Safety Management System (SMS) Program Manager

Octa; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

OCTA seeks a highly experienced Safety Management Systems (SMS) Program Manager to lead the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of the agency's SMS and PTASP. This role acts as the subject matter expert, driving regulatory compliance and coordinating across departments to strengthen safety practices in Orange County.

With a minimum of seven years in program management and a deep background in safety management, you will oversee audits, training, and hazard mitigation while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of seven years of related program management experience; ten years preferred.
• At least three years of direct experience with a Safety Management System, Quality Management System, or Environmental Management System; five years preferred.
• Strong knowledge of safety management principles, hazard identification, risk assessment, mitigation, and continuous improvement.
• Experience with regulatory compliance oversight and interpreting safety-related requirements.
• Experience conducting compliance audits, assessments, or inspections.
• Ability to develop and implement preventive and corrective action strategies.
• Strong analytical skills with experience evaluating and presenting safety data, statistics, and trends.
• Experience developing and delivering employee training.

Responsibilities

• Serve as OCTA’s subject matter expert and lead agency-wide Safety Management System and PTASP efforts.
• Direct the planning, implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of SMS programs.
• Provide guidance to departments on implementing and maintaining compliance with FTA SMS requirements.
• Lead SMS committees, meetings, and initiatives focused on PTASP compliance and continuous improvement.
• Develop and oversee hazard identification, safety risk assessment, mitigation, and monitoring activities.
• Analyze safety data and trends to identify risks, evaluate mitigation efforts, and support informed decision-making.
• Perform and document audits, assessments, and inspections to evaluate SMS/PTASP implementation and regulatory compliance.
• Identify preventive and corrective actions to address accident hazards, health risks, and other safety concerns.
• Develop and deliver required SMS training and promote consistent understanding of safety responsibilities throughout the organization.
• Ensure compliance with SMS configuration management and document control requirements.
• Communicate SMS performance, risk trends, mitigation activities, compliance status, and emerging issues to employees, management, and executive leadership.
• Apply applicable regulations and industry best practices, including requirements from FTA, CPUC, Cal/OSHA, and Federal OSHA.

Skills

SMS knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Audits & inspections

Data analysis

Training delivery

Stakeholder influence

Safety culture

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree desirable

Job description

Job Description Safety Management Systems (SMS) Program Manager Under limited direction, the Safety Management Systems Manager leads the planning, implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of OCTA’s Safety Management System (SMS) and Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP). Serving as the agency’s subject matter expert, this position directs SMS/PTASP regulatory compliance efforts and works across the organization to strengthen safety practices, identify and mitigate risk, and promote a positive safety culture. This highly visible role partners with employees, management, executive leadership, and regulatory agencies to ensure OCTA’s safety programs meet Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and applicable State Safety Oversight requirements. This is an exempt management position, salary grade 220; Min $117,228.80 – Mid $139,276.80 – Max $161,304.00 per year. The starting salary will be within the established range based on qualifications. This posting will remain open until a candidate is selected.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as OCTA’s subject matter expert and lead agency-wide Safety Management System and PTASP efforts
• Direct the planning, implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of SMS programs
• Provide guidance to departments on implementing and maintaining compliance with FTA SMS requirements
• Lead SMS committees, meetings, and initiatives focused on PTASP compliance and continuous improvement
• Develop and oversee hazard identification, safety risk assessment, mitigation, and monitoring activities
• Analyze safety data and trends to identify risks, evaluate mitigation efforts, and support informed decision-making
• Perform and document audits, assessments, and inspections to evaluate SMS/PTASP implementation and regulatory compliance
• Identify preventive and corrective actions to address accident hazards, health risks, and other safety concerns
• Develop and deliver required SMS training and promote consistent understanding of safety responsibilities throughout the organization
• Ensure compliance with SMS configuration management and document control requirements
• Communicate SMS performance, risk trends, mitigation activities, compliance status, and emerging issues to employees, management, and executive leadership
• Apply applicable regulations and industry best practices, including requirements from FTA, CPUC, Cal/OSHA, and Federal OSHA
• Represent OCTA as the SMS/PTASP subject matter expert in internal and external meetings and program activities
• Build collaborative relationships across the agency and provide leadership, guidance, and support that promotes a strong and positive safety culture

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of seven years of related program management experience; ten years preferred
• At least three years of direct experience with a Safety Management System, Quality Management System, or Environmental Management System approach; five years preferred
• Strong knowledge of safety management principles, hazard identification, risk assessment, mitigation, and continuous improvement
• Experience with regulatory compliance oversight and interpreting safety-related requirements
• Experience conducting compliance audits, assessments, or inspections
• Ability to develop and implement preventive and corrective action strategies
• Strong analytical skills with experience evaluating and presenting safety data, statistics, and trends
• Experience developing and delivering employee training
• Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels, including executive leadership
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, build collaborative relationships, and promote a positive safety culture
• Experience with FTA, CPUC, Cal/OSHA, Federal OSHA, or similar regulatory requirements is highly desirable
• A related master’s degree is desirable

Why You’ll Love It

• Serve as OCTA’s subject matter expert for a critical agency-wide safety program
• Help shape and strengthen the safety culture of a major public transportation organization
• Lead initiatives that identify risks, improve safety performance, and support continuous improvement
• Work collaboratively with employees, management, executive leadership, and regulatory partners
• Use data and analytics to influence safety strategies and organizational decision-making
• Make a meaningful impact on the safety of OCTA employees, customers, operations, and transportation services throughout Orange County
• Join a team where innovation, integrity, and strategic thinking are valued

OCTA is an equal employment opportunity employer that recruits, hires, and promotes qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, military and veteran status, or other legally protected status. OCTA is the county’s transportation planning commission and public transit operator. With a focus on safety and accountability, we plan, fund, and implement countywide projects that include bus and rail transit, freeways and express lanes, rideshare, microtransit, paratransit, active transportation, and environmental programs. We’re passionate about creating a balanced, equitable and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county’s 34 cities and 3.2 million residents. Our employees rated OCTA as a top workplace in Orange County. Come join us on our mission of keeping Orange County moving.