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Compliance Specialist 3 – Rail Transit Compliance Specialist
Oregon Department of Transportation
Commerce and Compliance Division
Rail Regulatory Program Branch
Salem / Hybrid Work Optional

The role:
Join our dedicated Commerce and Compliance team as a rail transit compliance specialist. In this role, you will administer the federally mandated State Safety Oversight (SSO) program for all Rail Fixed Guideway Transportation Systems (RFGPTS) that are not regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration to ensure they comply with state and federal laws, rules and regulations. In addition to monitoring compliance, you will also conduct accident investigations, review internal audit programs and provide technical assistance to the RFGPTS. If you have experience in rail transit and safety, apply for this exciting opportunity today!

Notice to Applicants: Each employee of the Oregon Department of Transportation in the Commerce and Compliance Division (CCD) must be aware of, and adhere to, OAR 740-020-0010. Failure to follow applicable administrative rules and statutes may impact employment.

We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our positions. We hope you’ll join us on our path to increasing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging through our values, commitments, strategies and actions.

Before applying, visit our applicant information website to learn more about our process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, you must apply through your employee Workday profile.

A day in the life:

• Administer federally mandated Safety Oversight Program (SSO) for the Rail Fixed Guideway Public Transportation Systems (RFGPTS).

• Conduct annual reviews of current operating plans and make recommendations for change.

• Draft annual report of activities for the RFGPTS and submit to the Federal Transit Administration.

• Review and approve the RFGPTS accident/incident reports and maintain a tracking log of findings and corrective action plans.

• Develop standards and procedures for compliance and enforcement activities, program goals and action plans.

• Prepare technical documents for existing and proposed rule changes.

• Develop and provide recommendations for program effectiveness.

• Investigate accidents, take testimony from witnesses and testify in court as a technical expert when needed.

• Perform on-site safety and compliance reviews of the RFGPTS.

• Respond to regulatory complaints and maintain confidentiality while conducting compliance investigations.

• Attend and pass the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program for state and federal employees. Attend courses, workshops and meetings as necessary.

• Work is performed in an office setting and in the field. Requires the ability to have a flexible schedule, travel overnight and work in all weather conditions.

• Must maintain a “go bag” which should contain adequate personal items to cover multi-day stays for accident investigations and occasionally be on call 24/7 for response to an accident.

• To request a copy of the position description, which includes all duties and working conditions, please email ODOTRecruitment@odot.oregon.gov.
  

What’s in it for you:

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, paid leave and so much more. Learn more about working at the Oregon Department of Transportation and the benefits we offer.

• Comprehensive and equitable base salary offer within the listed range. Through an equal pay assessment, we will determine the salary offer using the information you provide in your submitted application materials. Please ensure your application materials are detailed, accurate and reflect your skills, experience (paid and unpaid) and education as they relate to the position when applying.

• The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity!
  

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Minimum qualifications:

Five years experience doing administrative research that included compiling and evaluating facts to recommend management action or decide compliance or eligibility with program guidelines and regulations. Three of the five years must be above the technical support level.

College-level course work may substitute for experience on the basis of 45-quarter units per year, up to a maximum of three years.

Special qualifications:
Driving is an essential function of this position. You must have a valid driver license and an acceptable driving record. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s). Your license does not have to be issued in Oregon to be considered.

What we’d like to see:

If you have these attributes, let us know in your application materials! It's how we will choose whom to move forward! You do not need to have all these qualities to be eligible for this position. We may also use transferable skills, experience, education and alignment with ODOT values to help us decide who will move forward.

• Prior employment at a rail transit agency preferred.

• Experience as a subject matter expert in rail transit, rail equipment maintenance or rail transit track maintenance.

• Strong attention to detail and experience auditing records to ensure compliance with rules and regulations.

• Experience in field inspection methods preferred.
  

How to apply:

• Complete the following required steps:

  • Fill out the application or attach a resume. Please contact the recruiter under the ‘Need help?’ section if you have any questions about how to fill out the experience fields or to attach a document. Your submitted experience fields or attached resume must include dates (MM/YYYY) for each employer.

  • Attach a cover letter. Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience and training relates to the qualities that you have under the “what we’d like to see” section above.

    • Your cover letter must be limited to no more than two (2) pages.

    • Please address your cover letter to Chris Malm, Rail Safety & Regulatory Branch Manager.

    • Generic cover letters that do not address the qualities that you have under the “what we’d like to see” section may receive lower scores than those that addressed the desired qualities.

    • You must upload your cover letter in the ‘Resume/Cover Letter’ section of the application.

  • Complete questionnaire. Answer the checkbox-style questions before submitting your application.

• After you submit your application, please respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.

• If you are a veteran, you may receive preference. The task to upload your documents will be available after you submit your application. For privacy reasons, please do not attach your military service document(s) to your application or combine it with any other required document attachments.

Need help?

• For questions, call 503-931-1206 or email ODOTRecruitmentTP@odot.oregon.gov.
  

Additional information:

• Note: This position will receive a cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase of 6.55% which is not reflected in the salary listed in this posting. The effective date of the increase is Jan. 1, 2025, for Feb. 1, 2025, paychecks.

• We do not offer visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. We are not an E-Verify participating employer, and we are unable to proceed if E-Verify participation is required [e.g., STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension]. We are also unable to proceed with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) program requests.

• We may use this recruitment to fill multiple or future vacancies.

• We will conduct name-based criminal background checks on final candidates, including current ODOT employees. All applicants may be subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as driver license, LEDS (Law Enforcement Data System), and/or education verification as required for the position.

• You will be represented by the Association of Engineering Employees of Oregon (AEE).

ODOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices. Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding EEO/AA/ADA, contact 1-877-336-6368 (1-877-EEO-ODOT). This information can be made available in an alternative format by contacting ODOT Recruitment at 503-986-3700. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.

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Rail, Compliance, Safety