Manager, Safety Management Systems (SMS) Program Development

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

Job summary

Regional Transportation District (RTD) seeks a senior safety program leader to drive enterprise-wide safety management systems, oversee SSPP/PTASP, and champion continuous improvement in safety culture. The role includes developing safety education programs and leading cross-functional teams to meet regulatory standards.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in system safety, strong regulatory knowledge, and proven leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, System Safety Engineering, Occupational and Industrial Safety Management, or a related field.
• Professional Safety or Auditor certification preferred.
• TSSP Certification required or achievable within 3 years of hire.
• CSP or CIH credentials are highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, deployment, and oversight of enterprise-wide safety management systems to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Drive initiatives to reduce accidents and injuries; guide safety projects and risk management strategies.
• Manage SSPP and PTASP to continually improve safety culture and performance.
• Develop and disseminate safety education programs; conduct outreach to engage employees.
• Ensure safety compliance in bus and rail project designs to applicable standards.
• Chair safety committees; analyze safety data; develop performance metrics.
• Oversee hazard management including risk assessments, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Provide leadership support to the Chief Safety Officer and supervise staff to meet program goals.

Skills

Safety management

Data analysis

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Communication

Time management

Microsoft Office 365

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Professional Safety or Auditor certification

TSSP Certification

CSP or CIH certification

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

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.)

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.
• 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

Pay Range

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 EEO 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.

Public Transportation Services

RTD provides public transportation services in an eight-county region centered in Denver, Colorado. As a public agency, employees are dedicated to serving the public and providing for the transportation needs of over 3.1 million area residents as well as visitors to the region. Services include bus, rail, shuttles, ADA paratransit services, demand-responsive services, vanpools, and more. The agency’s dedicated workforce epitomizes RTD’s mission of making lives better through connections. In 2024, the system had more than 65 million boardings, a number that has seen year-over-year increases since 2020. RTD employs over 3,100 people and has an operating budget of $1.5 billion. Together, RTD employees work hard to keep this region moving day and night. RTD is committed to full equal opportunity and affirmative action for all applicants and employees. Equal opportunity ensures all qualified applicants and employees are treated fairly and not discriminated against with regard to the individual’s race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. RTD participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.