Director, Safety Assurance & Regulatory Compliance (7382)

Septa • Philadelphia, PA

6d • $125,762 - $157,196 • Onsite

About The Position

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is seeking a Director of Safety Assurance and Regulatory Compliance to lead the Safety Assurance (SA) program within the System Safety Division (SSD). This role is crucial for SEPTA’s commitment to implementing and continuously improving its Safety Management System (SMS). The Director will be responsible for ensuring authority-wide compliance with pertinent FTA, PennDOT State Safety Oversight, and FRA regulations through strategic management of the SSD’s Internal Audit Program (IAP) and Regulatory Compliance function. This includes identifying and managing regulatory Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), and developing/updating safety management policies, plans, and SOPs. The role involves overseeing internal audits, corrective action plans, mitigation monitoring, site inspections, and rules compliance across SEPTA’s multi-modal transit operations, fostering a proactive safety approach in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, safety, or related discipline
• A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in safety, preferably within public transportation or a related industry.
• An equivalent combination of experience and education (i.e., two (2) years of related experience, equating to (10 years of formal post-high school education) may be considered in lieu of the above requirements.
• Post Baccalaureate Degree (Masters, PhD, etc.) will provide up to four years of related experience to the applicant.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local safety regulations, including FRA, FTA, OSHA, NFPA, and PennDOT requirements are preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proven track record of implementing successful safety improvements.
• Excellent communication skills, with experience preparing detailed reports and delivering presentations to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, safety management systems, and data analysis tools
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Candidates must bring a portfolio of evidence of safety assurance (Audit program) and regulatory compliance projects to interview panels and may be asked to conduct a safety assurance assessment in the interview process.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a Safety discipline and/or extensive Safety experience in fields such as Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, Safety Regulatory Compliance, Emergency Management, Public Health, etc.
• USDOT Transportation Institute Transit (TSI) Safety and Security Program (TSSP- Rail and/or TSSP-Bus) certificate.
• Federal Transit Administration Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program Certification (PTSCTP).
• Working knowledge of MIL-STD 882E, hazard identification, and mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic oversight of System Safety’s Internal Audit Program (IAP), including all related safety assurance activities such as scheduling, stakeholder engagement, document management, regulatory oversight coordination, and corrective action/mitigation tracking.
• Ensures authority compliance with regulatory requirements from FRA, FTA, OSHA, NFPA, and PennDOT SSOA by aligning internal policies and procedures with industry standards and maintaining current knowledge of safety regulations, standards, and industry trends.
• Oversees the safety assurance data analysis and assessment of Rules Compliance programs, assisting in their development and refinement, including leading an authority-wide Central RC committee.
• Coordinates with the Safety Risk Management team and other SSD stakeholders to assess safety risks across all transit modes, ensuring effective mitigation strategies and continuous improvement of safety systems.
• Develops and implements a formal Mitigation Monitoring Program (MMP) in collaboration with relevant SSD and other SEPTA stakeholders.
• Coordinates with the PennDOT SSOA to facilitate SSOA Audits and their Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) program, managing results and assignments.
• Coordinates with the FTA and FRA for any required audit and/or verification on-site activity.
• Develops change management strategies to mature Safety Assurance and Regulatory Compliance programs and processes.
• Engages in cross-functional coordination, including executive engagement, to ensure authority-wide participation, compliance, and involvement in safety programs and priorities.
• Collaborates with SSD Leadership to ensure SMS practices are integrated into all functional areas of the division.
• Routinely evaluates Safety Assurance and Regulatory Compliance performance for continuous improvement, developing metrics and processes for this evaluation.
• Serves on safety committees at the department and/or executive level as directed.
• Ensures high staff morale, adequate manpower, and staff training for department goals and programs, instilling a professional, positive, and supportive philosophy.
• Supervises direct reports, develops individual goals, provides work assignments, ensures implementation, and promotes success through training, support, and constructive feedback.
• Contributes to budgetary planning and spending for Operating and Capital expenses, and manages the department budget.
• Performs other duties as required by the Sr. Director, including serving as acting Sr. Director.
• Duties may be required on a 24/7 basis, with a varying work schedule as required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage – Medical, prescription, dental, and vision plans with little to no employee premiums.
• Retirement Security – Participate in a Defined Benefit Pension Plan and a 457B Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Work-Life Balance – Enjoy paid parental leave, generous vacation time, and paid holidays.
• Employee Wellness – Access wellness programs and resources.
• Invest in Your Growth – Tuition reimbursement.
• Student Loan Assistance – Positions qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Free Travel Perks – FREE SEPTA Transportation Pass.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director