Program Manager - Safety & Security Certification (7424)

RiseMe; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 126,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Pension plan

Paid time off

Wellness programs

Tuition reimbursement

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Free SEPTA transportation pass

Job summary

SEPTA seeks a Program Manager, Safety and Security Certification to lead and mature SEPTA’s SSC program, ensuring compliance with federal, state and agency requirements across capital projects.

You will coordinate cross-functional teams, advise stakeholders, and oversee deliverables from risk assessment to final verification, including training, records, and committee management. 24/7 duties may apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (or further degree) in Engineering, Safety Management, Operations Management, Emergency Management, Transportation, Business Management, Quality Management, Systems Management, City/Urban Planning or related field with five (5) - seven (7) years’ experience in progressive and responsible experience in capital project planning, transportation strategic planning, engineering, transportation project management, and/or transportation safety & security certification.
• An equivalent combination of experience and education (one year of formal education equating to two years of work experience) may be considered in lieu of the above requirements.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal effectively with a wide range of professional, supervisory and management personnel at all levels of the organization required.
• Strong analytical skills with a proven ability to handle and resolve complex problems related to project management, program management and contract administration duties required.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must demonstrate the ability to pursue/perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Must have excellent verbal and technical writing skills.
• Prior experience with Transit Safety and Security Certification preferred.
• Capital Project management experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in the Transportation Industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads and program-manages the implementation and continuous improvement of SEPTA’s Safety and Security Certification (SSC) Program and maintains the Safety and Security Certification Program Plan (SSCPP) and supporting procedures.
• Actively monitors active capital projects and system changes to identify works subject to SSC requirements; coordinates with SEPTA committees engaged in capital project management and design review / change review.
• Ensures SEPTA’s Safety Risk Management (SRM) process is appropriately applied to capital projects subject to Safety and Security Certification.
• Manages the SSC project assessment process to determine SSC applicability and, when certification is required, establishes the scope and level of certification requirements for each applicable project.
• Reports project progress, certification status, significant hazards and security risks, open items, and other issues requiring management action to the Safety and Security Review Committee (SSRC).
• Leads the establishment and progress of project-level committees and coordinates SSC activities with Project Managers, consultants, contractors, and other project stakeholders.
• Oversees SSC program scheduling, documentation, and stakeholder coordination.
• Partners with SEPTA divisions to ensure implementation of SSC requirements for applicable capital projects in accordance with regulatory and program requirements
• Ensures safety and security design reviews are performed on projects subject to the SSC process.
• Oversees the development of SSC program documents and records, including Safety and Security Certification Plans (SSCPs), Safety and Security Management Plans (SSMPs), safety and security design criteria, Certifiable Elements Lists (CELs), Preliminary Hazard Analyses (PHAs), Threat and Vulnerability Assessments (TVAs), Certifiable Items Lists (CILs), Operational Hazard Analyses (OHAs), Operational Readiness Conformance Checklists (ORCCs), Interim and Final Certificates of Conformance (COCs), and Safety and Security Certification Verification Reports (SSCVRs).
• Ensures identified safety hazards, security vulnerabilities, and open items are documented, tracked, verified in each project phase, and resolved prior to issuing the Certificate of Conformance.
• Maintains document control, storage, securement, and distribution of SSC documentation.
• Oversees the development, delivery, and monitoring of SEPTA’s SSC Training Program for SEPTA staff and external project stakeholders; identifies training needs and serves as an instructor when required; provides technical assistance to project stakeholders as needed.
• Coordinates SSC Program status with SEPTA leadership and the PennDOT SSOA, including required reporting and SSC deliverable submissions.
• Serves as primary liaison for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and PennDOT State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA) on SSC matters, under the direction of the Sr. Director, Safety Risk Management & Safety Culture.
• Maintains active communication and collaboration with other System Safety departments to integrate outputs of the SSC program, including lessons learned, risks that may apply to other projects or to current operations, mitigations that warrant close monitoring, and other information that reinforces the Safety Assurance function served by SSC.
• As directed by the Sr. Director, Safety Risk Management & Safety Culture, supports change management and configuration management processes for system modifications not requiring formal SSC, including management of records, participation in change reviews, and communication with other SEPTA divisions.
• Performs other duties as required by the Sr. Director, Safety Risk Management & Safety Culture.
• Duties may be required on a 24/7 basis and work schedule may vary.

Skills

Safety Management

Project Management

Interpersonal Skills

Verbal & Written Communication

Analytical Skills

English Proficiency

Driver's License

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field

Master’s Degree in related discipline

Job description

Secure Your Future with SEPTA – A Leader in Transportation!

TheSoutheastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)is thesixth-largesttransportation system in the U.S., connecting communities across a2,200-square-mile service region. SEPTA isat the forefront of innovationin the transit industry, ensuring reliable and efficient services while driving economic growth in thePhiladelphia region.

Only candidates who are authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship, will be accepted at this time.

We are proud to be recognized as

2023 FORBES Best in State Employer

Philadelphia Employer of Choice for 2024

We are seeking to hire candidates for ourProgram Manager - Safety & Security Certification (7424).

Opening Date: 09/24/2026

Closing Date: 10/08/2026

Job Grade: SAM 43

Salary Range:$125,762.00-$157,196.00

OVERALL DESCRIPTION

The Program Manager, Safety and Security Certification, leads and manages SEPTA’s organization-wide Safety and Security Certification (SSC) program to ensure compliance with federal, state, and agency-level SSC regulatory requirements. While overseeing the SSC Program, this critical role engages in the identification, assessment, and mitigation of safety risks and security vulnerabilities related to capital projects before those projects enter service.

The execution of an effective SSC program requires coordination between SEPTA departments, design consultants, construction contractors, safety and security consultants, and state and federal regulators. The Program Manager of Safety and Security Certification provides overarching Program Management, coordinates cross-functional teams, advises stakeholders as a subject matter expert, and oversees the full lifecycle of safety certification for capital projects, from risk assessment through final verification.

This includes training and advising internal and external partners on SSC, managing the development and review of certification deliverables, participating in design review, maintaining thorough and accurate records of certification activities, and supporting SSC administrative functions, including management of SSC committees. The Senior Program Manager of SSC also develops strong relationships with regulatory stakeholders and manages routine correspondence, updates, and required submissions and reviews.

The Program Manager, SSC, has technical responsibility for the interpretation, organization, coordination and implementation of the SSC Program at SEPTA. This includes program management and oversight, further development, continuous improvement, and implementation of a standardized approach to multi-modal SSC activities. They must have knowledge of capital project planning, safety engineering, construction, operations, and good business practices, including project management and design and construction management practices.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads and program-manages the implementation and continuous improvement of SEPTA’s Safety and Security Certification (SSC) Program and maintains the Safety and Security Certification Program Plan (SSCPP) and supporting procedures.
• Actively monitors active capital projects and system changes to identify works subject to SSC requirements; coordinates with SEPTA committees engaged in capital project management and design review / change review.
• Ensures SEPTA’s Safety Risk Management (SRM) process is appropriately applied to capital projects subject to Safety and Security Certification.
• Manages the SSC project assessment process to determine SSC applicability and, when certification is required, establishes the scope and level of certification requirements for each applicable project.
• Reports project progress, certification status, significant hazards and security risks, open items, and other issues requiring management action to the Safety and Security Review Committee (SSRC).
• Leads the establishment and progress of project-level committees and coordinates SSC activities with Project Managers, consultants, contractors, and other project stakeholders.
• Oversees SSC program scheduling, documentation, and stakeholder coordination.
• Partners with SEPTA divisions to ensure implementation of SSC requirements for applicable capital projects in accordance with regulatory and program requirements
• Ensures safety and security design reviews are performed on projects subject to the SSC process.
• Oversees the development of SSC program documents and records, including Safety and Security Certification Plans (SSCPs), Safety and Security Management Plans (SSMPs), safety and security design criteria, Certifiable Elements Lists (CELs), Preliminary Hazard Analyses (PHAs), Threat and Vulnerability Assessments (TVAs), Certifiable Items Lists (CILs), Operational Hazard Analyses (OHAs), Operational Readiness Conformance Checklists (ORCCs), Interim and Final Certificates of Conformance (COCs), and Safety and Security Certification Verification Reports (SSCVRs).

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES CONT'D

• Ensures identified safety hazards, security vulnerabilities, and open items are documented, tracked, verified in each project phase, and resolved prior to issuing the Certificate of Conformance.
• Maintains document control, storage, securement, and distribution of SSC documentation.
• Oversees the development, delivery, and monitoring of SEPTA’s SSC Training Program for SEPTA staff and external project stakeholders; identifies training needs and serves as an instructor when required; provides technical assistance to project stakeholders as needed.
• Coordinates SSC Program status with SEPTA leadership and the PennDOT SSOA, including required reporting and SSC deliverable submissions.
• Serves as primary liaison for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and PennDOT State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA) on SSC matters, under the direction of the Sr. Director, Safety Risk Management & Safety Culture.
• Maintains active communication and collaboration with other System Safety departments to integrate outputs of the SSC program, including lessons learned, risks that may apply to other projects or to current operations, mitigations that warrant close monitoring, and other information that reinforces the Safety Assurance function served by SSC.
• As directed by the Sr. Director, Safety Risk Management & Safety Culture, supports change management and configuration management processes for system modifications not requiring formal SSC, including management of records, participation in change reviews, and communication with other SEPTA divisions.
• Performs other duties as required by the Sr. Director, Safety Risk Management & Safety Culture.
• Duties may be required on a 24/7 basis and work schedule may vary.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree (or further degree) in Engineering, Safety Management, Operations Management, Emergency Management, Transportation, Business Management, Quality Management, Systems Management, City/Urban Planning or related field with five (5) - seven (7) years’ experience in progressive and responsible experience in capital project planning, transportation strategic planning, engineering, transportation project management, and/or transportation safety & security certification.
• An equivalent combination of experience and education (one year of formal education equating to two years of work experience) may be considered in lieu of the above requirements.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal effectively with a wide range of professional, supervisory and management personnel at all levels of the organization required.
• Strong analytical skills with a proven ability to handle and resolve complex problems related to project management, program management and contract administration duties required.
• Proven experience using computer business applications and systems essential to the field required.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must demonstrate the ability to pursue/perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Must have excellent verbal and technical writing skills.
• Prior experience with Transit Safety and Security Certification preferred.
• Capital Project management experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in the Transportation Industry preferred.

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s Degree in Engineering, Safety Management, City/Urban Planning and/or related discipline
• USDOT Transportation Institute Transit (TSI) Safety and Security Program (TSSP- Rail and/or TSSP-Bus) certificate.
• Federal Transit Administration Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program Certification (PTSCTP).
• Working knowledge of MIL-STD 882E, hazard identification, and mitigation.
• Significant experience in Transit Safety and Security Certification.
• Knowledge of the FTA Safety and Security Certification Handbook.

Why Join Our Team? Enjoy Outstanding Benefits!

• Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage – Medical, prescription, dental, and vision plans with little to no employee premiums.
• Retirement Security – Participate in a Defined Benefit Pension Plan and a 457B Deferred Compensation Plan to build your financial future.
• Work-Life Balance – Enjoy paid parental leave, generous vacation time, and paid holidays to recharge and spend time with loved ones.
• Employee Wellness– Access wellness programs and resources to support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• Invest in Your Growth – We offer tuition reimbursement to support your education and career advancement.
• Student Loan Assistance – Our positions qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, helping you manage and reduce student debt.
• Free Travel Perks – Receive a FREE SEPTA Transportation Pass, giving you unlimited access to all SEPTA services!

Join us and take advantage of these incredible benefits while making a difference in your community!

Have Questions? For more information, please visit How We Hire Careers Page.

SEPTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SEPTA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.