Bus Safety Specialist

Metropolitan Council; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Metropolitan Council's Metro Transit Division seeks a Bus Safety Specialist to coordinate safety programs at assigned garages, provide safety training, and support regulatory compliance across operations.

You will conduct bus accident investigations, identify hazards, and mentor bus operators and maintenance staff to promote Safe Operating Practices. A valid driver's license and experience in safety management are required.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills and the ability to provide safety coaching.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• Experience with Safety Management System (SMS) concepts.
• Experience delivering safety training and safety messaging.

Responsibilities

• Investigate accidents by interviewing operators, reviewing reports, and visiting sites.
• Enter and maintain accident data, review findings, and present safety conferences.
• Make accident responsibility determinations and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide safety consultations and mentor operators; develop Safety-First training.
• Coordinate safety activities, lead safety committees, and monitor compliance.
• Assist OSHA-related reporting and risk mitigation activities.
• Support safety input in planning, SOP updates, and project reviews.

Skills

Communication skills

Driver's license

SMS knowledge

Training & mentoring

Education

High school diploma/GED with seven years experience

Associate degree with five years experience

Bachelor’s degree with three years experience

Job description

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services.

More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Metropolitan Council’s Metro Transit Division

The Metropolitan Council’s Metro Transit Division is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides ridership through an integrated network of buses and light rail, as well as a resource for those who carpool, vanpool, walk, or bike in the Twin Cities.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Bus Safety Specialist position performs professional level work responsible for administering and coordinating a variety of Metro Transit bus safety system programs at assigned bus garages and other locations, with a primary focus on: Providing safety awareness, training, guidance and coaching to bus operators and maintenance personnel. Supporting regulatory compliance and proactive, frontline safety engagement through the identification, assessment, and mitigation of safety hazards and risks consistent with Metro Transit’s Safety Management System (SMS). Conducting bus accident investigations, supporting hazard identification and risk management activities, and monitoring facility and safety regulatory compliance related to Metro Transit bus operations and facilities. Safety Specialists promote safe operating practices, support continuous improvement and contribute to the safety of employees, customers, and the general public.

1. Responsible for conducting bus accident investigations, safety processes, and ensuring appropriate follow-up at assigned bus garage location(s):

• Investigating accidents by interviewing bus operators or mechanics, obtaining reports from street supervisors and law enforcement, requesting and reviewing bus/location video, and conducting site visits
• Enter and maintain accurate accident investigation data and documentation
• Review accident findings with bus operators and mechanics, and conduct safety conferences
• Make accident responsibility determinations
• Develop and recommend appropriate corrective actions
• Update operator safety award records and present awards to recipients
• Prepare preliminary and final reports for executive staff on high profile accidents, including pedestrian, bicyclist and traffic-related incidents

2. Provide ongoing professional safety consultations, interviews, training and mentoring to support and improve bus operator performance and safe operating practices:

• Develop and present Safety-First training for new operators
• Develop and present safety messages for Professional Operator Development (POD) to all bus operators
• Develop and present safety orientation and Right to Know (RTK) to all new employees during New Employee Orientation
• Develop and present safety messages and data trends to instructors for quarterly instructor meetings
• Conduct Field Safety Observations to identify hazards, reinforce safe work practices, and support continuous safety improvement

3. Promote and coordinate facility safety and health through employee safety committees, compliance monitoring and follow-up on reported safety concerns:

• Chair and facilitate monthly A Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction (AWAIR) committee meetings
• Monitor compliance with established safety procedures and practices
• Review and follow up on reported Safety Reports, document activities and maintain accurate safety records
• Conduct safety hazard analysis with Safety Management System (SMS) principles and coordinate with appropriate departments to address and resolve identified safety hazards.

4. Assist Transit management, Labor Relations and Risk Management staff in preparing for union grievances, arbitrations, veterans’ preference hearings, and other related proceedings. May provide Metro Transit safety related subject matter expertise and testimony in ATU union arbitrations, workers’ compensation and liability hearings:

• Provide consultation, guidance, and technical expertise to Metropolitan Council and external legal teams
• Prepare and provide relevant documentation and supporting records
• Provide sworn statements and participate in depositions, as required
• Provide testimony as a safety Subject Matter Expert (SME)
• Participate in garage-level grievances, first and second- step grievance proceedings, veterans’ preference hearings and arbitrations.

5. Plan, develop, and coordinate annual safety activities, training, and emergency preparedness:

• Develop and conduct annual Right to Know (RTK)
• Plan and conduct the Metro Transit Roadeo
• Coordinate and conduct fire drills across all three shifts at each assigned facility
• Review and update Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) for assigned facilities
• Assist in State Fair planning for bus operations and participate in monitoring bus operations at transit sites.

6. Perform occupational safety and health compliance, reporting, and injury prevention activities:

• Record and maintain employee injury and illness information in OSHA 300 and 300A logs, as applicable
• Prepare and submit annual Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) survey information
• Assist Occupational and Industrial Safety staff in responding to OSHA investigations
• Support compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and National Transit Database (NDT) reporting requirements
• Conduct employee injury investigations and identify and recommend injury prevention and risk mitigation strategies

7. Support safety considerations in construction projects and future operational planning:

• Participate in construction and project planning meetings, as requested, to provide safety-related input and identify potential impacts to bus operations, employees, and facilities
• Review and recommend updates to Metro Transit safety procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as appropriate, to support safe operations and address identified safety concerns

Any of the following combinations of education and related professional experience in occupational health, safety management, transit, transportation, public safety, or a closely related field:

• A high school diploma/GED with seven (7) years of related professional experience
• An associate degree with five (5) years of related professional experience
• A bachelor’s degree or higher with three (3) years of related professional experience

What licensure is required for this job:

• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record

What additional skills, experience, and licensure would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Degree in occupational health, safety management, transportation, and business management/administration.
• Training and/or certification(s) in training, occupational health, Safety Management System (SMS), and safety or related field (e.g., OSHA 100, Smith System, Basic Workplace, and/or industry-related training/certificates).
• Commercial Driver'sLicense.
• Good communication skills (listening, verbal and written).
• Knowledge and familiarity of Metro Transit bargaining unit contracts; ability to understand