Planner Scheduler (Alaska Railroad Employees Only)

Open to ARRC Employees Only

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Planner/Scheduler is a position in which the incumbent leverages experience in mechanical equipment production maintenance or mechanical quality assurance to perform the planning scheduling and coordinating activities for mechanical maintenance. The incumbent performs record and file maintenance as well as root cause failure determination trending analysis and reporting of maintenance related activities. The incumbent performs the duties and responsibilities described below.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Prepares a detailed Weekly Master Schedule that verifies the availability of required materials and special equipment required for job task completion. The weekly plan will allocate available resources to specific job requirements. Allocation will balance work scheduled with man-hours available. The final schedule will ensure all preventative/predictive maintenance inspections are performed at their predetermined frequencies and include timely completion of all identified corrective maintenance activities. Coordinates with other departments to ensure all required input/requirements are included or met.

Manages backlog of repairs and maintenance to ensure job requirements are met in a reasonable period of time. Determines resource availability to ensure that backlog relief expectations are realistic. Addresses unplanned maintenance requirements to ensure that new high priority requirements are met along with those in the Weekly Master Schedule. Completes follow-up coordination to ensure partner expectations and requirements are met. Schedules follow up to determine schedule compliance and completion shortfalls.

Responsible for ensuring the Mechanical Departments Quality Assurance Program is administered as required to maintain AAR Certification.

Plans details by determining the best way to perform the job sequence the activities required to complete the job determine the resources required for the job including equipment and external resource needs drawings maintenance instructions and circuit diagrams and develops a total estimated cost including labor materials and external charges.

Responsibilities include both short and long range planning and regular analysis of backlog relative to available resources. Is responsible for all maintenance work requests except those that must be performed on the same day as requested.

Utilizes the computerized maintenance management system (JD Edwards) to assemble the planned job package to include a detailed work order job plan by task labor plan by craft or skill bill of material and parts acquisition plan.

Coordinates each day of the Weekly Master Schedule with Mechanical Department Supervisors and Managers. Assists Mechanical Department Supervisors in finalizing daily schedule requirements. Reschedules work displaced by emergency or corrective work.

Ensures job completion is recorded to equipment history and other associated accounts as soon as tasks are complete.

Maintains essential records and files for accurate and meaningful management reports. Interprets historical equipment cost information participates in budgetary preparation tracking and analysis and periodically analyzes cost trends with recommendations for continued improvement.

Performs other maintenance related tasks and special assignments as requested by the Mechanical Operations Managers.

May be required to participate in Incident Command exercises and activities.

FACTOR 1: Technical and Operational Knowledge

Must have a practical knowledge of maintenance methods and procedures machines and materials; and the ability to plan for the future or immediate production control for the overhaul or repair of complex machinery. Must have knowledge skill and experience to prevent or alleviate production delays scheduling conflicts and lack of sufficient materials faulty processes labor shortages or skilled trade imbalances. This requires a good working knowledge of the basic requirements and procedures of all departments being coordinated both in and outside of the maintenance area. The work requires knowledge understanding and use of railway equipment terminology data and standards and how to relate them properly to new projects. Must be able to utilize knowledge and experience to observe and analyze maintenance operations to determine if schedules are being followed if they can be improved and to determine the causes of maintenance delays. Experience in the areas of mechanical and electrical systems maintenance is required. Knowledge of safe work practices and methods is required. Knowledge of automated maintenance management systems word processing and spreadsheet software is preferred.

FACTOR 2: Analytical Skills and Impact

Must be able to learn to apply a variety of methods to investigate analyze plan and implement corrective action as well as establish cost controls for difficult and complex maintenance problems that may occur during the preplanning or the work-in-progress phase. Must be able to collect analyze and interpret specialized information regarding complex equipment. Must be able to learn to use detailed analytical techniques to determine what is to be done how best to do it and other options available. Must be able to learn to select the methods that will make the most efficient and economical use of facilities and skilled labor. Must be knowledgeable of job requirements to accurately estimate material and manpower requirements. The incumbent must be able to exercise initiative in searching out sources of information much of it indirect or obscure to develop project estimates and plans for control of complex maintenance projects.

The work involves establishing criteria formulating effective maintenance production control programs assessing the effectiveness of maintenance programs and investigating or analyzing a variety of unusual maintenance problems and conditions. Completed assignments have a direct impact on the mission of the department and the safety and security of personnel in the department.

FACTOR 3: Supervision and Control

Incumbents in this position report to the Director Locomotive & Terminal Logistics. Position assists Mechanical Supervisors and Managers in the scheduling planning and assignment of maintenance work. The incumbent is expected to analyze maintenance production requirements; plan for the various maintenance phases including labor requirements; coordinate the job scheduling materials and funding; and handle problems and deviations in accordance with instructions policies previous training or accepted practices.

FACTOR 4: Communication

Contacts are with ARRC employees government agencies and vendors. Contacts are for the purpose of planning and scheduling work coordinating activities with other departments and gathering and sharing information. The purpose is also to influence motivate and persuade shop and department supervisory personnel and others in positions of decision-making authority to follow a different course of action. Such contacts often arise due to unexpected material delays or changes in maintenance methods procedures requirements priorities etc. The incumbent may need to overcome objections of skeptical or uncooperative personnel and may have to negotiate on significant and/or controversial issues to achieve compromise or an alternative solution.

FACTOR 5: Working Conditions

Work is performed primarily in an office setting with frequent visits to the shop area and outside work the course of carrying out duties the incumbent is frequently required to stand walk and climb in industrial facilities where it is necessary to bend crouch stoop reach and lift moderately heavy items (25 to 50 lbs.). The employee may also be required to perform these and other functions in obstructed areas (e.g. in confining or potentially dangerous spaces in or around railroad equipment under construction overhaul or repair). May require occasional travel to other rail belt locations or out of state. This position may be required to work shift work.

Education Requirements

High school diploma or GED is required.

Work Experience

Experience in the areas of mechanical and electrical systems maintenance is required. Knowledge of safe work practices and methods required. Knowledge of personal computer usage is required.

Five (5) years of mechanical equipment production maintenance or mechanical quality assurance experience OR three years of maintenance management experience and/or maintenance planning and scheduling experience is required.

Certification/License Requirements

Valid drivers license is required. To be considered a valid drivers license an employee must maintain a continuous three-year period free of any Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Operating Under the Influence (OUI) convictions.

Preferred Qualifications

One year of experience working with a computerized maintenance management system preferred. Experience in the railroad industry is preferred. Two years of supervisory or lead experience is preferred. Experience in automated maintenance management systems word processing and spreadsheet software is preferred. Knowledge of railroad equipment maintenance work is preferred.

The above reflects only the more significant details for the performance of the job and is not intended to be all inclusive.

IMPORTANT: Your application must clearly show how you meet each minimum qualification listed for this position. Do not assume reviewers will infer qualifications from job titles or general descriptions of duties. Applications are screened based on the information submitted.

Include all required and desired qualifications in your Applicant Profile and/or Resume. For any relevant experience provide the employer name job title dates of employment and whether the position was full-time or part-time.

Failure to provide sufficient information on your application to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications may result in disqualification from further consideration. Applicants who clearly demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated along with other qualified applicants and may be considered for the next phase of the recruitment process.

Alaska Railroad Human Resources Department
E-Mail:
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 107500 Anchorage AK 99510-7500
Street Address: 327 West Ship Creek Anchorage AK
Alaska Railroad Corporation is an equal opportunity employer