Senior Director, Safety

Salary range: $174,653 - $188,000. Full-time position located at 2 Broadway, New York, NY 10004. This position is eligible for teleworking one day per week; new hires may apply for telework 30 days after their effective date of hire.

About the Role

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is North America's largest transportation network, serving 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network includes the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined.

This role supports 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. Responsibilities include managing all safety-related aspects and activities associated with risk management and quality assurance for commuter rail, subways, buses, and bridge & tunnel systems within the MTA’s workforce of over 70,000 employees, 5,000 square miles of territory, thousands of train cars and buses, and numerous buildings and facilities.

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 health and safety regulations, best practices, policies, and procedures. Provide subject matter expertise for regulatory visits and emergency response incidents at HQ.
• Investigate HQ employee accidents, ensure proper recording of injuries, correct conditions, and process claims for continuation of care and compensation. Serve as the liaison between injured employees and the General Counsel’s Workers’ Compensation claims department.
• Promote and facilitate health and safety communications, wellness programs, and the HQ Safety Management Office website.
• Provide program oversight 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 for mandated safety initiatives.
• Provide Safety Assurance – Evaluate the effectiveness of implemented risk control strategies and identify new hazards. Oversee inspections and audits for Operations (Admin, Rail Road, Subway, Bus, Police), Infrastructure (Bridges, Tunnels, Tracks, Signals), Shops, Depots, Stations, Facilities, Construction Safety, Maintenance, and Equipment.
• Serve as day-to-day safety liaison; engage staff (including field personnel) and unions in safety checks; perform audits of Safety Action Plans; conduct probationary and new hire reviews; coordinate policies and written plans required by regulatory agencies; provide subject matter expertise on safety policy implementation and regulation interpretation.
• Determine the need for, and adequacy of, new or revised risk controls based on acceptable risk, safety regulations (e.g., FRA, FTA, NYS Public Transportation Safety Board), and best practices. 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, and change implementation. Participate in tactical planning and support corporate initiatives to ensure uniformity of health & safety standards and programs.
• Promote policies, procedures, and best practices internally and externally to support awareness and build a culture of safety (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 MTA’s safety staff toward certification in accordance with ISO standards. Ensure all safety personnel across agencies are satisfactorily trained within one year of assuming their roles.
• Lead and direct a staff of safety professionals to carry out the responsibilities outlined in this job description. Provide leadership and guidance to safety offices in MTA agencies. Select, develop, and motivate personnel; provide career development, coaching, and counseling. Oversee performance reviews and create a professional environment that respects individual differences.
• Serve as principal to pursue granting opportunities and collaborate with NYS DOT and MTA’s Capital Funding Management department to secure federal funding (e.g., FRA, FHWA) for MTA-related grade crossing projects. Work with railroads and MTA grade crossing consultants to identify problematic crossings, document funding justification, and create scopes of work for grant submissions (currently valued over $40 million).
• Conduct periodic reviews to assess the effectiveness of safety management office initiatives, policies, and procedures. Assist in continuous improvement of hazard identification and safety risk assessment systems. Lead and coordinate special projects as assigned by the Deputy Chief Safety Officer.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety & Health, Safety Management, Public Administration/Policy, Public Health, or a related field from an accredited college. 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.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of regulatory compliance, including OSHA, EPA, FRA, FTA, and NYS Safety and Health regulations.
• Extensive knowledge of auditing principles and demonstrated ability to establish audit plan programs.
• Ability to build strong partnerships, engage, influence, and drive change. Progressive responsibility experience in managing complex organizations or programs, with strong project management skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in quality management and safety management systems.
• Knowledge of accident investigation principles and ability to perform site evaluations, including exposure assessment strategies and risk assessments.
• Ability to specify hazard control measures and assess their effectiveness.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Additional Information

• May need to work outside of normal work hours (e.g., holidays, evenings, weekends).
• Travel may be required to other MTA locations or external sites, both nationally and internationally.
• Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, employees in policymaking positions must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government.