Reporting to the Maintenance Manager, the Switch Maintenance & Signals Technician is primarily responsible for the inspection, preventive maintenance, cleaning, fault identification and safe restoration support of railway switches and switch machines across the Finch West LRT mainline and Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) Yard. The role has a strong focus on winter switch readiness, rapid response to service-affecting switch conditions, and reliable switch availability. The technician also supports signalling and communications maintenance within their training, authorization and assigned scope.

Key Responsibilities — Railway Switches (Primary Focus)

· Inspect, clean, maintain and monitor mainline and MSF Yard switches, switch points, stock rails, switch machines, operating rods, covers, seals, cables, junction boxes, detection equipment and associated components in accordance with approved procedures.

· Perform scheduled and condition-based inspections, identify wear, misalignment, obstructions, abnormal movement or noise, damaged components and other conditions that could affect switch operation.

· Support investigation and troubleshooting of switches that fail to throw, fail to detect, become obstructed or generate switch machine or SCADA alarms; escalate technical defects requiring specialist intervention.

· Inspect switch heater condition, visible functionality, drainage, heat tracing and snow-clearing access; report heater failures or recurring freeze-up locations.

· Perform approved cleaning and snow/ice removal around points, stock rails, moving components, switch machines and access paths using authorized non-damaging tools and materials.

· Participate in pre-winter readiness inspections and corrective work planning; prioritize critical mainline switches, recurrent trouble locations and yard switches needed for morning vehicle pull-out.

· Respond to winter storms, freezing rain, extreme cold and urgent switch defects during assigned night shifts, standby periods and revenue-service hours.

· Coordinate with Control, Operations, Track, Power, Signals and Maintenance Management for track access, worker protection, defect escalation, specialist response and safe return-to-service confirmation.

· Perform authorized functional checks and assist with switch restoration testing; do not independently certify safety-critical repairs or switch availability unless specifically qualified and authorized.

· Maintain accurate inspection records including switch ID, location, time, findings,



work performed, materials, before/after photographs, outstanding defects and escalation actions.

· Update work orders, faults and corrective actions in ZEDAS/CMMS promptly and contribute to daily switch status reports, repeat-failure analysis and winter performance reporting.

Additional Responsibilities — Signalling & Communications

· Assist with inspection, testing, maintenance and fault diagnosis of signalling and wayside equipment, including switch detection interfaces and CBTC-related systems, within assigned competencies.

· Support maintenance of CCTV, PAS, PVIS, IAC, SCADA, GIDS, ETS, BCN networks, telephony, DAS and associated communications assets as operational priorities allow.

· Use approved diagnostic tools, event logs, schematics and software to investigate equipment faults and report discrepancies in drawings or technical records.

· Complete work orders to required quality and response standards; track calibrated equipment, support vendor component repairs and comply with applicable maintenance procedures.

Required Qualifications

· Two (2) years of relevant hands-on experience in railway/LRT switch maintenance, track maintenance, railway signalling, switch machine maintenance or a closely related mechanical/electrical field; demonstrated switch experience is strongly preferred.

· Practical understanding of railway switches, switch points, stock rails, switch machines, operating mechanisms, detection, obstructions and common switch failure modes.

· Experience conducting field inspections, mechanical troubleshooting, preventive maintenance and corrective maintenance in a safety-sensitive operating environment.

· Ability to work safely outdoors in snow, ice, freezing rain and extreme cold, including physically demanding manual switch cleaning and emergency response.

· Ability to read and follow maintenance procedures, technical drawings, inspection checklists and safe-work instructions, and to document findings accurately.

· Ability and willingness to complete required track access/right-of-way, worker protection, switch cleaning, switch machine awareness, winter tools,



radio communications and site-specific safety training before independent deployment.

· Valid Ontario Class G driver’s licence and ability to meet applicable fitness-for-duty requirements.

· Comfort using radios, computers and electronic maintenance/work-order systems, including ZEDAS or equivalent CMMS.

Preferred Assets

· Formal railway track, switch, signals, mechanical or electrical trade training, certificate or licence.

· Previous work on light rail, transit or railway switches and switch heaters, particularly during winter operations.

· Experience identifying loss of detection, failure to throw, switch heater faults, and SCADA or signalling alarms.

· Training in signalling system testing, vital component replacement procedures, CBTC or communications equipment.

· Experience with rail-mounted inspection equipment, aerial work platforms or similar specialized maintenance tools.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

· Strong switch inspection discipline, practical mechanical aptitude and ability to recognize when specialist technical support is required.

· Working knowledge of track access controls, energized equipment hazards, worker protection, lockout/isolation requirements and radio protocols.

· Sound judgment under time pressure, effective coordination with Control and Operations, and clear defect escalation.

· Ability to prioritize high-risk switches and recurring failures while maintaining complete, accurate inspection and maintenance records.

· Effective English communication, teamwork, independent field work and attention to detail.

Working Conditions

· Full-time, 6-months contract, in-person safety-sensitive position; shift work may include nights, weekends, overtime, on-call/standby and urgent weather-related response.

· Frequent outdoor work on the mainline and in MSF Yard, including extreme cold, snow, ice, moving rail equipment, industrial hazards and restricted-access environments.

· Moderate to heavy physical work including repetitive cleaning, lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling 50+ lb where safely required, bending, kneeling, climbing and extended standing or walking.

· Must meet applicable medical fitness-for-duty requirements and comply with the Finch West LRT Fitness for Duty policy, including testing where permitted by policy.

Pay: $34.00-$41.00 per hour

Perks:

- Dental care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match

Work Location: In person

📌 Switch Maintenance Technician (North York)
🏢 Mosaic Transit Maintenance
📍 North York