Chief Dispatcher - Bilingual

at  Canadian National Railway

At CN, everyday brings new and exciting challenges. You can expect an interesting environment where you’re part of making sure our business is running optimally and safely―helping keep the economy on track. We provide the kind of paid training and opportunities that long-term careers are built on and we recognize hard workers who strive to make a difference. You will be able to thrive in our close-knit, safety-focused culture working together as ONE TEAM. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us!

JOB SUMMARY

The Chief Dispatcher is a front-line supervisor position responsible for the management of day-to-day train operations of the territory and unionized Rail Traffic Control Dispatchers (RTC) in order to meet CN’s service commitments. The incumbent’s primary responsibility is to ensure network fluidity, optimal crew utilization and transportation plan implementation. The Chief Dispatcher oversees the dispatching of trains by providing direction to the RTC based on regional goals and initiatives. Managing the day-to-day operations of a 24/7 function, the role is critical to ensuring the on-time performance of trains, and thus, CN’s commitment to customers.

REQUIREMENTS

Experience

Safety Orientation, Understanding, Compliance and Enforcement

• Coach and train unionized employees on safe operating procedures for train movement
• Build safety compliance and improve safety results through regular safety observations; provide feedback (positive and constructive) to subordinates and take action on non-compliant behavior
• Train, audit, and enforce standard operating procedures
• Ensure safe operation as measured by accidents and incidents and employee injuries
• Achieve weekly and monthly safety observation expectations and objectives in regards to the safety management plan

Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Maintain teamwork and order amongst staff, contractors, and internal clients by acting with a sense of urgency to respond to issues as they may arise
• Use operational data in CN systems to identify opportunities to improve asset utilization and service reliability
• Manage crew utilization, track deadheads, recrews and labor cost and take action to improve the operations and cost control

Planning and Organizing Workload

• Prepare daily meet plans
• Responsible for the oversight of track maintenance, track repairs, and upgrades while overseeing the operation of train movement
• Set recover plans for service exceptions in conjunction with field
• Manage train line ups and train meets and to predict estimated time of arrival and train crew needs
• Align train crews and schedule
• Determine best opportunity to move trains against multiple demands
• Give recommendations to cost control and asset utilization when planning workflow and implementing decisions

General Leadership of Union Workforce

• Communicate company goals and policies to create clear understanding of direction and expectations
• Conduct investigations per collective agreement and issue discipline in collaboration with the leadership team
• Develop and sustain the right employee behaviours with feedback, recognition, reinforcement and coaching

Performance Management, Training and Onboarding

• Evaluate employee performance and review performance expectations, actual performance, and overall performance ratings
• Conduct onboarding conversations to ensure employees are adopting proper work practices, and have the knowledge, tools and understanding to perform their job safely and efficiently
• Identify and coach performance deficiencies, and take action to build required behaviour
• Share best practices, information and operational concerns in order to create transparency and clear understanding of CN’s direction and expectations

Working Conditions
The role has irregular hours (including nights, weekends, holidays). The incumbent has an overall commitment to safety, while working in conjunction with collective agreement.