  At Metrolinx, equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to living our values of serving with passion, thinking forward and playing as a team.

This role is an in‑office position. Our team is highly collaborative, and much of our work benefits from in‑person co‑creation, relationship‑building, and hands‑on partnership with leaders across the organization.   

Our Safety division promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion by ensuring equal employment opportunities and fostering a supportive workplace culture. To promote an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment, we provide the following:

• Parental Leave Top-Up
• Lactation Accommodation
• Competitive Pension Plan
• Annual Learning Reimbursement
• Mentorship Program
• Recognition of Prior Public Sector Service for Vacation Entitlements
• Free GO Network Travel 

Our Safety Office is seeking a Lead, Rail Safety Competence – Competency & Training, who under the direction of the Manager, Safety Training and Development, provides technical leadership to the development and management of the rail safety competency management system required under the Metrolinx RSMS, and provides oversight, training, and certification around rail safety required to perform the protection of track and track work and safety requirements on heavy rail network.

The incumbent will promote a culture of safety by leading the implementation and performance of safety compliance audits and efficiency audits and by managing regulatory compliance oversight activities. Oversees safety audit and compliance programs, processes, and systems to optimize operational, construction, environmental and employee safety performance with the objective of reducing regulatory non-compliance, lost time injuries and rule violations.

Functional areas with this role include Track Protection services, Track Protection training and training services, mentoring and practical testing, formal certification of workers undertaking a form of track protection or worker protection under the Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) and Metrolinx General Engineering Instructions (MX GEI), audits and compliance.  

What will I be doing?

• Plans, designs, and implements comprehensive curriculum to educate, train, and certify staff, and contractors to be qualified to work on track that Metrolinx owns and operates on.
• Develops formal certification and qualification process for any staff that work on track owned or operated by Metrolinx, keeps apprised of changes to legislation/regulations/rules that may impact the certification process/training, reviews, adapts and makes adjustments accordingly and in alignment with the Metrolinx RSMS. 
• Participates in and provides technical expertise as required for negotiations of agreement terms and conditions.
• Monitors and manages in-field due diligence to ensure contractor and Metrolinx compliance with Metrolinx safety standards and efficient utilization of track protection while minimizing stakeholder impact.
• Delivers and facilitates Canadian Rail Operating Rules and other rail safety training programs for internal and external participants across different modalities (in-person, virtual, blended, etc.).
• Plans and contributes to the development of mitigation strategies and impact analysis, reporting on access and contractor non-compliance issues, the analysis of stakeholder impact and risk, alerting on issues and recommending solutions.
• Participates in the development of quality assurance systems for the identification of risks associated with contractual obligations and regulatory obligations and the development of strategies, mitigation and operational plans that meet with Metrolinx’ future business delivery directions performance indicators (e.g., rules compliance related KPIs, standard compliance, etc.), and any incident beyond the realm of planned scheduled track inspection.
• Creates, adapts, and enhances training programs regularly to reflect changing Transport Canada, Metrolinx, CN rules, and continually evolves training programs based on participant feedback, participation and observed engagement. 
• Leverages adult learning principles to tailor and suit training to a range of diverse audiences, continually evolves and adapts training programs to deliver effective and meaningful training.
• Investigates standard compliance violations and provides recommendations for improvements to standards.
• Responsible for determining pass/fail of trainees, with authority to remove individuals from property due for their safety.
• Evaluates and conducts scheduled and ad-hoc audits of accredited vendors’ training programs to ensure compliance and alignment with Transport Canada and Metrolinx standards. 
• Conducts scheduled and ad-hoc audits of contractors, employees, consultants and other individuals accessing Metrolinx controlled rail, to inspect, audit to verify if work is done in compliance and in accordance to Transport Canada and Metrolinx requirements. Where no compliance is found, takes immediate corrective measures to protect persons and to provide guidance and additional ad hoc training to correct behaviors and processes. 
• Assesses employee and contractor adherence to rules and requirements of the RSMS through field inspections and manages response plan and corrective actions in consultation with contract owners.
• Monitor and share up to date data on emerging trends, behaviors, and industry best practices by researching, developing, and maintaining awareness and stakeholder engagement on industry best practices.
• Meets service delivery objectives and manages project and department activities within budgetary limits.

What Skills and Qualifications Do I Need?

• Completion of a degree in Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline OR a combination of education, training and experience deemed equivalent.
• Demonstrated years progressively senior experience leading construction / maintenance functions, service and/or construction planning including regulatory compliance, contract development, negotiation and management, and monitoring contractor compliance in a railway environment.
• Demonstrated years’ experience delivering and facilitating training programs. 
• A valid Ontario Class “G” driver’s license is required. Previous qualification in CROR and/or TIG is considered and asset. Must be able to achieve and maintain CROR Accreditation for delivery of Metrolinx approved Canadian Rail Operating Rules.
• Knowledge of Contract Law, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Environmental Assessment Act, and railway infrastructure construction and construction practices
• Knowledge of human resources legislation (e.g., Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health & Safety Act, etc.) to monitor and manage employees and contractors executing rail corridor development and maintenance. 
• Qualified and Certified in Canadian Railway Operating Rules, Track Inspection Guidelines, and Safe Railway Operations.
• Project management principles and practices, including budget and schedule controls, to lead and direct cross functional teams and consultants engaged in simultaneous projects (e.g., development, project progress, related staff and project resources) and monitor project activities for adherence to timelines, budgets, and project performance objectives.
• Experience in successfully negotiating contractual agreements and with vendor management to oversee the development and delivery of externally provided products and services and monitor contractor work assignments for adherence to timelines and the achievement of performance objectives outlined in the agreement terms and conditions.
• Risk assessment principles and practices to manage and monitor the assessment of work sites for contractor compliance with rail corridor access terms and conditions.
• Knowledge of budget development and management processes
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to monitor contractor performance and contract compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and contact terms and conditions and to proactively develop contingency plans to respond to issues.
• Interpersonal and oral/written/presentation skills to manage all facets of rail corridor access related services to ensure construction works are planned and coordinated for safety, track protection is provided, and that the works are safely and effectively executed.
• Occasionally required to travel to locations throughout the Metrolinx service area in all types of weather conditions, and regardless of site conditions at various hours (that may include nights, weekends, or holidays)

Don’t Meet Every Requirement?  If you’re excited about working with Metrolinx but your past experience doesn’t quite align with every qualification of this posting, we encourage you to apply. You just might be the right candidate for this or other roles. We are always looking for great talent to join our team.

  We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and sexual orientations.

  Accommodation:  Metrolinx is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are also committed to offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants in accordance with applicable legislation. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point during the hiring process, please contact us at: 416-202-5601 or email hr.recruitment@metrolinx.com.

  Application Process: All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Metrolinx will be using email to communicate with you for all job competitions. It is your responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time-sensitive correspondence, we recommend that you check your email regularly. If no response is received, we will assume you are no longer interested in pursuing the opportunity. Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. 

  Should it be determined that any background information provided is misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, Metrolinx reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of your application.

  We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

  WE ARE AN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER.

 #LI-MM3