Railroad Construction Specialist

Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.

We are more than 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

Role description:

Arcadis seeks a Railroad Construction Specialist for our team in Selma, California. In this role, you will be the flagging and Form B point of contact for BNSF, responsible for ensuring safe, compliant, and reliable operations within the entire railroad corridor (CP2-3, CP1, and CP4) during construction activities. This role serves as the dedicated authority overseeing Railroad flagging protection measures, validating field safety controls, and coordinating with both railroad personnel and contractors to maintain a predictable and compliant operating environment. The position plays a critical role in reducing operational risk, preventing safety incidents, and supporting efficient project delivery.

Role accountabilities:

Safety Leadership & Field Oversight

• Ensure proper implementation and validation of all Railroad flagging and safety protection measures within the active railroad corridor.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate field-level hazards associated with construction and train operations.
• Enforce adherence to railroad safety standards, procedures, and required briefings.
• Monitor contractor activities to ensure safe work practices and correct application of railroad rules.
• Perform site walks to review upcoming construction activities and equipment to optimize Form B and flagging protection measures. 

Operational Coordination & Communication

• Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date Form B limits and ensure all changes are promptly communicated.
• Serve as the single, reliable point of coordination among contractors, flaggers, dispatchers, and railroad operations.
• Manage frequent (daily) operational and construction activity changes to reduce confusion and maintain alignment across field teams.
• Provide real-time updates to ensure operational protection remains current and clearly understood.
• Attend regular coordination meetings and site walks with BNSF, and lead Railroad flagging coordination meetings.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with FRA Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) regulations.
• Verify that all contractors receive proper briefings and adhere to BNSF RWP and safety requirements.
• Identify and correct potential compliance gaps to prevent unsafe conditions, near misses, and FRA-reportable incidents.

Scheduling & Resource Planning         

• Establish structured, predictable scheduling for Railroad flagging protection resources.
• Coordinate with operations and construction teams to anticipate protection needs and minimize last‑minute changes.
• Align work windows and protection plans with BNSF operating constraints to avoid unnecessary train delays or disruptions.

Program Impact

• Provide strong oversight to minimize the need for railroad involvement in routine field decisions.
• Enhance communication, improve operational reliability, and support safe execution of construction activities.
• Reduce operational risk and maintain a stable, predictable work environment throughout the project lifecycle.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Construction Management, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in railroad or heavy civil construction.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working on High-Speed Rail projects.
• Knowledge of FRA regulations and rail system operations. 
• A strong understanding of Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) and track protection. 
• Experience working in a public agency or large, multi-contractor environment. 

Why Arcadis?

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