RAILROAD SAFETY SPECIALIST IV - Chicago Region

at Illinois Commerce Commission in Springfield, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Position Overview

Under direction of the Rail Safety Program Administrator, functions as Assistant Program Administrator concerning the development and implementation of  procedures regarding the Railroad Warning Devices & Traffic Signal Interconnect Program and Chicago Region Projects; Represents the Commission at meetings with state, federal and industry representatives and elected officials involving policy, program implementation and technical issues; Provide communication, outreach, and support to help road authorities, rail carriers, highway agencies, and units of government to understand and complete the requirements for crossing locations where the railroad warning devices are or will be interconnected with traffic signals at nearby intersections and for Chicago Region Projects; Assists the Program Administrator in 24-hour Duty Officer responsibilities concerning the ICC response to railroad accidents/incidents; Represents the Commission on meetings and on committees with state, federal and industry representatives and elected officials involving the policy, program implementation and technical issues concerning grade crossing and grade separation engineering matters and resolves disputes.

Functions as Assistant Program Administrator concerning the development and implementation of policies andprocedures regarding the Railroad Warning  devices & Traffic Signal Interconnect Program and Chicago Region Projects.

• Functions as Assistant Program Administrator concerning the statewide development and implementation of policies and procedures regarding crossing locations where the railroad warning devices are or will be interconnected with traffic signals at nearby intersections.


• Reviews and approves programming and operating plans of new and existing crossing warning devices and traffic signals, including those at locations where the highway traffic signals are interconnected with railroad warning devices. Prepares written reports on interconnected traffic signal systems, recommends improvements, renewals and repairs and completes correspondence to implement same.


• Conducts routine statewide field inspections of interconnected crossing warning device systems and interconnected traffic signal interconnect systems and recommends corrective action if deficiencies are found.


• Conducts statewide inspections and cutovers for newly installed traffic signal installations with interconnection to railroad warning device systems. This includes participation in shop testing of all traffic control equipment at vendors’ facilities located in the Chicago Region.


• Makes recommendations concerning the modification and enhancement of traffic and crossing warning device control system software/hardware that will improve the operation and/or safety of the railroad-traffic signal interconnect system.


• Prepares and submits administrative reports on progress toward Traffic Signal Interconnect and Crossing program goals; reviews budget requests for appropriateness; assists the program administrator with the preparation of the budget.


• Monitors and performs all aspects of highway-rail crossing safety including programming, preliminary engineering, detailed design, construction, maintenance, operations, and investigations of complaints and incidents.


• Performs field inspections and completes crossing reviews from preliminary engineering through construction phases. Complete vehicular traffic surveys, directional traffic studies and surveys and physical layout of the area surrounding particular crossing(s).

Represents the Commission at meetings with state, federal and industry representatives and elected officials involving policy, program implementation and technical issues.

• Performs the full range of rail crossing activities (from routine to most complex) in accordance with 625 ILCS 5/18c and 92 IL Adm. Code Sections 1500, 1535, and 1536, and provides additional training and work guidance to lowerlevel railroad safety specialists.


• Investigates compliance and responds to inquiries concerning unsafe/defective crossings.


• Testifies as an expert witness in contested formal Commission proceedings involving policy and technical issues concerning grade crossing and grade separation engineering projects; presents testimony in hearings regarding interconnected traffic signal systems either separately or in conjunction with other technical staff members; prepares Commission stipulated agreements and Commission orders relating to same.


• Meet with railroad representatives, local officials, highway authorities, the public, and others concerning proposed highway-rail crossing safety projects.
  Continues with follow-up during maintenance and operations as needed and investigates complaints and incident.

Assists lower-level Railroad Safety Specialists and other Staff.

• Assigns and reviews work.


• Provides guidance and training.


• Provides leadership and technical direction to staff on railroad grade crossing and grade separation safety projects.


• Reviews correspondence, stipulated agreements and draft orders prepared by technical staff concerning grade crossing safety issues and grade separation safety projects.

Provide outreach and support to help road authorities, rail carriers, highway agencies, and units of government to understand and complete the requirements for crossing locations where the railroad warning devices are or will be interconnected with traffic signals at nearby intersections and for Chicago Region Projects.

• Reviews detailed estimates of costs for highway-rail improvements and negotiates satisfactory cost divisions for stipulated agreements with Commerce Commission policy.


• Monitor GCPF relative to Chicago Region projects.


• Provides guidance on Commission design guidelines, standards, and policies.

Communications & Outreach

• Prepare written reports, memos, e-mail, and other correspondence including Stipulated Agreements, formal filings, and draft Commission Orders concerning highway-rail safety projects.


• Supports and Promotes the Operation Lifesaver Program (Commission’s Education & Outreach Program); meets with industry, government, labor and safety groups devoted to reducing accidents, improving grade crossings, and resolving controversies rising from rail safety issues; assists with programs to promote public awareness of the safety, at rail-highway crossings; attends workshops and seminar.

Assists program administrator in 24-hour Duty Officer responsibilities concerning ICC response to railroad accidents/incidents.

• Follow-up with railroad, highway agency, and other ICC Staff to ensure highway-rail grade crossings are reestablished after incidents in accordance with Commission orders, rules, and regulations.


• Responds to incidents.


• Review FOIA requests