Rail Maintenance Of Way Maintainer, Signal Maintainer

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department

Salary: $29.71 - $42.70 Commensurate with Experience

Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service.

 

This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region.

 

Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs.

 

The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

SUMMARY

The Rail MOW Maintainer (Signals), under minimal supervision will perform complex and specialized troubleshooting (both electrical and mechanical), preventative and corrective maintenance, and overhauls of rail transit equipment and associated sub-systems.This equipment includes, but is not limited to, train to wayside communications, vital controllers, automatic train protection, vital track circuits, rail switch machines, grade crossing equipment, signals. The Rail MOW Maintainer (Signals) will be responsible for inspecting and assuring that all equipment is working as designed.This position requires the ability to perform testing and troubleshooting of specialized electrical and electro-mechanical equipment down to the lowest replaceable unit. The Rail MOW Maintainer (Signals) will provide emergency response and will be called upon to provide support for other areas in regard to light rail service, special events, streetcar, public safety/service and other duties as assigned. Must be available to work irregular hours and shifts depending upon the needs of CATS. Must be available to respond to emergencies on a 24 hour, 7 days a week basis.Employees must maintain flexible availability to cover a range of shifts including holidays, nights, and weekends, during both their training period and when assigned to permanent shifts.Special Pay:This position is eligible for a shift differential. Employees regularly assigned to 2nd or 3rd shifts will be eligible to receive a 2.5% premium added to their base weekly pay. This position is a CDL eligible position. Employees working in a CDL eligible position with a valid Commercial Driver's License are eligible to receive a 2.5% premium added to their base weekly pay.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide safe and reliable signaling equipment for daily revenue service

• Responds to rail system incidents and works to mitigate service delays and/or recover from any equipment failures

• Take action needed to restore revenue service

• Follows and adheres to all Maintenance of Way standards, policies and procedures applicable to the day-to-day operations of revenue service

• Complies with and enforces all safety regulations set forth by CATS, FRA, OSHA, IEEE, FTA, and NCDOT

• Prepares reports and correspondence as it relates to various maintenance and inspections. Assist in generating comprehensive operational and maintenance procedures that ensure safety to employees and equipment

• Utilizes computer-based maintenance and material management system

• Work cohesively with CATS and other City departments, as well as external contractors and utility companies

• Directly support continuous implementation and compliance of the North Carolina

• Department of Transportation (NCDOT) State Safety Oversight Program Standards (SSOPS) and

• Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations 49 CFR Part 673 and 672 related to the Safety Management Syste