Job Description

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System DepartmentSalary: $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.

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 System (SMS) and the CATS Agency Safety Plan (ASP). Support Safety performance goals of CATS

• As part of your responsibility to support the CATS Safety Culture, report safety concerns and issues through the various methods established by CATS as outlined in the ASP

• Advocate and promote a strong safety culture within CATS with regard to transportation services, capital programs, facility operations and maintenance, worksite procedures, employees, and customers following SMS and ASP. Participate in internal and external ASP audits

• Encourage employees to proactively support and report safety concerns following the CATS Safety Reporting options as described in your training and in the ASP

• All other job-related duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to repair and maintain complex digital, electrical, electronic, and electro-mechanical systems and their components

• Must have the ability to communicate effectively and orally and in writing.

• Must have the ability to document work on logs, spreadsheets, documents and forms as well as utilizing computerized maintenance terminals, personal, laptop and handheld computers. Must be computer literate and have the ability to adapt to the use and understanding of existing software and future upgrades.

• Must be able to troubleshoot to the lowest replaceable component.

• Must have the ability to capably use all tools of the trade as well as standard shop equipment. Must successfully complete all training assignments and maintain qualifications where required.

• Ability to lift and carry at least 50 lbs.-100 lbs.

• Ability to sit, bend, twist, reach, kneel, and crouch for an extended period of

• Ability to work at and above shoulder level with or without the use of a ladder

• Must be able to work in all required Personal Protective Equipment and Safety gear

• Must be able to pass a written test to demonstrate knowledge in regards to areas related to the Signals position

Preferred Qualification:

• Associates degree or certification in electrical engineering or electrical technology. 5 years of relevant experience in light rail, transit, or class 1 rail signaling systems

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED

• 3 years of relevant work experience in electrical and/or electronics, light rail, transit, or class 1 rail signaling systems

• Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Class B

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a City Driving Permit

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 Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us

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.