This position will be posted from March 24, 2026 to April 7, 2026 by 4:00pm.

Must be able to pass a drug and alcohol test and a background check.

DRPA and PATCO are subject to federal law, under which marijuana continues to be illegal.

Must be able to pass a proficiency examination that addresses all of the required knowledge.

Please check your spam or clutter for any emails regarding this selection process.

Position Purpose

The position of Machine Operator 1/C is responsible for the operation of all pieces of equipment used in maintenance and construction performed on PATCO’s track structure, right-of-way, stations, shops, and all other related facilities.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The Authority will adhere to all applicable laws and regulations in assessing an employee’s ability to carry out or otherwise meet the job requirements set forth herein in a satisfactory manner.

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Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Must operate all gas, hydraulic, electric, and diesel equipment used by the Track & Facilities Department including but not limited to Burro Model 40 - 12.5 ton capacity rail-bound lattice boom crane, ARVA Train Utility Vehicle (TUV), ASPEN Prentice Loader Tamper Mark II tie tamper or equivalent, Fairmont W111 Series B track liner, Kershaw Model 47-5 tie replacer, Mark IV Plasser Tamper, 2 cy wheel loaders with all attachments, combination loader/backhoe with all attachments, skid steer loader with all attachments, bucket trucks, street sweeper, farm tractor with all attachments, dump trucks with plow and salt spreader or trailer, chipper, fork lifts, and miscellaneous small power equipment required to maintain all PATCO facilities.
2. Must be familiar with and practice safe operating procedures to ensure the safety of customers or co-workers and prevent damage to equipment or other property.
3. When not operating equipment, all functions of the position of Track Mechanic to maintain the track structure, right-of-way, and other facilities and to assist other occupations and departments in performing general labor tasks.
4. Performs snow shoveling/removal function for all facilities of PATCO as necessary.
5. Assists in maintaining a safe and secure work environment by participating in required training, recognizing and reporting hazards and suspicious activity, and uses all required personal protective equipment.
6. Performs other related duties as assigned.

This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to all provisions of the DRPA/PATCO’S Substance Abuse Testing and Control Policy including random drug testing and periodic physical testing requirements and the federally mandated CDL Drug and Alcohol random testing requirements.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

1. The individual must pursue training and development opportunities in order to continuously build knowledge and skills. Must be willing to share expertise with others.
2. The individual must be able to manage difficult customer situations and respond promptly to customer needs. The maintenance of confidentiality is essential.
3. The individual must be able to read, understand written and verbal instructions, speak and write clearly in order to communicate effectively.
4. The individual must display openness to others’ views, must be able to balance team and individual responsibilities. Must contribute to building a positive team spirit by supporting everyone’s efforts to succeed.
5. The individual must show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences and work toward promoting a harassment free environment and diverse workforce. The individual must treat everyone with respect, work with integrity and uphold and support organizational values and goals.
6. The individual must follow all organizational policies and procedures.
7. The individual must be able to prioritize and plan work activities using time efficiently.
8. He or she must react well under pressure and accept responsibilities for his/her own actions.
9. The individual must respond to management direction.
10. The individual must demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness, apply feedback to improve performance and monitor his or her own work to ensure quality. Individual should always be willing to generate suggestions to improve individual and departmental performance.
11. The individual must be punctual at all times and ensure that work responsibilities are covered in his or her absence. Tasks must be completed correctly and on time.

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Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

Education and/or Experience

Required:

• Must have a high school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Must have a minimum of three (3) years’ experience as a heavy equipment operator for construction trades.
• This position requires proficiency in operating heavy and small equipment types similar to that specified under Essential Duties and Responsibilities and performing heavy labor.
• This position requires the incumbent to have good written and oral communication skills in order to accurately interpret and transcribe verbal commands.
• The individual for this position must be certified and licensed by the State of New Jersey to operate telescopic boom cranes. Upon appointment, should the selected candidate lack the appropriate crane operator certification and license, such employee’s orientation period will begin with the date of appointment and will extend up to sixty (60) days after receipt of the certification and license. Note that the selected candidate will need to attend and test for the NJ Crane Certification during PATCO’s Annual Crane Re-certification Period. At the discretion of PATCO, this orientation period may be extended for an additional thirty (30) days upon notification of the Union by PATCO prior to the expiration of the above indicated sixty (60) day period.\
• Must be able to pass a proficiency examination that addresses all of the required knowledge.
• This position requires qualification by the Transit Services Department that includes passing a written examination in the “Rules and Instructions for Conducting Operations” as it pertains to operating or piloting maintenance of way equipment on the mainline or yard tracks.
• This position requires a current Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class A with air brakes and tanker endorsement from the state of New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Delaware. Applicants who lack the appropriate CDL at the time of application, but who otherwise are deemed qualified for the position may be considered. If the selected candidate does not have the appropriate CDL at the time of selection, he or she must obtain said CDL within the orientation period. Failure to provide proof of the CDL, which is required to perform the essential duties of the job, for any reason within six (6) months from the candidate’s date of hire will result in the immediate termination of employment.

Preferred:

• Experience with transit property, class 1 railroad, or railroad construction contractor.

**Physical Requirements **

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Individuals in this position require a full range of physical motion and the ability to lift heavy loads: equipment and material components in excess of one hundred (100) pounds (100 pounds in a single person lift and 200 pounds in a two-person lift). Must be able to climb ladders, including but not limited to rung and step ladders. This position requires the incumbent to be able to walk, stoop, bend, crawl, ascend/descend stairs, steps, and ladders, etc. The employee must have normal day and nighttime vision, corrected or uncorrected, and have normal hearing, with or without device. The employee must be able to withstand heights of over 150 feet. The employee must be able to climb up and down transit car(s) with a step height of as much as three (3) feet, lift leg(s) a height of twenty-four (24) inches to clear third rail by stepping over same, and perform in a confined space, i.e., electrical manhole.

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Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Variable. This position requires the incumbent to work both indoors (primarily tunnels) and outdoors in all types of lighting and weather conditions including but not limited to heat, sun, rain, snow, and ice. This position requires the incumbent to work on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Protective clothing, eye protection, hearing protection (when appropriate and whereas the wearing of such protection does not pose a safety risk to the employee during the performance of the essential job functions), dust masks and respirators are provided to protect against the elements such as chemical splashing, airborne debris, toxic fumes, and sustained loud or high pitched noises that may be encountered.

DRPA/PATCO is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Required Skills

Required Experience

A High School Diploma or equivalent is preferred but not required. Qualified candidates will have 3-5 years of experience or a technical degree and 1 year of experience. Basic PLC/CNC knowledge is a plus. The ability to read to read tape measures and efficiently operate all other required measuring devices is also required. Candidates best suited for this role will have a proven ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment. Basic ability to read, write, speak, and understand English is required for safety purposes.