TX
TxDOTRail Safety Investigator I or II (Operating Practices) - Rail Div.
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Before you apply
LocationMultiple Locations
Work modeon-site
Typefull-time
SeniorityMid
Experience5+ yrs
DepartmentRail Division
Company size10,000+ people
First seenOct 30, 2026 · 4d ago
Verified live15h ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
High School Grad or Equivalent in general high school studies
5 years' experience in railroad industry-related occupations, railroad inspections or rail safety activities (Investigator I)
6 years' experience in railroad operations and inspection; rail safety investigative work (Investigator II)
Valid driver's license
Safety Impact Certificate (Investigator I)
Meets qualifications per 49 CFR 212 to participate in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Field Orientation Standard On-the-Job training and complete the certification within 24 months of hire (Investigator I)
Must be certified by FRA under 49 CFR part 212 and in good standing (Investigator II)
Must be currently certified and in good standing in one of the following FRA disciplines: Hazardous Materials, Motive Power & Equipment, Operating Practices, Signal and Train Control, or Track (Investigator II)
Related college education or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis
Must pass a drug test prior to employment
Maintain the security or integrity of the agency’s critical infrastructure and will be subject to regular assessments of criminal history
Skills
Personal computers
applicable programs
applications
systems
Benefits
Retirement plans
Alternative and flexible work schedules
Paid leave and holidays
Health insurance
On the job training
Tuition assistance
Holistic wellness program
Career development
Family friendly policies
Benefits
Are you a railroad employee looking for a change? If yes, TxDOT’s Rail Division is looking for an experienced Rail Safety Investigator I or II. We offer a 40-hour week with 4-10 hour days or 5-8 hour days, flexible work schedule, with 14 paid holidays/agency days, and weekends off.
At TxDOT we value employee work-life-balance. In keeping with our commitment to this value our employees benefit from a wide array of programs and activities that include telework, flexed and compressed work schedules, wellness leave incentive, in-house wellness center, career development programs, tuition assistance, and various other benefits.
At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:
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Retirement Plans
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Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
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Paid Leave and Holidays
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Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
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On-the-Job Training
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Tuition Assistance Program
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Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
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Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
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Family-Friendly Policies and Programs
In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.
For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)
About the role
Investigator I
Under the guidance of a certified Railroad Investigator, learns to perform routine rail
safety inspections at designated facilities within the state to determine compliance
with State Railroad Statutes and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rail safety
standards. Work requires extensive contact with federal, state and local
governmental officials, special interest groups, railroad companies and other private
entities. Work requires out of state travel related to FRA training and routinely
requires statewide travel. Employees at this level perform work under the guidance
and supervision of a certified state rail investigator or federal rail inspector.
Investigator II
As a certified Rail Investigator, performs routine rail safety inspections at designated
facilities within the state to determine compliance with State Railroad Statutes and
the Federal Railroad Administration rail safety standards. Work requires extensive
contact with federal, state and local governmental officials, special interest groups,
railroad companies and other private entities. Work requires extensive statewide
travel which also includes out-of-state travel. Employees at this level establish their
own work plan and priorities to meet set objectives
Essential Duties:
Investigator I
• Participates in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Field Orientation Standard On-the- Job Training (OJT) Program to complete all job training objectives and receives letter of completion from Federal Railroad Administration
• Under the guidance or direction of a certified railroad investigator or federal rail inspector, conducts railroad related accident and compliant inspections.
• Under the guidance or direction of a certified railroad investigator or federal rail inspector, conduct investigations or follow-up inspections to determine compliance on rail safety standards.
• Under the guidance or direction of a certified railroad investigator or federal rail inspector, may conduct safety inspections of specific railroad- related property, operations, personnel or other areas of rail-related issues or events.
• Under the guidance and supervision of a certified state railroad investigator or federal rail inspector, identifies remedial actions necessary to correct deficiencies identified during investigations.
• Under the guidance and supervision of a certified state railroad investigator or federal rail inspector, investigates public complaints regarding railroad operations or facilities.
• Under the guidance and supervision of a certified state railroad investigator or federal rail inspector, may advise railroad companies on railroad safety matters.
• Under the guidance and supervision of a certified state railroad investigator or federal rail inspector, prepares, writes and issues reports relating to inspections of individual railroads.
• Prepares, writes and submits weekly training logs/reports to FRA Training Coordinator and lead railroad investigator.
• Available to be on-call to support program needs.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.
Investigator II
• Develops individual railroad safety inspection programs and projects for area of expertise.
• Available to be on-call to support program needs.
• Conducts accident and compliant investigations.
• Conducts investigations or follow-up inspections to determine compliance or continued deficiencies on rail safety standards.
• Conducts safety inspections of specific railroad-related property, operations, personnel or other areas of rail-related issues or events.
• Identifies remedial actions necessary to correct deficiencies identified during investigations.
• Investigates public complaints regarding rail operations or facilities.
• May advise railroad companies on rail safety matters.
• Prepares, writes and issues reports relating to inspections of individual railroads.
• Recommends violations to the Rail Safety Section Director and suggests penalties for railroads failing to comply with applicable regulations.
• Travels and makes on-site reviews, inspections and analysis.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Rail Safety Investigator I
Education: High School Grad or Equivalent in general high school studies.
Experience: 5 years’ experience in railroad industry-related occupations, railroad inspections or rail safety activities. (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part-time equivalent). Related college education or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications
Licenses and Certifications:
Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
Mandatory: Safety Impact Certificate.
Meets qualifications per 49 CFR 212 to participate in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Field Orientation Standard On-the-Job training and complete the certification within 24 months of hire.
Rail Safety Investigator II
Education: High School Grad or Equivalent in general high school studies.
Experience: 6 years’ experience in railroad operations and inspection; rail safety investigative work. (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part-time equivalent). Related college education or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications
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Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
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Must be certified by FRA under 49 CFR part 212 and in good standing.
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Must be currently certified and in good standing in one of the following Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) disciplines: Hazardous Materials, Motive Power & Equipment, Operating Practices, Signal and Train Control, or Track.
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Operating Practices Insp Certification
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Rail Hazardous Materials Certification
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Rail Motive Pwr & Equip Certification
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Rail Signal/Train Control Certification
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Rail Track Insp Certification
Preferred Qualifications:
Competencies:
Operating Practices Investigator I
• Railroad industry, including economic and operating considerations and equipment
• General safety and health principles and practices applicable to the railroad industry
• Railroad industry and infrastructure
• Federal Railroad Administration circulars, orders and regulations to include Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations
• Rail investigative practices and procedures
• Railroad accident investigation techniques
• Applicable policies and procedures
• Researching, analyzing and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations
• Preparing detailed reports
• The use of personal computers and applicable programs, applications and systems
Operating Practices Investigator II
• Applicable analysis methodologies
• Applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations specific to area of responsibility for safeguarding information and information technology related systems
• Railroad industry and infrastructure, including economic and operating considerations and equipment
• Railroad industry and infrastructure
• Applicable policies and procedures
• Federal Railroad Administration circulars, orders and regulations to include Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations
• Rail investigative practices and procedures
• Researching, analyzing and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations
• Preparing detailed reports
• The use of personal computers and applicable programs, applications and systems
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
• Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
• Subject to outside environmental conditions; no effective weather protection
• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour
• Subject to noise
• Subject to vibration
• Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals
• Subject to atmospheric conditions-fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation
• Subject to air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids
• Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device
• Works frequently in small/crawl spaces; manholes; areas that can cause claustrophobia.
• Works in narrow aisles or passageways
• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs
• Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs
• Climbing - ascending/descending ladders, stairs, scaffoldings, ramps, etc
• Balancing-walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling…
• Stooping-bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist.
• Kneeling-bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee(s)
• Crouching-bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine.
• Crawling-moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet
• Reaching-extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
• Standing-prolonged periods of time
• Walking-moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another.
• Pushing-using upper extremities to press against object with force to move in a direction.
• Pulling-using upper extremities to exert force moving objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting-raising objects from lower to higher position/horizontally to a different position
• Fingering-picking, pinching, typing; working primarily with fingers rather than whole hand.
• Grasping-applying pressure to an object with fingers and palm
• Feeling-determining size, shape, temperature, or texture of objects
• Talking expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Hearing-perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication.
• Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading.
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes visual inspection of small defects/parts.
• Close Visual Acuity-using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts
• Visual Acuity-operate machines, such as drill presses, power saws, and mills.
• Visual Acuity-operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment.
• Visual Acuity-determine work quality/make general observations of facilities/structures.
Conditions of Employment:
Please read the Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT) for all positions.
Hiring process
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This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
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Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
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Please note that the Department of Transportation’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
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To be selected for and continue employment in this position, the selected incumbent must maintain the security or integrity of the agency’s critical infrastructure and will be subject to regular assessments of criminal history and/or reviewed for connections to foreign adversaries.
TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.
Click on the appropriate occupational category to view the MOS codes.
The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.
Additional Applicant Information for applicants
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