Engine Service Officer

POSITION: Engine Service Officer
REPORTS TO: Director of Transportation
DEPARTMENT: Rail Transportation
LOCATION: North Bay or Englehart
REFERENCE: 100-142-27
SALARY:  $127,790 to $150,332

WHO WE ARE:
Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) is an Agency of the Province of Ontario that provides efficient and vital transportation services. We are a modern, forward-thinking organization focused on providing safe and reliable transportation services. ONTC has a rich history of over 120 years and strong connections to the communities we serve. With over 1200 skilled professionals, we work together to enhance transportation services and ensure that they are sustainable for future generations.  We offer a dynamic workplace culture, along with a competitive salary, excellent benefit package, a defined benefit pension plan, paid vacation, paid personal leave days and discounted transportation on our bus and passenger rail services. 

ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT:
The Engine Service Officer is a senior railway operating and technical authority responsible for qualifying, certifying and assessing the competency of Conductors, Locomotive Engineers and designated railway operating management employees. This role provides technical and operational direction on train handling, operating practices and compliance with the Canadian Rail Operating Rules, Transport Canada requirements and company operating instructions. The Engine Service Officer will also provide qualified relief coverage for Manager Train Service responsibilities, ensuring operational continuity while maintaining safe and efficient train operations.

MAJOR DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, maintain and deliver classroom, in-cab and field training for Conductors and Locomotive Engineers in accordance with approved training plans, operating rules and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct qualification rides, competency assessments, recertification activities and tailored on-the-job coaching for operating employees and designated operating management personnel.
• Determine employee readiness for safety-critical railway service and, within established regulatory and company requirements, approve qualification, require additional training or assessment, recommend operating restrictions, withhold qualification or initiate removal from safety-critical duties.
• Facilitate locomotive simulator training and observation trips to strengthen train-handling skills, critical thinking, emergency response and application of operating rules.
• Complete and maintain progress reports, field evaluations, qualification ride checks, training logs and compliance records in accordance with company and Transport Canada requirements.
• Analyze locomotive event recorder data and provide technical train-handling expertise during investigations, incidents and routine compliance reviews.
• Conduct operational observations and audits, identify competency or compliance gaps, and recommend coaching, corrective action or risk mitigation measures.
• Support Transport Canada inspections, audits and regulatory inquiries, and participate in risk assessments and corrective actions in alignment with the Railway Safety Management System.
• Provide qualified relief and on-call coverage for Manager Train Service positions in North Bay, Englehart and Cochrane, as operationally required.
• When assigned as Manager Train Service relief, direct train and yard operations, coordinate operating employees and service priorities, respond to disruptions and emergencies, and make time-sensitive decisions affecting safety and service continuity.
• Travel across Ontario Northland rail corridors to provide training, field coaching, mentorship, competency assessment and operational support.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Secondary School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
• Minimum 5 to 7 years of progressively responsible railway operating experience.
• Certification in the Canadian Rail Operating Rules and Manual of Track Requirements.
• Current classification as a Conductor or Locomotive Engineer, with a minimum of five years of experience in freight and passenger operations.
• Demonstrated experience qualifying, instructing, coaching and assessing the competency of railway operating employees and/or operating management personnel.
• Experience developing and delivering classroom, simulator, in-cab and field-based training.
• Ability to interpret locomotive event recorder data and apply findings to train-handling reviews, investigations and employee development.
• Strong knowledge of train air brake theory and operation, railway operating rules, regulatory requirements and safe operating practices.
• Strong technical writing skills.
• Sound judgment and the ability to make independent decisions involving employee competency, qualification and operational readiness.
• Ability to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions.
• Committed to company health and safety.

APPLICATION PROCESS: The successful candidate will need to pass the following clearances: criminal record check, employment references, pre-employment medical, visual exam, drug test,and education verification.

CLOSING DATE: October 18, 2026 no later than 11:59 p.m. Qualified individuals are invited to apply in writing with a current covering letter and resume (provided in one document), stating reference name and number.  Visit our career website to apply:
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
If it is determined that any information provided in the application or during the recruitment process is false, misleading, or incomplete, Ontario Northland may discontinue your candidacy from further consideration.
At Ontario Northland, we are committed to employment equity.  We value the unique skills and experience each person brings to Ontario Northland and invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+.

Ontario Northland will provide accommodation to ensure barrier-free employment in accordance with the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. You can request accommodation at any stage of the hiring process. If you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources.
ONTC does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to make or inform hiring decisions. We do use an external applicant tracking system (ATS) to help manage applications efficiently. While the ATS may apply basic automated filters or sorting functions, all applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters.
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