Tentative Classification Standards issued by the Division of Classification & Compensation are shared with the operating agencies of State government for their consideration and comment. Accordingly, this document that you are viewing is subject to change and will be issued in final form at the completion of the review period.

TENTATIVE

Occ. Code 7865310

 

 

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST 1 (RAIL SAFETY), GRADE 18

7865310

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST 2 (RAIL SAFETY), GRADE 23

7865320

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST 3 (RAIL SAFETY), GRADE 27

7865330

 

 

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

 

Intermodal Transportation Specialists (Rail Safety) oversee safety for railroad passenger and freight and rail transit systems. They review compliance with State, federal, and industry safety standards, design and implement safety programs, and investigate accidents.

 

These positions are classified in the main and regional offices of the Department of Transportation.

 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

 

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST 1 (RAIL SAFETY): entry level professional; supervises at least three Railroad Track and Structure Inspectors or Railroad Equipment Inspectors; supervises and conducts accident investigations on railroads and rapid transit systems; monitors and audits implementation of safety plans; drafts reports about investigations and audits and makes recommendations.

 

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST 2 (RAIL SAFETY): supervises at least two Intermodal Transportation Specialists 1 (Rail Safety), and support staff; assists rail and transit operators in developing their safety plans.

 

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST 3 (RAIL SAFETY): one position class; oversees the rail safety program for the Department of Transportation.

 

RELATED CLASSES

 

Intermodal Transportation Specialists direct, plan, and regulate non-highway transportation systems and determine sources and distribution of funding for airport, water and port, rail, transit, bus, and truck projects. These positions are classified only in the main and regional offices of the Department of Transportation.

 

Intermodal Transportation Specialists (Motor Carrier Safety) oversee safety for intercity bus, school bus, transit and truck transportation systems. They review compliance with State, federal, and industry safety standards; implement truck and bus inspection and auditing programs; design and implement safety programs; and investigate accidents. These positions are classified in the main and regional offices of the Department of Transportation.

 

Intermodal Transportation Specialists (Bus System Safety) oversee bus system safety oversight programs of public authorities, municipal and/or privately owned bus transportation systems. They investigate bus accidents; conduct safety site visits and audits; collect and analyze data; and make recommendations on procedures to avoid future accidents.  They also provide bus accident investigation training for bus properties.

 

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

 

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST 1 (RAIL SAFETY)

 

Establishes annual program goals and priorities for track and equipment inspection programs.

 

Monitors staff work to evaluate compliance with plans and adjusts plans as required by work load needs.

 

Supervises and conducts investigations about collisions, derailments, and other accidents on railroads and rail rapid transit to determine probable cause and prepare reports of findings.


Assists in developing recommendations to correct hazards and prevents future accidents.

 

Monitors compliance with State and federal rail safety rules, regulations, and standards by conducting inspections, audits, and other investigations.

 

Implements corrective actions to ensure operator compliance with audit findings, safety recommendations, and program requirements.

 

Collects data to identify trends and issues about rail and rapid transit safety.

 

Participates in compliance reviews and safety audits.


Discusses findings with operators and recommends improvements.

 

Prepares draft reports.

 

Supervises staff by making assignments, evaluating performance, and reviewing and approving work.

 

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST 2 (RAIL SAFETY)

 

Manages a unit by directing the collection, analysis, and interpretation of safety related data, establishing annual work plans, assigning staff to projects, and reviewing and approving staff work.

 

Develops and conducts training programs for departmental inspectors and investigators and rail operations staff.

 

Develops and revises program guidelines, forms, and manuals for rail safety investigation, oversight, and inspection programs.

 

Oversees major accident investigations, including coordinating investigation activities with other investigative authorities.

 

Leads teams conducting safety compliance reviews, accident investigations, and operator audits.

 

Provides technical oversight and assistance to regional program staff.

 

Reviews and approves reports and analysis prepared by staff.

 

Prepares written reports and supporting documentation for use by the Department of Transportation and presentation to the New York State Public Transportation Safety Board (NYSPTSB), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and other federal, State, and local agencies.


 

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST 3 (RAIL SAFETY)

 

Serves as the State's technical expert regarding rail safety, railroad passenger, and freight programs by providing technical advice and assistance to agency and operator staff.

 

Designs, develops, and implements rail safety investigation, inspection, and oversight programs.

 

Develops and evaluates policy recommendations and implements new or revised programs, policies, and procedures approved by the NYSPTSB.

 

Directs major accident investigations and formulates findings and recommendations.

 

Supervises the compliance and reviews audit program for rail and rapid transit systems.

 

Develops program budget and allocates resources to meet long term and emergency work load requirements.

 

Coordinates work activities with other Department programs and with other federal, State, and local investigative and oversight agencies.

 

Presents reports and findings to NYSPTSB and NTSB and other agencies.

 

Ensures that the State's inspection program complies with certification standards of the Federal Railroad Administration.

 

Ensures operator compliance with Federal Transportation Administration State Safety Oversight Regulations for Rail Fixed Guideway Systems.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST 1 (RAIL SAFETY)

 

Open Competitive: six years of professional work experience in any one or more of the following areas: management or operations of rail, commuter rail, subway, or light rail systems; design or construction of rail, commuter rail, subway, or light rail capital projects; or analysis of rail, commuter rail, subway, or light rail system organization and operations improvements. This experience must have included at least one year of rail, commuter rail, subway, or light rail systems accident investigation and analysis. 

 

Substitution: an associate’s degree may substitute for two years of work experience. A bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of work experience. A master's degree in traffic engineering or transportation planning may substitute for one year of work experience.

 

Promotion: one year of service as a Railroad Equipment Inspector or as a Railroad Track and Structure Inspector. 

 

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST 2 (RAIL SAFETY)

 

Promotion: one year of service as an Intermodal Transportation Specialist 1 (Rail Safety).

 

INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST 3 (RAIL SAFETY)

 

Promotion: one year of service as an Intermodal Transportation Specialist 2 (Rail Safety).

 

Revised:  10/18

 

NOTE:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent, and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum requirements for appointment or examination.