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General Description
To schedule the movement of trains to provide for safe meets and passes; issue Mandatory Directives affecting, directing, and authorizing the movement of trains and maintenance personnel. Manage unexpected events and emergency situations to protect the public, railroad employees and property; arrange for the use of track by maintenance employees to permit timely maintenance while minimizing train delay and providing protection.
This is a training position. Training will be primarily on-the-job with experienced Train Dispatchers. Upon completion of the training, a written and verbal examination will be given by an ARRC panel to determine skill, knowledge, and application of Rules and Regulations acquired during the training program. Upon completion of the Training Program, employees will be able to perform the major duties and responsibilities cited below.
Experienced Train Dispatchers may have all, or portions of the training requirements waived based on experience and written and verbal examination results.
Examples of Duties
Responsible for the safe and prompt movement of all trains, railcars, cranes, ditchers, and other assorted track equipment. Issues track warrants, directing and authorizing the movement of trains and maintenance personnel. Must be able to calculate running times for trains. Provides direction and instructions to train crews, track car operators, and other track equipment operators in order to effectively expedite the movement of traffic and ensure the safe operation of the railroad. Provides station employees with pertinent information relative to train operations. Maintains various records, Event Reports, and notifications. Responsible for planning and establishing call times for trains and crews. Issues appropriate instructions to crew dispatch, terminal employees, and/or Terminal Supervisors, etc. Operates a computer-aided dispatching system, a personal computer, radio controller, and telephone to transmit instructions and information to train crews and other employees. Responsible for accurate record keeping of train delays, mainline work windows, unusual events, and miscellaneous administrative work as may be delegated by the Chief Train Dispatcher. Train Dispatchers are the first point of contact for all reports of incidents, accidents and emergencies, including but not limited to derailments, spills, weather related events, and earthquakes and must take immediate and appropriate action to ensure the safety and well-being of employees, passengers, the public, and ARRC equipment and property.
Coordinates train movement by making plans for trains to meet or pass in a manner consistent with railroad rules of operations. Makes decisions based on schedules assigned to meet customers' needs. Records train time logs and delay reports. Prioritizes maintenance work windows and on time train departures and arrivals.
Schedules and assigns initial, replacement, or emergency crews to trains depending on available work time of individual crews and purpose of the trip.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Factor 1 – Skill and Knowledge
Must have sufficient skills, knowledge, and abilities in the following elements: (a) ability to make sound judgments and decisions; (b) ability to meet deadlines; (c) ability to work under pressure in stressful conditions; (d) ability to verbally communicate effectively; (e) knowledge of collective bargaining agreements; (f) clear and precise writing skills; (g) strong analytical skills; (h) ability to establish priorities; (i) knowledge of Railroad Operating Rules; (j) reliability and dependability; (k) ability to supervise or lead; (l) ability to follow verbal and written instructions; and (m) ability to type and use a computer. Experience in Word, Excel and Outlook is preferred. Must be able to follow written and oral instructions and be capable of working with a high degree of independence. Must be adaptable and able to evaluate changing situations and establish priorities based on available information. Must be able to work under pressure and meet critical deadlines. Must have strong interpersonal skills, be able to speak clearly, read and understand operating and safety rules, exercise good judgment, analyze problems and take corrective action. Must be able to communicate clearly and tactfully with internal and external customers. Must have a strong aptitude for utilizing information systems and thrive in a fast-paced work environment with changing priorities. Must be able to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. Must be able to identify and distinguish colors displayed on a video monitor and video display in order to read track labels, switch indicator lights and other safety sensitive indications.
Factor 2 – Responsibilities
Guidelines are established by Department of Transportation (DOT), FRA, ARRC Orders, various tariffs, Association of American Railroads Rules, and ARRC Operating Circulars. When no guidelines have been established, incumbent must establish appropriate guidelines.
Factor 3 - Physical Effort
Work performed is primarily sedentary in nature. At times, incumbent may encounter periods of intense stress. Work is frequently performed in a solitary environment and incumbent must be capable of remaining alert and attentive for long periods of time. Must be capable of light lifting and carrying up to 15 pounds, and must have dexterity in both hands to be able to operate a computer keyboard.
Factor 4 - Work Environment
Work is performed in a 24/7 office environment (sometimes with high levels of stress) working weekends, nights, and all holidays.
Train Dispatcher job assignments are seniority based and subject to change seasonally due to staffing levels or the needs of the business. Train Dispatchers may be on an "extra board".
Extra Board positions have no structured days off. All positions are subject to Hours of Service and require 15 hours of rest between each shift worked under 9 hours. Work schedules can be irregular.
The State of Alaska DMV Driving Records are available online: https://online.dmv.alaska.gov/onlinedrivingrecords
Please be sure to include any REQUIRED AND DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS in your APPLICANT PROFILE. If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment and whether full- or part-time. Your application will be closely reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant will not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.
NOTE: This is a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) covered position. FRA covered employees are those employees who have been assigned to perform service subject to the Hours of Service Act (HOSA) and are therefore subject to the random pool for monthly drug and alcohol testing.
Note: Applicants should consider the long-term effect of the above lifestyle on their personal and/or domestic life.
For applicant password assistance please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/js_lostpswd.cfm?&topheader=alaska
Alaska Railroad Corporation Benefits
The following briefly describes the main benefits available to regular employees of the Alaska Railroad Corporation. Actual benefits differ by bargaining unit.
Retirement Plans
ARRC Pension Plan – Participation is mandatory. You are automatically enrolled in the Plan when you meet the eligibility requirement of your bargaining unit. Employees contribute 9% of their Earnings on a pre-tax basis. The Railroad is exempt from participation in Social Security; however, Medicare Tax is withheld. Participants vest with 5 years of eligible Vesting Service which entitles one to receive a pension benefit at retirement age.
Tier 2 Description (Employees hired after July 1, 2015)
Normal Retirement Age is age 65, however, the plan allows one to retire as early as age 60. The formula for a monthly Normal Retirement Benefits is 2% x Final Average Earnings x all Credited Service.
Early retirement, survivor and disability benefits are available for vested participants.
401(k) Tax Deferred Savings Plan – Participation is optional. You may enroll once you meet the eligibility requirement of your bargaining unit. Depending on the bargaining unit, there may be an employer match.
457 Deferred Compensation Plan – Participation is optional for non-represented employees.
Insurance and Flexible Spending Plans
All plans are optional except the RR Dental Plan for bargaining unit employees.
Health Insurance Plan
A comprehensive health insurance plan, self-insured by the ARRC and administered by Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska. Coverage is also available for the employee’s spouse and dependent children. ARRC and the participant share the premium cost. Bargaining unit employees are Eligibility after 90 days, and non-represented employees are eligible as of the date of hire.
The Railroad offers a Prefered Provider Organization plan (PPO Blue Essentials) and a Consumer Directed Healthcare Plan with a Health Saving Account (Gold Essentials). The Plans have the following features.
The Railroad also offers two dental plans.
The Railroad National Dental for repersneted employees
The Alaska Railroad Optional Dental Plan for both represented and non-represented employees.
Paid Leave & Holidays
Vacation Leave –accrual per bi-weekly pay period:
Represented Employees
0-3 Years of Service = 4 Hours
>3-15 Years of Service = 6 Hours
>15 Years of Service = 8 Hours
Non-Represented Employees
0-3 Years of Service = 6 Hours
>3-15 Years of Service = 8 Hours
>15 Years of Service = 10 Hours
Sick Leave: accrues at 4 hours (Represented) or 2 hours (Non-Represented) per pay period.
10 Paid holidays
For additional information regarding these benefits, please go to www.alaskarailroad.com
