Rail MOW Maintainer - Traction Power

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System DepartmentSalary: $29.71 - $46.42 Commensurate with Experience

Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service.

This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region.

Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs.

The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

SUMMARY

The Power Maintainer performs inspection, testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair work on traction power substations, power distribution equipment, feeder systems, protective devices, and associated electrical infrastructure that support rail operations. Reporting to the MOW Power Supervisor, this role carries out assigned field maintenance work in accordance with established procedures, technical guidance, safety requirements, and quality standards to help maintain safe, reliable, and service-ready traction power systems.

This position supports the day-to-day maintenance of rail power systems by performing scheduled inspections and tests, diagnosing equipment issues, completing corrective repairs, documenting work, and assisting with service restoration and infrastructure readiness activities. The Power Maintainer works as part of a team-based field maintenance environment and may assist with outage response, switching support, commissioning support, emergency response, and other activities needed to support service continuity and infrastructure performance.

The role requires sound technical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work safely and effectively in a safety-sensitive infrastructure maintenance environment. This position contributes directly to traction power system reliability, maintenance quality, and the overall effectiveness of the Maintenance of Way function.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Power System Maintenance and Repair

• Perform scheduled inspections, testing, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, maintenance, and corrective repair work on traction power substations, switchgear, rectifiers, breakers, transformers, feeder systems, grounding systems, and related electrical infrastructure.
• Diagnose and repair equipment issues using established procedures, technical manuals, drawings, one-lines, test equipment, and diagnostic tools.
• Complete assigned work in accordance with work instructions, maintenance schedules, technical guidance, and quality expectations.
• Assist in identifying defects, abnormal conditions, alarms, and equipment issues affecting safe operation or service reliability.
• Help ensure traction power systems are maintained in a safe, reliable, and service-ready condition.

Inspection, Testing, and Technical Support

• Conduct required inspections, functional tests, relay checks, breaker timing tests, insulation resistance testing, thermal scan follow-up, and other verification activities related to system condition, maintenance completion, and readiness for service.
• Assist with commissioning support, acceptance testing, system checks, and related technical activities as assigned.
• Verify that completed work meets established maintenance and operational standards before equipment is returned to service or advanced to the next stage of work.
• Report unresolved technical issues, recurring faults, or unusual equipment conditions to the appropriate supervisory or lead staff.
• Support troubleshooting and repair follow-up needed to maintain dependable system performance.

Switching, Grounding, and Work Practices

• Execute switching, grounding, clearance, and related work protection activities under supervision and in accordance with established authority and procedures.
• Support safe isolation of equipment and help maintain appropriate work boundaries, grounding protection, and related field protections.
• Follow established procedures for switching logs, work control records, and related outage documentation as assigned.
• Read and apply technical manuals, electrical drawings, one-lines, job aids, and maintenance instructions in the performance of assigned work.
• Help maintain safe and consistent work practices during routine maintenance, outages, and abnormal conditions.

Documentation and Equipment Readiness

• Complete work orders, inspection forms, test sheets, logs, parts usage records, and other required maintenance documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
• Maintain tools, PPE, test equipment, vehicles, and work areas in a clean, organized, calibrated, and serviceable condition.
• Follow established procedures for tool use, documentation, parts handling, and work control.
• Help maintain accurate maintenance records that support asset history, accountability, and operational follow-up.
• Support reliable documentation and equipment readiness within the power maintenance function.

Safety and Operational Support

• Perform work in accordance with applicable safety rules, maintenance procedures, PPE requirements, arc-flash precautions, roadway worker protection, lockout/tagout practices, and organizational expectations.
• Identify and report unsafe conditions, hazards, equipment concerns, and procedural issues through appropriate channels.
• Support emergency response, outage restoration, and other service-restoration activities related to power system failures or abnormal electrical conditions as assigned.
• Work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, or extended hours as needed to support infrastructure maintenance and service requirements.
• Communicate promptly regarding maintenance issues, delays, or conditions affecting assigned work or system readiness.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Infrastructure Maintenance Execution – Ability to perform assigned maintenance, inspection, testing, and repair work on traction power systems safely and effectively.

• Completes assigned work in accordance with procedures and technical requirements.
• Supports dependable system condition and service readiness.
• Carries out maintenance work with care, consistency, and accountability.

Technical Troubleshooting – Ability to identify equipment issues and apply sound troubleshooting methods to diagnose and support repair of traction power and electrical distribution systems.

• Uses technical information and tools to identify likely causes of faults.
• Supports practical and effective repair work.
• Recognizes when additional technical guidance is needed.

Safety and Procedural Compliance – Ability to follow safety rules, maintenance procedures, and work standards consistently in a safety-sensitive environment.

• Adheres to arc-flash, PPE, grounding, roadway worker protection, and lockout/tagout requirements.
• Performs work with attention to safety and procedural discipline.
• Helps support a safe and orderly maintenance environment.

Documentation and Attention to Detail – Ability to maintain accurate work records and complete maintenance tasks with attention to technical and procedural detail.

• Completes work orders, logs, and records accurately.
• Pays close attention to testing, inspections, and required follow-up.
• Helps ensure maintenance documentation is reliable and complete.

Teamwork and Dependability – Ability to work effectively as part of a maintenance team and provide reliable support to daily infrastructure maintenance needs.

• Works cooperatively with supervisors, leads, and fellow maintainers.
• Demonstrates dependability in attendance, readiness, and work completion.
• Supports shared maintenance goals through consistent performance.

Adaptability and Responsiveness – Ability to respond effectively to changing work priorities, urgent repairs, and service-impacting maintenance needs.

• Adjusts to changing assignments and operational needs.
• Supports urgent maintenance response when required.
• Maintains effectiveness in both routine and time-sensitive situations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Traction power systems, including substations, rectifiers, breakers, transformers, feeder systems, and related electrical distribution equipment.
• Basic electrical theory, power distribution concepts, and equipment functions relevant to rail traction power systems.
• Electrical safety practices, including arc-flash protection, grounding, lockout/tagout, and PPE requirements.
• Maintenance procedures, inspection standards, testing requirements, and documentation practices for electrical systems.
• Technical drawings, one-line diagrams, equipment manuals, and maintenance instructions.

Skill in:

• Performing inspection, testing, troubleshooting, and repair of electrical and traction power equipment under direction.
• Using electrical test equipment, meters, and diagnostic tools safely and effectively.
• Reading and applying electrical drawings, one-lines, and technical manuals to support maintenance work.
• Supporting switching, grounding, and outage-related activities in accordance with procedures.
• Completing work orders, test sheets, logs, and related documentation accurately.
• Communicating clearly with supervisors, leads, and team members regarding system conditions and work progress.

Ability to:

• Follow established procedures and technical guidance to complete maintenance work safely and effectively.
• Identify equipment issues and support troubleshooting and repair under direction from leads or supervisors.
• Maintain strong awareness of electrical hazards and adhere to safety requirements at all times.
• Work effectively as part of a team in a field-based, safety-sensitive environment.
• Respond to changing priorities, outage needs, and service-impacting conditions.
• Perform physically demanding work in varied environments while maintaining attention to detail.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Experience in electrical maintenance, utility maintenance, substation maintenance, industrial power systems, or another closely related technical maintenance environment.
• Ability to read and apply technical manuals, electrical drawings, one-lines, job aids, and maintenance procedures.
• Ability to use electrical test equipment, diagnostic tools, and other job-related maintenance tools safely and effectively.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain any job-related licenses, qualifications, or certifications required for the role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical, electrical, utility, industrial maintenance, or related formal training or education.
• Experience in a rail transit, light rail, commuter rail, utility, or comparable infrastructure maintenance environment.
• Experience supporting outage restoration, commissioning, switching support, or service-recovery activities

Working Environment and Physical Demands

• Works in a combination of substations, field, right-of-way, yard, shop, and limited office environments, including active rail infrastructure maintenance locations.
• Works in a safety-sensitive environment requiring strong electrical safety awareness, sound judgment, and the ability to perform hands-on maintenance under both routine and urgent conditions.
• May be required to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, extended hours, or emergency assignments in support of rail service and infrastructure maintenance needs.
• Involves extended periods of standing, walking, climbing, bending, lifting, using hand tools and diagnostic equipment, reviewing technical documents, and completing maintenance records.
• May be exposed to varying weather conditions, noise levels, energized systems, arc-flash hazards, right-of-way hazards, moving equipment, and other physical conditions associated with traction power maintenance and field response.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email [email protected]

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.