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SalaryThe Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is responsible for oversight of investor-owned electric power, natural gas, and water utilities in the Commonwealth; developing alternatives to traditional regulation; monitoring service quality; regulating safety in the transportation and gas pipeline areas; and for certain aspects associated with the siting of energy facilities. The mission of the Department is to ensure that utility consumers are provided with the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost; to protect the public safety from transportation and gas pipeline related accidents; and to ensure that residential ratepayers' rights are protected. The DPU seeks to promote safety, security, reliability of service, affordability, equity, and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached “as relevant” to the requisition.
The Department of Public Utilities seeks applicants for the position of Supervisory Investigator of Rail Investigations(Regional Planner IV) in the Transportation/Rail Transit Safety Division.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities is the designated state safety oversight agency for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) specific to rail transit safety. The Department’s Transportation Oversight Division oversees MBTA’s adherence to its own safety related processes and systems and monitors the authority’s compliance with federal and state safety laws and regulations.
The Rail Safety Division is seeking to fill the position of Supervisory Investigator Rail Investigation within Division. We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Supervisory Investigator to join our team and lead the oversight of transit Rail Investigations, corrective actions, and hazard identification processes. As a key member of our organization, the successful candidate will be responsible for driving stronger investigational processes, ensuring compliance with industry regulations, and fostering a culture of safety within the transit rail environment. This role requires a keen eye for detail, excellent leadership skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
Incumbent in this position will conduct accident/incident investigation. Incumbent in this position will perform routine rail safety inspections at designated facilities across the MBTA to determine compliance with DPU Program Standard (220 CMR 151.00) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) rail safety standards (49 CFR Part 674).
DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Supervises investigations and collects documentation to determine compliance or continued deficiencies of MBTA public transportation agency safety plan for its Light and Heavy Rail systems.
2. Fully oversees investigations into incidents, accidents, and safety-related events within the transit rail system.
3. Ensure timely and thorough analysis of incidents, identifying root causes and contributing factors.
4. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather relevant information and evidence during investigations.
5. Conducts investigations and independent reviews of investigations on such matters as accidents involving injury and fatalities, equipment failures, violations of operating rules and safety regulations to determine cause and/or recommend corrective action.
6. Develops and oversees implementation of corrective action plans based on investigation findings to prevent the recurrence of incidents.
7. Conduct hazard assessments to proactively identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in transit rail operations.
8. Work closely with operational teams to implement effective hazard mitigation strategies.
9. Oversee and investigate accidents and unacceptable hazardous conditions through activities such as reviewing corrective action plans prepared by Rail Transit Agency and assisting/conducting annual and triennial on-site safety audits of the Rail Transit Agency.
10. Participate in audits, system reviews and report writing specific to safety related activities at the MBTA for its Light and Heavy Rail systems.
11. Collaborate with Division Rail Transit Safety staff to help document, track and analyze data on the safety related accidents and incidents investigations.
12. Help to identify trends that will assist in the Department’s efforts to develop mitigation strategies and policy solutions to reduce the frequency and severity of incidents, accidents and unsafe conditions.
13. Supervise a team of investigators, providing guidance, support, and mentorship.
14. Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement within the investigative team.
15. Conduct regular training sessions to enhance the skills and knowledge of team members.
16. Assist in reporting safety critical data to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
17. Research and review industry safety oversight agency best practices to help determine appropriate and feasible safety policies, procedures, and implementation strategies.
18. Assist in the development of specialized reports and assessments for internal and external purposes.
19. Perform related duties and projects as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS REUIRED AT HIRE (List knowledge, skills, abilities)
1) Ability to write concisely, to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in logical sequence
2) Ability to accurately record information provided orally.
3) Ability to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures.
4) Ability to maintain accurate records.
5) Ability to determine the proper format and procedure for assembling items of information.
6) Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
7) Ability to prepare general reports.
8) Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
9) Ability to understand, explain and apply the laws, rules, regulations policies, procedures, specification, standards and guidelines governing rail transit systems activities.
10) Ability to exercise sound judgment.
11) Ability to establish rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds
12) Ability to deal tactfully with others.
13) Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
14) Ability to motivate others.
15) Ability to give oral and written instructions in a precise, understandable manner.
16) Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression.
17) Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
18) Ability to maintain a calm manner in stressful and emergency situations.
19) Ability to adapt to varied work situations.
20) Ability to work independently.
21) Ability to be “on call” 24/7 for job related duties.
22) Ability to provide own means of transportation unless otherwise provided by the agency in order to conduct job duties.
23) Assist in reporting safety critical data to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
24) Research and review industry safety/security oversight agency best practices to help determine appropriate and feasible safety policies, procedures, and implementation strategies
25) Knowledge of compliance techniques.
QUALIFICATIONS ACQUIRED ON JOB (List knowledge, skills, abilities)
1) Knowledge of investigative supervision techniques.
2) Knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations governing rapid transit systems and system safety plans.
3) Knowledge of the policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing system safety plans.
4) Knowledge of the types and uses of agency forms required for annual and triennial audit submissions.
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
- Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis on the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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