Deputy Director, Service Planning Projects

Job ID: 11262

Business Unit: Metro-North Railroad

Location: New York, NY, United States

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Department: Service Design

Date Posted: Apr 7, 2025

Description

POSTING NO.

11262

JOB TITLE:

Deputy Director - Service Planning Projects

DEPT/DIV:

Operations Planning & Analysis

WORK LOCATION:

420 Lexington Avenue, 12 th floor

FULL/PART-TIME

FULL

SALARY RANGE:

$ 115,563 .00 - $ 150,371 .00

DEADLINE:

April 14,2025

This position is eligible for teleworking which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

Metro-North Railroad reserves the right to remove this posting before the Application Deadline.

Opening:

MTA Metro-North Railroad is a dynamic organization, operating out of the jewel of New York City, Grand Central Terminal. We provide service to over 86.5 million customers, traveling in and out of New York and Connecticut. A subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North Railroad is one of the busiest commuter railroads in the nation. MTA Metro-North Railroad strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities to its employees.

Position Objective:

This position directs and oversees the analysis and simulation of present and future service plans while developing crew, equipment, and infrastructure strategies to mitigate impact and cost to MNR operations. This position provides regular cyclical reports and forecasts to the MNR Committee, MTA Board, and MNR Executive committee. Serves as resident expert on industry service design analysis and simulation best practices.

Responsibilities:

Oversight of all MNR Analysis and Simulations of Present and Future Service Plans:

• Primary contact and liaison to MTA C&D Capital Planning and Long-Range Planning groups.
• Direct and guide the Assistant Deputy Director in developing overall long and mid-range service strategies for MNR, performing ongoing analyses of validity based on variables including customer demographics, infrastructure/equipment constraints, Train Crew Staffing, and external factors. Use simulations, models, and other analytical tools to validate assumptions with a high degree of certainty.
• Direct and guide MNR coordination of maintenance and utilization of the RTC model , including rail service simulations in support of present service planning and long-term planning studies. Direct and guide the analysis of simulation results and prepare analysis/reports for stakeholder review.
• Represent MNR and Operations Planning and Analysis in all MNR Yard Capacity Studies to ensure future service plans are within anticipated capacities parameters while working to identify future storage needs.

Oversight of all MNR Service Strategies:

• Direct and guide the Assistant Deputy Director to develop methodologies to monitor and predict ridership growth of ridership identifying changing ridership patterns utilizing data available to MNR e.g. Load-Weight, APC, Ticket Sales, and Count Program Operations.
• Direct and guide the development of methodologies to analyze Train Crew staff efficiencies to maximize productivity and minimize overtime across revenue and non-revenue assignments.
• Oversee Fleet Management Plan maintenance .

Oversight of all MNR Ridership and Counting Program:

• Oversee the preparation of comprehensive MNR ridership long-range ridership forecasts for Rolling Stock/Capital Planning .
• Direct and guide the Assistant Deputy Director overseeing all passenger counting activities, including the analysis, and reporting of passenger count results.
• Oversee periodic origin and destination studies of MNR ridership.
• Oversee/direct the preparation of all monthly ridership reports for presentation to senior management and the LIRR and MNR Committees; and the oversight of ongoing analysis and reporting of monthly ridership trends.

Oversight of Departmental Budget and Intermodal Program Financing:

• Oversee the securing of adequate funding to support OPA needs, processing of OPA related invoices, securing of Federal and State grant funding for intermodal program operations, vehicles, and infrastructure, and
• Ensure all schedules promote safety and efficiency of operations.

Required Qualifications:

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Outstanding quantitative and analytical skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills needed to manage complex databases.
• Strong ability to work well under pressure, handle multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize workload while adhering to deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of MS Office Suite (i.e. Word, Access & Excel) and/or comparable PC applications - including mainframe use and statistical packages.
• Strong expertise in data base usage, models, and methods (e.g., RailSim, RTC).
• Strong knowledge of technology, particularly as it relates to Simulations and Scheduling Platforms.
• Strong statistical knowledge (Statistical sampling, regression, confidence intervals).
• Extensive knowledge of rail transit or other transportation operations.
• Excellent ability to evaluate ridership impacts of potential service changes on our customers and MNR operations.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and planning skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to speak effectively with internal departments, the public , and various types and levels of public agencies.
• Demonstrated leadership, and management skills with the ability to train, motivate and foster teamwork.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills with the ability to develop strategic initiatives.
• Strong ability to operate effectively in high pressure situations with flexibility to adapt to change.
• Strong ability to exercise a high level of independent judgment and decision-making.
• 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.

The Following is/are preferred:

• Familiarity with Metro-North Railroad Operations, schedule planning, and budget/strategic initiatives.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Transportation Planning, Marketing, Market Analysis, or a related field. Demonstrated equivalent experience, education , and/or technical credentials may be considered in lieu of a degree to include an additional four (4) years of experience.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in transportation planning and analysis, including demand forecasting, transportation modeling, and statistics.
• Minimum of six (6) years of experience managing a diverse workforce or projects.

The following is/are preferred, but other satisfactory combinations of relevant experience, education, and/or technical credentials will be considered:

• A Master's Degree in Planning, Engineering , or a related field is preferred with railroad experience.

Other Information

According 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").

Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MNR drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.