Railway Engineering Specialist

Role Responsibilities

The Government of Alberta, on behalf of Albertans, is exploring passenger rail in the province through the development of a Passenger Rail Master Plan. In July 2023, Premier Danielle Smith tasked Minister Dreeshen of Transportation and Economic Corridors with exploring passenger rail in Alberta. Work on this mandate will enhance the province’s transportation network and ensure a more safe and efficient transportation system in Alberta. 

Alberta’s government recognizes the importance of passenger rail for the future of a rapidly growing province and looks forward to charting the path forward for passenger rail in Alberta, assessing feasibility and governance considerations, and hearing Albertan’s perspectives on passenger rail. 

Come be a part of the team that takes this work forward!

Railway Engineering Specialist

As the Railway Engineering Specialist, you will focus on the technical and engineering aspects of passenger and freight rail projects. Reporting to the Director, Passenger Rail, you will provide technical advice and project management support for evaluating and implementing rail infrastructure, including the interaction of railways with provincial highways. You will also lead the development of engineering specifications, construction standards, and operational policies to ensure the safety and efficiency of Alberta’s rail network.

Your responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Assisting the Director, Passenger Rail in integrating passenger rail services into Alberta’s multi-modal transportation system.
• Leading the development of standards, guidelines, and policies for safe and efficient interactions between Class 1 railways and provincial highways.
• Reviewing railway engineering designs and providing expertise during construction and operation of railway projects and crossings.
• Managing the department's mandated signal, signing, and other warning systems or devices at railway crossings.

Rail Planning Specialist

As the Rail Planning Specialist, you will focus on urban and transportation planning to integrate passenger rail into Alberta’s multi-modal transportation system. Reporting to the Director, Passenger Rail, you will provide planning advice on feasibility assessments, corridor development, and station integration with municipal transit systems and airports. You will also collaborate with stakeholders to promote transit-oriented development (TOD) and optimize land use adjacent to passenger rail stations.

Your responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Planning passenger rail services and ensuring seamless integration with existing transit systems and airports.
• Developing policies and guidelines for station planning, TOD, and land use adjacent to rail corridors.
• Providing technical advice on station locations, parking, and multimodal interactions.
• Collaborating with municipalities, airport authorities, and private sector stakeholders on planning agreements.
• Resolving conflicts between municipal, provincial, and federal priorities in rail planning projects.

Role responsibilities cont.

To be successful in either of these positions, you will demonstrate:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills including experience in making presentations to executive management, elected officials, and the public.
• Exceptional personal interactive skills; the capability to work well with people from many different disciplines with varying degrees of technical experience; competence in clear, concise and tactful communication with senior management, clients, peers and staff.
• Strategic, conceptual analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Adaptability and flexibility including the ability to manage deadline pressure, ambiguity and change.
• Negotiating skills within a context of political sensitivity and conflicting interests.

Please click on this link to view the Railway Engineering Specialist job description.
To review the Rail Planning Specialist job description, please click on this link.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf
 

Qualifications

Required:

• A related university degree (e.g., Engineering), supplemented by at least 10 years of related experience with construction or civil engineering
• Registered or eligible to register as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with APEGA.

Assets:

• Experience in the operations, construction, and planning of railways, crossings and new railway (light and/or heavy rail) design and/or construction projects.
• Experience with complex heavy rail and light rail transit projects.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.
 

Notes

Additional Position Details:

• We have two full-time roles with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday (8:15 am – 4:30 pm). 
• Location: Twin Atria Building, 4999 98 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6B 2X3
• The successful candidate will have the option to choose between a contract or permanent salaried position. Below are the benefits for each employment type:
  • Contract-based Employment
    • Duration: Up to 3 years
    • Salary: A term contract can be considered with a 25% modifier in lieu of benefits and pension the salary would be $4,661.88 - $6,188.09 bi-weekly ($121,675 - $161,509 / year).
    • Eligible for paid statutory holidays; Christmas closure; and illness, vacation, special, and parental leave provisions.
    • Not eligible for pension plan participation, long-term disability, first year vacation grant.
    • Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
    • Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
  • Permanent Salaried Employment
    • Salary range: $3,729.50 - $4,950.47 bi-weekly ($97,339 - $129,207 / year)
    • Eligible for 1st Choice benefits, leave entitlements, pension participation, vacation accrual, first year vacation grant, paid statutory holidays, Christmas closure, and long-term disability.
    • Professional learning and development – https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
    • Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
    • Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
    • Leadership and mentorship programs

Recruitment Process:

• Pre-Employment checks will be conducted to assess candidates’ suitability. These checks may include (but are not limited to): references, criminal record check, academic verification, etc.
• Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 
• Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.