Rail Controller

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department

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 Controller is responsible for the real-time control and coordination of rail operations from the Rail Control Center to support safe, reliable, and efficient service delivery. Reporting to the Manager of Rail Control Center, this position monitors rail operations, directs train movements and related operational activity, manages communications with operators and field personnel, and helps maintain orderly response to service disruptions, abnormal conditions, and on-track activity.

This role performs safety-critical operational control duties within an established rules, procedures, and communications framework. The Rail Controller is responsible for applying operating rules, standard operating procedures, and control center protocols to regulate service, protect personnel and equipment, support incident response, and minimize service disruption. The position also maintains required operational logs, reports, and system documentation and helps ensure that control center information is timely, accurate, and actionable.

The Rail Controller works in a fast-paced, 24/7 operating environment that requires sustained attention, sound judgment, calm communication, and the ability to manage multiple operating conditions at once. This position plays a central role in maintaining safe train movement, supporting service recovery, and coordinating with transportation, maintenance, field supervision, safety, and other operational partners.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Real-Time Rail Operations Control

- Monitor and control rail operations from the Rail Control Center in accordance with established operating rules, procedures, and service priorities.
- Direct train movements and other authorized operating activity to support safe, reliable, and efficient rail service.
- Regulate service and help manage headways, spacing, operating adjustments, and other real-time control actions needed to maintain service.
- Monitor normal and abnormal operating conditions and respond appropriately within the authority and procedures of the role.
- Support safe coordination of mainline, yard, test, training, or other non-routine rail movements as assigned.

Communications and Operational Coordination

- Maintain clear, timely, and professional radio, phone, and system communications with rail operators, field supervision, maintenance personnel, and other operational partners.
- Communicate movement instructions, service changes, restrictions, outages, and other operating information accurately and in accordance with required protocols.
- Coordinate with other departments and field personnel regarding operating conditions, work activity, service impacts, and response actions.
- Escalate significant incidents, safety concerns, or service disruptions to Lead Rail Controllers or management as appropriate.
- Help ensure continuity and accuracy of communication during routine operations, service disruptions, and emergencies.

Incident Response and Service Recovery

- Respond to delays, disruptions, alarms, incidents, and abnormal operating conditions by following established procedures and supporting service recovery efforts.
- Assist in coordinating operational response to service interruptions, work zones, power issues, equipment conditions, and other events affecting rail service.
- Support the protection of employees, contractors, equipment, and passengers during abnormal conditions and emergency situations.
- Implement or support service adjustments as directed or permitted under established procedures.
- Help restore service in a timely and coordinated manner while maintaining safety and operational control.

Power, Systems, and Work Zone Coordination

- Monitor and operate assigned control systems, including traction power, signal, switch, communications, or related rail control technologies, in accordance with established procedures and authorization limits.
- Support coordination of work windows, track access, protective procedures, power outages, and other activities affecting rail right-of-way or operating conditions.
- Help ensure protection is established and maintained for authorized on-track work and other operationally sensitive activity.
- Interpret system alarms, status indications, and operational messages and respond or escalate appropriately.
- Support testing, commissioning, or special operating activity as assigned and authorized.

Documentation and Operational Reporting

- Maintain accurate, timely, and complete logs, forms, incident entries, and other required control center documentation.
- Record service disruptions, operating actions, communications, and other events in accordance with agency requirements.
- Review and update status information, operating records, and control system entries as needed during the shift.
- Provide clear turnover information to incoming staff and support continuity between shifts.
- Assist with reporting and documentation needed for incident review, audits, or operational follow-up.

Compliance and Professional Conduct

- Perform duties in accordance with agency operating rules, standard operating procedures, safety requirements, and control center protocols.
- Support the agency’s safety culture by identifying and reporting hazards, incidents, near misses, or operational concerns through appropriate channels.
- Maintain professionalism, attentiveness, and disciplined execution in a safety-sensitive operating environment.
- Participate in required training, requalification, drills, briefings, and other readiness activities.

- Perform other related duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Real-Time Operational Control – Ability to monitor rail operations, manage train movement activity, and apply procedures in real time to support safe and reliable service.

- Maintains awareness of current operating conditions and priorities.
- Applies rules and procedures accurately in a fast-moving environment.
- Supports safe and effective control of service during routine and changing conditions.

Communication and Coordination – Ability to communicate clearly and coordinate effectively with operators, field personnel, maintenance, and other operational partners.

- Delivers accurate information using required communication protocols.
- Supports coordinated action during both normal and disrupted operations.
- Maintains professionalism and clarity under pressure.

Judgment and Situational Awareness – Ability to recognize changing conditions, identify potential risk, and respond appropriately within established authority and procedures.

- Stays alert to multiple system conditions and competing demands.
- Recognizes when escalation or additional support is needed.
- Exercises sound judgment in time-sensitive situations.

Rules Compliance and Operational Discipline – Ability to perform control center duties consistently in accordance with rules, procedures, and safety expectations.

- Follows established control processes and communication requirements.
- Maintains accuracy and consistency in operating actions and documentation.
- Supports a disciplined and accountable control center environment.

Incident Response and Recovery Support – Ability to respond effectively to delays, disruptions, and abnormal events while helping maintain safety and restore service.

- Responds calmly and effectively to service interruptions and operational issues.
- Supports timely coordination of recovery actions.
- Maintains focus on safety and continuity of service during abnormal events.

Attention to Detail – Ability to maintain accurate logs, monitor system information carefully, and carry out control responsibilities with consistency and precision.

- Notices important operational details and system changes.
- Maintains complete and accurate records during the shift.

- Follows through on required communication, documentation, and handoff tasks.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

- Rail operating rules, standard operating procedures, communication protocols, and on-track safety requirements.
- Principles of train movement, service regulation, headway management, and real-time operations control.
- Control center systems and tools, including radio systems, SCADA, CAD/AVL, CCTV, and related technologies.
- Incident response procedures, service recovery practices, and emergency communication protocols.
- Documentation requirements, logging practices, and operational reporting standards in a control center environment.

Skill in:

- Monitoring and controlling real-time rail operations while maintaining awareness of multiple conditions simultaneously.
- Interpreting system data, alarms, status indications, and operational messages and taking appropriate action.
- Communicating clearly, concisely, and accurately using radio, phone, and system-based communication tools.
- Applying rules, procedures, and checklists consistently in time-sensitive and safety-critical situations.
- Managing competing priorities, making timely decisions, and supporting coordinated operational response.
- Maintaining accurate logs, reports, and documentation under real-time operating conditions.

Ability to:

- Exercise sound judgment within defined authority in a fast-paced, safety-sensitive environment.
- Maintain focus, accuracy, and situational awareness over extended periods of high concentration.
- Respond effectively to disruptions, delays, and abnormal conditions while maintaining safe operations.
- Coordinate with operators, field personnel, maintenance, and other stakeholders to support service delivery.
- Recognize when escalation is required and communicate issues appropriately to Leads or management.
- Adapt to changing operational conditions and support both routine and emergency response activities.

Salary: $77,358.00 - $96,697.00 Commensurate with experience

Minimum Qualifications

- High school diploma or GED.
- Two (2) years of experience in rail operations, dispatch, transportation operations, emergency communications, military command-and-control operations, or another closely related real-time operating environment.
- Experience working with radio or other time-sensitive operational communications systems.
- Ability to learn, apply, and maintain required qualification in operating rules, procedures, and other job-related safety requirements.
- Ability to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and emergencies as operational needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in a rail transit control center, rail dispatch environment, or comparable transportation operations control setting.
- Experience using operational monitoring or control systems such as SCADA, CAD/AVL, CCTV, dispatch tools, or similar technologies.
- Experience working in a safety-sensitive 24/7 operating environment with responsibility for real-time decision-making.

Working Environment and Physical Demands

- Works primarily in a Rail Control Center or similar operations control environment with continuous use of computers, monitors, radios, phones, system displays, and related operating tools.
- Works in a fast-paced, safety-sensitive environment requiring sustained concentration, rapid information processing, and clear communication during both routine and disrupted operations.
- May be required to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, or emergency call-ins in support of 24/7 rail operations.
- Involves extended periods of sitting, monitoring screens, speaking on communications systems, and completing logs or reports with accuracy and attention to detail.
- May occasionally visit rail facilities, yards, stations, or other operational locations and may be exposed to varying noise levels, weather conditions, and transit operating environments during those visits.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email [email protected]

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click  here  to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.