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Program Manager

The Northeast Corridor Commission is seeking a highly motivated candidate to join its hard-working and enthusiastic staff. The Commission was established by Congress in the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 to coordinate the agencies that share the region’s core rail network. While the Commission is administratively hosted by Amtrak, it is an independent team of transportation professionals.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

This position will manage program implementation coordination activities for the CONNECT NEC 2035 (C35) plan through a highly collaborative multi-agency process. C35 provides a blueprint for the initial phase of the long-term vision established in FRA’s 2017 NEC FUTURE Record of Decision. C35 defines projects and a coordinated sequencing approach for special projects and capital renewal works that can be implemented or be underway by 2035. The Commission is working on a 2037 update to CONNECT NEC for release in late 2023. With historic funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the railroads of the NEC are preparing for an ambitious investment program.

The Commission has established an Implementation Coordination Program (ICP) to support its members in advancing projects and programs as efficiently as possible. This program will collect, share, and analyze data on interagency coordination among project sponsors and stakeholders, with a focus on surfacing and resolving coordination issues that put overall project schedule at risk. This role will help grow the ICP by managing interagency coordination for a portfolio of projects. The role requires knowledge of capital project implementation tasks and processes on an active railroad, strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, experience in data analytics, and experience managing stakeholders in a political environment.

This position can be located in Washington, DC, New York City or Philadelphia. Travel will be up to about 20%. Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter at the link provided.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Lead implementation coordination activities for projects within a specific region by facilitating a consensus-driven program management process with the Commission’s member organizations.
  • Manage the collection and analysis of interagency coordination data from project sponsors and stakeholders. Identify coordination issues that put overall project schedule or cost at risk. Troubleshoot and facilitate resolution of potential risks by working collaboratively with all affected parties, elevating issues through leadership levels as necessary and appropriate.
  • Support the development of effective project/program implementation coordination processes for project sponsors and stakeholders across the NEC.
  • Support working groups and other coordination activities with staff at various levels and in various roles and departments at stakeholder agencies as they gather, develop, refine, and communicate their service and infrastructure plans.
  • Support other Commission initiatives to ensure C35 implementation activities align with, and support future CONNECT NEC plans, five-year Capital Investment Plans, quarterly and annual reports, and implementation of the NEC Commuter and Intercity Rail Cost Allocation Policy.
  • Support management of consultants to supplement Commission staff resources. Responsible for day-to-day management of consultants to ensure that deliverables are on time and on budget.
  • Support the development of Commission reports, presentations, and other materials through data analysis and the development of written material.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, policy, planning, or management from an accredited college or university.
  • Minimum 9 years transportation engineering or planning experience with an emphasis on passenger rail or public transportation. Relevant master’s degree may count towards years of experience.
  • Excellent quantitative and analytical skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent organizational and project management skills.
  • Consensus-based stakeholder facilitation and coordination skills.
  • Ability to translate technical analyses into meaningful and appropriate information for different audiences and purposes (staff-level coordination, executive-level action, education for elected officials and the public, etc.).
  • Excellent computer skills in data processing and analysis, particularly in Microsoft Excel and Access, and program management software similar to Primavera P6. Interest in expanding working knowledge of these and other data processing and management tools as needed to meet evolving program needs.
  • Knowledge of rail infrastructure, construction, and operations along the Northeast Corridor.
  • Ability to solve problems independently, identify potential process improvements, and work in a highly collaborative team environment.
  • Ability to multi-task effectively while remaining flexible in a fast-paced environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

  • Master’s degree in engineering, policy, planning, or management.
  • Direct experience in passenger rail, freight rail, or transit.
  • Direct experience managing consultants in the delivery of professional service-related projects.
  • Understanding or experience with NEC Commission activities.

COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

  • Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

 

MORE INFORMATION & HOW TO APPLY:

The Commission is administratively hosted by Amtrak.

The salary/hourly range is $115,000 – $150,000. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, internal equity, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.​

Requisition ID:159410
Posting Location(s):District of Columbia
Job Family/Function:Government Affairs
Relocation Offered:No
Travel Requirements:Up to 25%

Please submit your application through Amtrak’s Careers website (Position ID 90362932). Posted August 21, 2023.