Chief of Safety and Security

EFFECTIVE DATE:   10/27/2023

FLSA:                            Exempt

JOB TITLE:                 Chief Safety and Security Officer

DEPARTMENT:          Safety and Security

RESPONSIBLE TO:   Chief Executive Officer

PAYRATE:               $172,000

JOB FUNCTION:        Responsible for management and oversight within Safety and Security to maximize efficient, effective, and safe and secure operations while ensuring business strategies and objectives are met.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. The primary responsibility of this position is the overall management of Safety and Security related activities to ensure safe, secure, and regulatory compliant bus operations and maintenance practices.
2. Oversees system-wide development of short and long-range Safety and Security plans, ensuring business strategies and objectives are met and that policy is developed and executed in accordance with lawful and ethical standards.
3. Engages staff in developing a culture of preparedness throughout the organization.
4. Plans, develops, recommends, implements, and evaluates policies, procedures, and programs related to safety practices system wide.
5. Develops and continuously improves policies and protocols to support emergency response and preparedness.
6. Collaborates with direct reports to identify professional goals, create, and execute development plans.
7. Establishes and maintains effective communication, liaison, and cooperative relationships with federal, state, and local governmental agencies, labor unions, and the Safety and Security related committees of the American Public Transit Association, National Safety Council, American Society of Safety Engineers, Operation Lifesaver, and the World Safety Organization.
8. Directs the preparation and maintenance of a variety of statistical reports, records, correspondence, and performance measures related to operations; provides for appropriate research and compiles reports, as needed.
9. Develops relevant Safety and Security training programs for employees, and as required, for the general public, to reinforce a culture of Safety and preparedness.
10. Oversees all regulatory Safety and Security requirements of FTA, TSA, and TDOT; ensures all compliance forms are submitted and filed appropriately.
11. Advises the CEO, COO, Director of Transit Operations, Police, Fire, Board of Directors, Safety Committee (and other officers, senior managers, and staff as appropriate) concerning system safety, industrial safety, construction safety, environmental safety, and regulatory compliance analyses.
12. Coordinates Safety and Security activities and prepares and implements preventive actions (system security/safety meetings, inspections etc.) to improve work areas, remove hazardous procedures, or conditions.
13. Monitors, evaluates, and ensures compliance of vendors that awarded bids for security contracts.
14. Is responsible for the implementation and day-to-day operations of the SMS program and establishes and implements policies and programs that ensure all aspects of Transit Operations are effectively and successfully managed under the overarching umbrella of the SMS.

 OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. May be required to work weekends and nights and to be on call 24 hours a day.
2. Develops, presents, and defends departmental budget requirements; oversees and approves expenditures and prepares financial reports.
3. Ensures that appropriate personnel investigate, analyze, and classify accidents/ incidents and provide assessments to the appropriate department head and HR.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

TODT standards may be met by the candidate having a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Safety, Transportation, or other discipline with education in system Safety and/ or specialized training and experience in transit safety program processes including safety program management, auditing and investigations. A Master's degree is preferred but not required.

Other:

1. An adequately trained candidate may also have more than ten (10) years of direct experience (Safety Director or Executive over the Safety Dept.) managing the Safety Dept. and processes, including a full understanding of the safety program and documentation (SSPP) within a diversified transportation program.
2. Demonstrated management and leadership experience and a strong background in developing and implementing Safety and Security programs.
3. Certification as a Safety and Security professional (CSP), WSO-CSSD, and TSI-TSSP is highly desirable.
4. Good knowledge of Operational Safety, Safety Management Systems, and System Safety Engineering.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of bus systems and good knowledge of the principles of transportation and procedures and equipment.
6. Ability to effectively assess, hire, develop, and evaluate staff.
7. Should be able to understand, interpret and implement applicable portions of the labor agreement.
8. Should possess strong organizational and analytic skills and be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite to create presentations and deliver those presentations.
9. Must possess good oral, written and supervisory skills and be able to communicate effectively and appropriately with co-workers, the public and other stakeholders.
10. Ability to work effectively with all employees, including bargained employees, to resolve issues.
11. Ability to also work effectively with senior managers of external agencies and to attend senior level meetings when assigned.
12. Should be able to communicate effectively in English.
13. Should be able to read, understand and follow a labor contract as part of investigative efforts.
14. Must be willing to comply with MATA’s Drug and Alcohol Policy.
15. Regular and consistent attendance is required.
16. Must always comply with Safety and COVID protocols.
17. Must have a current valid U.S. driver’s license.

Environment:     

1. Applicant must be able to withstand exposure to weather conditions, dust, engine fumes, and extreme noise levels and must be able to work in an office work environment or a bus or trolley environment and work outdoors in varying weather and environmental conditions.
2. Frequent sitting but will require standing, walking, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, and pulling depending on the work to be accomplished.
3. May be required to lift, push, or move up to 50 lbs. Will need to be able to reach with hands and arms and be able to finger, handle or feel.
4. The job requires normal visual acuity (close, distance and color vision as well as peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus).
5. Must have the use of sensory skills (talk and hear) to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public using a telephone, personal contact or written communication means.
6. Physical capability to use and operate office related equipment such as, but not limited to, computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine.

The above description is intended to describe the general content, identify the essential functions, and set forth the requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.