Senior Rail Safety Officer

Caltrain; Millbrae (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Caltrain is seeking a Senior Rail Safety Officer to support safety program oversight for the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board. The role reports to the Manager, Rail Safety & Compliance and involves field safety oversight across complex projects, inspections, audits, and incident investigations.

Responsibilities include leading hazard analyses, coordinating with operations and engineering, and ensuring compliance with FRA, OSHA, Cal/OSHA, and related standards to promote safety culture

Qualifications

• 4 years of full-time experience supporting safety-related programs in a commuter rail, railroad, transit, construction, occupational safety, or comparable regulated environment.
• Must be able to respond to service and operational emergencies on and around the active railroad 24/7 in various weather and road conditions.

Responsibilities

• Leads Site-Specific Work Plan reviews for complex capital projects and field safety oversight.
• Conduct safety inspections, audits, field observations and assessments including facilities, stations, and ROW work.
• Provide safety oversight of railroad systems including dispatching, signals, PTC, grade crossing warning, and traction power controls.
• Support System Safety Program Plan, Safety Certification Plan, and Emergency Preparedness programs with field oversight at CEMOF.
• Investigate accidents, near-misses, hazardous conditions, and safety-critical incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Serve as technical liaison with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, capital projects, regulators, and contractors.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Transportation Planning, Operations Analysis, or related field

Job description

Job Summary

The Senior Rail Safety Officer reports to the Manager, Rail Safety & Compliance and supports the safety program oversight for the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain).

Essential Functions & Duties

• Leads Site-Specific Work Plan reviews, for complex capital projects, construction site inspections, investigations, corrective actions, and field and construction safety oversight throughout the Caltrain system.
• Responsible for railroad operations and maintenance safety oversight; Conduct safety inspections, audits, field observations and assessments including facilities & stations, and Right of Way (ROW) work.
• Provide safety oversight of railroad systems, including dispatching, signals, PTC, grade crossing warning systems, communications, traction power, OCS, and related control systems.
• Support assigned components of Caltrain’s System Safety Program Plan, System Safety and Security Certification Plan, Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness Plan, and related safety, risk-management, hazard-management, and emergency-preparedness programs field and construction safety oversight at Central Equipment Maintenance Operation Facility CEMOF, including prioritizing coverage and reviewing safety documentation and corrective actions.
• Provide senior-level oversight of accident, near-miss, hazardous-condition, and safety-critical incident investigations, including the investigation process, supporting documentation, contributing-factor evaluations, and corrective and preventive actions.
• Serves as a technical liaison for assigned safety matters involving Operations, Maintenance of Way, Engineering, capital-project personnel, the contract operator, contractors, consultants, regulators, and emergency-response partners.

Examples Of Essential Duties

• Conducts routine inspection reports, field observations, Site-Specific Work Plan comments, investigation materials, safety data, and corrective-action records.
• Conduct weekly risk assessments and hazard analyses for operational, maintenance, facility, and construction activities.
• Review railroad systems safety practices, identify hazards, and track corrective actions for dispatching, signals, PTC, grade crossings, communications, and traction power systems.
• Address and elevate safety-critical conditions, recommend corrective measures, and prepare findings and reports.
• Provide coaching assistants to Rail Safety Officers on inspection methods, hazard recognition, railroad right-of-way safety, documentation, incident response, and escalation procedures.
• Analyze safety data and regulatory developments and recommend program, procedure, or training improvements.
• Coordinate support for emergency exercises, regulatory audits, and after-action corrective-action tracking.
• Participate in safety meetings and collaborate with District staff to identify and resolve safety- related problems and issues.
• Participate, plan, coordinate, and assist with emergency rail drills and exercises
• Prepare technical findings and recommendations for the Manager, Rail Safety & Regulatory Compliance.
• Monitor compliance with FRA, OSHA, and Cal OSHA for Caltrain and SamTran’s construction projects
• Assist with safety improvement programs, safety promotion activities, and the promotion of positive safety culture.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect one's self, fellow employees and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures in an effort to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient experience, training and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Transportation Planning, Operations Analysis, or related field.
• Four (4) years of full-time experience supporting safety-related programs in a commuter rail, railroad, transit, construction, occupational safety, or comparable regulated environment
• Must be able to respond to service and operational emergencies on and around the active railroad 24/7 and in a variety of weather and road conditions.
• Valid California driver license with safe driving record, or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations including FRA, CPUC, Cal/OSHA, and DOT standards.
• Familiarity with Safety Management System (SMS) frameworks and PTASP requirements National Incident Management System (NIMS) or Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) certification.
• Familiar with railroad systems, including dispatching, signals, PTC, grade crossing warning systems, communications, traction power, OCS, and related control systems.
• Experience with safety certification for rail capital projects or system modifications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and safety management or compliance tracking software.
• Some supervisory experience is preferred.
• Knowledge in the use of the SharePoint Platform is helpful.
• Effective written, verbal, and presentation skills.

The selection process may include a panel interview, written and skills test assessments, or supplemental questions. Only those candidates who are the most qualified will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to continue in the process.