Deputy Director of Railroad Capital Planning and Reporting

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Deputy Director of Capital Planning and Reporting reports to the Director of Railroad Capital Planning and Finance. This role is responsible for developing capital plans, monitoring performance against these plans, and managing all reporting processes for Commuter Rail programs and projects within the Railroad Operations department. This role collaborates closely with internal departments and external agencies to ensure comprehensive monitoring and reporting, thereby supporting the effective execution and overall success of Commuter Rail programs and projects.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for supporting the development of capital plans for the Commuter Rail system, including infrastructure, facilities, stations, vehicles, systems, and other related capital assets.
• Oversee the development and management of monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting for all Commuter Rail programs and projects, including reporting on project budgets, forecasted and actual expenditures in relation to the MBTA’s Capital Investment Plan (CIP) and other benchmarks.
• Monitor performance and reporting of capital programs and projects within Railroad Operations, including Engineering, Mechanical, Transportation, Rail Modernization, and other groups.
• Monitor performance against plans and metrics for Keolis and Amtrak production work.
• Develop and manage processes for integrating Commuter Rail capital plans with other internal departmental capital plans and capital plans of other agencies, including MassDOT Rail and Transit, Amtrak, the Northeast Corridor Commission (NECC), FTA, FRA, and other agencies.
• Serve as the primary liaison and point-of-contact for capital planning and reporting functions on the MBTA-owned portion of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) – the South Station Terminal Area and the Providence Line up to Rhode Island – with Amtrak, the NECC, RIDOT, and other agencies.
• Serve as the primary liaison and point-of-contact for NEC planning processes with Amtrak, the NECC, and other agencies on behalf of Railroad Operations and the MBTA, including CONNECT NEC, the NECC’s five-year CIP, quarterly reporting, and associated working groups.
• Identify shared-benefit infrastructure projects eligible for use of Baseline Capital Charges (BCCs), per the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) 2008.
• Monitor the performance in meetings of the MBTA’s commitments to spending BCCs in the South Station Terminal Area and the Providence Line up to Rhode Island.
• Monitor Keolis and Amtrak production metrics for infrastructure maintenance programs throughout the Commuter Rail system and recommend strategies for meeting annual program goals.
• Oversee grant administration functions for existing grants (State, FTA, FTA, etc.) that fund Commuter Rail programs and projects and support discretionary grant programs and prospective funding applications with the Capital Planning team on behalf of Railroad Operations.
• Identify and implement improvements for data accuracy and system functionality. Evaluate and recommend future reporting solutions and dashboards for Commuter Rail programs and projects.
• Develop and maintain reports and dashboards with data visualization systems to monitor financial performance, benchmark costs, and maintain key performance indicators.
• Participate in regular capital program and project review meetings with Capital Planning, Finance, and other internal planning, finance, and reporting departments.
• Support internal groups within the Railroad Operations department, including Transportation, Engineering, Mechanical, PTC, and the Rail Modernization planning team. Also responsible for providing similar support to Ferry Operations, which is part of the Railroad Operations department.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Finance, Engineering, Business, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) years of relevant experience in capital planning, financial planning and analysis, and/or capital program or project management.
• Two (2) years of supervisory, managerial, or leadership experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and familiarity with data visualization tools such as Tableau.
• Strong financial acumen with skills in capital and budget management, as well as data analysis.
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Substitutions Include

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An associate degree from an accredited institution an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• A Master’s degree in Planning, Finance, Engineering, Business, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience in transportation, planning, design, construction, and/or financial sectors.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.

• Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.

• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.

• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.

• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.

• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.

• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.

• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.

• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.

• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or [email protected].

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.

• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.