Lead Construction Specialist - 90415096 - New York

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As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

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Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

Job Summary

Amtrak is delivering one of the most significant and complex rail infrastructure programs - the Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Program. This multi-phased CMAR megaproject includes major bridges replacement, heavy civil works, rail systems integration, and multiple construction packages delivered under a CMAR model. 

The Lead Construction Specialist provides essential support in the planning, coordination, and execution of construction activities from early field assessments through project delivery. Working under the direction of program and project managers, you will collaborate closely with engineers, contractors, force account personnel, and division leadership to ensure assigned portions of the work meet scope, schedule, cost, quality, and safety expectations. The role focuses on field oversight, technical support, and facilitating communication between on-site operations and project management to help ensure successful construction execution in accordance with contractual and regulatory requirements.

Essential Functions

• Support capital construction activities by providing field oversight, technical assistance, and coordination with contractors and force account personnel to ensure adherence to scope, schedule, cost, and safety expectations. 
• Monitor daily field work and initiate action when necessary to ensure construction is performed according to design and contract specifications. 
• Apply standard construction engineering techniques and sound judgment to identify issues and recommend solutions. 
• Communicate effectively with project managers, engineers, contractors, vendors, and field personnel. 
• Assist the Program/Project Manager with reviewing change requests, drafting potential change notices, and providing justification for scope adjustments. 
• Help coordinate Site Specific Safety Work Plans (SSSWP) with contractors and Amtrak personnel. 
• Assist in planning and coordinating track and ET outages; prepare outage plans when assigned. 
• Conduct field visits to assess site conditions, identify challenges, and confirm scope requirements. 
• Provide oversight of contractor activities, technicians, and project support staff for assigned work tasks. 
• Track production metrics to support project reporting and performance analysis. 
• Maintain working knowledge of applicable codes, standards, Amtrak practices, and project requirements. 
• Prepare weekly construction status updates and contribute to formal monthly project reports. 
• Support the preparation and revision of technical work procedures and assist with constructability reviews. 
• Analyze field issues and provide recommendations in alignment with CAPD, Amtrak procedures, and project objectives. 
• Organize and prioritize multiple tasks effectively, meeting deadlines in a dynamic project environment. 
• Participate in progress meetings and support project documentation needs. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required OR equivalent combination of training, education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Plus,
• 6 years of relevant experience required
• 8+ years of relevant experience preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management or related field 
• Certified Construction Management (CCM) 
• Demonstrated construction experience in a railroad environment. 
• Experience in a railroad or heavy civil construction environment.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of Amtrak standards (MW1000, Engineering Practices, NORAC, AMT-1, AMT-2) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Safety Standards and OSHA 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to learn and apply knowledge of applicable local, state/province, and federal/national statutes and guidelines. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities under tight constraints. 
• Must have the ability to coordinate efforts with other technical disciplines and have knowledge of scheduling, budgeting, and estimating. 
• Possess strategic and tactical skills required for planning and executing complex project work. 
• Strong leadership required, encompassing effective communication, motivation, and team building/team performance skills. 
• Strong Safety Focus. 
• Demonstrated experience in using PC-based word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) sufficient to prepare effective business analyses and presentations. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Meet expectations on attendance and punctuality
• Valid driver’s license 

Environmental Conditions/Physical Demands

• Various levels of environmental conditions including but not limited to project worksites and vendor/client facilities which may have temporary office space. 
• Ability to work weekends and nights to support the needs of the project.
• Significant travel may be required 

The salary/hourly range is $94,300.00 – $122,256.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position. 

Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID: 167270

Work Arrangement: 06-Onsite 4/5 Days Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak.
Relocation Offered: No
Travel Requirements: Up to 25%

You power our progress through your performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.