Electric Rail Operator

Requisition ID: 23044
Department: Transit Services Dept.
Service: Transit Srvc Delivery & Rail Ops Service
Employment Type: Multiple Full-time Permanent
Work Hours: 40.00 /hours per week
Affiliation: ATU 279/Trans Operators

Salary Information: Training rate is 50% of full-time Electric Rail Operator wage rate ($19.505/hr) (2026 Rates of Pay)

Note: Rates of pay after successful completion of training are as follows:

• 1st - 8th month - 85% of Electric Rail Operator rate ($33.159/hr)
• 9th - 16th month - 90% of Electric Rail Operator rate ($35.109/hr)
• 17th - 24th month - 95% of Electric Rail Operator rate ($37.060/hr)
• After 24 months - Full Electric Rail Operator rate ($39.010/hr) (2026 Rates of Pay)

Location: 805 Belfast
Job Category: Transit Services - OC Transpo
Application Close: 31/12/2026

Note: This list will be used to staff current and ongoing requirements until December 31, 2026.

JOB SUMMARY

Rail Operations manages the delivery of diesel and electric rail services, including management of the thirty-year P3 contract with the Rideau Transit Maintenance Group for the rail maintenance contract for the LRT system, ensuring safe and reliable operations that meet service standards, comply with all regulatory safety and operating requirements, and provide a safe, reliable, efficient, effective, on time, courteous and cost-effective rail service to a growing and diverse City of Ottawa.

Your primary responsibility is the safe operation and movement of trains on the Confederation Line. You operate electric rail vehicles in accordance with Confederation Line rules and regulations for light rail safety and in accordance with Transit Services’ policies and procedures for train operation.

You carry out your functions and duties in a safe, courteous and efficient manner. Responsibilities include but are not limited to customer service onboard vehicles and on the platforms, assisting with customer events and inquiries, testing vehicles, operating vehicles, special operations, recovering from on board vehicle failures of a minor nature, making customer announcements and making prudent judgement under a variety of conditions during the course of duty.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of Grade 12

All candidates must complete and pass the following in-house courses (designed by Rideau Transit Group and OC Transpo):

• Confederation Line Orientation
• Confederation Line Operating Rules
• Train Control Operations
• Electric Rail Operator Training
• Workplace Safety
• Customer Service
• Vehicle Systems and operation
• Revenue Service and Emergency Procedures
• On-the-Job Training and certification

Minimum of 6 months of Transit experience including transit services, transit routes, branch policies, and standard operating procedures; plus:

• Demonstrated experience with relevant customer service experience including direct contact with the public and dealing with a diverse population
• Demonstrated experience in a high-volume and high-demanding operational environment

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

Valid Ontario unrestricted G class driver’s licence (or provincial equivalent) with no more than 6 demerit points accumulated

KNOWLEDGE

• Light Rail Vehicle Operations
• Radio communications protocol and emergency response techniques
• Dispute resolution techniques
• Confederation Line network
• Transit services and transit routes
• City/Branch policies and procedures affecting Transit Services, including standard operating procedures, emergency standing orders and control centre procedures
• Workplace occurrence and incident reporting
• Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers
• City of Ottawa landmarks and locations
• Must pass medical testing at time of hire and on an on-going basis

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to work and maintain professional composure while under stress and pressure
• Ability to maintain a high performance level of dependability, reliability and safety
• Learn to operate a light rail vehicle in a safe manner
• Able to adapt/react to changes in operating conditions/environment
• Able to operate in a highly diverse cultural community
• Attentive to detail and able to adhere to specific detailed procedures
• Persuasive and tactful with excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills
• Basic understanding of and ability to use computers
• Able to multi-task, solve problems and make decisions
• Able to remain calm in stressful situations
• Able to exercise sound judgement
• Able to work with minimum direct supervision and in a team environment
• Able to project a positive and professional image at all times, through personal appearance and conduct
• Able to act independently
• Able to communicate clearly in writing, in person, and by using corporate communications technologies, such as 2-way radio, etc.
• Able to deliver excellent customer service at all times and to deal with all situations in a professional manner by remaining calm and self-controlled when dealing with difficult situations, and co-operating with Transit Supervisors and other City of Ottawa personnel to meet customers' transit needs
• Conducts self in an appropriate manner as a representative of Transit Services, uses sound judgement at all times, works safely on the job, respects co-workers and assures the quality of services to all customers both internal and external
• Available and able to work overtime, and work a variety of scheduled shifts including split shifts, weekends, evenings and holidays, as per the collective agreement
• Applicants must be able to meet the physical requirements of the job including but not limited to:
  • Ability to sit for long periods of time in the driver's seat
  • Ability to bend, twist body and to manipulate controls independently or simultaneously at any given time
  • Constant twisting and neck rotation of different ranges to check mirrors, equipment, etc.
  • Ability to perform required pre and post trip inspections, which involves walking, bending, squatting, climbing, reaching, twisting body in many different positions
  • Ability to use a radio and microphone and to communicate effectively
  • Ability to call out stops as required
  • Ability to read and understand trip dockets
  • Ability to react and deal with emergency situations as they arise
  • Constant gripping, pulling and pushing to manipulate control
  • Ability to walk on track surfaces including uneven group, enter/exit the vehicle from track level, and support emergency activity at track level as required.
  • Ability to perform required pre-trip inspection, which involves walking, bending, squatting, climbing, reaching, twisting body in many different positions

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Language Requirement: English oral, reading, writing; Various language requirements, locations may require English only, French only OR Bilingual competencies. Some positions require English oral, reading, and writing. Some positions required French oral, reading and writing.
• Police Record Check: The successful candidate will be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) with the Police Services detachment in their jurisdiction to the City of Ottawa’s satisfaction. Police record checks completed by a third-party company will not be accepted.
• Driver’s License Requirement: A valid Ontario unrestricted G class driver’s license (or provincial equivalent) with no more than 6 demerit points accumulated.
• Must be able to work shifts, weekends and statutory holidays at a variety of locations.; Additional vacancies may occur during the competition process.
• Experience and formal training combined with demonstrated performance and ability may substitute for stipulated academic requirements.
• Please save a copy of the job poster. Once the closing date has passed, it will no longer be available.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The City of Ottawa promotes the principles of diversity and inclusion and adheres to the tenets of the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from members of Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women and non-binary persons, persons of all ethnic origins, religions, sexual orientations, classes, gender identities and expressions.
Candidates are encouraged to self-identify as a member of one or more designated employment equity groups in the self-identification questionnaire.

The City of Ottawa provides accommodation to applicants during all parts of the hiring process, upon request. If contacted to proceed to the selection process, please advise us if you require any accommodation.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. Please contact the Employee Service Centre at 613-580-2424 extension 12211 or via email at [email protected].

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