Description Position at Metro-North Railroad
Job Title: Technical Writer
Department: Maintenance of Equipment
MTA Agency: Metro-North Railroad
Primary Location(s): Croton Harmon, NY
Salary Range: $92,632-$100,950.87
Regulated/Safety Sensitive: Non-DOT/non-regulated Safety Sensitive
Union Affiliation: n/a
Closing Date (if applicable)
: Until Filled
Shift (if applicable)
: Any
Title 55-a (yes or no)
: n/a
Other: Yes,Telework eligible
Metro-North Railroad reserves the right to remove this posting before the Application Deadline.
Position Objective: The Technical Writer writes, reviews, and edits Maintenance of Equipment (M of E) department documentation and assists in the development of document control initiatives within the department. The individual will be responsible for reviewing and processing documentation in accordance with document control policies and procedures.
Responsibilities: - Perform all the responsibilities of a technical writer to include reviewing, editing, publishing and/or developing all relevant M of E documents (e.g. Technical Instructions, Notices, Alerts, Modifications Forms, Technical Scopes of Work and Specifications). Ensuring documentation reflects procedures performed in shops, yards and on equipment, including running repair, scheduled inspections, heavy overhaul and yard servicing. Ensures documentation is compliant with document control policies and procedures, current equipment, new equipment including PTC.
- Consult with subject matter experts to document and clarify relevant subject matter material and ensure material is presented for appropriate target audiences. Work directly with suppliers and external partners to ensure documentation reflects correct technical requirements and is tailored to appropriate target audiences.
- Assist in developing departmental standards and procedures including templates, process guides, internal style guides and process flows. Contribute to continuous improvement of documentation processes across shop, yard and equipment maintenance operations.
- Assist in maintaining all maintenance tasks performed at all levels of railcar and locomotive maintenance to provide shop forces with timely and accurate procedures for performing maintenance. Provide shop and yard forces with timely, accurate and accessible procedures to support safe and efficient maintenance activities on all equipment types.
- Continuously update printed and electronic format the Association of American Railroads (AAR) publications with AAR-issued circulars to maintain currency. Update records to reflect changes to regulatory requirements and industry standards.
- Ensure digital documentation is organized, searchable and accessible to shop, yard and field personnel.
- Support Mechanical operations across all shop and yard locations, including Harmon, North White Plains, and New Haven, as assigned. Position may be required to work various shifts and locations assigned to support operation 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. Will be on call and respond to emergencies as required.
Required Qualifications: Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Ability to read and interpret engineering documentation (e.g. blueprints, drawings and schematics).
- Strong knowledge of document control systems, content management systems or other source control tools.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Access.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Visio) and/or comparable applications.
- Strong knowledge of Adobe Acrobat Professional.
- Familiarity with structured authoring and XML.
- Familiar with Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level techniques.
- Familiarity with Illustrated Parts Catalogues (IPC).
- Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to work with diverse teams.
- Ability to write clearly, concisely, and audience-appropriate from logical instructions and brief abstracts to book-length manuscripts.
- Ability to use graphical software such as Adobe Photoshop and SnagIt.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Strong technical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Experience writing to technical specifications.
- Familiarity with style guides such as the AP Style Guide or Chicago Manual of Style.
- Experience working in an industrial, manufacturing, or transportation organization.
- Familiar with ISO 9000 document control and retention requirements.
- Experience with Content Management Systems (CMS) or other source control tools.
- Experience with website administration.
- Knowledge of standard safety practices, rules and regulations.
Required Education/Experience: - Associate's Degree (AA) in Communications, Journalism, Engineering, English or related field. Demonstrated equivalent experience, education and/or technical credentials to include an additional two (2) years of related experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Minimum three (3) years of developing and editing technical documentation (e.g. Maintenance or Instructional Manuals, Illustrated Parts Catalogs and Specifications).
- Minimum one (1) year of experience managing staff and/or projects..
The following is/are preferred: OTHER INFORMATION LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS n/a
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.
