Metropolitan Transportation Authority Careers

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for supporting the Chief Operations Training Officer, in the overall management of the Department. The position plays a key role in ensuring effective training and development support to client departments, prioritizing goals and initiatives, overseeing staff, and participating in long-term strategic planning. Ensures effective change management across the Department and with clients, in alignment with Department and Agency goals. As assigned, the position also provides consultation to client departments and Operations Training staff in identifying and/or implementing appropriate strategies to address needs. Takes the lead in department-wide initiatives, including coordinating across the Department and the Agency. Represents the Department at agency-wide or interagency meetings and forums. The position backfills all responsibilities of the Chief Operations Training Officer as needed and handles special projects/initiatives and other responsibilities as assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with client departments to foster productive working relationships and ensure effective training support in response to client department and Agency needs. Supports the Chief Operations Training Officer in the oversight of operations training and programs and initiatives, as well as performance management, organizational leadership review, and succession planning.
• Provides leadership in key department-wide and/or agency-wide initiatives, including coordination with other departments and Operations Training staff. Advises on initiatives and activities that promote maximum staff effectiveness. Supports the Chief Operations Training Officer in organizational design and development initiatives, including job re-design and organization re-structuring. As needed, may represent the Agency and/or department at meetings, inter-agency forums and special committee assignments.
• Provide oversight and consultation to client departments and Operations Training staff, including in identifying and implementing appropriate strategies to address needs.
• Participate in department-wide prioritization of goals and initiatives, as well as longer-term strategic planning. Monitor team progress to ensure department goals are realized and identify, recommend, and implement changes as necessary.
• Act as a backup on all responsibilities of the Chief Operations Training Officer as needed, and handle other responsibilities as assigned.
• Provide leadership to Operations Training staff by fostering a climate of collaboration, problem solving and teamwork for all stakeholders that support the corporate mission, value, long range goals and departmental initiatives; facilitate synergy and enhance employee development; establishing a culture of respect, integrity, trust and open communication and ensure employees feel supported and empowered to perform at their best to ensure trainees leave with the knowledge, skills and abilities to support Metro-North’s goals of safe and reliable service.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Must have demonstrated ability in the following core competencies:

Leadership and Communications

• Provide strategic leadership and execution in training, organizational design, and development of organizational and employee competencies.
• Play a key role in Department-wide and strategy development and implementation; contribute to management team’s strategic decision-making.
• Align and integrate learning and performance with organizational goals and strategies.
• Create and monitor key success indicators against business outcomes.
• Display excellent thought leadership and consultative skills.
• Demonstrate success working across businesses by building a foundation of communication and partnership; obtain commitment and action from others without direct authority.
• Demonstrate strong planning, organizational, analytical and communication (verbal, written, presentation) skills.
• Demonstrate strong project management skills with ability to take projects from concept to completion with adherence to deadlines, preferably in a technical, operating, and/or operations support environment.
• Demonstrate strong staff and resource management skills.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational and coordination skills with the ability to manage and progress multiple competing priorities.
• Encourage and implement a team culture and climate of continuous learning.
• Exhibit strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and foster teamwork.
• Effectively lead and manage a diverse staff in a complex operating environment.
• Work various shifts and locations as required.

Technical Training Expert

• Create and deliver effective and efficient training processes and services tailored to unique business needs, in line with strategic goals.
• Manage people and training-related costs.
• Ensure internal and external customer focus.
• Apply information technology appropriately to rapidly deliver quality training products and services.
• Provide working knowledge of automated Human Resources and learning systems (including TIMS, KRONOS, LMS)

Performance Consultant

• Develop and align strategies with business and serve as inside consultant for line management.
• Assist line managers in solving organizational, personnel, and change-related issues.
• Foster systems thinking, customer focus, and continuous learning.
• Strategically manage workforce development
• Keep current with business trends, rules/regulations, and the training implications.
• Change priorities while meeting deadlines

Change Agent

• Understand the organizational culture and what is effective and ineffective.
• Demonstrate project planning skills and meet deadlines even as priorities change.
• Institutionalize change capability within the organization.
• Help line managers to lead and facilitate change.
• Act as a consultant in organizational effectiveness
• Enhance management development.

Training Competencies

• Design, develop, implement, facilitate, evaluate, and measure training and development activities.
• Apply knowledge of adult learning principles
• Forecast MNR training needs.
• Identify and correct unsafe conditions and work practices and emphasize the importance of safety to others.
• Analyze performance problems and implement solutions.
• Actively partner with management to identify training and development needs.
• Develop and maintain network of contacts with third party vendors and business partners.
• Provide working knowledge of multiple human resources disciplines including organizational change, employee 3 relations, diversity, and performance management.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in, Education, Organization Development, Transportation, Engineering or another related field. Demonstrated equivalent experience, education, and/or technical credentials, to include a minimum of four additional years of related experience, may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience, including developing training, delivering training, management development, and/or establishing and implementing effective strategic and business planning goals for a large and diverse organization.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience managing people, preferably a large, dynamic team.

The following is/are preferred: 

• Experience working with a unionized workforce.
• Experience managing training and development initiatives in a technical, operating, and/or operations support environment, preferably in railroad operations.
• Direct experience in operations, including railroad operations.

BENEFITS

• Commuter Assistance – based on operating MTA agency (complimentary transportation pass within the MTA’s jurisdiction and tax-advantaged accounts)
• Low Premium – High Quality Health Insurance Plans (lifetime coverage for eligible retirees and their dependents)
• Pension Plans and Retirement Savings Accounts for eligible employees
• Generous Paid Time Off and Holidays provided.
• Tuition Reimbursement for eligible employees
• Employee Assistance Programs
• MTA Exclusive Employee Discount Programs
• Work Life Services team
• Employee Resource Groups
• Managerial Benefits

OTHER INFORMATION

• This is a policy maker position. Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).
• Actual salary offers may vary based on individual work experience. The annual salary range is subject to change and may be modified at the company’s discretion.
• This position requires a driver’s license. Employees driving company vehicles will be subject to License Monitoring and must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MTA drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.
• Current employee applicants should be in their current position 12 months prior to starting a new role and must possess a satisfactory work history, including attendance and discipline record.
• Safety Sensitive/Non DOT-Regulated
• Telework eligible

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ADA DISCLAIMER

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers and encourage qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.

If you seek a reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability, or for a religious practice or observance, to participate in the job application or interview process, please notify your MTA representative once you have been contacted regarding the role.