Signal Inspector​/Investigator; JC-- Rail Safety Division​/RTSB​/RTOSS

Overview

• Effective July 1, 2025, CalHR launched the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 with Pay Differential 386. PLP 2025 temporarily reduces state employee pay in exchange for leave hours to help address budget shortfalls. Salary ranges in this posting exclude the temporary reduction. For details, visit CalHR’s Personnel Leave Program (PLP) page.
• New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: Multiple

Work Location:

Telework:

In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Final Filing Date: 2/17/2026

Rail Safety Division/RTSB/RTOSS

The mission of the Rail Safety Division (RSD) is to diligently strive to inspire safe and reliable rail transportation in California by promoting and enforcing railroad, rail crossing and rail transit safety; and by improving or establishing a positive rail safety culture therein, through our inspection and enforcement efforts and our resolve to look beyond the regulations. RSD strives to enforce state and federal laws, regulations, orders, and directives relating proactively and effectively to transportation of persons or commodities by rail.

RSD is comprised of the Railroad Operations Safety Branch (ROSB), Rail Crossings and Engineering Branch (RCEB), and Rail Transit Safety Branch (RTSB).

Under the general direction of a Rail Safety Inspector - Supervisor the incumbent executes elements of the Commission’s safety oversight responsibilities of rail transit and other fixed guideway systems. The incumbent will conduct complex investigative and surveillance activities with respect to maintenance and operations of rail transit agency and other fixed guideway system signal, train control, and overhead and third rail power systems.

Incumbent will make comprehensive signal and train control inspections and investigate adequacy of equipment maintenance methods, investigate and inspect general system safety; make recommendations of proper corrective action to be taken in order to bring such rail transit agency systems into compliance with rules and regulations and associated rail transit agency Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan and relevant agency procedures;

audit/review system maintenance records; interprets and confirms results of testing, participate in investigations of rail transit agency and fixed guideway system accidents; assists in the preparation of reports and exhibits, and does other job-related work as required.

There three current vacancies for this inspector type posted simultaneously for all three primary CPUC headquarters locations (San Francisco, Sacramento, and Los Angeles), although the positions will work from a home office when not in the field. Primary work locations are in the urban areas.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

• California Driver's License is required.

Prepare and submit a response for each question below. The SOQ should provide specific details and examples that clearly demonstrate how your training, experience, and education qualifies you for the position. Refer to the job description and duties, and duty statement to prepare your response. Applicants who do not submit a completed SOQ and writing that exceeds the page limit will not be considered or scored.

All information in the SOQ is subject to verification.
The SOQ must be no smaller than 11-point Arial font, single-spaced, and no more than two pages.

Please number your responses in the same order as the questions are listed, 1- 3. Do not consolidate your responses.

• Knowledge of signal circuitry, equipment, protective relays, and signal systems, and experience reading and understanding signal prints and nomenclature.
• Experience in automatic train control systems, automatic block signal systems, interlocking, traffic control systems, automatic cab signals, and highway/rail grade crossing warning devices.
• Experience conducting studies of signaling failure mode and effects analysis and preparing detailed technical reports relating to railroad signaling systems and failures.

It is strongly…