Director, Capital Projects

Job Description

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter rail service throughout Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. Metra plays a critical role in connecting communities across Northeastern Illinois.

Department Overview

The Engineering Department is responsible for building, maintaining, and overseeing the majority of Metra’s fixed assets, including buildings, stations, bridges, track, electrical, telecommunications, and signal systems. The department also monitors and supports fixed assets on freight rail lines where Metra operates.

Engineering is organized into two major groups:

• Capital Projects
• Communications and Maintenance

Position Summary

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Engineer , the Director, Capital Projects is responsible for directing construction and capital improvement efforts across Metra’s system. This role oversees track and right-of-way projects; bridges; buildings; electrical, signal, and other infrastructure projects; and manages consultant and contractor relationships on behalf of the Engineering Department.

The Director provides strategic leadership, ensures regulatory compliance, manages budgets and schedules, and oversees a multi-disciplinary team delivering complex infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop department goals, objectives, and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure all technical guidance, project development, and construction activities comply with established Metra policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Provide leadership and guidance on complex, large-scale capital projects.
• Direct development of labor and material cost estimates and manage approved project budgets.
• Establish project priorities, approve schedules, and reallocate resources to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Assign, review, and evaluate staff work; oversee training and professional development.
• Enforce Metra policies and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requirements.
• Inspect work sites to ensure compliance with project plans, specifications, safety rules, and quality standards.
• Prepare Requests for Proposals (RFPs), participate in contractor selection, and approve payment requisitions.
• Manage staffing activities including scheduling, approving time off, filling vacancies, and ensuring policy compliance.
• Make and implement staffing, performance evaluation, performance improvement, disciplinary, and termination decisions; provide recommendations for hiring and employee actions.
• Promote safe work practices and foster a strong safety culture.
• Serve as accountable leader for safety objectives, goals, and programs in compliance with all applicable safety regulations.
• Work in both office and field environments under varying weather conditions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support organizational needs.

Job Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (required).
• Minimum of 10 years of engineering construction experience , preferably in the railroad industry.
• Minimum of 5 years of direct supervisory experience , including:
  • Day-to-day employee management
  • Assigning tasks and providing guidance and training
  • Performance monitoring and conflict resolution
  • Budgeting and hiring
  • Disciplinary and/or termination processes

Knowledge & Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of engineering construction principles, methods, and practices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of railroad structures, materials, techniques, and systems.
• Strong knowledge of project budgeting, scheduling, and management.
• Familiarity with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Proven ability to control project costs, schedules, and quality.
• Ability to establish and implement processes that improve operational efficiency.

Physical & Work Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit for extended periods.
• Required visual and hearing acuity, including depth perception and color vision.
• Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to operate a vehicle.
• Willingness to travel within and outside Metra’s six-county service area.
• Must be available on-call 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year , including weekends and holidays.

Additional Information

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the Railroad Retirement Tax Act , rather than the Social Security Administration.

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

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Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws, including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees’ use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. For general assistance, please contact [email protected]. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Reasonable Accommodations Committee at [email protected].

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.