Senior Director, Safety

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 careand 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Create 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.
• Liaise 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.
• Lead and coordinate special projects as assigned by the Deputy Chief Safety Officer.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.
• The 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.
• 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.
• At least 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.
• 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.