Assist. Director of Safety & Security

GRTC Transit System•Richmond, VA

About The Position

GRTC is deeply connected to the communities we serve, offering opportunities to shape the future of public transit through innovative service designs, major capital projects, and a growing regional network. Every day, our work powers more than 30,000 transit trips and supports mobility for people across the region. With new routes, expanded connections, and a second bus rapid transit line under development to complement the Pulse, our ITDP Bronze Medal-winning flagship system, GRTC continues to play a central role in regional mobility. Joining GRTC means being part of a mission-driven team with the chance to make a lasting impact on how people move and connect. Under the direction of the Director of Safety and Security, the Assistant Director is responsible for the management, oversight, and planning of day-to-day activities of the Company’s safety and risk management, security, and customer service departments to ensure a secure, compliant, and customer-focused transit environment. This role shares responsibility with the Director in cultivating a safety and security-first workplace culture with an emphasis on the identification, reduction, and prevention of risks to ensure the safe delivery of all transit services, projects, and programs with the Company. Responsible for ongoing development and maintenance of safety and security education and training for the Company, to include translating identified mitigations and strategies into policies, plans, and procedures. Coordinates the development and expansion of sub-departments within Safety and Security to encompass the current operating environment and future system growth... Provides overall leadership to subdepartment managers/supervisors to comply with Company strategic initiatives set by the Director or Executive staff.

Requirements

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor’s degree or higher in Safety, Safety Management, Transportation, Emergency Management, Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
Three (3) years of relevant experience in transit operations, occupational health, safety, security, or risk management is required.
Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
Excellent interpersonal skills required.
Strong computer skills required.
Thorough knowledge of safety regulations, security standards, training approaches, and Safety Management Systems requirements.
Knowledge of, and experience applying, local, state and federal regulations and industry best practices that apply to safety and security, including knowledge of safety risk management and threat/hazard vulnerability Assessments. Skill in determining mitigations and corrective action plans.
Ability to plan, assign and direct work of subordinate employees engaged in various aspects of safety, claims handling, worker’s compensation, training, safety, and security operations.
Ability to interpret and enforce contracts and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to include providing guidance, mentorship, discipline, and instruction to subordinates.
High level of emotional intelligence with interpersonal resolution skills.
Well-developed quantitative and qualitative skills to oversee complex investigations and analyses.
Knowledge of management practices and administrative processes.
Knowledge of Federal and State Occupational Safety and Health laws and standards.
Basic knowledge of financial management and budgeting.
Ability to work with local government staff, public officials, and outside agencies.
Thorough knowledge of computers, hardware, and software programs related to the insurance industry and transit operations.

Nice To Haves

Two (2) years of progressive experience working in public transportation preferred, to include supervisory and administrative experience.
Experience working in a unionized environment preferred.

Responsibilities

Develops and administers innovative management of the Company’s safety, risk management, and security functions to foster and promote a safe and secure workplace and transit system that delivers high-quality, timely service to patrons.
Assists with the implementation of strategic initiatives, policies, and procedures to enhance the safety and security of the Company.
Supports the day-to-day implementation and enforcement of various Company safety and security programs, including Safety Management Systems (SMS), System Safety Plan, and Emergency Preparedness.
Oversees the establishment and management of the Company’s physical security program to ensure contract compliance and compliance to Company policies and procedures by the contractor. Conducts quality assurance and control checks regularly of contractor and internal staff performing security duties, including but not limited to armed security, unarmed security, and CCTV monitoring.
Manages the strategy and direction of the Customer Service subdepartment, including directing the leadership staff and setting goals/expectations and performance metrics to be met on an ongoing basis.
Develop and maintain a field-focused program, integrating the transit ambassador program within Customer Service and field safety staff under risk management. These programs aim to enhance the customer experience by ensuring a visible presence throughout the system, addressing real-time disruptions, hazards, and risks, and providing support to both patrons and the workforce with safety and security issues.
Works with the Director to oversee workers’ compensation, accident/incident loss, and claims processes. Steps in during the Director’s absence during litigation or other required hearings.
Chairs the Accident Review Committee and works with the Director to develop an action plan to address trends, hazards, and risks through campaigns, blitzes, bulletins, training, education, etc.
Ensures workplace safety and security are priorities by maintaining strict adherence to safety and security regulations that continually seek to enhance employee practices and culture, including the employee safety reporting program required by SMS, coordinating safety meetings and trainings, and regularly auditing workplace policies and procedures.
Advises the Director on all safety and security matters.
Performs inspections throughout the facility to identify hazards, risks, and noncompliance to safety/security policies and procedures that could lead to Company loss. Reports findings to the Director and the leadership of affected departments.
Prepares routine and special reports related to audits, investigations, and assessments.
Manages, monitors, and analyzes all safety performance data for trends and other metric indicators necessary to report to the Executive staff and/or Board of Directors.
Represents the Company and its safety and security interests at community and/or business meetings, as required.
Serves as the Company’s Deputy Chief Safety Officer as required by federal guidelines. Exercises authority to suspend unsafe Company operations, as necessary in the absence of the Director.