Senior Officer, Public Works

Job Summary

The Senior Officer, Public Works acts as railway liaison between municipalities, road authorities, Federal and State agencies, industry, and general applicants responding to applications, requests, and concerns. The role requires to actively negotiate and prepare agreements for construction and maintenance of associated projects. Acting as a railway authority with governing authorities, the incumbent must be available for general meetings, inspections and respond to official notices and general concerns. Furthermore, the role acts as the lead CN contact for Public Works within the region. The position provides support and direction on regulatory matters to internal and external parties and ensures crossing compliance by means of the survey, inspection, crossing program management, follow-up reporting and organize the mitigation efforts.

Main Responsibilities

Railway Liaison

• Draft, review and provide content for correspondence to both internal and external stakeholders (e.g., letter, notices, agreements, contracts) and implement changes
• Act as a resource to teams and provide guidance on responses
• Act as prime contact for Public Affairs and Federal/State/local Agencies for regional issues
• Coordinate with Road Authorities to modify public crossings
• Work with the external parties as CN's main point of contact to establish a plan
• Handle and supervise right of entry permit applications from third parties or contractors working on CN property
• Handle and supervise all public and private crossing, quiet zones, and trespassing issues
• Collaborate with municipalities to implement a solution to cease trespassing issues

Public Works Regulatory Support

• Oversee funding programs, including recoverable crossing program and other tasks
• Provide quality control for assignments
• Review and coordinate approvals of the Manager, Public Works (MPW)
• Lead coordination with other CN resources such as Track, Signals and Communication, Bridges and Structures as well as Flagging for regional items
• Work with Manager, Public Works to manage projects internally, or retain services of consultants
• Coordinate accounting requirements for CN's capital, operating or recoverable projects
• Support MPW in day-to-day operations and vacation relief

Safety Crossing Compliance

• Ensure compliance of new and modified crossings and maintain inventory of all crossings, both at-grade and separated, on public and private roads for the territory.
• Manage project origination of crossing installations and improvements, including the submissions of estimates, agreements, and billing.
• Follow up with CN Engineering Supervisors to update files and records
• Act as the CN representative with Federal/State/local Agencies to improve railway and public safety

Working Conditions

The role has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday and is partially performed outdoors in various types of weather and environmental conditions. The role requires regular travel (up to 50%) to field and construction sites as well as attending third-party offices. The role requires being available on-call 24/7 to respond to critical incidences.

Requirements

Experience

• Minimum 5 years experience in railroad industry, engineering function preferred.

Education/Certification/Designation

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology, or equivalent
Any experience for these above would be considered as an asset

Competencies

• Demonstrates agility and drives change
• Innovates
• Sets direction and inspires others
• Communicates with impact
• Collaborates with others and shares information
• Solves problems to create value
• Develops self and others
• Leads by example for the safety and security of all
• Considers ESG principles in all operations

Technical Skills/Knowledge

• Knowledge of track design, material, and construction practices
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint)
• Basic engineering knowledge including reading and reviewing plans
• Knowledge of railroads, their regulations and operating rules as well as an understanding of third party's requirements within CN
• Knowledge of CN's practices for internal approvals, accounting, and funding requirements

About CN

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the Southern tip of the U.S. through a 19,500 mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. At CN, we work as ONE TEAM, focused on safety, sustainability and our customers, providing operational and supply chain excellence to deliver results.