Rail Vehicle Maintenance (Safety Management System) Inspector

Basic Function

The Rail Vehicle Maintenance (RVM) Inspector SMS ensures Rail Inspections follow METRO standards, Contract Compliance, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), and Maintenance Plans. Is the primary liaison to the Safety Department for all SMS responsibilities and reporting. Inspects, monitors, evaluates, and prepares reports on rail maintenance procedures, conducts daily systems verification checks, daily service and car cleanliness, preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, and major repairs. Conducts safety inspections on maintenance crews and equipment. Performs investigations and develops recommendations to eliminate cause. Evaluates work performance, processes, and procedures to identify opportunities for operational improvement. Performs duties in a safe, efficient manner and in compliance with all applicable rules and safety procedures.

Responsibilities and Specific Duties

• Reviews and analyzes safety inspections reports, identifies accident and injury patterns, compliance issues/concerns, and prepares reports of emerging and existing patterns, trends, and concerns relative to METRO’s Safety Management reporting.
• Responsible for providing quality rail data and metrics for all SMS reporting.
• Rail liaison for Safety Management and ensures Rail division supports a sound safety culture with SMS principles in compliance with METRO’s FTA Safety Management System Program.
• Works with the safety department in developing safety inspection procedures and guidelines.
• Monitors, inspects, evaluates, and reports on Rail maintenance procedures to ensure compliance with METRO standards, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Maintenance Plan.
• Inspects and evaluates the quality of maintenance work and service performed by METRO Rail maintenance staff and contractors to ensure compliance with METRO standards, contract terms, and OEM recommendations.
• Conducts safety and hours of service compliance inspections on Rail Vehicle Maintenance (RVM) personnel and contractors.
• Monitors any new notifications that were created in SAP and verifies inventory levels of required parts.  
• Monitors the Material Availability Report (MAR) to ensure parts needed for SAP notifications are accurate and notifies the LRV Supervisor when parts are available.
• Attends bi-monthly procurement meetings to ensure parts availability.
• Reviews all closed and current Preventive Maintenance Inspection work orders for accuracy, ensures job notes are detailed and provides direct feedback to the LRV Supervisor.
• Reviews fleet campaign tracker for accuracy and ensures the LRV Maintenance Supervisor addresses open items during vehicle inspections. 
• Works closely with the Senior LRV Project Manager to ensure all overhauls and fleet campaigns are closed in a timely manner.  Assists the Senior Project Manager in ordering parts for overhauls and fleet campaigns.
• Ensures the LRV Maintenance Supervisors keep all Weekly Wear Reports updated and wear data is maintained in SAP.
• Conducts QA/QC inspections on all new parts arrivals and works closely with Vendors to address part defects.
• Ensures that all tools and equipment are calibrated in a timely manner.
• Works independently or on a team to investigate, assess, and report on the efficiency and effectiveness of maintenance operations.  Identifies and reports opportunities for operational improvement.  
• Assists Rail Vehicle Maintenance personnel with diagnostic and repair procedures.  Provides training to personnel on procedures and the proper use of equipment.
• Provides excellent customer service to METRO internal and external customers.
• Applies SMS (Safety Management System) methods and principles in daily routine and supports all aspects of the agency’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).
• Promotes safety awareness and follows safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education Requirement

High school diploma or equivalent is required. Associate degree in electrical/electronic technology is preferred. 

Years & Experience Required

Minimum five (5) years of increasingly responsible mechanical, electrical/electronic LRV maintenance and troubleshooting experience is required. Minimum of two (2) years of Light Rail Maintenance Supervisor experience. Experience with reading and interpreting electrical/electronic schematics and wiring diagrams.

Knowledge & Skills Required

Excellent written and verbal communications skills and the ability to write technical reports are required.  Ability to communicate well with management, consultants and engineers to resolve vehicle maintenance issues. Ability to utilize vendor software applications. Knowledge of PC and related software. Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) is preferred.

Additional Information

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas has a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy for all employees. All internal and external applicants will be required to undergo drug testing before employment and will be subject to further drug and/or alcohol testing throughout their employment.

Further, employees who perform safety-sensitive functions will submit to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulatory requirements.

We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information or disability.