General Manager, Rail Maintenance

Participates in the development of the department’s programs, goals and objectives. Manages, directs and coordinates rail vehicle light maintenance activities including: inspections, repair, servicing and cleaning for all rail maintenance terminals.

Qualifications

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees the daily operations of all light maintenance rail terminals.

o Ensures that light maintenance activities are performed within budget and that performance targets are met.

o Coordinates rail vehicle light maintenance activities and operations with rail vehicle heavy maintenance and other departments of the Authority.

o Ensures that equipment schedule requirements are satisfied on a daily basis.

• Analyzes labor utilization, equipment reliability, production efficiencies and other measures.

o Identifies and provides recommendations for areas of improvement.

• Ensures that the rail vehicle light maintenance organization is directed towards supporting a safe, reliable and efficient rail rapid transit operation.

o Develops plans for light maintenance programs to ensure optimum reliability of the rail car fleet.

o Develops and modifies methods, procedures, standards and schedules to be used by terminal personnel in the repair, inspection and cleaning of rail cars.

o Develops long and short-term goals and objectives for the light maintenance area.

o Approves improvements or updates to work processes and identifies opportunities to increase efficiencies and safety.

• Oversees and manages certain activities in the procurement of materials for the light maintenance area.

o Analyzes and recommends improvements in procurement programs, policies and procedures.

o Meets with manufacturer’s representatives regarding rail car maintenance, service and malfunctions.

• Plans and develops terminal facilities operating budgets and work programs.
• Oversees training, safety and labor relations activities in the light maintenance area.
• Prepares and presents oral and written reports within assigned area of responsibility.
• Hires, trains, develops, monitors, and evaluates performance of staff. Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position are the following jobs:

Job Title

• Senior Manager, Maintenance - Rail
• Senior Manager, Rail Car Appearance

CHALLENGES

• Maintaining required service levels under adverse conditions, i.e. weather and construction.
• Continuous improvement cycle in which customer expectations of a core business principal are met and then raised.
• Increase ridership and quality of customer experience through the rail system.
• Minimizing delays especially during unforeseen incidents or events.
• Designing maintenance and servicing programs and initiatives that ensure efficiency and budget consciousness
• Maintaining effective working relationships with various levels of Authority personnel.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Required to possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, plus five (5) years of progressive management experience supervising large-scale field operations/maintenance departments, or a combination of education and experience relating to this position.
• Required to have experience in rail vehicle maintenance work, including supervisory experience.
• Must maintain Rail Safety.
• Required to have completed ICS Training Levels 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 & 800.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be capable of walking elevated structure track, ballast and footwalk conditions in a rail yard and on the right of way for long distances.
• Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Detailed knowledge of applicable union contracts and the type of work performed by terminal personnel.
• Detailed safety regulations pertaining to rail terminal activities and personnel.
• Detailed knowledge of the Authority’s rail vehicles and terminal operations, procedures, work methods and equipment used in the repair and maintenance of rail vehicles.
• Analytical skills necessary to interpret blueprints, diagrams, schematics and sketches.
• Ability to manage and coordinate the activities of assigned personnel.
• Ability to write and express oneself in a clear, logical and comprehensive manner.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office and Maintenance Facility working conditions.
• Subject to normal rail vehicle terminal hazards such as vehicular noise, dust, grease, moving vehicles, machinery, etc.
• Required to work in the presence of 600 volt DC electrical current, moving trains and equipment.
• Subject to being on-call 24/7.
• Required to respond to major incidents and rail emergencies.
• This position is considered a "C-List" position under the “Revolving Door” prohibition within the State Officials and Employees Act (5 ILCS 430/5-45), which contains a number of post-employment restrictions CTA employees in C-list designated positions must follow. Among other requirements listed in this statute, CTA employees in C-list designated positions are required to follow State notification procedures to the Office of the Executive Inspector General prior to acceptance of any applicable non-State employment or may be fined significant penalties.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

• Office equipment, two-way radio, cellular phone. and company vehicle.

Additional Details Employees and/or union members will be given priority consideration in the hiring process, per the applicable labor contracts.


Final salary will be determined in part by the qualifications of the selected candidate and may be higher or lower than target.


Applicants, if hired,must comply with CTA's residency ordinance.


CTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER


No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws; except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for our workforce and supporting the communities we serve. CTA will make reasonable accommodations for the known disabilities of otherwise qualified applicants for employment as well as its employees, unless undue hardship would result. If you require an accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact [email protected] prior to the submission of your application or upon notification of your actual test date. CTA will work with you to determine if an accommodation can be provided.


During the hiring process, CTA's Human Resources department will contact candidates with next steps . Failure to respond to these correspondences in a timely fashion may result in your application being closed out for non-responsiveness.


Please click link below to review the benefits offered at the CTA.

Primary Location : USA-Illinois-Chicago

Job : Rail Maintenance

Job Posting : Apr 24, 2026, 12:00:00 AM

Position Type : Full-time Permanent (FTP)