Manager, Safety & Training

Rio Grande Pacific Corporation; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Rio Grande Pacific Transit Group seeks a seasoned Manager, Safety & Training to lead safety, training, and quality assurance across a FRA-regulated passenger and freight rail environment.

The role ensures regulatory compliance, manages investigations, and drives continuous improvement in safety programs across field operations, audits, and reporting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience managing safety, training, and quality functions for FRA-regulated passenger and freight railroads.
• Strong knowledge of FRA, GCOR, NTSB, HazMat, OSHA, and NIMS safety standards.
• Experience conducting investigations and writing formal reports.
• Completion of relevant rail safety training or certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage safety, training, and quality assurance programs for the organization.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations including FRA, GCOR, NTSB, HazMat, OSHA, NIMS.
• Lead investigations of accidents, incidents, derailments and near-misses with documentation and corrective actions.
• Oversee PPE training, risk reduction, biosafety protocols, and field safety audits and rules testing.
• Review training syllabi and materials before instruction and audit sessions.
• Develop and administer safety training procedures and compliance programs.
• Maintain timely completion of safety and training reports and records.
• Coordinate with internal departments and third-party railroad organizations on safety initiatives.
• Be available to respond to safety incidents and emergencies within required response times.

Skills

Safety management

Training development

Regulatory compliance

Investigation leadership

Leadership

Communication

Documentation

Job description

Rio Grande Pacific Corporation (RGPC) is a Texas-based, privately-held railroad holding company established in 1986, specializing in regional freight railroads, signal construction and design, passenger operations, equipment remanufacturing, dispatching services, and asset leasing. Operating across six states, RGPC manages four short line railroads covering 700 route miles. The company serves approximately 140 freight customers, including major Fortune 500 companies, across diverse industries such as agriculture, chemicals, lumber, minerals, and recycling.

Job Summary

Rio Grande Pacific Transit Group is seeking a Manager, Safety & Training to lead safety, training, and quality assurance programs for an FRA-regulated passenger and freight rail environment. This role ensures regulatory compliance, oversees training programs, manages safety investigations, supports field audits and rules testing, and drives continuous improvement across system operations.

Responsibilities

• Manage safety, training, and quality assurance programs for the organization.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, county, and municipal regulations, including FRA, GCOR, NTSB, HazMat, OSHA, NIMS, and other safety standards.
• Lead accident, incident, derailment, and near-miss investigations and prepare reports and corrective action plans.
• Oversee the organization's safety compliance program, training program, and quality program.
• Manage PPE training, hazard management, bio-hazard protocols, risk reduction programs, and safety-related complaint resolution.
• Perform regular field audits, inspections, and rules testing with craft employees, including weekly train rides.
• Review class syllabi, lesson plans, and training materials before instruction and audit training classes.
• Develop, implement, and administer safety and training procedures, plans, and compliance programs.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of all safety and training reports and documentation.
• Partner with internal departments and third-party railroad organizations to support safety initiatives and coordinated operating practices.
• Maintain availability to respond to safety incidents and operational callouts, typically within one hour.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of experience managing safety, training, and quality functions for FRA-regulated passenger and freight railroads.
• Strong knowledge of applicable safety regulations, including FRA, GCOR, NTSB, HazMat, OSHA, and NIMS.
• Demonstrated experience conducting investigations and writing formal reports.
• Completion of FTA/TSI safety training preferred.
• Current FTA PTSCTP rail certification preferred.
• Must possess or obtain required NIMS training, including ICT-100 and IST-200 upon assignment and IAS-300 and IC-400 within one year.
• Proven management, leadership, and training development skills.
• Strong communication, documentation, and analytical abilities.