This position will be posted from July 14, 2025 to July 25, 2025 by 4:00 pm.

Must be able to pass Train Operator written examination.

Must be able to pass Train Operator physical agility examination.

Must be able to pass a drug and alcohol test and a background check. 

DRPA and PATCO are subject to federal law, under which marijuana continues to be illegal.

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Position Purpose

The Train Operator will operate high speed rail transit cars carrying passengers of the Port Authority Transit Corporation.  Individual must be knowledgeable in, and follow precisely, the operating and safety rules of PATCO.  Individual must recognize, diagnose, report and correct train mechanical and electrical equipment failures and perform other miscellaneous duties as required.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  The Authority will adhere to all applicable laws and regulations in assessing an employee’s ability to carry out or otherwise meet the job requirements set forth herein in a satisfactory manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Operates high speed rail transit cars carrying passengers on the main line and without passengers in the yard.
2. Complies with Operating Rules, Bulletins, Notices, Procedures and Special Operating Instructions governing the safe and efficient operation of PATCO trains.
3. Documents and disseminates information relating to car equipment failures and incidents to the appropriate supervisor.
4. Recognizes diagnoses, reports and corrects train mechanical and electrical equipment failures.
5. Assist in maintaining a safe and secure work environment by participating in required training, recognizing and reporting hazards and suspicious activity, and using all required personal protective equipment.
6. Able to react to change in a positive manner and to handle other tasks as assigned.

This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to all provisions of the DRPA/PATCO’S Substance Abuse Testing and Control Policy including random drug testing and periodic physical testing requirements.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

1. The individual must pursue training and development opportunities in order to continuously build knowledge and skills. Must be willing to share expertise with others.
2. Individual must be able to manage difficult customer situations and respond promptly to customer needs. The maintenance of confidentiality is essential.
3. The individual must be able to read, understand written and verbal instructions, speak and write clearly in order to communicate effectively.
4. The individual must display openness to other’s views, must be able to balance team and individual responsibilities. Must contribute to building a positive team spirit by supporting everyone’s efforts to succeed.
5. The individual must follow all organizational policies and procedures.
6. The individual must show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences and work toward promoting a harassment free environment and diverse workforce. The individual must treat everyone with respect, work with integrity and uphold and support organizational values and goals.
7. The individual must be able to prioritize and plan work activities using time efficiently. He or she must react well under pressure and accept responsibilities for his/her own actions.  The individual must respond to management direction.
8. The individual must demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness, apply feedback to improve performance and monitor his or her own work to ensure quality. Individual should always be willing to generate suggestions to improve individual and departmental performance.
9. The individual must be punctual at all times and must complete tasks correctly and on time.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Education and/or Experience

Required:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Must have a valid Driver’s License in the state of residence, without major violations for last 3 years. “Major violations” include, operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, driving with a suspended, revoked or invalid license, reckless driving or negligent driving, speed race or drag race, use of a vehicle to commit a felony, hit and run, leaving the scene of an accident, refusing to stop or fleeing from a law enforcement officer, vehicular homicide, manslaughter or assault with an automobile or speeding 16 or more MPH over the posted limit.
• Must demonstrate clarity and proficiency in oral and written communication skills. The oral skills must be demonstrable in person, on a telephone and with a radio.
• Must be proficient in the use of personal computers.
• Must be able to pass a physical agility test as prescribed by PATCO.
• Must be willing and reliably able to work any shift in the 24-hour period on any day of the week or holidays, including split shifts, and work overtime as required.
• Must successfully pass the PATCO Train Operator Training Program.

Desired:

• Bachelor’s degree or undergraduate course work toward a degree in Business Administration, Transportation or other related field.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

When working on the main line, the employee will be required to sit (80%), walk (10%), stand (5%) and lift, climb and bend (5%).  When working in the yard, the employee will be required to sit (15%), walk, (30%), stand (5%) and lift, climb and bend (50%).  The employee must be able to walk, stoop, bend, crawl, ascend stairs, steps, and ladders, etc., while carrying objects of up to 40 pounds.  The employee must be able to physically assist others, including the disabled or injured, in system egress under emergency situations.  The employee must be able to operate/actuate all of the transit car and wayside mechanical equipment essential to normal and emergency operations, such as coupler retractors, brake system cut-out levers, manual side door operators, ladders, and operate fire extinguishers and other equipment.  The employee must be able to overcome the spring resistance of the transit car third rail contact shoes to be able to paddle them while in any physical position.  The employee must be able to climb up and down from the ends of a transit car with a step height of as much as three feet and open the train end doors while supporting oneself with a free hand.  The employee must be able to safely step over third rails by lifting leg(s) a height of twenty-four (24) inches and walk in the track areas, including directly affixed, ballasted and open tie construction, and various elevations such as the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.  The employee must have normal day and nighttime vision, corrected or uncorrected, be without color blindness and have normal hearing, with or without device, so as to be able to safely operate and direct the operations of trains and to protect the safety of oneself and others while in the active right of way.  The employee must be neat in appearance because of interfacing with the public.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

This position requires the incumbent to work both indoors and outdoors in all types of lighting and weather conditions including but not limited to, heat, sun, rain, electrical storms, snow, ice, fire, smoke and other unspecified hazards.  The duties and responsibilities of this position are performed while operating high speed rail transit cars.

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EEO/AA/DVM