Operations Control Center (OCC) Staff Analyst

Alternate Concepts, Inc. (ACI) and Herzog Transit Services, Inc. (HTSI), collectively the ACI-Herzog Joint Venture, along with our key subcontractors are seeking applicants for the Hudson Bergen Light Rail operation located in Hudson County, New Jersey. ACI was founded in 1989 with their corporate office located in Boston, MA and Herzog founded in 1969 with corporate offices located in St. Joseph, MO and Fort Worth, TX. Combined, our companies provide FRA/FTA compliant transportation, equipment maintenance, dispatching, right-of-way maintenance, facility maintenance and dispatching services for 20 distinct client properties. In addition to the Joint Venture being the upcoming operator/maintainer of the Hudson Bergen Light Rail, we currently jointly operate the Tren Urbano heavy rail service in San Juan, Puerto Rico and the CTDOT’s Hartford intercity service in Connecticut.

ACI-Herzog Joint Venture, along with our key subcontractors, are currently seeking a Full-Time Operations Control Center (OCC) Staff Analyst to join our team.

The pay rate for this position is $60K to 80K annually.

ACI-Herzog Joint Venture offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including paid-time-off, medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life and AD&D insurance; short-term and long-term disability coverage; and a 401(k) retirement savings plan. Voluntary employee-paid benefits include supplemental life and AD&D insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident coverage.

The Operations Control Center (OCC) Staff Analyst serves as the principal analytical and operational support resource for the Transportation Department and Operations Control Center. The position is responsible for collecting, validating, analyzing, and reporting operational performance data used to measure the safety, reliability, efficiency, and effectiveness of HBLR rail operations.

Working closely with Transportation Management, OCC Controllers, Transportation Managers, Maintenance departments, Safety & Training, and NJ TRANSIT, the Staff Analyst develops operational performance reports, evaluates service trends, analyzes delays, monitors on-time performance (OTP), and provides data-driven recommendations to improve operational performance and customer service.

The position also serves as a technical resource for HBLR's Operations Control Center by maintaining operational databases, validating incident reporting systems, supporting performance management initiatives, and assisting with special studies, Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), Capital Asset Replacement Program (CARP) initiatives, executive presentations, and operational improvement projects. The position will report to the Office of the Asset Manager, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to Operations, and will be assigned various duties and special projects as directed to support organizational and operational objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Operations Performance Analysis

• Collect, review, validate, and analyze operational performance data.
• Prepare daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual performance reports.
• Monitor On-Time Performance (OTP), delay trends, service reliability, railcar utilization, customer impacts, and operating statistics.
• Perform statistical analysis of operating performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop executive dashboards and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the Office of the Asset Manager, including supporting cross-functional initiatives, operational studies, performance improvement efforts, and other organizational priorities as needed.

Operations Control Center Support

• Serve as the primary analytical resource supporting the Operations Control Center.
• Review Service Advisories, RiSC reports, EAM records, incident reports, and operational databases for completeness and accuracy.
• Verify delay coding and ensure consistency between operating systems.
• Identify discrepancies and coordinate corrective actions with OCC personnel.
• Assist Transportation Managers by serving as operational support during periods of heavy workload or emergency operations.

Database Management

• Maintain operational databases supporting Transportation performance reporting.
• Develop database queries and reporting tools.
• Perform quality assurance reviews of operational data.
• Create monthly database tables and statistical reports.
• Maintain historical operating records for trend analysis.

Reporting and Executive Support

• Prepare Weekly Performance Reports.
• Prepare Monthly Operating Reports.
• Develop presentations and briefing materials for executive management.
• Support NJ TRANSIT reporting requirements.
• Prepare reports supporting Executive Staff meetings and operational reviews.

Operational Analysis

• Conduct detailed analysis of delays, incidents, service disruptions, and operational performance.
• Evaluate trends affecting customer service and system reliability.
• Recommend operational improvements using data-driven methodologies.
• Participate in special studies involving running times, scheduling, terminal operations, staffing levels, service planning, and operational efficiency.

Safety and Regulatory Support

• Support Safety Management System (SMS) initiatives through operational data analysis.
• Assist in development of Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) and Corrective Action Review Process (CARP) documentation.
• Analyze operational events and identify recurring trends requiring management attention.
• Support investigations involving operational incidents and service disruptions.

Other Duties

• Serve as backup support to Transportation Managers when required.
• Participate in emergency operations as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Transportation, Business Administration, Public Administration, Data Analytics, Engineering, Computer Science, Statistics, or related field. Equivalent experience may be substituted.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible experience in transit, railroad, subway, or light rail operations.
• Thorough knowledge of Operations Control Center functions and rail operations.
• Familiarity with rapid transit, subway, commuter rail, or light rail operating practices.
• Strong analytical and statistical skills.
• Experience interpreting operational performance data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and database applications.
• Experience developing executive reports and presentations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet strict reporting deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in an Operations Control Center.
• Experience with RiSC, EAM, Trapeze, CAD/AVL, or comparable transit management systems.
• Java, Google suites, Slack, Canva, Excel, Access, SPSS, SQL, Python, HTML, Microsoft Suite, Crystal Reports, and Power BI.
• Knowledge of FTA Safety Management System (SMS) principles.
• Experience with transit performance metrics, delay analysis, and operational dashboards.
• Experience supporting executive management with operational performance reporting.

Location and Availability Requirements:

• Must reside, or be willing to relocate, within one (1) hour of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system in Jersey City, NJ.
• Must be available to support emergency operations, special events, and after-hours assignments as operational needs require.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• The employee must be able to distinguish between visual colors.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop; kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The OCC Staff Analyst plays a critical role in helping HBLR achieve operational excellence. Through the analysis of operational data, performance trends, and service reliability metrics, this position directly supports executive decision-making, improves system performance, strengthens customer service, and advances the safe and efficient operation of one of the region's premier light rail systems.

AHJV reserves the right to revise this job description from time to time.

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees assigned to this job.

It is the policy of ACI-Herzog Joint Venture to provide equal opportunity in employment for all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, age, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, military status, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by law.