Manager of Operations Safety

Bay Area Rapid Transit; United States; On-site; USD 156,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is seeking an experienced transportation safety professional to lead the Operations Safety Division within the System Safety Department. The role oversees a comprehensive rail operations safety program protecting employees, passengers, and infrastructure, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence.

The incumbent will develop, implement, and continuously improve safety programs, mentor staff, and collaborate with CPUC, FTA, and other partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in safety engineering, industrial hygiene or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• Five (5) years of professional safety programs experience including at least two (2) years of administrative and supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Develops, manages, and administers safety related activities of the Operations Safety Division including the identification and evaluation of safety risks for the District’s rail operations services.
• Investigates safety related rail operations accidents and incidents; performs inspections; coordinates CPUC audits with BART departments.
• Identifies and reports on safety related hazards to senior management and CPUC; tracks corrective actions from audit recommendations.
• Manages and administers the District’s comprehensive rail safety operational policies and procedures.
• Oversees safety liaison with divisions; negotiates and resolves sensitive issues.
• Coordinates training with District and local fire protection services; plans drills and emergency response times.
• Participates in the Safety Management System and PTASP transitions as required by federal regulation.

Skills

Safety leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in safety engineering, industrial hygiene or a closely related field

Job description

Pay Rate

AFSCME Pay Grade A21

Annual Salary: $156,395.20 (Step 1) - $190,091.20 (Step 5)

*Initial negotiable annual salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Reports to

Chief Safety Officer

Days Off

Variable

Who May Apply

All qualified candidates

Application Review Schedule

• September 9 - October 8
• October 9 - November 8
• November 9 - December 8

The District reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time after the completion of a review round if a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified to advance in the selection process. Therefore, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible, as subsequent review rounds may not be conducted.

BART is currently seeking an experienced transportation safety professional who is a strategic and collaborative leader who thrives in working in a complex operational environment. This position will oversee a comprehensive rail operations safety program that protects employees, passengers, and critical infrastructure while ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence.

In this leadership role, the successful incumbent will oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of rail operations safety programs, lead the Operations Safety Division with the System Safety Department, and serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Safety Officer. The Operations Safety Division programs encompass Operations Rules and Procedures, safety auditing, investigation of operations incidents and accidents, Roadway Worker Protection Program, and correction action plans for operations safety activities.

The ideal candidate will be a respected safety leader who combines technical expertise with exceptional leadership and communication skills and have the ability to work comfortably in a highly regulated environment, make sound decisions during critical operational events, and build collaborative relationships across departments within BART and with external partners including the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and others.

Core Competencies

• Transportation and rail operations safety principles
• Safety engineering and risk management practices
• Accident investigation methodologies
• Rail operating systems and operational procedures
• Federal regulations 674 State Safety Oversight and 671 Roadway Worker Protection
• CPUC safety regulations, including Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) and Safety Management Systems
• Program development, budgeting, and strategic planning
• Leadership, employee development, and performance management

The incumbent will assist the Chief Safety Officer in the implementation of safety programs mandated by the CPUC and FTA including SMS, National Transit Database, and PTASP. Serves as a liaison between the System Safety Department and other District departments, and between the District and regulatory agencies; participates in a variety of District-wide safety-related committees; communicates safety concerns and integrates safety concerns into goals, objectives, priorities, and project plans.

Responsibilities

1. Develops, manages, and administers safety related activities of the Operations Safety Division including the identification and evaluation of safety risks for the District’s rail operations services.
2. Investigates safety related rail operations accidents and incidents; performs walk through inspections; conducts safety checks on current and proposed operations and extensions; coordinates CPUC triennial safety audits with BART departments.
3. Identifies and reports on safety related hazards to senior management and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC); tracks corrective actions from audit recommendations.
4. Manages and administers the District’s comprehensive rail safety operational policies and procedures (Operations Rules and Procedure Manual, Roadway Protection Manual, and Operating Bulletins).
5. Serves as safety liaison with other divisions, departments and outside agencies; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
6. Coordinates training with District and local fire protection services; plans and conducts drills to determine emergency response times.
7. Participates in the management of the District’s Safety Management System (SMS) and successful transition of System Safety Program Plan (SSPP) to Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) as required by Federal regulation 49 CFR Part 673.
8. Selects, trains, motivates and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
9. Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the division's annual budget; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; implements adjustments.
10. Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations and operational studies; recommends modifications to safety programs, policies and procedures as appropriate.
11. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; stays abreast of new regulations, trends and innovations in the field of transportation safety.
12. Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
13. Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned programs; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
14. Provides responsible staff assistance to the Chief Safety Officer; assumes department responsibility in the absence of the Chief Safety Officer.

Education

Bachelor’sdegreeinsafetyengineering,industrialhygieneoracloselyrelatedfieldfromanaccreditedcollegeoruniversity.

Experience

Five (5) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable professional safety programs experience which must have included at least two (2) years of administrative and supervisory experience.

Other Requirements

• Must possess a valid California driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record
• Must respond to after-hours, weekend and holiday incidents and perform related field activities

Substitution

Additional professional safety programs experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis. A college degree is preferred.

Knowledge

• Operational characteristics, services and activities of a transportation safety program
• Principles and practices of transportation safety and safety engineering
• Principles and practices of program development and administration
• Methods and techniques of safety inspection and investigation
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration
• Methods and techniques of accident investigation
• Operating principles of rail transportation systems
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation
• Functions and authority of regulatory agencies in relation to operations safety
• Emergency response policies and procedures
• Related Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations

Skill/Ability in

• Overseeing and participating in the management of a comprehensive transportation safety program
• Overseeing, directing and coordinating the work of lower level staff
• Selecting, supervising, training and evaluating staff
• Conducting safety audits on the performance of rail operations and activities
• Investigating and analyzing accident and incidents
• Participating in the development and administration of division goals, objectives and procedures
• Preparing and administering large program budgets
• Reading and interpreting schematic diagrams and plans
• Preparing clear and concise administrative and financial reports
• Analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in support of goals
• Researching, analyzing and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques
• Evaluating operations safety features
• Interpreting and applying Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work