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Director, MOW Operations

TriMet | Portland, OR

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Posted Date 6/18/2025
Description

TriMet is seeking a strategic, safety-driven leader to serve as our Director of MOW (Maintenance of Way). This position reports directly to the Executive Director of Maintenance Operations, and will lead all right-of-way (ROW) infrastructure maintenance while ensuring the overall safety, reliability, and performance of the Portland Metro Region’s light rail system. This role will include oversight of signals, track, bridges, overhead catenary systems, and traction power substations.

This role is critical to maintaining our rail system in a State of Good Repair (SGR), in full compliance with regulatory standards and agency performance goals. The Director will champion a high-reliability culture through strategic planning, preventative maintenance programs, and KPI-driven improvements, while aligning MOW operations with TriMet’s Safety Management System (SMS) and long-term asset management strategies.

We’re seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking leader with a deep commitment to safety and reliability as foundational values. This individual will lead, develop, and motivate teams to deliver consistent, measurable improvements while maintaining the highest standards of operational safety and service dependability. Success in this role requires deep technical expertise in rail infrastructure, maintenance, and safety, a proven track record of fostering a strong safety culture and experience navigating complex operational and regulatory environments at both the state and federal level. Demonstrated success managing large teams, union environments, and cross-functional projects is essential.

This role requires being onsite five (5) days per week. 

Ensure a commitment to safety through consistent and professional behaviors in performance of job requirements. Safety is a fundamental value that guides all aspects of our work.  Perform related duties as required.     

Serve as a good steward of TriMet and maintain a strong and current understanding of customers’ experiences and of TriMet’s product and service offerings.

Forbes Magazine recently ranked TriMet as one of the top five places to work in Oregon! TriMet is ranked the number one Oregon-based employer in the state, as well as the top “Transportation and Logistics” employer in the state.

 

Essential Functions

  1. Provide leadership and effectively integrate and translate the principles and focus of the District's strategic direction into the management of the MOW Department. Responsibilities include setting of goals and performance objectives, KPIs, and monitoring and adjusting objectives as needed to achieve results.
    Develops and implements preventative maintenance plan that includes the measurement for all maintenance activities to ensure safe, cost efficient and quality based maintenance practices. Oversees MOW managers in the day-to-day maintenance activities that includes, but are not limited to, preventive maintenance, defect repair, equipment purchases and overhaul and responding to all daily defects that occur on the ROW. Responsible for the overall safety of LRV's, Roadway Workers, LRV Operators and Customers in the ROW.
  2. Provide overall leadership assistance to MOW managers in the selection, training, supervision, assignment, evaluation, and counseling of MOW supervisors. Model and hold staff accountable for exemplary customer service through open communication, employee participation, performance management, and professional development.
    Research, resolve and manage labor relations issues in compliance with applicable provisions of TriMet/ATU labor agreements. Act as management representative for grievances and act as the agency representative in arbitrations and mediations.
  3. Develop and establish Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) guidelines for oversight and assurance systems are maintained, repaired and operating safely. Administer documentation standards and processes that support a solid checks and balances approach to QA/QC.
  4. Oversee and lead staff in meeting the requirements of the On Track Safety (OTS) plan and providing Employee in Charge services on behalf of TriMet to third party contractors to assure the ultimate level of Safety in the ROW when work activities are taking place.
  5. Provide high level assistance to the Executive Director of Maintenance and provide leadership oversight of MOW managers with the overall planning, budgeting, management of cost effectiveness, develop State of Good Repair planning and recognize achievements, development, implementation, and management of the department's goals and performance objectives.
  6. Research and using data generated information, evaluate and develop plans of corrections for operational issues that will ensure a safe and reliable operation.
  7. Provide overall leadership assistance to other MOW managers with monitoring equipment performance, reliability, safety, and cleanliness. Monitor maintenance work productivity and implement improvements in work methods and efficiencies related to defect response and work assignments.
  8. Develop, and process all detailed scopes of work for purchases and contracted work related to the department. Act as Project or Contract Manager for contracted maintenance services and procurements as needed.
  9. Coordinate with other TriMet divisions, regional agencies and with third party contractors, to participate in design and assist during construction, testing, acceptance, warranty, and maintenance programs for new LRT alignment projects.
  10. Works closely with the Training department to ensure adequate training is provided to all staff.
  11. Control, monitor, and approve budgets and operational forecasts for department, including capital expenditures, labor resources, and materials and supplies (M&S); accountable for monitoring own department. Identifies opportunities for containing costs, and may be responsible for increasing revenue. Accountability for budget includes direct reports’ monitoring.

 

Position Requirements

A minimum of a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering or systems engineering is required. 

Eight (8) years of total credited experience.*

Five (5) years of experience in Maintenance of Way, track, overhead catenary systems, substations, and signals and switches are required.

Two (2) years of experience in a unionized workforce are required.

Three (3) years of leadership/management responsibilities at a medium to large public or private organization are required.

Possession of current/valid Class "C" license issued by Oregon or Washington; ability to pass a driving record check meeting TriMet driving record standards. 


Or any equivalent combination of experience and training.*

The amount of credit a candidate receives for prior years of experience is based on the relevancy of that experience to the required or preferred prerequisites of the job description. Experience is prorated based on hours worked. LRHR assigns and validates the "credited experience".

 

Selection Criteria

Type of Position / Grade / FLSA
Grade 21, Exempt, Non-Union, Full-Time.

Salary Range
Minimum: $153,939.00
Maximum: $230,910.00

Salary offers will be determined by a candidate’s education, training and relevant experience. Any final offer of employment will fall within the range stated above.  For transparency, we choose to list the full available grade range, however, TriMet’s salary administration process will ultimately determine the final salary offered.

Selection Process

Candidates will be selected based at a minimum on the result of:
1. Application Review (please include: Cover Letter and Resume)
2. Panel Interviews
3. Reference Check
Salary153,939.00 - 230,910.00 Annual
Location
In-Person
Position Type
Full Time
Experience
5-10 years
Job Category
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

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