Senior Director, Safety Officer (7371)

Septa • Philadelphia, PA

47d

About The Position

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is seeking candidates for the position of Senior Director, Safety Officer (7371). This role is crucial for maintaining and enhancing safety across SEPTA's extensive transportation network. The selected candidate will be assigned to either System Safety (Safety Innovation & Environment) or Accident Prevention, Investigation, and Operational Safety, FRA Compliance, based on their qualifications and the current needs of the organization. SEPTA is recognized as a leader in the transit industry, committed to innovation, reliability, and economic growth in the Philadelphia region, and is a recipient of multiple employer awards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental, Safety Management, Operations Management, Emergency Management, Transportation, Business Management, Quality Management, Systems Management, or related field.
• Fifteen (15) years' experience in System Safety, Transportation Operations, Occupational Safety, Environmental Compliance, or Emergency Management or equivalent EHS fields.
• An equivalent combination of experience and education (i.e., two (2) years of related experience, equating to one (1) year of formal post high school education) may be considered.
• Post-Baccalaureate Degree (Masters, Ph.D., etc.) will provide up to four (4) years of related experience.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Strong knowledge of Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA), and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regulations required.
• Experience in the Public Transportation Industry required.
• Must have a strong understanding of union and management environment and demonstrate the ability to address health and safety matters directly to Union employees and leadership.
• Must demonstrate the ability to pursue/perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Must have excellent verbal and strong technical writing skills.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint required.
• Specific experience in accident investigation is required (for Accident Prevention & Investigation & Operational Safety discipline).
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental laws, including RCRA, CWA, CAA, CERCLA, and TSCA (for Safety Innovation & Environment discipline).

Nice To Haves

• Certifications such as Public Transportation Safety Certification Training (PTSCTP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Data Professional (CDP) are preferred (for Accident Prevention & Investigation & Operational Safety).
• Working knowledge of applicable federal and state safety regulations, including OSHA Regulations 1910 and 1926, and those enforced by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety preferred (for Safety Innovation & Environment).
• USDOT Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) Safety and Security Program (TSSP-Rail and/or TSSP-Bus) certificate preferred (for Safety Innovation & Environment).
• Federal Transit Administration Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) Certification preferred (for Safety Innovation & Environment).

Responsibilities

• Supervise, manage, and plan the daily activities of the Accident Prevention & Investigation Department and the Operations Safety Department, ensuring FRA compliance and reporting.
• Ensure the department has the necessary resources, tools, and cooperation to implement programs aimed at reducing hazards, injuries, illnesses, deaths, and financial losses.
• Coordinate and cooperate with all levels of Authority management, labor unions, and safety committees.
• Manage the Directors of Accident Prevention & Investigation (AP&I) and Operational Safety (OS).
• Provide expert assistance in identifying, quantifying, prioritizing, and influencing management's prevention of health and safety hazards.
• Oversee Occupational Safety and Environmental Management (OSEM) for an integrated approach to safety, environmental compliance, and workplace health.
• Lead organization-wide sustainability programs, including metrics, environmental impact assessments, and green initiatives.
• Oversee comprehensive safety statistics and reporting systems to track, analyze, and communicate safety performance.
• Direct Safety Promotion activities, including awareness campaigns and recognition programs.
• Oversee safety training programs to ensure appropriate education and professional development.
• Manage safety communications strategies, including internal bulletins and external messaging.
• Supervise data analysts for accurate collection, analysis, and interpretation of safety and environmental data.
• Develop and implement innovative safety technologies and methodologies.
• Coordinate cross-functional safety and environmental initiatives.
• Establish performance metrics and KPIs for safety, environmental management, and sustainability programs.
• Manage relationships with external partners, including vendors, research institutions, and regulatory agencies.
• Provide strategic guidance on safety and environmental data visualization and reporting.
• Lead change management initiatives related to safety innovation and environmental programs.
• Coordinate with other Deputy Chief Safety Officer positions for an integrated approach to safety management.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (FTA, FRA, OSHA, EPA, etc.).
• Ensure compliance with FTA and PennDOT SSOA audit requirements.
• Serve as Emergency Management liaison and coordinate drills.
• Lead by example in fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, and accountability.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Safety Officer.
• Perform other duties as required by the Chief Safety Officer.
• Serve as Acting Chief Safety Officer as required.
• Perform duties 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 available.
• 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: Executive