Raildroad Operations Manager - The Henry Ford

Posted on 3/12/2023

Location: Dearborn, MI  Position: Full – Time Department: Facilities Salary: $75-79k

Job Description:

The Henry Ford is a nonprofit organization, an internationally recognized cultural destination, and a one-of-a-kind workplace. Our team is inspired daily by one another as well as the authentic stories of innovation that we share across our four venues. We want you to be a part of this legacy and take it forward.

We are currently accepting Railroad Operations Manager applications. This critical role is responsible for the oversight, documentation, safe operation and historically appropriate maintenance of operational locomotives, as well as assigned collections and machinery. In this position, you are the resident expert and will provide technical expertise and knowledge of historical machinery to other departments. You will manage the maintenance and restoration work on locomotives and assigned collections in a manner consistent with proper/current conservation techniques and insures the long-term preservation and operation of the railroad collections. Reports to Senior Director, Facilities Management.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provides machinery for daily visitor programming by overseeing the operation of functional railroad collections and assigned historical machinery.

• Inspects, diagnoses, facilitates and schedules the maintenance, repair and restoration of all mechanical systems for locomotives as well as assigned collections and machinery.

• Organizes, schedules and oversees maintenance, repairs, inspection and operation of locomotives and machinery.

• Insures safe and legal operation of locomotives, rolling stock and stationary operations by providing training and supervision of staff. Works with the Director of Human Resources to develop and implement railroad safety policies and procedures including OSHA lockout, confined spaces and machine guards.

• Utilizes technical knowledge to assess feasibility of using machinery in programming, exhibition, loans and marketing displays.

• Oversees safety procedures related to the shop, stationery and railroad operations.

• Procures materials and services as needed; authorizes and monitors expenditures.

• Supervises and trains staff. Conducts interviews and hires full and part-time personnel, including volunteers and mentor students.

• Researches and analyzes new and historical restoration and maintenance techniques.

• Provides mechanical design and analysis for both replacement and new parts. Provides engineering drawings for internal and external use. Maintains records related to the maintenance, safety inspections and modification of locomotives as well as assigned collections and machinery.

• Develops outside contacts and potential sources of funding for railroad related projects in conjunction with the Development Office.

• Contributes to the effective team management of all problems.

• Acts as a team player and provides expertise within the team and with other teams as appropriate.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Your Qualifications

• College degree or trade school equivalent

• 3rd class stationary engineer license

• 5 years supervisory experience

• Comprehensive knowledge of machine tool processes, materials and metal forming processes, railroad rolling stock inspection, air brake operation, boiler construction and operation, railroad safety and emergency procedures relating to moving equipment, locomotives and stationary boilers.

• Experience conducting maintenance, repair and inspection of the following: rolling stock, boilers, railroad tracks, railroad switches, diesel locomotives and their systems.

Preferred Qualifications & Special Skills

• Good oral and written communication skills, self-starter

• Knowledge of parts manufacturing and machining

• Knowledge of procedures for rigging/moving of large, heavy objects

• Knowledge of general railroad operations and rules

• Ability to read three-view print and perform the layout of parts to be machined

• Ability to operate gas-mechanical, diesel-electric and electric machinery.

Work is conducted in a shop environment and outdoors in all weather. Indoor environment includes:

smoke, exhaust, dust, dirt, loud noises, grease, chemical/process fumes and temperature

fluctuations. Some tasks are performed outdoors in all seasons and in all weather.

Occasional lifting, carrying and pushing up to 50 lbs.

This job description is subject to change at any time.

It is the policy of The Henry Ford to prohibit discrimination in any employment, donor or volunteering opportunity (including but not limited to recruitment, hire, employment, program participation, promotion, salary, benefits, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment or service as a volunteer) based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, genetic information, pregnancy, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical/mental disability. Marital/domestic partner status, military and veteran status, height, weight or any other such characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. This Policy applies to all of our employees, donors and volunteers to ensure that they are treated without discrimination.