System Safety Engineer

Job Description:

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Metra’s Safety and Environmental Compliance Department is responsible for the implementation, oversight and coordination of the agency’s passenger and employee safety programs. In addition to safety programs, the department oversees rail safety education and outreach programs and emergency evacuation training for first responders. The department is also responsible for reporting railroad incident and accident data to federal and state regulatory agencies. The department’s environmental compliance function includes inspection and testing for environmental safety (air quality, hazardous materials storage, etc.) at Metra-controlled facilities. The department also oversees environmental mitigation, employee training and the agency’s hazardous waste disposal program.

Reporting to the Director, Safety, the System Safety Engineer will be responsible for defining, planning,and coordinating regulatory safety activities, training, regulatory compliance, and the continuous improvement of safety performance through the development and implementation of various programs, procedures, with interdepartmental cooperation. Will utilize methodologies and strategies that promote safe operations and accident prevention, with emphasis on System Safety, increasing safety awareness, and compliance throughout Metra's six-county service area. Serve as subject matter expert for safety training programs and classes, railroad safety, and hazard analyses; also liaison between management, staff, and external stakeholders. Identify, investigate, and report on safety defects and unsafe/hazardous conditions utilizing the hazard identification and resolution procedure, including the performance of root cause analyses, contributing factor determinations, and corrective action recommendations; and identify trends to create proactive risk mitigation plans. Perform comprehensive observations, on-site inspections, audits, and assessments of facilities, equipment, work stations, locations, and employees' activities, including hazardous chemicals/substances, to ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations as well as the agency's operating rules. Respond to and investigate all reported incidents, accidents, and significant safety events, including injuries, fatalities, and equipment failures; provide detailed written documentation for use in internal reports and notifications submitted to the appropriate government agencies; and respond to requests for information and represent the agency for motions to depose or other legal proceedings. Serve as the agency's representative when participating in outside safety events; prepare and conduct presentations for public outreach programs. Coordinate team’s day-to-day activities, assign tasks/projects and monitor performance, and provide guidance and training, but is not a supervisor. Responsible for the safety objectives, goals, and program of the organization ensuring compliance with applicable safety rules and regulations. Works under both inside and outside environmental conditions under prevailing conditions of heat, cold, rain, and snow. May be exposed to high noise levels and other environmental conditions. This position is subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Final salary will be determined in part by the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in safety and occupational health, Safety Engineering or a related field or in lieu of specified degree, any combination of education and experience may be substituted for the required degree that equals four (4) years of experience in the administration of safety regulations or occupational health.
• Must have five (5) years of professional occupational health or safety management related experience applying applicable safety standards and best practices.
• Willing to travel throughout Metra's six-county service area as per project requirements.
• Knowledge of OSHA, FRA, and FTA regulations as well as safety rules and practices related to contracted operations, maintenance, and capital work.
• Working knowledge of safety management systems, methods, and techniques of investigating safety related accidents and injuries.
• Demonstrated knowledge of system and subsystem hazard and environmental analyses, safety and risk management practices, operations, facilities, and vehicles rules and procedures.
• Functional knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel, Power Point and Access.
• Knowledge of the International Code Council (ICC), FTA regulations, root cause analysis techniques, and functional work areas such as Signal, Mechanical, Operations Engineering and Transportation/Operations is highly desirable.
• Clear and concise written and verbal communications skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills in dealing with all levels of management, employees, external groups and/or outside organizations.
• Excellent problem solving skills.
• Ability to perform job safety analysis and incident investigations to determine probable cause and provide recommendations to resolve railroad safety issues based on root cause analysis.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in the course of work and the general public.
• Ability to respond to incidents and to perform assignments after regular business hours during various District work shifts.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a demanding environment.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality when working with sensitive information.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal regulations.
• Ability to observe operations to actively identify hazardous condition, address, and mitigate immediately.
• Ability to lead and direct incident investigations and coordinate activities over cross-functional work groups.
• Ability to work independently or as a member of a team.
• Must pass the Roadway Worker Protection Safety Officers Rules Exam and become qualified on assigned district within 90 days of hire date.
• General Code of Operations Rule (GCOR) qualified within 90 days of hire date.
• Must obtain the OSHA 30 certification within 6 months of hire date.
• Must obtain a Certified Safety Profession (CSP) certification by the Board of Certified Safety Professional or a Certified Safety and Security Director (CSSD) certification accredited through the World Safety Organization (WSO) within 1 year of hire date.
• Able to obtain a Transit Safety and Security Program Certificate (TSSP) through the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) within 1 year of date of hire conditioned on budgetary requirements.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit, for extended periods of time.
• Hearing/Visual acuity, far/near, depth perception, field of vision, color vision.
• Ability to lift and move up to 30 pounds.
• Must be able to operate a vehicle.
• Must be available on-call 24-hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year, including weekends and holidays.
• Must be able to work rotating weekends

Preferences:

• OSHA 40 HAZWOPER training certification.
• Safety Industry certifications are desired.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees’ use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for pre-employment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $74,475.00 - $93,093.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 9 years

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Night shift
• Weekends as needed

Work setting:

• In-person

Work Location: In person