This is an Association of American Railroads (AAR) Chicago Planning Group (CPG) authorized position, headquartered in Chicago, as a full-time railroad resource to support the growing slate of projects funded within the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program. The position reports to the AAR Chief Engineer in Chicago and is located with and will interact continuously with the Chicago Transportation Coordination Office (CTCO) and the CREATE Partner railroads. The position interfaces with IDOT, CDOT, Cook Co., FHWA and FRA. AAR will undertake a candidate search for an individual with strong project management and railroad engineering skills for review by CPG leadership.
America’s freight railroads operate the safest, most efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound freight transportation system in the world — and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) is committed to keeping it that way. Founded in 1934, AAR is the world’s leading railroad policy, research, standard-setting, and technology organization that focuses on the safety and productivity of the U.S. freight rail industry. AAR Full members include the major freight railroads in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Amtrak. Affiliates and Associates consist of non-Class I and commuter railroads, including Metra, railroad supply companies, engineering, signal and communications firms, and car owners.
Key Responsibilities
Update and communicate Railroad CREATE Program Budgets and Financials:
Implement transparent railroad budgets and project financial controls using project management or financial software
Develop easy to access CREATE financial reports including budgets, expenditures, and forecasts
Develop tools to effectively communicate this information to the railroads
Reconcile railroad Project Funding Allocations with various IDOT CREATE financial reports
Develop quality checks on various financial documents and correct deficiencies
Update and communicate Railroad CREATE Program Schedules:
Develop, maintain, and communicate CREATE schedules for railroad projects
Work with railroad project managers developing effective and accurate schedules and schedule priorities
Develop tools to effectively communicate schedule status to the railroads
Define critical paths, perform total float analysis, and periodically report project management status of critical activities and schedule risks
Conduct recovery plan meetings, contingency planning, and schedule compression techniques to improve project performance
Ensure that Program Schedule Reports completed on time, are accurate and consistent and effectively communicate the status of the active projects
Provide office management, administrative, and communications support:
Coordinate and schedule railroad managed meetings for the Chicago Planning Group
Prepare meeting agendas, minutes, attendance and distribute materials
Support AAR CTCO / CIROC network and server operation/connectivity
Incorporate new technology and methodology in project management
Process various CREATE and CTCO purchases and invoices
Support visits by government and private agency officials
Other duties as assigned
The above description of responsibilities is representative of the position and the knowledge and experience a successful candidate is expected to have when hired but is not intended to limit or preclude other responsibilities and tasks that may be associated with or added to the position based on the needs and strategic direction of the organization.
Minimum five years of experience in project management software including financials, scheduling, and administration
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, financial, or a related discipline
Outgoing, energetic personality, excellent verbal, and written communication skills, with strong organizational skills
Ability to work collaboratively, independently, and to work under tight deadlines
Infrastructure project scheduling experience using Primavera software
Ability to aggregate and analyze data sets from diverse sources
Ability to manage workload with minimal direct supervision
Aptitude for interacting with people at all levels of management
Experience managing public – private partnerships
Project design and construction management experience
About AAR
Founded in 1934 and located just a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall, AAR is a top-tier trade association representing major freight and passenger railroads operating in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. In addition to representing its members on legislative and regulatory policy matters, AAR sets standards for rail cars and rail car components, certifies manufacturing and repair facilities, and audits facilities for compliance. Its research subsidiary, MxV Rail, headquartered in Pueblo, Colorado, is the world’s leading railroad research facility, undertaking cutting-edge research for railroads and their suppliers from around the world. AAR’s information technology subsidiary, Railinc, located in Cary, North Carolina, provides IT services to the railroad industry. For more information on AAR and its subsidiaries, see www.aar.org.
AAR is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.
