Railroad Safety Inspector (Signal & Train Control) -SME

Railroad Safety Inspector (Signal & Train Control) -SME

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Bakersfield, California, Bakersfield South, California, Fresno, California, Fresno County, California, Kern County, California, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, Lowell, Massachusetts, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Northampton, Massachusetts, Androscoggin County, Maine, Auburn, Maine, Augusta, Maine, Bangor, Maine, Bar Harbor, Maine, Hancock, Maine, Kennebec County, Maine, Penobscot, Maine, Lincoln, Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska, Albany, New York, Albany County, New York, Nassau County, New York, Suffolk County, New York, Collin County, Texas, Dallas, Texas, Dallas County, Texas, Denton, Texas, Fort Worth, Texas, Houston, Texas, Tarrant County, Texas, Richmond, Virginia

Salary Range: $89508 - $137128 Per Year

Job Summary: As a Railroad Safety Inspector (Signal & Train Control), you will enforce Federal safety and health regulations that are concern with signal and train contrl and highway-rail grade crossing warning systems within an assigned territory.

Major Duties:

• As a Railroad Safety Inspector (STC), you will: Plan and carry out an itinerary of periodic inspections of all signal and train control and highway-rail grade crossing warning systems in the territory to ensure that they are properly installed, operated, tested, and maintained. Performs highly technical investigations to determine the cause of signal and train control or highway-rail crossing conditions; e.g. improper signal aspects, hours of service violations. Evaluate railroads' request to install, modify, or remove limited portions of a signal or train control system; e.g., redesign of several miles of automatic block signals; assists the Regional Signal Specialist in evaluating more complex requests by analyzing portions of the regional inspection plan and making preliminary recommendations. Investigates independently or as a part of a team, accidents and fatalities of a railroad employee. During these investigations, the inspector will use experience and training, applicable CFR regulations, Compliance Manual, and General Manual. The ideal candidate: This position is perfect for a mid-level professional with strong technical background in applying current Federal railroad safety standards, as well as strong analytical and communication skills. The candidate must have experience in conducting inspections. The candidate must be mission focused and have the ability to interface will all levels of railroad management as well as the rail labor unions. PLEASE NOTE: This is an Open Continuous announcement. Applications will be reviewed and selections will be made at any time before the closing date. If your application is referred to the selecting official, you will be notified via USJOBS. All applicants will receive a final update once selections are complete.

Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications. To be qualified for a Railroad Safety Inspectorm the Qualifications Standards states you MUST have demonstrated knowledge in the following areas: Railroad industry, including economic and operating considerations and equipment. General safety and health principles and practices applicabe to the railroad industry. Railroad accident investigation tehcniques. Skill in written and oral communication. Knowledge of the design, installation, maintenance, testing, or inspection of signal and train control systems and their capabilities and limitations. Knowledge of applicable Federal laws and regulations pertaining to railroad signaling and train control systems ; AND Knowledge of locomotive braking systems and their relationship to and interface with train control or automatic train stop systems and braking distances. To qualify for the Grade 12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include: Experience applying your knowlegge of the applicable Federal laws, and regulations perftaining to railroad signal systems and highway-rail grade crossing warning systems. Experience conducting inspections related to the Signal and Train Control discipline. Experience writing and presenting information pertaining to signal and train control systems and highway-rail grade crossing active warning systems. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Decision Making- Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. Compliance- Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance. Communication- Experience writing and presenting information pertaining to signal and train control systems and highway- rail grade crossing active warning systems. Accident Investigation- Knowledge of guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with an accident investigation including preservation of accident scene, root cause analysis, and evidence detection and handling. For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How to Apply: You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting. Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire. You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/ If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at: Transjobs@dot.gov

Application Deadline: 2026-07-30