Metropolitan Transportation Authority Careers

Metro-North Railroad reserves the right to remove this posting before the Application Deadline.

Opening:

MTA Metro-North Railroad is a dynamic organization, operating out of the jewel of New York City, Grand Central Terminal.  We provide service to over 86.5 million customers, traveling in and out of New York and Connecticut.  A subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North Railroad is one of the busiest commuter railroads in the nation.  MTA Metro-North Railroad strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities to its employees.

Position Objective:

Promote a safe workplace and safe, efficient transportation for customers by performing incident investigations, in-depth analyses, and conformance audits to identify and resolve causal factors and hazards.  Establish a collaborative approach with MNR operating departments to enhance employee, customer, and operational safety.  This includes but is not limited to Respond systemwide 24/7 as assigned to conduct on-site investigations of major and critical incidents including, but not limited to, employee and customer fatalities, derailments, collisions, fire-related events, near-miss events, and unusual occurrences involving MNR, contractor, and/or tenant railroad equipment, customers, personnel and/or property.  Lead interdepartmental investigation committees and drive thorough analyses to determine root causes and contributing factors and recommend corrective actions to eliminate or reduce the potential for future accidents/incidents. Prepare comprehensive accident/incident investigation reports and verify the implementation of corrective actions.  Lead/drive the implementation of corrective actions as required.  Direct and/or participate in conformance audits to ensure system-wide compliance with safety regulations, policies and procedures, Operating Rules, and training requirements.  Oversee recordkeeping and reporting on incidents, injuries, investigative findings, audit/inspection findings, and corrective actions, in collaboration with other OSS teams.  Coordinate with external regulatory agencies and stakeholders as required.  Analyze accident/incident trends and produce and deliver reports to senior management on investigative findings, trends, and corrective actions.  Coordinate with the Field Safety team and lead/mentor OSS Field Safety and Compliance managers participating in investigations and joint analyses/safety initiatives.  Develop, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of major programs to achieve accident/incident reductions and safety compliance to address trends and findings from operational incident investigations.

Responsibilities:

• Investigate operational incidents in accordance with MNR policy, including, but not limited to, employee and customer fatalities, derailments, collisions, fire-related events, near-miss events, and unusual occurrences involving MNR, contractor, and/or tenant railroad equipment, customers, personnel and/or property. 

• Respond on-site on a 24/7 basis as assigned. Secure and analyze incident scenes in collaboration with responding operating departments.  Coordinate and conduct witness interviews and statements, evidence collection and examination, and other investigative actions as required. Recommend, retain, and coordinate outside experts/contractors as required. Coordinate and manage chain of custody documentation and processes.
• Provide timely notifications to the FRA, PTSB, NTSB, OSHA, and other agencies as required. Ensure appropriate recordkeeping and reporting in collaboration with other OSS teams to ensure adherence to regulatory and MTA/MNR requirements.
• Lead interdepartmental investigation committees.  Drive comprehensive analyses to determine root causes and contributing factors and to recommend corrective actions and other improvement plans based on findings, to eliminate or reduce the potential for future accidents/incidents. Provide regular and timely updates to operations staff regarding ongoing investigations to maintain engagement.
• Coordinate in-depth incident reviews with the applicable departments to share findings and knowledge from open investigations.  Formally distribute findings and action items.
• Prepare comprehensive accident/incident investigation reports addressing root causes, contributing factors, and corrective actions.  Present results to executive and senior staff as required.  Serve as an expert witness as required.
• Lead/mentor MNR OSS Field Safety, Compliance, and/or other staff supporting/participating in investigations.

• Develop and monitor corrective actions; develop, monitor, and/or support other programs, policies, and initiatives to enhance safety of customers, employees, and overall operations

• Develop corrective actions/improvements including policies, procedures, training, new technologies, partnerships, and other strategies as appropriate to address findings from investigations, audits, inspections, safety concerns or challenges, safety data analysis and trends, and other initiatives and issues.  Maintain a log of pending actions in collaboration with other Investigators and OSS staff.  Monitor/track status and follow up as required to ensure implementation, evaluate effectiveness, and recommend changes as appropriate. 
• Direct and/or participate in conformance audits to ensure system-wide compliance with safety regulations, policies and procedures, Operating Rules, and training requirements, including verifying the implementation of corrective actions identified through investigations, audits, and other findings.
• Represent the Office of System Safety on the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) Peer Review Team (PRT). Review cases that meet the program criteria, develop causes, highlight trends, and prepare corrective actions to present to the senior staff for implementation.
• Monitor progress of safety-related recommendations provided by external agencies such as the FRA, FTA, and NTSB as assigned and provide status reports. Represent MNR at PTSB Board Meetings and interact with PTSB staff as required. 
• Collaborate with other OSS teams and MNR operating departments to establish the framework and focus for departmental Safety Action Plans, based on the review and analysis of departmental and agencywide data trends.

• Conduct audits, inspections, and data analyses in collaboration with other MNR OSS staff to identify and monitor safety trends.  Monitor MNR accident and injury reports, safety concerns, and safety challenges; take the lead on addressing issues as required.  Participate in customer and community safety outreach events.  Support departments in planning and conducting employee safety outreach including Safety Focus events, stand-downs, and the like.
• Maintain operations and professional qualifications, safety certifications, and other continuing education requirements; remain current with state-of-the-art investigation methods, techniques, and technology. 

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated understanding of rail industry, equipment, technical standards, operations, and organization; demonstrated understanding of these factors for another complex operating/industrial environment may be considered.
• Strong crisis management skills with the ability to react effectively to emergencies and other stressful situations
• Knowledge and ability to review incidents and develop corresponding root causes, contributing factors, and corrective actions 
• Ability to develop, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of safety programs and initiatives.
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written presentation and communication skills
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to assimilate, organize, and convey pertinent information.
• Excellent project, team, and self-management skills, with the ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams as required, managing multiple projects while adhering to rapidly changing deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact and communicate effectively with all departments and all levels of management Metro-North, other MTA agencies, and external stakeholders, including executive leadership.
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to foster teamwork and effective working relationships, resolve conflicts, lead multidisciplinary teams, and make effective decisions in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
• Ability to oversee safety compliance and exercise the authority to stop work or rail operations if deem imminent hazard to life or property exists; ability to take responsibility to initiate and terminate an investigation, including approving movement of equipment so recovery efforts can begin.
• Demonstrated ability to foster cooperation among diverse groups in a complex operating environment.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and discretion.
• Demonstrated knowledge of audit/inspection principles and ability to establish audit/inspection plans. Ability to respond to incidents and emergencies 24/7, including working evenings and weekends as a normal course of business.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and Outlook) or equivalent.
• Must be available and able to respond to emergencies 24/7 and available for coverage basis via cell phone.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to various work locations 24/7.

Required Education and Experience:

• Associate degree in Business Administration, Safety, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or related field.  Demonstrated equivalent experience, education, and/or technical credentials to include an additional two years of related experience may be considered in place of a degree.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in the transportation industry related to the responsibilities of the position, at least two (2) years of which entail experience in one or more of the following: Transportation (train operations), Maintenance of Equipment, Maintenance of Way (Track, Structures, Communications & Signals, Power) and/or conducting safety-related investigations.  Experience in another complex operating/industrial environment may be considered in place of experience in the transportation industry.
• Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) certification (or ability to obtain within 1 year of hire)
• Rail Accident Investigation training/certification (or ability to obtain within 1 year of hire)
• Qualification in MNR Roadway Worker Protection/Supervisor Roadway Worker Protection, Operating Rules, and Blue Signal Protection (or ability to obtain within 1 year of hire)

The Following is/are preferred:

• Background in the practical application of accident/incident investigation techniques, procedures, and/or policies
• Knowledge of applicable regulations and practices including FRA, OSHA, EPA, NYS, and/or NYC Health, or equivalent.
• Experience in railroad operations
• Master’s Degree in Safety, Emergency Management, Business, Engineering or related field.
• Knowledge of and experience with FRA and NTSB investigation methodologies and procedures.
• Experience managing staff, projects, and/or processes.
• NIMS 100, 200, and/or 700
• Safety Certification: CSP, SMS, WSO-CSS, WSO-CSSD, and/or TSI-TSSP.
• Current qualification in MNR Roadway Worker Protection, Supervisor Roadway Worker Protection, Operating Rules, and/or Blue Signal Protection.

Other Information

This position is safety-sensitive and subject to toxicological testing.

According 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”).

Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MNR drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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

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