6K a month for Texas' rail king.

Sorry things have been quiet around here lately. Work stays busy and the summer sun keeps me away from the computer.

With the crappy state of the economy and news of constant layoffs, it's nice to see some job postings. Not that everyone is eligible in the United States for this particular job (probably the least of any western nation), but it looks like TxDOT is seeking a director for it's new rail division established at the end of 2009's legislative session. Lets see what we they have in store for the new head honcho:

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TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JOB REQUISITION
Job Requisition: 013707
Business Unit: Administration
Opening Date: 07/21/2009
Close Date: 08/19/2009 at 5:00 pm
Salary: $ 6,865.16 - 11,066.75 PER MONTH
Business Title: N575 / Director, Rail Division
Classification Title: Director IV Salary
Group/Class: B20 / 1623

Work Location Address:

RIVERSIDE ANNEX-BUILDING 150150 E RIVERSIDE DR, AUSTIN, TX 787041202

Number of Openings: 1
Type of Employment: Regular - Full-Time
Type of Driver's License Required: Class C
Travel(Overnight): 20%
Shifts: FIRST


ESSENTIAL DUTIES
...Administers and implements state and federal rail programs and promotes the development of the rail system in Texas....
...Develops Statewide Transportation Plan for railroad mode and the State Rail Plan....

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View more here: http://myprogressiverailroading.com/blogs/railadvo/archive/2009/08/10/txdot-s-new-rail-division-looking-for-a-director.aspx

It'll be interesting who they end up hiring for this position. The direction of this division will really be influenced by his or her past. And presuming we go by the typical good-ol-boy system we love in Texas, it will probably end up being the former head an Texas trucking interest group with little knowledge of rail policy.

But I shouldn't be so pessimistic. USDOT Secretary Lahood (R) has NO transportation experiance but has demonstrated “temperament” and “managerial talent,” (According to Senator Oberstar(D)) in his direction of federal transportation policy. And Amtrak's former chief Alexander Kummant worked for the incredibly anti-passenger Union Pacific Railroad before he came to NPRC and led a series of infrastructure and schedule improvements.

Regardless of it's director, a new rail division and statewide plan will make Texas VERY competitive for federal funding over the next decade. And if pro-rail Obama and spend-all congress get their way, it looks like the next three years means a lot of moohla for high speed rail, rail relocation, and transit.

You'll be very busy, Mr. Rail Director.