General Manager

Job Description

Job Description

The General Manager provides operational oversight for the Bay Area Electric Railroad Association and its Western Railway Museum (WRM). This role is responsible for the overall performance of rail operations, maintenance, safety, regulatory compliance, financial stewardship, and capital improvements.

The General Manager directly supervises the Volunteer Coordinator, Marketing and Events Manager, Electric Car Superintendent, Overhead Lines Superintendent, Operations Superintendent, Track Superintendent, and Training Superintendent, ensuring effective coordination and communication across all operational units.

Requirements

Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Strategic Management

• Provide executive-level leadership across all rail operations and maintenance functions.

• Develop and implement integrated business plans, including key milestones, resource needs, budgets, scope, safety, and performance objectives.

• Lead organizational mobilization efforts, aligning safety, operational, and economic performance goals.

• Identify and develop opportunities that support long-term museum and organizational sustainability.

• Foster a culture of communication, cooperation, professionalism, and mutual respect across departments and volunteer teams.

• Assist the Board in planning and overseeing special projects, capital improvements, and long-range initiatives.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee all daily railway operations, including train schedules, crew assignments, equipment readiness, and resource allocation.

• Conduct regular meetings with Superintendents and other operational leaders; hold individual meetings as needed to support performance and problem-solving.

• Regularly visit operational areas, volunteers, and staff in the field to maintain visibility and operational awareness.

• Attend Board meetings and provide written reports summarizing operational performance, safety, staffing, and departmental activity.

• Ensure timely communication of Board directives to Superintendents and operational staff.

• Maintain accountability for service quality, on-time performance, reliability, and visitor experience.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, including Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) standards, museum policies, safety rules, and hazardous materials protocols.

• Monitor and evaluate railway operations training programs, certifications, efficiency testing, and adherence to standard operating procedures.

• Lead emergency preparedness activities and incident response coordination.

• Continuously assess and mitigate safety risks, ensuring a proactive, safety-first culture.

Financial & Economic Performance

• Develop, manage, and monitor the operating budgets for all railway operations departments.

• Approve vendor invoices related to railway operations and supervise cost controls to ensure responsible use of resources.

• Oversee profit and loss (P&L) elements related to operations and take corrective action as necessary.

• Identify opportunities for cost savings, operational efficiencies, and sustainable financial growth.

• Provide financial and operational reporting to the Board to support strategic decision-making.

Staff & Volunteer Leadership

• Oversees the recruitment and training of staff and volunteer members within railway operations, promoting a culture of teamwork and accountability.

• Oversees the volunteer coordinator and superintendents in volunteer recruitment, engagement, and recognition efforts.

• Monitor and maintain qualification, training, and performance records (in coordination with administrative staff).

• Resolve conflicts, strengthen departmental communication, and ensure alignment with museum goals and standards.

Cross-Department Collaboration & Event Support

• Support cross-department workflows with Visitor Services, Museum Store, Café, Marketing, and Administration.

• Assist with operational aspects of events as needed, ensuring smooth guest experience and safe operations.

• Coordinates staffing and volunteer schedules to ensure adequate coverage for daily operations and special events.

Administrative Oversight

• Ensure timely processing and review of operational documentation, invoices, training records, safety reports, and compliance materials.

• Work with administrative staff to maintain accurate operational data, including volunteer hours, qualifications, and training records.

Additional Expectations

• Maintain a strong presence in operational areas and model exceptional leadership behaviors.

• Uphold WRM’s mission, values, and commitment to safety, visitor experience, and historical preservation.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors in support of organizational success.

Benefits

Salary Range: $71,000 - $78,000

Medical Insurance: The Bay Area Electric Railway Association through our Insperity

platform.

Dental & Vision Insurance: Only Full-Time employees are eligible for Vision and Dental

insurance. For further information on the organization's Vision and Dental Insurance plan,

please refer to the summary found within the Insperity platform.

Retirement Benefits: All employees are eligible to participate in BAERA’s 403(b) plan

through Insperity. Participation is voluntary and employee-funded; BAERA does not provide an employer match at this time.

Vacation: BAERA provides paid vacation benefits based on length of service. Full-time employees begin accruing vacation upon hire and are eligible to use accrued vacation after completing 90 days of employment. Employees accrue up to 80 hours (10 days) of vacation annually during their first five years of employment, with a maximum accrued balance of 120 hours (15 days). Beginning with the sixth year of employment, employees accrue up to 120 hours (15 days) annually, with a maximum balance of 180 hours (22.5 days). Beginning with the eleventh year, employees accrue up to 160 hours (20 days) annually, with a maximum balance of 240 hours (30 days). Accrued and unused vacation carries over from year to year, subject to the applicable maximum accrual cap.

Sick Leave: Eligible full-time staff members begin to accrue sick and safe leave upon

employment at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked. Part time staff will accrue sick and

safe leave upon employment at 3.1 hours per pay period. You may not accrue more than 80

hours (10 days) of leave for any reason. If you are classified as exempt, you are presumed to

work 40 hours per week, unless you are normally scheduled to work fewer than 40 hours, in

which case sick leave accrues based on your normal schedule. You may begin using sick and safe

leave on your 90th day of employment. Once you have accrued 80 hours of leave, you will not

accrue any more leave until you use some. Part-time staff may only use up to 40 hours (five

days) of your available sick and safe leave per leave year. For the purposes of this policy, the

leave year is the employee's work anniversary. Paid sick and safe leave may be taken in no less

than two hours increments. You may not use more sick and safe leave than you have accrued or

receive an advance of sick and safe leave that has not yet been accrued. 40 hours of earned but

unused sick and safe leave will carry over to the following leave year for both part- and full-time

staff.