Manager, Safety Management Systems (SMS) Program Development

Regional Transportation District; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 109,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

Regional Transportation District (RTD) is seeking a senior leader to oversee Safety Management Systems and regulatory compliance for rail and bus safety programs. You will design, deploy, and manage enterprise-wide safety initiatives, driving continuous improvement and safety culture across the agency.

The role requires strong data analysis, leadership experience, and knowledge of OSHA/FTA/FRA standards. A bachelor's degree in engineering or related safety field is required, and the position

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, System Safety Engineering, Occupational and Industrial Safety Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in system safety assurance, certification, and reporting with a strong understanding of safety data, data analysis, and trends.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience leading or supervising people.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable MVR.
• Preferred: Professional Safety or Auditor certification; Transportation Safety and Security Program (TSSP) Certification or CSP/CIH; experience in regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Leads the design, deployment, and oversight of enterprise-wide safety management systems, ensuring compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.
• Drives initiatives to reduce accidents and injuries, guiding safety projects and risk management strategies.
• Manages critical safety plans, including the System Safety Program Plan (SSPP) and Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).
• Develops and disseminates comprehensive safety education programs and conducts outreach activities for employee engagement.
• Ensures safety compliance in bus and rail project designs, adhering to applicable safety standards.
• Chairs safety committees, analyzes safety data for trend identification, and develops safety performance metrics.
• Oversees hazard management, incident investigations, and implementation of corrective measures.
• Uses data to evaluate SMS effectiveness and advocate for safety resources.
• Supervises and develops a skilled team, supporting the Chief Safety Officer in their absence.
• Maintains staffing and conducts performance reviews to ensure high standards.

Skills

Safety management systems

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Leadership

Communication skills

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Please complete the application in its entirety. Include all previous employment so that it may be taken into consideration. Please include a resume attachment with submittal of your application. Resume should document months and years with your dates of employment. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received before the closing date and time listed.

At Regional Transportation District (RTD), We make lives better through connections!

When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits

(RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

This position manages and oversees the organization's agency’s Safety Management Systems (SMS). The position is responsible for developing and managing systems and processes that are focused on implementation, execution, reporting, analysis, and continuous improvement of the safety management systems, including the System Safety Program Plan (SSPP) for commuter rail under the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) for light rail and bus modes under the Federal Transit Administration and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential:

SMS Program Development

• Leads the design, deployment, and oversight of enterprise-wide safety management systems, ensuring compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.

• Drives initiatives to reduce accidents and injuries, guiding safety projects and risk management strategies.

• Manages critical safety plans, including the System Safety Program Plan (SSPP) and Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP), focusing on continuous improvement in safety culture.

• Develops and disseminates comprehensive safety education programs and conducts outreach activities for employee engagement.

• Ensures safety compliance in bus and rail project designs, adhering to all applicable safety standards.

• Chairs safety committees, analyzes safety data for trend identification, and develops effective safety performance metrics.

• Oversees comprehensive hazard management program encompassing risk assessments, incident investigations, and implementation of corrective measures.

• Utilizes data effectively to evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of SMS programs, advocating for necessary safety resources.

• Supervises and develops a skilled team, fostering a safety culture aligned with the agency's goals.

• Provides leadership support to the Chief Safety Officer, including assuming departmental responsibilities in their absence

People Power Management

• Maintains appropriate staffing levels and reviews progress to ensure the quality and quantity of work meet standards and deadlines for deliverables to meet program goals and objectives.

• Recruits staff to include interviewing, hiring, assigning work, training, coaching, and counseling to ensure consistent application of Employee Guidelines, processes, and procedures.

• Conducts performance reviews and holds employees accountable for optimal performance of their responsibilities.

• Fosters a safety-first culture, prioritizing prevention, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Takes action to advance the goals of Equal Employment Opportunity, Small/ Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Title VI and ADA Plans, thereby ensuring RTD's hiring programs, work environment, contracting and procurement practices, and transit services/programs are fair, equal, and non-discriminatory.

Other:
All job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualification:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, System Safety Engineering, Occupational and Industrial Safety Management, or a related field.

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in system safety assurance, certification, and reporting with a strong understanding of safety data, data analysis, and trends.

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience leading or supervising people.

• Valid driver’s license and acceptable MVR.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional Safety or Auditor certification.

• Transportation Safety and Security Program (TSSP) Certification required or the ability to achieve certification within three years of hire.

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH).

• Previous experience working in a highly regulated environment.

OR

An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Key Competencies & Characteristics:

• Proficiency in safety management systems components/framework, particularly safety risk management and safety assurance.

• Proficiency in OSHA, FTA, FRA regulations, and industry and consensus standards and codes (ISO, NFPA, ASSP, ASME, UBC, etc.)

• Proficiency in the safety certification processes and management of change/configuration management.

• Proficiency in the Federal Transit Administration safety certification and worker protection guidelines.

• Proficiency in FTA Safety & Security Management Plan and Project Management Plan program requirements.

• Proficiency in hazard analysis, safety design criteria, and resolution processes.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey specialized and regulatory information to diverse audiences.

• Ability to conceptualize complex problems and develop appropriate solutions using good judgement and decision-making skills.

• Ability to manage time and workload effectively, including planning, organizing, and prioritizing with attention to detail.

• Ability to lead and develop staff, including setting clear expectations, providing effective coaching and feedback, and fostering a high-performance, inclusive team culture.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations.

The work environment is a typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues.

CAREER MAP Based on job performance, experience, education, and position availability, the next step on the career map for this position may be: Director, Safety and Environmental Compliance/Chief Safety Officer

We are considering all applications for this position up until the position close date of 9/27/2026 at 11:59PM. For consideration, please be sure to apply before the posting end date.

Pay Range:

$109,309.00 - $154,398.25 Annual

EEO POLICY AND ADA ACCOMMODATIONS

RTD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless to the race, sex, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. RTD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, promotions, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to our Employment ADA Coordinator Kris Frazier at [e-mail], or the Talent Acquisition team [e-mail].

To learn more or see our EEO policy, please visit our EOO page at: https://www.rtd-denver.com/open-records/reports-and-policies/eeo-policy

RTD posts a compensation range that represents a good faith estimate of what RTD anticipates paying for the position at the time of posting. Starting salary is based on the candidate’s relevant and verified education, training and work experience. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application.