TECHNICAL CONSULTANT
Position Description
TRA is looking for an experienced Technical Consultant to join our dynamic team. Responsibilities include:
Leveraging technical experience and expertise in transit security, safety, operations, maintenance, and/or engineering.
Providing technical, programmatic, and analytic input into TRA’s consulting projects, whether as a project manager or subject matter expert working at the direction of others.
Acting as a front-line interface with TRA’s clients and other project stakeholders.
Participating in and coordination of field and tabletop drills and exercises, client interviews, field assessments, and observations.
Documentation of business processes.
Writing and editing reports and proposals.
Interpreting and editing client documentation and procedures.
Providing data, information, and analyses for use by TRA project managers and subject matter experts.
Contributing to TRA business development efforts, such as proposal development, client relations, and teaming partner cultivation.
Mentoring TRA’s junior staff
Technical Consultant Qualifications
Completion of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Transit Safety and Security Program Certificate, or the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program, is a strong plus. Candidates who do not possess the TSSP credential will be required to attain it as part of their work with TRA.
Knowledge or interest in public transportation operations, maintenance, emergency preparedness, security, and/or safety, and especially safety management system (SMS) frameworks is strongly preferred, as is familiarity with FTA and United States Department of Transportation requirements.
Candidates must be proven leaders, with a strong record of stakeholder relations and coworker interaction.
Must be detail-oriented, organized, and flexible.
Must have outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
High level of critical thinking, and the ability to easily analyze, understand, and synthesize technical information for consulting work products.
Ability to think creatively about data and how to present it as useful and engaging information.
Must be able to work independently and as part of a team while regularly interfacing with a wide range of clients.
Must be outgoing, engaging, and social.
Must actively look for ways they can help the TRA team.
Strong writing skills, with the ability to communicate complex information effectively to multiple types of audiences, including individuals with non-technical backgrounds.
Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and video conferencing platforms. Database and MS Project experience is a plus.
Other Requirements:
Valid driver's license.
Ability to pass a criminal background check.
U.S. citizen
Physical agility sufficient to meet typical rail transit and railroad requirements for roadway worker protection (working in rail transit and railroad rights-of-way safely).
Education and Experience Level
Master's degree in engineering, transportation planning, public administration, or similar field is required.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in rail or bus transportation, safety, operations, maintenance, or engineering is strongly preferred.
Candidates with successful careers in other applicable areas will be considered.
Location
This position will be based in Philadelphia, with regular interface with TRA staff and clients in throughout the United States. Frequent travel (40-60%) in support of TRA projects is expected.
Compensation
Compensation will be based on skills and experience.
Position is salaried, and is based on an approximately 45-hour work week, not inclusive of travel time or non-working time at project site locations.
Schedule and total hours will vary depending on current assignments.
Submitting Qualifications
Potential candidates are invited to send a detailed description of their interest in the Technical Consultant/Project Engineer position. Include an explanation of how their qualifications meet the needs of this position, as well as what their understanding is of TRA and its work. Share how they might help TRA grow – special skill, new market, particular focus of research, etc. Send quals packages to consultingpositions@traonline.com.
About TRA
Transportation Resource Associates, Inc. (TRA) provides management and technical consulting services to the transportation industry, with a primary focus in public transit and infrastructure operations, safety, security, and maintenance. TRA’s work includes auditing, safety program development and assessment, and regulatory compliance assessments, as well as transit agency systems analyses. TRA provides its clients with technical assistance, detailed written reports and other deliverables, as well as both quantitative and qualitative analyses. www.traonline.com
PROJECT ANALYST
Position Description
The Project Analyst supports TRA’s consulting staff and its highly varied, technical work. The Project Analyst will interface with TRA clients in both public and private sectors. Work will be performed independently, as well as part of a team. An interest in - and a desire to continuously learn about - all aspects of safety, security, emergency preparedness, operations, and maintenance is a must-have. The Project Analyst will see a progressive increase in responsibilities as tenure evolves.
Responsibilities include:
Participating in client interviews, field assessments, observations, drills, and exercises.
Documentation of business processes.
Writing/editing reports and proposals.
Interpreting and editing client documentation and procedures.
Providing data, information, and analyses for use by TRA project managers and subject matter experts.
Project Analyst Qualifications
Candidates with experience in rail and bus transit, general transportation, engineering, planning, or similar disciplines are often successful, however applicants with other applicable backgrounds may be considered.
Knowledge of or interest in public transportation security, emergency preparedness, operations, maintenance, or safety is preferred.
Familiarity with intelligence products related to security and emergency preparedness including GIS mapping is preferred.
Familiarity with Safety Management Systems (SMS) in any industry is beneficial, as is knowledge of Federal Transit Administration and/or US Department of Transportation requirements.
Candidates who have completed the FTA Transit Safety and Security Program certification are preferred.
Must be detail-oriented, organized, and flexible.
Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
Strong ability for critical thinking, and an excellent capacity to analyze, understand, and incorporate technical information.
Ability to think creatively about data and how to present it as useful and engaging information, both for external and internal use.
Ability to work independently and interface regularly with a wide range of clients.
Successful Project Analysts must be outgoing, engaging, and social - and must actively look for ways they can help the TRA team.
Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and video conferencing platforms. Database and MS Project experience is a plus.
Education
Master’s degree is required.
A candidate with a bachelor’s degree will be considered only with significant, applicable transportation industry experience
Location
This position will be based in Philadelphia, with regular interface with TRA staff and clients throughout the United States. Frequent travel (40-60%) in support of TRA projects is expected.
Compensation
Compensation will be based on skills and experience.
Position is salaried, and is based on an approximately 45-hour work week, not inclusive of travel time or non-working time at project site locations.
Schedule and total hours will vary depending on current assignments.
Submitting Qualifications
Tell us why you are the right person for TRA’s Project Analyst position. Send a resume and a cover letter explaining why you would be a good fit for this role to consultingpositions@traonline.com. Applicants without a cover letter or expression of interest will not be considered.
About TRA
Transportation Resource Associates, Inc. (TRA) provides management and technical consulting services to the transportation industry, with a primary focus in public transit operations, safety, security, and maintenance. TRA’s work includes auditing, safety and security program development and assessment, and regulatory compliance assessments, as well as transit agency systems analyses. TRA provides its clients with technical assistance, detailed written reports and other deliverables, as well as both quantitative and qualitative analyses. www.traonline.com
Systems Engineer (Train Control/Traction Power)
Position Description
TRA is looking for an experienced Systems Engineer to join our dynamic team.
Responsibilities include:
Providing subject matter expertise in rail and transit train control and traction power systems.
Conducting technical reviews, audits, process assessments, and transportation consulting services to TRA’s clients and project stakeholders.
Leveraging technical experience and expertise in transit safety, operations, maintenance, and/or engineering.
Providing technical, programmatic, and analytic input into TRA’s consulting projects.
Acting as a front-line interface with TRA’s clients and other project stakeholders.
Participating in client interviews, field assessments, and observations.
Writing and editing technical reports and analyses.
Interpreting and editing client documentation and procedures.
Providing data, information, and analyses for use by TRA project managers and subject matter experts.
Contributing to TRA business development efforts, such as proposal development, client relations, and teaming partner cultivation.
Mentoring TRA’s junior staff.
TRA Systems Engineer Qualifications
Strong rail and/or transit industry experience in train control and traction electrification/power systems.
Engineering-focused education required, professional engineer (P.E.) certification preferred.
Completion of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Transit Safety and Security Program Certificate, or the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program, is a strong plus. Candidates who do not possess the TSSP credential will be required to attain it as part of their work with TRA.
Knowledge or interest in public transportation operations, maintenance, emergency preparedness, security, and/or safety, and especially safety management system (SMS) frameworks is strongly preferred, as is familiarity with FTA and United States Department of Transportation requirements.
Candidates must be proven leaders, with a strong record of stakeholder relations and coworker interaction.
Must be detail-oriented, organized, and flexible.
Must have outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
High level of critical thinking, and the ability to easily analyze, understand, and synthesize technical information for consulting work products.
Ability to think creatively about data and how to present it as useful and engaging information.
Must be able to work independently and as part of a team while regularly interfacing with a wide range of clients.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs - Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Database and MS Project experience is a plus.
Other Requirements
Valid driver's license.
Ability to pass a criminal background check.
U.S. citizen.
Physical agility sufficient to meet typical rail transit and railroad requirements for roadway worker protection (working in rail transit and railroad rights-of-way safely).
Education and Experience Level
Master's degree in engineering, transportation planning, public administration, or similar field is required.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in rail transit or related discipline.
Location
This position will be based in Philadelphia, with regular interface with TRA staff and clients in throughout the United States. Frequent travel (40-60%) in support of TRA projects is expected. TRA is open to candidates based in other locations, however travel and work logistics expectations may change in such cases.
Compensation
Compensation will be based on skills and experience.
Position is salaried, and is based on an approximately 45-hour work week, not inclusive of travel time or non-working time at project site locations.
Schedule and total hours will vary depending on current assignments.
To apply:
Potential candidates are invited to send a detailed resume along with a cover letter describing their interest in the Technical Consultant/Project Engineer position. Include an explanation of how qualifications meet the needs of this position, as well as their understanding of TRA and its work. Send all application materials to consultingpositions@traonline.com.
About TRA
Transportation Resource Associates, Inc. (TRA) provides management and technical consulting services to the transportation industry, with a primary focus in public transit operations, safety, security, and maintenance. TRA’s work includes auditing, safety program development and assessment, and regulatory compliance assessments, as well as transit agency systems analyses. TRA provides its clients with technical assistance, detailed written reports and other deliverables, as well as both quantitative and qualitative analyses. www.traonline.com