Project Analyst – Rail Safety Oversight – Baltimore, MD Region

Position Overview

Transportation Resource Associates, Inc. (TRA) is looking for a talented Project Analyst to join our dynamic team supporting the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program. The Project Analyst’s responsibilities include:

• Full-time, in-office placement at MDOT headquarters in Hanover, MD near BWI Marshall Airport, along with occasional required local in-person field work in in the Baltimore, MD region. This is not a remote position.
• Working regularly and frequently with TRA and MDOT SSO personnel to oversee the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, and Purple Line projects as part of the independent SSO Agency.
• Acting as a front-line interface with TRA’s clients and other project stakeholders.
• Reviewing qualitative and quantitative submittals from MTA as part of their continuous efforts to improve safety.
• Critically analyzing corrective action plan information and effectively facilitating the SSO review and approval process.
• Effectively working and communicating with program managers, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders from the SSO program to ensure the continued workflow related to corrective action status updates and reports, verification and validation of completed actions through written correspondence, formal reports, and verbal presentations during internal and external meetings.
• Assisting with the completion of field inspections and post-inspection report writing.
• Developing clear and cogent written reports, key performance indicators, and presentations, including data synthesis and analysis.
• Periodic on-site meetings at MTA facilities and offices in Baltimore and Anne Arundel.
• Periodic visits to TRA’s Philadelphia, PA office, and working with TRA’s Philadelphia-based project staff, and with personnel based elsewhere in the U.S. to complete client and project work.

The position reports to TRA personnel, but also will interface directly with TRA clients at MDOT. TRA offers unique opportunities for its employees to grow with the company, in both seniority and technical and professional development.

Project Analyst Qualifications

• Master’s degree is preferred, and bachelor’s degree is required.
• Candidates with experience in rail and bus transit safety, engineering, planning, or similar disciplines are often successful, however applicants with other applicable backgrounds may be considered.
• Knowledge of or interest in public transportation safety, operations, maintenance, and emergency preparedness, and security is preferred. Familiarity with Safety Management Systems (SMS) in any industry is beneficial, as is knowledge of Federal Transit Administration and/or U.S. Department of Transportation requirements.
• Project Analyst candidates must be detail-oriented, organized, and flexible. Candidates must have excellent written and verbal communications skills, strong ability for critical thinking, and an excellent capacity to analyze, understand, and incorporate technical information. Candidates must also be able to think creatively about data and how to present it as useful and engaging information, both for external and internal use.
• Candidates must be able work both independently and in a team setting, and interface regularly with a wide range of stakeholders. Successful Project Analysts must be engaged and eager, and must actively look for ways they can help TRA and its clients.
• A TRA Project Analyst must be proficient in Microsoft Office programs, especially Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint. AirTable or similar database or project management software experience is a plus.
• This position is based in suburban Baltimore, MD, and is a full-time in-office position MDOT headquarters, with local, out of office work on-site across the Baltimore region, such as, but not limited to, meetings and field work at MTA facilities.
• This position is salaried, full-time. Schedule and total hours will vary depending on current assignments. The position may require more than eight hours in a given day, or more than 40 hours in a given week, including some work outside of normal business hours and on weekends, as necessitated by assignments.
• Project Analyst candidates must have a valid driver’s license, be able to pass a background check, be a U.S. citizen, and have physical agility to meet typical rail transit and railroad requirements for roadway worker protection (working in rail transit and railroad rights-of-way safely).

All applicants must submit the following two items:

1. A professional cover letter explaining why you would be a good fit to be the TRA Baltimore Project Analyst. Applicants who do not send a cover letter will not be considered.
2. A detailed resume describing your education, experience, credentials, and other information relevant to this position.

Please forward information to consultingpositions@traonline.com.

About TRA

TRA provides transportation consulting services with unparalleled expertise, extensive experience, and practical work products. TRA is one of the most trusted consulting firms in the U.S., having worked with major transit agencies across North America. Our pragmatic approach to solving organizational and operational issues focuses on delivering practical, high-quality solutions to improve safety and security, enhance business process flow, and apply industry best practices.