Rail Safety Data & Compliance Officer

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) seeks a highly analytical, detail-oriented Rail Safety Data & Compliance Officer to support the Rail Transit Safety Division’s Safety Risk Management (SRM) and Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) programs. Reporting directly to the Safety Risk Management Supervisor, this position serves as a key link between data-informed oversight, regulatory compliance, and field-based safety inspection activities. The role supports the Commonwealth’s responsibilities under 49 U.S.C. § 5329, 49 CFR Part 674, and related Safety Management System (SMS) requirements. This position is responsible for reviewing and interpreting safety data, dashboards, reports, and compliance information; supporting inspection planning and oversight activities; tracking corrective actions; and helping identify risk-informed priorities for inspections, investigations, and hazard mitigation across the MBTA system. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical ability, sound regulatory judgment, and field readiness, and plays an important role in advancing a risk-based, compliance-focused rail safety oversight program.

Requirements

• At least five (5) years of full-time investigative experience or equivalent part-time experience.
• Ability to write concisely, express thoughts clearly, and develop ideas in logical sequence.
• Ability to accurately record information provided orally.
• Ability to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to determine the proper format and procedure for assembling items of information.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data, draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to prepare general and technical reports.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to understand, explain, and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing rail transit system activities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to establish rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural, and/or economic backgrounds.
• Ability to deal tactfully with others.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
• Ability to motivate others.
• Ability to give oral and written instructions in a precise, understandable manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to maintain a calm manner in stressful and emergency situations.
• Ability to adapt to varied work situations.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to be on call 24/7 for job-related duties.
• Ability to provide own means of transportation unless otherwise provided by the agency in order to conduct job duties.
• Ability to review and interpret safety data, reports, dashboards, and related documents in support of investigations, compliance monitoring, and risk-based oversight activities.
• Ability to identify trends, recurring hazards, deficiencies, and compliance concerns from a variety of safety, operational, and investigative information sources.
• Ability to prepare clear findings and recommendations based on inspections, investigations, audits, and document review.
• Ability to support tracking and review of corrective action plans, mitigation measures, and related compliance documentation.
• Ability to research and review industry safety/security oversight best practices to help determine appropriate and feasible safety policies, procedures, and implementation strategies.
• Knowledge of compliance techniques.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques.
• Knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations governing rapid transit systems and system safety plans.
• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing system safety plans.
• Knowledge of the types and uses of agency forms required for annual and triennial audit submissions.
• Three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in investigatory or law enforcement work, or regulatory administration work.
• An Associate's or higher degree may be substituted for the required experience. Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations and collect, review, and assess documentation to determine compliance or continued deficiencies associated with the MBTA Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan for its Light and Heavy Rail systems.
• Conduct investigations and independent reviews of investigations involving accidents with injuries and fatalities, equipment failures, unsafe conditions, violations of operating rules, and safety regulation non-compliance to determine cause and recommend corrective action.
• Identify remedial actions necessary to correct deficiencies identified during investigations, inspections, audits, and compliance reviews.
• Oversee and investigate accidents, incidents, and unacceptable hazardous conditions through activities such as reviewing corrective action plans prepared by the Rail Transit Agency and assisting with or conducting annual and triennial on-site safety audits.
• Participate in and conduct inspections, audits, system reviews, and report writing related to safety and regulatory compliance activities at the MBTA for its Light and Heavy Rail systems.
• Review, monitor, and analyze safety-related accidents, incidents, hazards, violations, inspection findings, and corrective action information in collaboration with Division Rail Transit Safety staff.
• Help identify trends, recurring hazards, high-risk locations, operational concerns, and systemic deficiencies to assist the Department in developing mitigation strategies, inspection priorities, and policy solutions to reduce the frequency and severity of incidents, accidents, and unsafe conditions.
• Assist in reporting safety-critical data and oversight information to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
• Review and analyze dashboards, reports, spreadsheets, maps, and other analytical products used by the Division to support compliance monitoring, risk assessment, and inspection prioritization.
• Assist in tracking corrective action plans, enforcement-related findings, and mitigation measures to support follow-up oversight and verification of resolution.
• Research and review industry safety oversight agency best practices to help determine appropriate and feasible safety policies, procedures, compliance approaches, and implementation strategies.
• Assist in the development of specialized reports, assessments, summaries, and recommendations for internal and external purposes.
• Interface with MBTA personnel, contractors, and other stakeholders during inspections, audits, investigations, and other oversight activities in order to communicate findings, clarify requirements, and support timely corrective action.
• Collect, document, and preserve evidence and other relevant materials, including photographs, measurements, operational observations, statements, and records, in accordance with Division standards and investigatory requirements.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and comprehensive inspection reports, audit reports, investigative reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation for job-related duties.
• Perform related duties and projects as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• Outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package
• Work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree