Manager of Operating Practices

Watco is a family based business established in 1983 in Pittsburg, Kansas with strong roots tied to a 'Customer First' Foundation Principles. Watco Australia operates rail services on the West and East coasts of Australia, providing container and bulk transportation solutions for customers in the grain, agriculture, livestock, rail infrastructure, minerals and steel manufacturing industries.

Watco Australia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and operates under an alcohol and other drug policy.

This position supervises, coordinates, and conducts initial, annual, recurrent, and other training based on the needs of the zone. Coordinates with the General Manager for efficiency testing, training and support, and joint efficiency testing in accordance with Watco QLD Rail plans and policies. Monitors, tracks, and ensures efficiency testing goals are met per the zone plan or other plan/policy as appropriate. Monitor’s training programs as required for compliance with driver certification, qualified persons, and other certifications, both federally mandated and by company policy. This position will be responsible for the contribution of information/training towards the training matrix for tracking and improving driver performance by performing checks rides, download evaluations to improve train handling, fuel efficiencies and other items needed to improve overall driver performance.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Undertake and relieve supervisory functions as directed by the General Manager
- Ensure all Team members are trained in accordance with statutory and company requirements.
- Ensure all Team Members are trained in route knowledge as per Watco’s operating procedure.
- Overall operational safety of our team members, the communities, rolling stock and facilities will be paramount to this position.
- Maintain excellent relationships with all applicable rail providers.
- Download, effectively analyse and communicate as a training exercise to other team member’s locomotive event recorder information;
- Initiate and provide an accurate, complete, and timely investigation of all accidents and incidents, including causes, remedial action, and recommended solutions;
- Understand the quantitative factors contributing to the major costs on the railroad, and understand the extent of their effect toward financial performances;
- Understand all outstanding track conditions within his/her territory, and their effect on productivity/efficiency;
- Accountable for customer satisfaction through personal contact and management of systems;
- Determine driver training needs for all zones by communicating with the General Manager and assessing their hiring schedule;
- Download and effectively read locomotive event recorder records as requested, i.e. following an incident, during weekly event recorder evaluations, following check rides, etc;
- Current on all ORS, Accreditation, OSH and other safety requirements as applicable and consistently working to ensure full compliance with all State agencies including but not limited to training, inspections, reporting, audits and fatigue management;
- Perform efficiency testing/meetings or exceeding requirements set by the Company;
- Facilitate toolbox meetings when required;
- Assist in the planning, coordinating, and administration of annual Safety Audits of zone locations, as well as railroad internal control plans, as indicated in the annual departmental training plan. Assist in intermediate “mini” audits as necessary based on need or as requested by General Manager
- Coordinate and oversee all student drivers in training with regards to start and finish dates along with student driver schedules.

**EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE**
- **TLI42615 - Certificate IV in Train Driving is a requirement.**:

- A Certificate IV TAE 40116 in training and assessment or the ability to obtain the certificate.
- High school education or general education development (GED), and minimum of 5 years job-related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Ability to drive and handle trains at a high proficient level;
**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES**
- Working knowledge and understanding of all railroad operations, including but not limited to train service, administration, customer service, locomotive management;
- Ability to effectively communicate instructions, directions, processes, procedures, safety rules and regulations to co-workers, supervisors, and others in written, verbal, diagrammatic and schedule form.
- Ability to train personnel to perform job-related duties; and to provide training company regulations, rules, safety guidelines and preventive maintenance.
- Ability to make independent judgments using sound reasoning skills and knowledge base.
- Ability to select, train, and motivate a viable driver team to conduct railroad business and guide day to day safety, management, and profitable growth.
- Possess a current class C or above driver’s license.

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