PRINCIPAL RAILROAD INSPECTOR
Principal Railroad Inspector sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It asks for 3 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $63,663 to $92,953.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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See where to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction of supervisory official in the Department of Transportation, supervises work of railroad inspectors and senior railroad inspectors assigned to the investigation of railroad operations, the inspection of locomotives and equipment, and/or the inspection of construction work at railroad grade crossing elimination projects; is responsible for traffic counts and surveys at allocated areas; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Supervises and instructs employees engaged in inspection and investigation work.
- Inspects and/or supervises the inspection of existing or proposed railroad highway crossings at grade to ascertain their condition and methods of protection.
- Inspects and supervises the inspection work performed by railroad companies or construction firms relative to the elimination of railroad highway grade crossings, and advises on methods of inspecting materials and construction of such projects to ensure adherence to plans and specifications.
- Conducts research to solve problems arising in connection with grade separation projects.
- Supervises and participates in passenger counts on trains, traffic counts at railroad highway crossings at grade, and inspections of passenger stations and train equipment.
- Supervises and conducts investigations of accidents on railroad property or at grade crossings to determine causes and to develop recommendations for corrective action to prevent reoccurrence of such accidents.
- Supervises the compilation and preparation of data pertaining to discontinuance or curtailment of train schedules, changes of station status or services, and abandonment of railroad lines.
- Prepares reports.
- Maintains files.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience in the investigation and/or inspection of railroad facilities and equipment and railroad grade crossings, structures, and/or services or operations; or in the inspection and recording of mechanical and/or electrical inspections; or the inspection and recording of mechanical and electrical railroad equipment, (1) year of which shall have been a supervisory capacity.
License
Appointees will be required to posses a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of regulations, policies, purposes, standards, and procedures of the department after a period of training.
- Knowledge of regulations, policies, purposes, standards, and procedures of the Interstate Commerce Commission as relevant to railroad operations and services.
- Knowledge of state and federal laws governing operation of railroads and established standards of safety of operation for railroad facilities and equipment.
- Knowledge of railroad operations including practices and procedures used by railroads in plotting train schedules, and of records kept by railroads concerning train performance and passenger loads.
- Knowledge of methods of inspection used to determine compliance with plans and specifications for construction of grade crossings and installation of grade crossing warning devices.
- Knowledge of rail equipment and repair shop producers.
- Knowledge of standards for equipment, maintenance, and housekeeping of railroad stations.
- Ability to note and appraise significant facts and conditions in investigations of railroad facilities and to draw conclusions.
- Ability to prepare reports.
- Ability to maintain files.
- Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- CODES: 19/R20 - RKR/cah 1/6/98
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.