Senior Director, Accident Prevention & Investigation & Operational Safety (7371)

Septa•Philadelphia, PA

26d•$142,116 - $177,658

About The Position

SEPTA is hiring a senior safety leader for its System Safety Division. The selected candidate will be assigned to a specific discipline—Safety Innovation & Environment or Accident Prevention, Investigation, and Operational Safety (FRA Compliance)—based on qualifications and current demand. For Accident Prevention & Investigation & Operational Safety, the role supervises, manages, and plans the daily work of the Accident Prevention & Investigation and Operations Safety departments, including FRA compliance and reporting. The leader ensures the departments have the resources, tools, and cooperation needed to coordinate programs that reduce or eliminate hazards, injuries, illness, deaths, and financial losses affecting employees and customers. The role works with Authority management, labor unions, and safety committees, manages the Directors of Accident Prevention & Investigation and Operational Safety, and provides expert support to line management in identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and preventing health and safety hazards. The posting also describes the Safety Innovation & Environment discipline, which advances safety performance through innovation, data analysis, and environmental stewardship. It oversees Occupational Safety and Environmental Management, organization-wide sustainability, safety statistics and reporting, safety promotion, training, communications, and data analysis. This discipline supports evidence-based decisions and continuous improvement, and leads compliance with applicable OSHA, Pennsylvania labor and environmental, and EPA regulations. The position establishes departmental goals and programs with the Chief Safety Officer (CSO) and other direct reports; oversees staff, budgets, safety programs, accident data, regulatory reporting, and coordination with operating departments; and supports safety in operations, training, rules, vehicle maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and maintenance activities. The role also provides oversight and support to union-management safety committees and interfaces with regulatory agencies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental, Safety Management, Operations Management, Emergency Management, Transportation, Business Management, Quality Management, Systems Management, or a related field.
Ten to fifteen years of experience in System Safety, Transportation Operations, Occupational Safety, Environmental Compliance, Emergency Management, or an equivalent EHS field; an equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.
A valid driver’s license.
Ability to work effectively in a union and management environment and address health and safety matters directly with union employees and leadership.
Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
Excellent verbal communication and strong technical writing skills.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Experience with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Specific experience in accident investigation is required for the Accident Prevention & Investigation & Operational Safety discipline.

Nice To Haves

Strong knowledge of FRA, FTA, State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA), and NTSB regulations.
Experience in the public transportation industry.
For the Safety Innovation & Environment discipline, working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental laws, including RCRA, CWA, CAA, CERCLA/Superfund, and TSCA.
A post-baccalaureate degree may count for up to four years of related experience; the posting also states that two years of related experience may equate to one year of formal post-high-school education.

Responsibilities

Work with the CSO and other direct reports to establish departmental goals and programs that improve safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency.
Develop operational programs to improve the safety of SEPTA employees and customers.
Maintain staff morale, adequate staffing, and staff training, and promote a professional, positive, and supportive workplace.
Interpret Authority policies and administrative directives and support development and enhancement of the Agency Safety Plan, System Safety Program Plan, and safety-related policies, directives, and programs.
Supervise Directors’ daily activities, set individual goals, assign and implement work, and support performance through training and constructive feedback.
Plan and manage operating and capital budgets and departmental spending with the CSO and other direct reports.
Manage AP&I director-level work, prioritize activities, and use staff effectively to carry out department responsibilities.
Analyze accident and incident data to identify trends and help reduce accidents and injuries.
Ensure required data submissions to FRA, FTA, SSO, and NTD are completed and compliant.
Review accident and incident trends with the CSO and staff and develop reduction campaigns with operating modes.
Coordinate with other departments and provide safety resources and expertise.
Support safe operating practices, operational training, rules, and vehicle maintenance related to safety-critical elements across operating modes.
Provide safety oversight and consultation for internal and external infrastructure improvement and maintenance activities.
Provide oversight and support to union-management safety committees.
Manage FRA compliance and reporting activities.
Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and liaise with regulatory agencies and personnel, including FRA, FTA, NTD, and SSO.
Remain current on health and safety issues and regulations, particularly those affecting public transportation.
For the Safety Innovation & Environment discipline, oversee occupational safety and environmental management, sustainability, safety statistics and reporting, safety promotion, training, communications, and data analysis.
For the Safety Innovation & Environment discipline, lead compliance with applicable OSHA, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, EPA, and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection requirements.

Benefits

Medical, prescription, dental, and vision plans with little to no employee premiums.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan.
457B Deferred Compensation Plan.
Paid parental leave.
Vacation time.
Paid holidays.
Wellness programs and resources.
Tuition reimbursement.
Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
Free SEPTA Transportation Pass with unlimited access to SEPTA services.