Transit Safety and Training Supervisor

Blacksburg, Town of (VA); Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Blacksburg (VA) seeks a Training and Safety Coordinator for its bus operations. You will plan, manage, and implement operator training and transit safety programs, supervise staff, and coordinate with the Transit Operations Manager and Transit Director to ensure compliance and quality service.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years in training or safety programs with supervisory experience, plus the ability to obtain a Virginia CDL within six months.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in business, public administration, transportation, or related field.
• 3–5 years in training and security programs, preferably with a public transit agency.
• 3–5 years of supervisory experience.
• Valid Virginia driver’s license; ability to obtain CDL Class B with Air Brakes and P endorsement within six months.

Responsibilities

• Develops and oversees the operator training program, including demand-response service training with a focus on customer service and safety.
• Oversees evaluation and monitoring of new bus operator training progress.
• Supports behind-the-wheel instruction per DMV/BT policy in vehicle operation and passenger transport.
• Coordinates safety meetings, staff trainings, and related presentations for a diverse group of employees.
• Prepares training budget and monitors expenditures.
• Maintains training records, files, and certificates; supports safety program administration.

Skills

Training supervision

Safety leadership

Staff scheduling

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/public administration/transportation

Job description

Performs skilled technical work planning, managing, and implementing bus operator training and transit safety programs, administering exams, maintaining records and files, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the supervision of the Transit Operations Manager in coordination with the Transit Director. Supervision is exercised over assigned staff. This position is classified as an essential position during designated planned or unplanned events.

The set starting pay range for this position is $60,334.00 to $62,772.00 annually.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Supervises and effectively schedules training staff to maximize available resources to ensure training needs are met for both the new operator as well as the organization
• Verifies the work of assigned staff; ensures adherence to established guidelines, rules, and regulations; evaluates staff performance and plans professional development of staff to gain skills which will benefit both the organization and employee
• Assists with the oversight, administration, and reporting (in coordination with the Assistant Operations Manager) of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) third-party Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) testing programs
• Monitors and makes recommendations regarding preventable collisions; participates in Collision Review Panel
• Assists in hiring of Operations personnel and other personnel as requested in accordance with the organization's policies, ensuring compliance with HR policies and procedures
• Provides necessary support for planned and unplanned events occurring both during and outside of the typical weekday schedule and other duties as assigned

Training Functions

• Develops and oversees the implementation of the operator training program, to include demand-response service training, with a focus on good customer service and safety
• Oversees the evaluation and monitoring of new bus operator training progress
• Supports Training staff who provide behind-the-wheel instruction according to DMV, Town, and BT policy in all aspects of vehicle operation and passenger transportation, including defensive driving, service area familiarization, passenger loading, unloading, securement, etc
• Oversees the development, updates, evaluation, and maintenance of training curriculum guides and training materials in coordination with the Operations Manager and/or Transit Director, performing research as necessary to incorporate industry best practices
• Coordinates the organization of safety meetings, staff training, and related presentations for a diverse group of employees on various safety awareness and prevention programs, ensuring attendance of all relevant staff.
• Prepares training budget and monitors expenditures, making recommendations for future planning
• Oversees the maintenance and updating of the training database; prepares and maintains records and files relating to skills tests; prepares and files all necessary forms and certificates
• Develops and recommends retraining activities for post accident/post incident situations as well as in response to customer feedback related to service

Safety Functions

• Champions a culture of safety agency-wide as established by leadership, influencing operations and front-line staff through visible commitment and clear communication
• Serves as the organization's primary point of contact for reporting safety-related incidents, programs, and initiatives
• Develops, implements, updates, monitors, evaluates, and reports on the department’s safety programs and initiatives to include the National Transit Database (NTD) Safety & Security Reporting and the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP), obtaining necessary approvals as required
• Serve as the designated Chief Safety Officer (CSO) as outlined in BT’s PTASP to carry out safety management practices to ensure compliance with FTA’s Safety Management Systems (SMS)
• Oversees the development, updates, and maintenance of safety curriculum guides and safety materials in coordination with the Operations Manager and/or Transit Director, performing research as necessary to incorporate industry best practices
• Supports collision and incident investigations, conducting root cause analyses, as appropriate, to develop corrective action plans to mitigate future collisions/incidents
• Collects data to review for trends for the development of training materials for improving safety
• Conducts emergency preparedness drills and response with BT partners
• Assists the maintenance manager with various facility safety inspections

• Thorough knowledge of the safe operation of a transit bus
• General knowledge of training aids and devices
• Knowledge of Department of Transportation (DOT) and Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations
• Knowledge of the geography of the Town and location of streets and roads
• Ability to communicate instructions effectively to staff across all divisions
• Ability to work independently and establish reasonable timelines for adherence to ensure training and safety programs are communicated and implemented in a timely manner
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town officials, public safety staff, coworkers, and the general public.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in business, public administration, transportation, or related field
• Considerable experience (3-5 years) within training and security programs, preferably with a public transit agency
• Considerable supervisory experience (3-5 years)
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience

Special Requirements

• Valid driver's license in the Commonwealth of Virginia with a satisfactory driving record
• Ability to obtain a commercial driver’s license (Class B with Air Brakes and P endorsement) in the Commonwealth of Virginia within six months
• This is a safety-sensitive position subject to drug and alcohol testing guidelines as set forth by the Federal Transit Administration and the US Department of Transportation in 49 CFR Part 40 and Part 655, as amended
• A pre-employment drug screening is required for this position
• Drug and alcohol testing guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration will be followed during the employment period.

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force
• Work regularly requires speaking or hearing, frequently requires sitting, using hands to finger, handle, or feel, and repetitive motions, and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, tasting or smelling, and lifting
• Work has standard vision requirements
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating motor vehicles or equipment, and observing general surroundings and activities
• Work occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to vibration, and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g., business office, light traffic)