Chief Transportation Officer
Job ID: 15658
Business Unit: Long Island Rail Road
Location: Jamaica, NY, United States
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Department: Chief Transportation Officer
Date Posted: May 5, 2026
Description
Job Title: Chief Transportation Officer
Department: Transportation Services
MTA Agency: LIRR
Primary Location(s): Various
Salary Range/Additional Compensation Details: $200,563 - $238,000
Regulated/ Safety Sensitive: Safety Sensitive
Union Affiliation: N/A
Closing Date (if applicable): Open Until Filled
Shift (if applicable):
Other:
About your agency:
Chartered in 1834, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is the largest, busiest, and oldest continuously operating commuter railroad in the United States. In 2024, this 24/7/365 operation served 75.5 million riders on a system that stretches nearly 120 miles - from Penn Station and Grand Central Madison in Manhattan to Montauk on the eastern tip of Long Island.
JOB SUMMARY :
The Chief Transportation Officer is accountable for organizing and directing the operation of all trains and equipment, assuring efficient and responsive service in a safe, cost effective manner for passenger operations. This position must coordinate planning with MTA Construction & Development, all LIRR Operating Departments and other agencies in order to maintain train service with minimal impact to customers during all planned & unplanned events, service disruptions, and projects. This position oversees all activities of the LIRR's Transportation Department and must closely coordinate with all the LIRR's departments (e.g. Maintenance of Equipment, Engineering, Stations, Safety, Service Planning, Marketing & Customer Communications Public Affairs).
This position interacts with multiple labor unions while ensuring safe and efficient operation of all train movement on a 24/7/365 basis.
This position is considered a policy making position under the Public Officer's Law and must comply with all the rules and regulations in the Public Officer's Law.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :
Ensure safe and efficient operation of all train movement. Promote safe work practices and conditions for employees and customers while achieving established corporate goals.
Direct, oversee and approve department training & employee observation plans to ensure adherence to all FRA standards and regulations including CFR217/218.
Ensure a safe working environment and adherence to guidelines of company safety policies and procedures. Lead by example.
The incumbent must be responsive to emergency situations that arise and be able to make immediate decisions in response to unexpected events that will impact LIRR ridership.
Oversee the coordination between all Operating Departments and MTA Construction &
Development to ensure that all planning activities that effect train operations are fully coordinated and consistent with corporate direction, with minimal impact to customers.
Provide positive relations with all represented employees to guarantee continuous high-quality labor in the Transportation Department and act as department official in appeal hearings.
Interact and coordinate with multiple unions, including (SMART) Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation Workers, (BLET) Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and (TCU) Transportation Communications Union, with several locals representing the majority of the represented employees in the Transportation Department.
Safeguard placement of all crews and equipment to provide for adherence to timetables.
Ensure crew placement optimizes the operation's ability to meet all passenger and freight train movements, special services, marketing events & cleaning requirements.
Acts as the overall financial fiduciary responsible for the departments $450M annual budget.
Provide oversite and direction to staff in the development of periodic Budget forecasts, monthly analysis, and overtime task force reports. Implement changes to financial plans where warranted.
Oversee development of the Annual (5-year) budget for Transportation Services.
This position will direct and oversee the development of strategies and analysis to mitigate Fare Collection Loss (approx. $13M per year Onboard sales), and non-compliances in MTA Audit On-Board Operations Reports and Internal On-Board Inspections.
Oversee and provide direction in the development of analysis that evaluate staffing levels and detect changes in staffing needs.
Provide direction and guidance towards the development of internal controls to ensure compliance with Federal/State regulations, corporate policies and procedures.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :
Bachelor's Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in Management, Business, Transportation Planning, Engineering, or related field. Demonstrated, directly related, equivalent experience and education may be considered in lieu of the degree.
Minimum 15 years of extensive railroad operations experience, including proven senior-level line management experience.
Must be fully qualified on the operating rules and physical characteristics of the LIRR, including Amtrak Zone A. Qualified on all LIRR equipment, air brake systems and troubleshooting procedures.
Must hold a valid Driver's License.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Must possess excellent leadership and management skills, a sophisticated understanding of situational awareness and emotional intelligence.
Must possess sound understanding of scheduling, train movement, operating rules and physical characteristics, federal and state rules and regulations, labor agreements and management concepts and principles.
Must be a competent, mature leader who will develop the capabilities of the department's personnel.
The position is one with high visibility; and as such, must be able to handle corporate criticism regarding the LIRR's operation and customer service.
Must have a complete understanding of the LIRR system operation.
Must possess superior communication, problem solving, analytical and judgment skills, with the ability to make timely and effective decisions in a stressful or emergency environment.
Must possess excellent long- and short-range planning skills.
Must be politically sensitive and possess the ability to effectively work with all departments Company wide, other MTA agencies and the public.
Must have demonstrated Safe working practices and environments to employees and customers.
Must possess a background of managing a large workforce with multiple Union crafts and handling labor relations issues.
Must be available consistent with a 24-hour, 7-day job environment and operational requirements.
Must possess background of budget experience in working with departmental staffing.
Must possess experience in providing briefings to SVPO, President, other MTA agencies and other departments company-wide on a variety of departmental topics when called upon.
Fully qualified on the operating rules and physical characteristics of the LIRR, including Amtrak Zone A. Qualified on all LIRR equipment, air brake systems and troubleshooting procedures.
Strong operating background, including familiarity with FRA Regulations for Train, Track and Equipment Operations, a working knowledge of crew and equipment manipulation.
Familiarity with Terminal Emergency Action Plans and other contingencies.
BENEFITS:
Commuting Assistance - based on operating MTA agency (complimentary transportation pass within the MTA's jurisdiction and tax-advantaged accounts)
Low Premium - High Quality Health Insurance Plans (lifetime coverage for eligible retirees and their dependents)
Pension plans and retirement savings accounts for eligible employees
Generous Paid Time Off and Holidays provided.
Tuition Reimbursement for eligible employees
Employee Assistance Programs
MTA Exclusive Employee Discount Programs
Work Life Services team and Office of the Chaplains unit
Employee Resource Groups
Layout 1 (mta.info) (https://new.mta.info/document/4631)
OTHER INFORMATION:
Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the "Commission").
Actual salary offers may vary based on individual work experience. The annual salary range is subject to change and may be modified at the company's discretion.
Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MTA drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.
Current employees must be in their current position for the 12 months immediately preceding the close date of this posting and must possess a satisfactory work history, including attendance and discipline record.
Candidates selected for this position may be placed in a competitive or non-competitive class position based on their qualifications. Qualified candidates who are placed in a competitive class position are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate in your cover letter and in the upper right corner of your resume that you would like to be considered for the position under the 55-a Program. For detailed information regarding the 55-a Program, please visit the following link https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dcas/employment/55-a-program.page
LIRR:
In addition to meeting the minimum requirements of the position, the selection process may include but is not limited to, a pre-screening assessment (i.e., physical, written, and/ or practical evaluation) and interview. Candidates forfeit further consideration in the process if they fail to participate in any step of the process when scheduled. Make-up dates/times will not be given. In addition, LIRR employee applicants must be in their current position for the 12 months immediately preceding the close date of this posting and must possess a satisfactory work history, including attendance and discipline record. A record of more than ten sick days without medical documentation in two of the last three years is considered unsatisfactory attendance. Not all qualified applicants are guaranteed an interview due to the competitive selection process. A medical examination and safety-sensitive drug/alcohol test may also be required.
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EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ADA DISCLAIMER:
MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.
The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.
If you require reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability to participate in the job application or interview process, please notify your MTA representative once you have been contacted regarding the role.
