Operations Business Analyst - Light Rail (Phoenix)

Job Title : Operations Business Analyst – Light Rail

Department: Light Rail Operations

Reports To: Crew Dispatch Operations Manager

Revision Date : 12/2025

Salary Range: $80, 000.00 - $83, 200.00

SUMMARY:

The Operations Business Analyst – Light Rail supports the Rail Operations Department by building and maintaining operational databases, conducting advanced rail-specific analysis, and identifying data-driven opportunities to improve safety, reliability, efficiency, service delivery, and data utilization. This role analyzes performance metrics derived from SCADA, rail control systems, dispatch logs, human resources sources, and operator performance data to support continuous improvement across the full transportation operation.

This position works closely with the General Manager, Director of Transportation, Transportation Superintendents, Human Resources, and other staff to ensure data integrity and to translate complex rail system information into actionable operational insights. The Analyst plays a key role in developing analysis and presentation materials to assist management in managing the service and contract performance. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

These duties are intended to be a representative sample and not all-inclusive; position assignments may vary.

• Develops, maintains, and optimizes light-rail operational databases incorporating data from SCADA, control logs, operational and financial records, and field observations.
• Conducts rail-specific analyses including on-time performance, headway variance, schedule adherence, dwell time studies, railcar speed/delay analysis, signal compliance trends, and incident response performance.
• Aggregates and interprets data from rail control systems to identify patterns, inefficiencies, and root causes of service disruptions.
• Builds dashboards and automated reporting tools for daily, weekly, and monthly rail performance metrics.
• Evaluates operating schedules and service plans; identifies operational conflicts, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improved service reliability.
• Supports post-incident analysis by reviewing controller logs, playback, SCADA data, operator activity, and field supervisor reports to determine contributing factors and recommend corrective actions.
• Works collaboratively with OCC leadership to analyze controller workload, system throughput, train spacing, and rail network flow.
• Provides data-driven insights to improve rule compliance, operating practices, and operational discipline.
• Assists the Director of Transportation and Superintendents in creating operational forecasts, scenario models, and performance projections.
• Conducts resource utilization studies for operators, supervisors, line controllers, and fleet deployment.
• Develops methods and tools to track and assess employee attendance, performance, grievance, and other trends for action. 
• Participates in schedule reviews, service change implementation, and special event planning by providing rail system capacity and performance analysis.
• Supports integration of new rail technology, system upgrades, and data sources into reporting workflows.
• Prepares executive-level summaries, visualizations, and presentations for internal management and external stakeholders. Presents data to those stakeholders in face-to-face and virtual environments. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Analytics, Transportation, Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of analytical experience; experience in rail operations, ATS/SCADA systems, or transit control center environments preferred.
• Experience with Light Rail Operations data, controller logs, ATS playback systems, or rail signaling data is highly desirable.

Language Skills

• Ability to read and interpret light-rail rules, procedures, safety policies, contracts, and rail system documentation.
• Ability to write clear analytical reports, summaries, and operational recommendations.
• Ability to present complex technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to speak and present in a professional manner to diverse audiences in a positive, solution driven manner. 

Computer and Mathematical Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel (advanced functions, data modeling, pivot tables, power pivot, etc).
• Experience with SQL, database design, and data modeling preferred.
• Familiarity with rail systems data sources preferred, including:
• ATS (Automatic Train Supervision) logs and playback
• SCADA alarms and event data
• Rail controller/dispatcher logs
• Vehicle health or telematics systems
• Scheduling tools (Hastus, Trapeze Rail, or equivalents)
• Experience with BI tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar.
• Ability to compute and interpret performance metrics including OTP, headway variance, cycle time, dwell time distributions, speed curves, and incident duration analysis.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to analyze complex rail operations involving multiple variables, interdependencies, and time-sensitive conditions.
• Ability to solve analytical problems with limited standardization or imperfect datasets.
• Ability to interpret diagrams, schematics, service plans, rail maps, and control center data.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• No mandatory certifications required.
• Rail-specific analytical, data, or Six Sigma certifications preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required if duties involve fieldwork.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to sit, walk, stand, talk, and hear.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers to operate computers and equipment.
• Occasional lifting or movement of items up to 15 pounds.
• May require occasional field activity in rail environments, station platforms, or control rooms.

Work Environment

• Work is primarily performed in an office environment with frequent interaction with the Operations Control Center and transportation leadership.
• Occasional exposure to rail facilities, platforms, and outdoor environments.
• Noise levels may vary, especially during field observations or control center work.
• Must be able to work under time constraints and manage multiple analytical priorities.

ACI reserves the right to revise this job description as needed.

NOTE:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees assigned to this job.

ACI is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

ACI is a drug-free workplace and follows FTA regulations for drug and alcohol education and testing for all employees