Rail Controller

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department

Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service.

This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region.

Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs.

The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

SUMMARY

The Rail Controller is responsible for the real-time control and coordination of rail operations from the Rail Control Center to support safe, reliable, and efficient service delivery. Reporting to the Manager of Rail Control Center, this position monitors rail operations, directs train movements and related operational activity, manages communications with operators and field personnel, and helps maintain orderly response to service disruptions, abnormal conditions, and on-track activity.

This role performs safety-critical operational control duties within an established rules, procedures, and communications framework. The Rail Controller is responsible for applying operating rules, standard operating procedures, and control center protocols to regulate service, protect personnel and equipment, support incident response, and minimize service disruption. The position also maintains required operational logs, reports, and system documentation and helps ensure that control center information is timely, accurate, and actionable.

The Rail Controller works in a fast-paced, 24/7 operating environment that requires sustained attention, sound judgment, calm communication, and the ability to manage multiple operating conditions at once. This position plays a central role in maintaining safe train movement, supporting service recovery, and coordinating with transportation, maintenance, field supervision, safety, and other operational partners.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Real-Time Rail Operations Control

• •Monitor and control rail operations from the Rail Control Center in accordance with established operating rules, procedures, and service priorities.
• •Direct train movements and other authorized operating activity to support safe, reliable, and efficient rail service.
• •Regulate service and help manage headways, spacing, operating adjustments, and other real-time control actions needed to maintain service.
• •Monitor normal and abnormal operating conditions and respond appropriately within the authority and procedures of the role.
• •Support safe coordination of mainline, yard, test, training, or other non-routine rail movements as assigned.

Communications and Operational Coordination

• •Maintain clear, timely, and professional radio, phone, and system communications with rail operators, field supervision, maintenance personnel, and other operational partners.
• •Communicate movement instructions, service changes, restrictions, outages, and other operating information accurately and in accordance with required protocols.
• •Coordinate with other departments and field personnel regarding operating conditions, work activity, service impacts, and response actions.
• •Escalate significant incidents, safety concerns, or service disruptions to Lead Rail Controllers or management as appropriate.
• •Help ensure continuity and accuracy of communication during routine operations, service disruptions, and emergencies.

Incident Response and Service Recovery

• •Respond to delays, disruptions, alarms, incidents, and abnormal operating conditions by following established procedures and supporting service recovery efforts.
• •Assist in coordinating operational response to service interruptions, work zones, power issues, equipment conditions, and other events affecting rail service.
• •Support the protection of employees, contractors, equipment, and passengers during abnormal conditions and emergency situations.
• •Implement or support service adjustments as directed or permitted under established procedures.
• •Help restore service in a timely and coordinated manner while maintaining safety and operational control.

Power, Systems, and Work Zone Coordination

• •Monitor and operate assigned control systems, including traction power, signal, switch, communications, or related rail control technologies, in accordance with established procedures and authorization limits.
• •Support coordination of work windows, track access, protective procedures, power outages, and other activities affecting rail right-of-way or operating conditions.
• •Help ensure protection is established and maintained for authorized on-track work and other operationally sensitive activity.
• •Interpret system alarms, status indications, and operational messages and respond or escalate appropriately.
• •Support testing, commissioning, or special operating activity as assigned and authorized.

Documentation and Operational Reporting

• •Maintain accurate, timely, and complete logs, forms, incident entries, and other required control center documentation.
• •Record service disruptions, operating actions, communications, and other events in accordance with agency requirements.
• •Review and update status information, operating records, and control system entries as needed during the shift.
• •Provide clear turnover information to incoming staff and support continuity between shifts.
• •Assist with reporting and documentation needed for incident review, audits, or operational follow-up.

Compliance and Professional Conduct

• •Perform duties in accordance with agency operating rules, standard operating procedures, safety requirements, and control center protocols.
• •Support the agency’s safety culture by identifying and reporting hazards, incidents, near misses, or operational concerns through appropriate channels.
• •Maintain professionalism, attentiveness, and disciplined execution in a safety-sensitive operating environment.
• •Participate in required training, requalification, drills, briefings, and other readiness activities.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Real-Time Operational Control – Ability to monitor rail operations, manage train movement activity, and apply procedures in real time to support safe and reliable service.

• •Maintains awareness of current operating conditions and priorities.
• •Applies rules and procedures accurately in a fast-moving environment.
• •Supports safe and effective control of service during routine and changing conditions.

Communication and Coordination – Ability to communicate clearly and coordinate effectively with operators, field personnel, maintenance, and other operational partners.

Delivers accurate information using required communication pr