Position Information

NY HELPYes

AgencyTransportation, Department of

TitleRailroad Inspector (Hazardous Materials) - (NY HELPS)

Occupational CategorySkilled Craft, Apprenticeship, Maintenance

Salary Grade15

Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)

Salary RangeFrom $56807 to $72429 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class

Travel Percentage 80%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 6 AM

To 2 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? No

Location

County To Be Determined

Street Address Office of Modal Safety & Security

City To Be Determined

StateNY

Zip Code12232

Job Specifics

Duties Description Duties Description:

• Plans and carries out an itinerary of periodic inspections of the handling of hazardous materials at all rail facilities, including intermodal facilities and shipper/consignee locations.

• Inspects rail cars, freight containers and intermodal bulk containers for compliance with applicable hazardous materials regulations, freight car equipment and safety appliance standards.

• Conducts investigations of collisions, reportable derailments, unintentional releases of hazardous materials, or other accidents/incidents resulting in serious injury to persons or to the property of a railroad occurring on the line of any common carrier engaged in interstate transportation.

• Determines probable cause of accident or incident and if state or federal regulations were violated.

• Develops comprehensive reports (accident, incident, and notices of probable violation) which outline findings and recommendations.

• Investigates the method of construction, repair, testing, retesting and manufacture of specification containers used for hazardous materials to determine compliance with existing regulations, specifications, and the need for changes in the specifications.

• Investigates railroad shippers’ packaging, marking, labeling, shipping procedures and documentation of shipments of hazardous materials.

• Investigates the loading/unloading, switching and movement of cars containing hazardous materials by rail, as well as the shippers’ and carriers’ documentation of such car loadings.

• Investigates and collects evidence of violations of hazardous materials regulations relating to railroads, including interviewing witnesses and examining and securing pertinent evidence and/or documentations.

• Inspects regional/short line railroads for compliance with the hazardous materials regulations and assists in training those entities to enhance compliance with federal regulations.

• Instructs trainees in job related functions to foster an easier transition phase for those trainees that have chosen the hazardous materials discipline.

• Works jointly with the local Association of American Railroads Bureau of Explosives Inspector and with other departmental representatives in promoting uniform understanding and, if necessary, enforcement of hazardous materials regulations applicable to container manufacturers, shippers/consignees and carriers.

• Will be required to obtain and maintain various federally mandated certifications pertaining to rail safety programs.

• The duties of the position require considerable travel within a designated area of assignment.

Minimum Qualifications *Although this position will report to Main Office, the incumbent may be assigned to work from a location within a territory that encompasses Albany, Bronx, Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Fulton, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Kings, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Nassau, New York, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren and Washington counties.

Minimum Qualifications:
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*

To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:

Open Competitive:
Two years of experience in developing, administering, or performing managerial functions related to compliance with the hazardous materials regulations; or four years of experience in performing functions related to compliance with the hazardous materials regulations; or a bachelor’s degree in physics, chemistry, engineering, logistics, or fire science.

Continued employment as a Railroad Inspector (Hazardous Material) is dependent upon acquisition of various federally mandated certifications pertaining to rail safety programs. Failure to obtain and maintain these certifications may result in termination of employment.

The duties of the position require extensive travel within a designated area of assignment. Appointees must be able to respond to the work requirements of the job in a timely and responsible manner. Individuals who do not live within reasonable proximity of the work assignment will find it extremely difficult to satisfy this condition of employment. At the time of appointment, and continuously thereafter, you will be required to possess a valid New York State driver’s license or otherwise demonstrate the ability to meet the travel requirements of the position.
Physical/Medical Requirements: Your physical and medical condition will be evaluated to ensure that you are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. A complete statement of the physical and medical standards is available at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/ehs/forms.cfm. A medical examination will be required prior to appointment. Appointees to this position may be required to undergo periodic medical examinations to reassess their ability to perform the essential duties of the position.
Candidates may also be qualified for permanent competitive appointment if reachable from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or be eligible for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.

Additional Comments Additional Information
*For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date, it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in an NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Your required educational credentials must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfmt.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

The New York State Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, minority group members, disabled persons and Veterans are encouraged to apply. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be provided for the disabled.
________________________________________
In compliance with Public Law 99-603, candidates selected for appointment must provide an original document to prove their citizenship and/or legal right to work in the United States.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

How to Apply

Name Office of Modal Safety & Security

Telephone

Fax

Email Address dot.sm.mo.operations.personnel@dot.ny.gov

Address

Street 50 Wolf Road

POD 5-3

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12232

 

Notes on ApplyingTo Apply:
Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest and a current resume, titled by last name, with the Notice Number MO-25-295 and last name in the subject line and referenced in the letter of interest no later than July 23, 2025 to:

New York State Department of Transportation
Office of Modal Safety & Security
50 Wolf Road, POD 5-3
Albany, NY 12232
dot.sm.mo.operations.personnel@dot.ny.gov