Manager Quality Assurance

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

Click here to learn more about our benefits!

Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws, including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Grant Management & Corporate Quality Assurance is divided into three primary sections: Grant Administration, Project Implementation, and Corporate Quality Assurance. Grand Administration includes the Grant Applications and Grant Reimbursement teams. Grant Applications coordinates program-level information for each project and submits applications for capital, operating, and demonstration grants to appropriate funding agencies. Grant Reimbursement requests reimbursement from funding agencies for capital expenditures, closes out capital project grants, performs monthly and annual reconciliations of reimbursements to capital expenditures, and provides information for audits and funding agency review. Project Implementation administers approved project budgets, scopes, and schedules, obligates funding for contracts, provides financial oversight and reports project progress to the funding agencies. Corporate Quality Assurance administers Metra's Quality Assurance oversight program to ensure compliance with the Federal Transit Administration's Quality Management System and to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Director, Corporate Quality Assurance, the Manager, Quality Assurance will supervise staff responsible for the administration of the agency's quality assurance (QA) oversight program and related activities; develop and implement standard operating procedures and document business processes; identify and execute on opportunities for continuous quality improvement, streamlining activities, risk mitigation, and cost savings; evaluate agency processes and operations ensuring operational and contractual requirements and policies meet program and agency standards; ensure agency personnel, third-party vendors and consultants who support capital design and construction projects operate in compliance with the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA's) Quality Management System (QMS) Guidelines; and develop solutions that are aligned with the business strategy.

The primary duties include: Supervise the staff responsible for daily activities in support of the QA oversight program including audit services to drive continuous process improvements; assign projects, monitor workflow, and review and evaluate methods and procedures; and ensure the availability of appropriate tools. Meet with staff to identify and resolve problems and oversee the collection and analysis of audit data and project documentation; organize results, prepare conclusions, and report on findings; and ensure internal departments and third-party vendors comply with FTA's QMS Guidelines and follow established rules of the agency's quality manual. Provide technical expertise on the review and development of standardized process improvements; oversee the development of key performance indicators (KPIs) and dashboards to monitor capital program performance; track process issues; recommend changes; and determine the cost of quality deficiencies. Oversee quality audits of activities of contractor and internal forces to verify compliance; review pre- and post-audit project documentation; verify the completion of corrective actions; and ensure project complies with all regulatory, contractual, and department procedural requirements. Review bid documents, drawings, and specifications for construction projects at various design stages to ensure departmental policies, programs and requirements are included and properly presented in assigned projects. Approve time off, coordinate staff schedules, fill vacancies as necessary, and ensure compliance with departmental and company policies and objectives. Decide/implement staffing decisions, performance evaluations, and performance improvement, disciplinary, and/or termination procedures. Make recommendations regarding hiring, performance evaluations, disciplinary and/or termination procedures. Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment. Responsible for the safety objectives, goals, and program of the organization ensuring compliance with applicable safety rules and regulations. Incumbents work under both inside and outside environmental conditions under prevailing conditions of heat, cold, rain, and snow. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

1. Bachelor's degree or in lieu of a degree any combination of education or experience that equals four (4) years in quality management, process improvement, data management and analysis, or engineering.
2. In addition to #1, six (6) years of experience quality management, process improvement, data management and analysis, or engineering.
3. Must have three (3) years of team lead or supervisory experience.
4. Considerable knowledge of statistical methods (e.g., regression analysis, hypothesis testing, process control, etc.) as well as quality tools and techniques for data collection and analysis for process performance and improvement.
5. Considerable knowledge of quality assurance and the development of standard operating procedures and business processes.
6. Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), PowerBi, statistical applications, and data management systems.
7. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
8. Good math, analytical, organizational, and critical-thinking skills.
9. Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to interact with all employee levels, outside agencies, and organizations and present information concisely, think critically, and solve problems.
10. Ability to supervise staff, set priorities, and meet strict deadlines.
11. Ability to schedule, lead, and conduct compliance audits.
12. Ability to extract, synthesize, manage, and analyze complex data with attention to detail.
13. Ability to organize information clearly and concisely and to think critically and solve problems.
14. Ability to interpret grant and contract requirements for capital project implementations.
15. Ability to analyze and process data to assess how systems may be strengthened and improved.
16. Certification through the American Society for Quality (ASQ) or other accredited quality-related organizations or able to attain within two (2) years of hire date.
17. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
18. Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit, for extended periods of time.
19. Hearing/Visual acuity, far/near, depth perception, field of vision, color vision.
20. Must be able to operate a vehicle.
21. Must be willing to travel within and outside of Metra's 6-county region.
22. Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.

Preferred:

1. Experience in the railroad or transit industry.
2. Knowledge of capital project design, construction, engineering concepts, etc.
3. Knowledge of the FTAs QMS Guidelines and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations related to capital projects.

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees' use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to RAC@Metrarr.com.

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.