Metropolitan Transportation Authority Careers

JOB TITLE:                          Director/DER, Rail Compliance Operations

SALARY RANGE:                $130,029-$136,530

HAY POINTS:                      805

DEPT/DIV:                          Occupational Health Services (OHS)

SUPERVISOR:                     Senior Director, Drug & Alcohol Programs

LOCATION:                         420 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10170*

*This position is eligible for telework which is currently one day per week.  New hires are eligible to apply for telework 30 days after their effective date of hire.

SUMMARY:

Reporting directly to the MTA OHS Senior Director, Drug & Alcohol Programs, and in collaboration with other direct reports to the Senior Director, the Director ensures compliance with all employer, service agent, and contractor responsibilities relative to substance abuse testing/detection/deterrence requirements mandated by Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, including those specified under Title 49 CFR Part 40 (Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs), Part 219 (FRA – Federal Railroad Administration), and Part 382 (FMCSA – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). This also includes compliance with additional requirements set forth in MTA policy.

As the Designated Employer Representative (DER) for MTA’s two railroad systems (Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road), the Director spearheads support of onsite audit inspections performed by federal regulators and serves as primary contact for regulator communications and day-to-day inquiries.

The Director also plays a central role in establishing and maintaining interdepartmental standards and controls that ensure (1) mandated testing is consistently and successfully managed/performed, (2) employees are restricted/removed from work functions following violation of MTA policy, and (3) overall safety is maintained in MNR and LIRR workplaces, and for MTA customers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage a network of field liaisons across the combined MNR/LIRR service area to ensure all post-hire regulated and non-regulated drug/alcohol testing is performed in accordance with DOT regulation and MTA policy. This includes off-hour drug/alcohol testing, management, and validation of MNR and LIRR random selection and follow-up drug/alcohol testing employee pool groups, planning/preparing drug/alcohol testing schedules to ensure all testing is completed as required, and scheduling employees returning to duty following a substance abuse-related absence.
• Ensure compliance with DOT regulation and MTA policy, such as retrieving and securely/confidentially maintaining MNR/LIRR drug/alcohol testing records (electronic and hard-copy), including, but not limited to, pre-placement and post-hire drug test results, previous employer verification of drug/alcohol testing history of job applicants, FRA Rule G employee observations, employee testing notification forms, supervisor excusal of random/follow-up testing, supervisor referrals for post-accident/reasonable suspicion testing, supervisor/employee training, SAP (Substance Abuse Professional) evaluation and follow-up testing prescriptions, etc.
• 24/7/365 collaboration with field liaisons across all MNR/LIRR locations to ensure employees with drug/alcohol testing violations are promptly removed from service following an alcohol testing violation or Medical Review Officer (MRO) drug test verification.
• Liaise with corporate MROs, specimen collectors, alcohol testing technicians, Labor Relations attorneys, Human Resources recruiters, and SAPs as required to ensure compliance with MTA policy concerning potential and confirmed drug/alcohol testing violations. This includes providing testimony at labor hearings, as needed.
• Refer regulated employees for SAP treatment/rehabilitation following confirmation of a drug/alcohol testing violation, and support the Labor Relations department, as needed.
• Support inquiries from MNR/LIRR field liaisons, supervisors, and employees concerning MTA policy and federal regulation related to drug/alcohol testing requirements, as well as development and distribution of drug/alcohol processing standards/practices, educational material, and related training.
• Select, develop, and motivate personnel within the department. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary. Review performance of staff. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.
• Other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Proficient in federal regulation relating to mandated workplace drug testing, including Title 49 CFR Part 40, as well as Part 219 and Part 382 DOT mode regulations.
• Proficient in drug specimen collection and alcohol testing procedures.
• Strong organizational, time management, and team management skills.
• Strong administrative, planning, project management, and analytical skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong managerial skills to effectively direct professional staff to achieve short/long-term goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a keen ability to motivate/foster teamwork, and effectively collaborate/organize activities with internal/external stakeholders across business units and different organizations.
• Ability to consistently secure and preserve the confidentiality of regulated testing data and related documentation.
• Capable of working effectively in a high-profile/high-pressure environment.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as video web conferencing tools, such as Teams, Zoom, GoToMeeting, etc.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Transportation, Safety/Security, Public Policy, Human Resources, Labor Relations, or a related field.  An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum 8 years related work experience including:
  • Three (3) plus years’ experience managing a defined workplace program that is subject to third-party audit (or other multi-faceted program), in support of employer policy, and/or public policy, and/or regulation, and/or collective bargaining agreement.
  • Three (3) plus years’ experience relative to federally mandated drug-free workplace.
  • Three (3) plus years’ experience managing professional staff.

PREFERRED:

• Familiarity with the requirements of the Hours-of-Service Act for Train and Engine, Rail Traffic Controllers, Yardmasters, Signal Maintainers and Mechanical Department employees.
• Developing and implementing interdepartmental policies/standards/procedures
• Experience in driving change management across multiple teams/departments/organizations
• Experience with business process improvement/transformation methodologies, such as Six Sigma, Lean, TQM, Kaizen, Agile, PDCA, BPM, etc.
• Familiarity with Metro-North Railroad and/or Long Island Rail Road operating rules, collective bargaining agreements, as well as MTA policies and system applications

GENERAL:

• Attendance at annual industry conferences relative to workplace drug/alcohol testing and federal regulations is expected.
• Travel to various MTA locations is expected.
• Work outside of normal business hours (i.e., evenings, weekends, and holidays) may be required.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.