Metropolitan Transportation Authority Careers

JOB TITLE:                          Senior Director, Safety 

SALARY RANGE:               $165,000-$180,000

HAY POINTS:                     1312

DEPT/DIV:                         MTA HQ/ Safety, Health, and Environment

SUPERVISOR:                    Deputy Chief, Safety Officer

FULL/PART-TIME:         Full-Time

LOCATION:                        2 Broadway, New York, NY 10004*

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

OPENING:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

SUMMARY:

The purpose of this role is to support the Deputy Chief, Safety Officer, by directing and overseeing a professional staff to establish and monitor programs focusing on the Safety, Health, and Environment (SH&E) of MTA employees across all agencies. Responsible for all safety-related aspects and activities associated with risk management and quality assurance related to the operations of commuter rail, subways, buses, and the bridge & tunnel systems within the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) workforce of over 70,000 persons, over 5,000 square miles of territory and track, thousands of train cars and buses, and thousands of buildings and facilities. This includes operations, investigations, safety engineering, and construction. Assess and manage risk, update, and implement policies and procedures, and communicate them internally and externally. Direct observations, inspections, and audits of safety, health, and environmental program areas to assure MTA compliance. Promote safety through training, communication, and other actions to create a positive safety culture within all levels of the workforce, across all agencies.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as Safety Officer for MTA HQ – Provide safety & health program guidance and support for MTA HQ’s 4,000 employees and facilities. Maintain HQ compliance with all health and safety regulations, as well as established best practices, policies, and procedures. Provide subject matter expertise support for regulatory visits and emergency response incidents at HQ. Investigate HQ employee accidents and ensure that the affected HQ employee’s injury is recorded, the condition is corrected, and the claim is properly processed for continuance of care and compensation. Serve as the HQ injured employee’s liaison to the General Counsel’s Workers’ Compensation claims department to assist if there are any related problems during the process. Promote and facilitate health and safety communications, wellness programs, and the HQ Safety Management Office website. Provide additional program oversight from the Chief Safety Officer’s Office to ensure compliance among MTA agencies regarding workplace safety and health issues as required by local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including measuring performance regarding mandated safety initiatives.
• Provide Safety Assurance - Evaluate the continued effectiveness of implemented risk control strategies and support the identification of new hazards. Provide oversight of inspections and audits for Operations (Admin, RR, Subway, Bus, Police); Infrastructure (Bridges, Tunnels, Tracks, Signals); Shops, Depots, Stations, and Facilities; Construction Safety; Maintenance and Equipment. Responsibilities include: serving as day-to-day safety liaison; engaging staff (including field personnel) and unions conducting safety checks; performing programmed audits of Safety Action Plans; conducting probationary and new hire reviews; coordinating policies and written plans required by regulatory agencies; and providing subject matter expertise on safety policy implementation and regulation interpretation.
• Determine the need for, and adequacy of, new or revised risk controls based on the assessment of acceptable risk, safety regulations (promulgated by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), New York State Public Transportation Safety Board (PTSB), etc.), and ensure best practices are followed and built into MTA standards (risk management). Mobilize teams for periodic and random safety audits and oversee major investigations. Maintain MTA's safety data and develop analysis to advance safety (e.g., fatigue analysis).
• Assist with agency program evaluations, data collection, recommendations, change implementation, and participate in tactical planning and support of corporate initiatives to ensure uniformity of health & safety standards and programs. Provide safety assurance through observations, inspections, audits, and investigations.
• Internally and externally promote policies, procedures, and best practices to support awareness, build understanding, and support a culture of safety within the Community (Community Outreach/Training). Direct, provide, and support community outreach, safety training, employee recognition, and internal communications. Work with communities, first responders, labor unions, and Public Affairs to sponsor programs such as Operation Lifesaver.
• Establish safety training programs that drive the MTA's safety staff to safety certification in accordance with ISO standards. Responsible for ensuring that all safety personnel across all agencies are satisfactorily trained within 1 year of assuming their roles. 
• Direct a staff of safety professionals who will support carrying out the responsibilities highlighted in this job description. Provide leadership and guidance to safety offices in the MTA agencies. In coordination with the Deputy Chief Safety Officer and Senior Staff, 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 the performance of staff. Creates a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential. 
• Serve as principal to actively pursue granting opportunities, collaborate with the NYS DOT and the MTA’s Capital Funding Management department to assist with securing funding from the federal government (FRA, FHWA- Federal Highway Administration, etc.) for MTA related grade crossing projects. Work with the railroads and MTA grade crossing consultant to identify problematic crossings, document justification for funding, create a scope of work and cost, for submission and the project grant funding. Liaises with the Capital Funding Management department to ensure grant compliance per award criteria across all agencies (currently valued over $40 million). 
• Conduct periodic reviews to assess the effectiveness of implemented safety management office initiatives, policies, and procedures. Assist in the continuous improvement of hazard identification and safety risk assessment systems of the MTA.
• Leads and coordinates special projects as assigned by the Deputy Chief Safety Officer.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge of regulatory compliance, including OSHA, EPA, FRA, FTA, and NYS Safety and Health regulations.
• Extensive knowledge of principles of auditing, with demonstrated ability to establish audit plan programs. 
• Must possess the ability to build strong partnerships, engage, influence, and drive change.
• Progressive responsibility experience in managing a complex organization or programs, and possess strong project management skills (the ability to document and communicate project plans, monitor work in progress, achieve project milestones/end results, etc.).
• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in quality management and safety management systems.
• Knowledge of principles of accident investigation.
• Knowledge and ability to perform site evaluations, including exposure assessment strategies, risk assessments. The ability to specify hazard control measures and assess their effectiveness.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety & Health, Safety Management, Public Administration/Policy, Public Health, or a related degree from an accredited college or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in safety, occupational health, regulatory compliance, public transportation, fire and life safety engineering, or public administration, with at least 5 years of managerial experience in a large corporate or government organization with responsibility for producing program policies, procedures, and plans.

PREFERRED:

• Master’s degree in Occupational Safety & Health, Public Administration, and Public Health. 
• Experience in public transportation or other public sector experience preferred.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s safety & health policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s collective bargaining procedures.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP), or other certifications, candidates in the process of obtaining these certifications may also be considered.

GENERAL:

• May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., holidays, evenings, and weekends).
• Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites, both nationally and internationally.

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.