Dispatcher, Operations Control Center

 Reference Number : 703 

Status : Permanent - Full-time  

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $70 943 - $87 635

Number of positions to be filled : 1 

Application Deadline : 03/24/2025

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility. 

Reporting to the Manager, Network Operations, the Dispatcher continuously monitors and reports on train performance. They document all delays, mechanical issues, deviations from the operating plan and extraordinary situations. They coordinate communications with all stakeholders by means of SMS, email and telephone calls to ensure that operational issues and emergency situations are properly handled. They also coordinate the following activities: VIA operations with host railway Rail Traffic Controllers, mechanical troubleshooting, train connection protocol, fueling, train emergencies, service disruptions, emergency alternate transportation, ad-hoc reductions in capacity/inventory. They provide periodic updates as to the status of VIA’s trains and they calculate the ETAs and feeds them into other VIA systems.  Finally, the Dispatcher is the person that answers VIA Rail’s emergency telephone line.

*This position is a on-site job (Montreal, Pointe-St-Charles) and it requires a high level of bilingualism*

Responsibilities:

• Monitors VIA trains system wide;
• Capture train delays, investigate train delays;
• Update and complete the Corridor and Eastern/Western Transcon Sheets;
• Communicate with Host Railways concerning delays, meets, potential delays and emergency situations;
• Organize troubleshooting calls between Locomotive Engineers and Mechanical Technical Advisors and document all equipment issues;

• Updates ETAs and communicates these to the Crew Controller and enters these and Train Performance Messages;

• Manages exceptions to the operating plan: Inhibits capacity, manages the connection protocol, arranges for alternate transportation, etc.;

• Initiates incident files and communicates with the right team as required;

• Makes decisions about cycling and equipment changes when the Sr. Officer is off-duty (at night);

• Coordinates activities during incidents / accidents / emergencies;

• Produce Morning Report (print, proof read, adjust, correct and distribute);

• Administrative activities related to train performance reporting (morning report).

Requirements:

• College diploma in Transportation or related field or a combination of equivalent training and pertinent experience;
• Five years of experience in Operations within the Transportation industry (a strong asset);
• Knowledge in system train operations and system geography (an asset);
• Flexible to work on various shifts (days, nights and week-ends);
• Able to work in a high pressure environment;
• Must be technically savvy and capable of quickly learning/using a wide variety of technology systems and able to navigate complex computer systems;
• Very good written and verbal communications skills in both official languages;
• Proficient in learning new technologies and at ease with Microsoft suite;
• Excellent organizational and planning abilities;
• Sound judgment and ability to make quality decisions under severe time constraints;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Ability to adapt in a constantly changing environment;
• Solid problem-solving skills;
• Team player capable of building harmonious relationships with internal and external partners;
• Knowledge of VIA’s internal resources/structure and where to obtain specific information (an asset).

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

Join our 3,000 other employees in helping provide Canadians with a safe, accessible, environmentally sustainable way to travel!