Senior Director of Signals & Communications Maintenance (SCM)

About the Department

This position will oversee 200+ employees, consultants, and contractors responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, upgrade, design, construction, and all other activities associated with the Authority's safety-critical signal & communications infrastructure.  This includes operation and maintenance of the signaling systems that control the movement of all trains on the Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines of the transit system, as well as the software used by the Operations Control Center (OCC), and the maintenance of the hardware supporting the MBTA’s telecommunications, radio, and fiber optic cable networks.

Position Duties

• Responsible for the ongoing enhancement of the customer experience through the oversight and direction of all activities associated with repairs, maintenance, and modification of signal and communications infrastructure.
• Provide the Chief of E&M Infrastructure with ongoing leadership, direction, and information relating to the current state of signal and communication maintenance and capital improvement projects. 
• Provide support to the three other functional areas of Engineering & Maintenance (E&M); Power Systems Maintenance (PSM), Maintenance of Way (MOW), and Stations, Facilities, and Structures (SFS). As a key leader, be prepared to lead E&M in the absence of E&M department leadership.
• Supervise in a heavily unionized environment, working with a Director, Deputy Directors, Supervisors, Forepersons, and other maintenance, engineering, and administrative staff responsible for inspecting, maintaining, repairing, modifying, designing, installing, and performing all other activities associated with the signals and communications infrastructure.
• Lead and monitor resource allocation decision making, including operation and capital budget requests and implementation, alignment with strategic goals, and resource priorities, and establish a strategy for defining key performance indicators (KPIs) for the department with clear definitions, milestones, and metrics.
• E&M strives to shift from primarily reactive-based maintenance to predominantly preventative and ultimately predictive maintenance. Through process development, data analytics, and strategic planning, the director will provide the structure and support needed to drive the modernization of maintenance through data analytics, as it applies to Preventive Maintenance and Inspections (PMIs), and to ensure system safety. 
• Establish and monitor preventative maintenance schedules to be implemented by field staff.
• Develop and maintain procedures, manuals, specifications, etc. for all required testing, preventative maintenance, inspections, repairs, etc. associated with signal and communication infrastructure.
• Develop and implement production schedules for renewal, replacement, upgrades, and programmatic maintenance of signal and communication assets.
• Review all specifications and RFPs associated with the selection of consultants and/or vendors for services and materials related to signal and communication maintenance, repairs, and modifications.  Review all submittals from contractors and/or vendors and participate in the selection process.
• Ensure all inventory, equipment, facilities, and materials under their control are protected, maintained, and stored in a safe operating condition.
• Participate in the development and management of the department's annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring sound fiscal oversight of all resources.
• Work with the Office of Administration to review and assess current and future staffing needs. Participate in all phases of employee recruitment and the selection of employees for the department
• Ensure all crews have received the proper training to perform maintenance tasks, operate equipment and vehicles, and comply with authority policies and procedures.
• Monitor and oversee any investigations into system failures and the implementation of corrective actions.
• Ensure the department's compliance with Authority policies and procedures, including compliance with all applicable safety standards, discipline processes, and mandated trainings.
• Establish and maintain sound union/management relations while upholding the rights and interests of management and adhering to collective bargaining agreements.
• Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or co­worker in a courteous and professional manner.
• Respond, directly or through others, and/or report to work for emergencies, extreme weather conditions, or any other abnormal conditions that impair service or the safety of service, twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle to visit work sites and to assist at emergencies, service disruptions, and/or other events as needed.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
• Assist in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the Authority, including the EEO, Anti­-Discrimination and Anti­-Harassment and Anti-­Retaliation policies.
• Perform related duties and projects as assigned.

Supervision

• Team of 200+ signals and communications staff, including Directors, Deputy Directors, Managers, Supervisors, Forepersons, Inspectors, Engineers, Wirepersons, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Signal, Electrical, or Electronic Engineering or related field from an accredited institution.
• Twelve (12) years of experience in a transit or industrial setting managing, reviewing, designing, and implementing contract & procurement, engineering, and/or maintenance processes
• Seven (7) years of experience in people management and/or enterprise-wide project leadership in a transit and/or industrial environment.
• Experience developing and monitoring operating and capital budgets.
• Experience developing and articulating capital investment programs.
• Experience making presentations as needed to executive management, staff, and regulatory agencies.
• Have the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Have excellent customer service and conflict resolution skills.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license without infractions in accordance with MBTA policy. 
• Have the ability to provide internal and external customers with a courteous and professional experience.
• Have the ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.

Substitutions 

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement. 
• An associate degree from an accredited institution with an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement. 
• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience. 
• A nationally recognized certification or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Other Qualifications

• Experience with all aspects of the inspection, maintenance, repair, upgrade, design, and/or installation of signals and communications systems for a public transit provider or other transportation industry
• Experience in supervising and managing personnel responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, upgrade, design, and/or installation of signals and communications systems in a unionized environment
• A Bachelor's degree in Signal, Electrical, or Electronic Engineering from an accredited institution
• A Master's degree in Engineering or a related field from an accredited institution
• A Professional Engineering (PE) Certification

Benefits

Employment Benefits at the MBTA

Full-Time Employees:

The MBTA offers comprehensive benefits packages. Types of benefits offered at the MBTA are subject to the union affiliation / Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of the position to which you apply. Benefits that may apply to your position include the following:

• Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life (basic and supplemental), and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Vacation, Personal Days, Sick Leave, and Holidays
• Retirement: Pension or deferred compensation 401(a), plus MBTA contributions
• Complimentary pass for travel on the MBTA transit system (bus, train, ferry, and Commuter Rail)
• Tuition Reimbursement (up to $10,000 per year)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for student loans
• Commuter Choice Parking Program: Pre-tax benefits for parking
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Pre-tax benefits for healthcare-related expenses
• Discounted tickets for concerts, movies, travel / vacation, etc. via TicketsAtWork.com
• Shopping discounts via GovX.com
• Verizon and AT&T service discounts
• And more...

Disclaimer:

The above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the MBTA, which may or may not apply to a specific position. This summary is not a contract and is not meant to change the provisions of union contracts or Authority policies and does not establish a binding practice. Please contact the assigned Recruiter directly or email [email protected] for more information.

The MBTA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerMassachusetts Bay Transportation AuthorityAddress 10 Park Plaza

Boston, Massachusetts, 02116 Phone(617) 222-3200
Website https://www.mbta.com