Job ID: 17863
Business Unit: Metro-North Railroad
Location: New York, NY, United States
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Department: Trans Dept Admin
Date Posted: Oct 28, 2026
Description Job Title: Senior Director - Certification & Compliance
Department: Transportation
MTA Agency: Metro-North Railroad
Primary Location(s): 420 Lexington Avenue
Salary Range: $187,366- $196,436,26
Regulated/Safety Sensitive: General Safety Sensitive
Union Affiliation: Non-agreement
Closing Date (if applicable): November 11, 2026
Shift (if applicable): 7:00 AM-3:00 PM
Title 55-a (yes or no): No
Other: Not eligible for telework
JOB SUMMARY This position provides strategic leadership and oversight of Metro-North Railroad's locomotive engineer and conductor certification and licensing programs, ensuring compliance with applicable Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, including 49 CFR Parts 240 and 242, MTA guidelines, MNR protocols, and other applicable regulatory, operational, and safety requirements. Oversee the administration, implementation, and continuous improvement of certification programs to ensure transportation employees possess and maintain the required knowledge, skills, abilities, and qualifications to perform their duties safely and effectively. Lead short- and long-term initiatives to maintain certification standards, strengthen regulatory compliance, support service delivery, and enhance operational performance, safety, and the efficiency of train operations.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Manage the overall execution and administration of the Conductor and Locomotive Engineer certification program as designated by CFR 240 and CFR 242 to ensure operational efficiency, safety performance and consistent standards.
- Oversee the development and refresh of certification requirements; including approval of all training program(s), operational testing protocol, and proficiency evaluations leading to initial and renewal licenses.
- Integrate CFR 217.9 - Program of Operational Test and Inspections, safety, and training requirements within MNR program to ensure consistency across platforms.
- Direct the maintenance and integrity of protected record keeping systems and databases tracking license holders, recertification cycles, audit results and related compliance documentation. Ensure systems can produce annual summary reports and fillable documentation for annual FRA reporting as required by 49 CFR 240 & 242. Ensure availability of database for programmatic auditing by FRA (and internal Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)/MNR users as required).
- Oversee the monitoring of Locomotive Engineer and Conductor train operating performance and ensure identified human factor operating deficiencies are investigated and addressed with corrective actions.
- Serve as the primary liaison with FRA and other regulatory authorities for annual reporting, auditing of program, program review, updates, and recommendations program enhancement.
- Administer discipline up to removal of individual Conductor and Locomotive Engineer licenses.
- Act as co-hearing officer for all de-certification events that progress to formal investigations/hearings.
- Familiarize Transportation Department managers and supervisors with the requirements of the Compliance and Road Foreman Department and their roles in supporting standards of performance.
- Investigation of unusual occurrences such as derailments, false proceeds, and impact incidents. This includes participation and supervision of field testing to determine cause and analysis of event recorder data.
- Consult in the design of new and retrofit of equipment programs including programs of commissioning testing.
- Represent Transportation Department on various committees and work groups such as the Equipment Advisory Committee, Operating Rules Committee, Cab Signal and Air Brake Committees.
- Provide centralized support for procurement, new policy development, and other administrative processes such as selection of Conductor uniforms consistent with Labor agreements, work requirements, and professional standards of customer service. Oversee the selection and distribution of uniforms under the negotiated contract.
- Provide central communications of both temporary and permanent changes to policies and practices via the System Road Foreman's Notices, Train Service Notices, Meet and Greets (as required) at crew bases, and on-going training/retraining locations.
- Provide regular updates to the MN-401 and Train Service Manual to ensure consistency with other documents and changes to protocols or policies.
- Develop and implement program systems to manage and report requirements as outlined in Part 245, upon final rule making if implemented.
- Ensuring accurate records and timely submissions to the FRA.
- Maintain compliance with evolving federal guidance under the new regulation.
- Manage and oversee OCC Compliance staff, providing leadership, direction, and performance oversight to ensure effective execution of compliance activities, adherence to established regulatory and operational requirements, and alignment with Metro-North Railroad's safety and service objectives.
- Lead the efforts to develop strategies and execute regular on-board monitoring by Service Agents. Respond to MTA Audit reports with investigation and monitoring on-board. Coordinate with IT/PRA to ensure revenue collection/sales tools (TIMS) are adequate and deployed timely to ensure Conductors' ability to process revenue accurately.
- Participate in New Fare Payment Program including ongoing Risk assessments of customer-facing products (in excess of $100M). Make recommendations to mitigate risks to overall delivery schedule and costs.
- Serve or direct a lead as Transportation (Train Service) Liaison/representative on all revenue projects.
- Select, develop, and motivate staff and provide career development for team members. Provide effective coaching and counseling. Manage team and individual performance. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables staff to develop and contribute to their full potential. Ensure staff maintain individual certifications. Provide staff for support of operational incidents. Provide expert witness testimony for the carrier for judicial proceeding when requested by the Legal Department.
- Serve as an active member of Metro-North's Corporate Leadership Team (CLT), translating the company's strategic priorities into action while reinforcing a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and leadership expectations across teams. Partner across departments to advance enterprise-wide priorities, identify risks and operational barriers, and provide leadership with feedback, insights, and recommendations to support informed proposed solutions.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Complies with all policies and standards.
- May be required to work hours outside regular work hours, as applicable.
- Observes the work performed by contractors, as applicable.
- Reviews invoices and approves them if the work has contractual standards, as applicable.
- Addresses performance issues with the contractor when possible, as applicable.
- Escalates issues to other parties when needed, as applicable.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES - Must be certified as a conductor per CFR 242 or certified as a Train Service Engineer per 49 CFR 240. If currently lapsed or from another railroad, the successful candidate must become qualified within six (6) months from date of hire. This certification must be maintained throughout tenure in this role.
- Must be qualified on the MNR Operating Rules, physical characteristics and Metro-North instructions regarding Train Operations and Equipment (or comparable equivalent knowledge if coming from another railroad)
- Knowledge of MNR Train Service Manual, NORAC, Federal Rules regarding the operation of trains and equipment and Collective Bargaining Agreements covering Train & Engine employees (or comparable equivalent knowledge if coming from another railroad).
- In-depth knowledge of 49 CFR Part 240 Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers.
- In depth knowledge of CFR 242 Qualification and Certification of Conductor requirements.
- In depth knowledge of CFR 245-Qualification and Certification of dispatchers.
- Knowledgeable of equipment and on-train safety and control systems.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to direct and organize the activities of others.
- Strong writing, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
- Strong planning, time management and organizational skills.
- Must possess quantitative and analytical skills to effectively determine and resolve service delivery problems.
- Ability to design programs of training and delivery.
- Must be available 24 hours/7 days a week as required.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite or comparable PC applications.
- Knowledge of (or must gain within 6 months of hire) Crew Management System (CMS), Terminal Management Incident System (TMIS), Incident Management System (IMS) and Asset Management System (AMS).
- Knowledgeable of skill performance, radar, and other techniques of field and wayside testing.
- Equipment troubleshooting and operating experience providing the ability to effect on-train repairs, isolating the defect or applying alternate operating solutions.
- Working knowledge of derailment analysis for unusual train incidents and accidents to determine causal factors and recommend changes.
- Knowledge of event recorder download and analysis within six (6) months of hire.
- Qualified on NORAC - if not then within six (6) months of hire.
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES - Metro-North Railroad three-line qualified.
- Familiarity with freight train and/or intercity train service (AMTRAK) operating experience.
- Familiarity with designing diesel hauled and electric multiple unit equipment including on-train safety and control systems.
- Familiarity with radar and other techniques of wayside testing.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE - Bachelor's degree in arts/sciences (BA/BS) in Transportation Management, Operations Management, Business Administration or Management, or related field. Demonstrated equivalent experience, education and/or technical credentials to include four (4) additional years of related experience may be considered in lieu of degree. AND:
- Minimum 12 of progressively responsible experience in transportation operations, regulatory compliance, employee certification, or related functions, including demonstrated experience administering or overseeing regulatory compliance programs. AND:
- Minimum 8 years of experience supervising a diverse workforce in a transportation operations environment.
REQUIRED LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - Certified Conductor per CFR 242 within 180 days OR
- Certified Train Service engineer per CFR 240
OTHER INFORMATION - Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the "Commission").
- Final salary is determined experience, skillset, and alignment with compensation practices. The posted range reflects expected compensation and may be updated as market or business needs evolve.
- Employees driving company vehicles will be subject to License Monitoring and must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MTA drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.
- To be eligible for consideration for a new role, current MTA employees must complete at least one year of service in their current role prior to applying. Additionally, eligibility to interview is contingent upon maintaining a satisfactory record of job performance, attendance, and disciplinary conduct.
HOW TO APPLY: For Internal Applicants: Log in to the My MTA Portal, click on the My Job Search tile, select the Careers link, search for the desired position, click Apply, and follow the on-screen instructions.
For External Applicants: Visit
www.mta.info , click the "Careers" link located in the footer under the "The MTA" section, then click on "See All Open MTA Positions". Search for the desired position, click Apply, and follow the instructions.
Disclaimer
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
