Transit Safety, Risk & Training Leader

Capital Area Transit System (CATS); Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Capital Area Transit System (CATS) seeks an experienced Director of Risk, Safety and Training to lead safety, claims/risk coordination, and frontline training for operations and maintenance staff.

This role protects employees, passengers, vehicles, and facilities through safety leadership, regulatory compliance, and accident prevention, while working with Operations, Maintenance, HR, Finance, and executive leadership to improve safety performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Safety, Risk Management, Transportation, Public Administration, Occupational Safety, Emergency Management, or a related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in safety, risk management, claims, training, transit operations, maintenance, regulatory compliance, or a closely related field.
• Three years of supervisory or management experience.
• Experience conducting or overseeing accident, incident, injury, or claims reviews.
• Experience developing, coordinating, or delivering training in an operational, transportation, industrial, or safety-sensitive environment.
• Strong written, verbal, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead system safety and operational risk management for transit operations and maintenance.
• Maintain Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) and Safety Management System (SMS).
• Develop, update, and implement safety policies, procedures, and programs designed to reduce accidents, injuries, and unsafe conditions.
• Monitor compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements related to transit safety, CDL and safety-sensitive training, accident reporting, and workplace safety.
• Coordinate safety audits, inspections, corrective action plans, and follow-up activities.
• Oversee accident, incident, and injury reporting and investigation processes.
• Coordinate investigations involving vehicle accidents, employee injuries, passenger incidents, and property damage.
• Track corrective actions and recommend strategies to reduce repeat incidents and claims exposure.
• Coordinate workers’ compensation claims and return-to-work processes in partnership with Human Resources.
• Coordinate liability, vehicle, and other operational claims with insurance carriers, adjusters, brokers, and legal counsel, as assigned.
• Monitor claims, injuries, and loss trends and prepare reports and recommendations for leadership.
• Direct and oversee training programs for bus operators, maintenance employees, and other designated safety-sensitive operational staff.
• Oversee new operator training, refresher training, remedial training, accident prevention training, defensive driving, ADA and securement-related training, and other required operational safety training.
• Oversee maintenance-related safety and compliance training in coordination with maintenance leadership.
• Support CDL-related training requirements, operator readiness, and training documentation.
• Ensure required training records are maintained and available for compliance, audit, and operational purposes.

Skills

Leadership experience

Written communication

Verbal communication

Organizational skills

Risk management

Accident investigation

Training program delivery

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Safety, Risk Management, Transportation, Public Administration, or related field

Job description

Capital Area Transit System (CATS) seeks an experienced Director of Risk, Safety and Training to lead safety, claims/risk coordination, and frontline training for operations and maintenance staff.

This role protects employees, passengers, vehicles, and facilities through safety leadership, regulatory compliance, and accident prevention, while working with Operations, Maintenance, HR, Finance, and executive leadership to improve safety performance.