Manager of Operations Safety

Pay Rate:
AFSCME Pay Grade A21
Annual Salary: $156,395.20 (Step 1) - $190,091.20 (Step 5) 
*Initial negotiable annual salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Reports to:
Chief Safety Officer

Days Off:
Variable

Who May Apply:
All qualified candidates

Current Assignment:

Please note:  Applications for this posting will be reviewed in three (3) rounds based on the following schedule:

• September 9 - October 8
• October 9 - November 8
• November 9 - December 8
  

The District reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time after the completion of a review round if a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified to advance in the selection process. Therefore, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible, as subsequent review rounds may not be conducted.  

BART is currently seeking an experienced transportation safety professional who is a strategic and collaborative leader who thrives in working in a complex operational environment. This position will oversee a comprehensive rail operations safety program that protects employees, passengers, and critical infrastructure while ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence.

In this leadership role, the successful incumbent will oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of rail operations safety programs, lead the Operations Safety Division with the System Safety Department, and serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Safety Officer. The Operations Safety Division programs encompass Operations Rules and Procedures, safety auditing, investigation of operations incidents and accidents, Roadway Worker Protection Program, and correction action plans for operations safety activities.

The ideal candidate will be a respected safety leader who combines technical expertise with exceptional leadership and communication skills and have the ability to work comfortably in a highly regulated environment, make sound decisions during critical operational events, and build collaborative relationships across departments within BART and with external partners including the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and others.

The most qualified candidates for this position will have highly developed competencies in the following areas, which will be reinforced in the related work experience and will be articulated during the selection process:

The incumbent will assist the Chief Safety Officer in the implementation of safety programs mandated by the CPUC and FTA including SMS, National Transit Database, and PTASP. Serves as a liaison between the System Safety Department and other District departments, and between the District and regulatory agencies; participates in a variety of District-wide safety-related committees; communicates safety concerns and integrates safety concerns into goals, objectives, priorities, and project plans.

Application & Selection Process

This position is represented by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). All applicants must apply online at  www.bart.gov/jobs. Applications must be completed in full and include all requested information, including dates of employment, positions held, hours worked, and a detailed description of duties performed.

Applicants may attach a resume to provide supplemental information; however, the resume does not substitute for completing the application form in its entirety. Only information included in the application at the time of submission will be used to determine whether applicants meet the minimum qualifications for the position. All application materials must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received after the closing deadline will not be considered.

Applicants who require assistance with the online application process may contact the Talent Acquisition Division at (510) 464-6112 or [email protected].

The selection process for this position may include one or more of the following: a skills or performance demonstration, written examination, and/or panel or individual interview.

All applications will be reviewed by the Talent Acquisition Division to determine whether applicants meet the established Minimum Qualifications (MQs). Applicants who meet the MQs may be referred to the hiring department for further evaluation as part of the selection process.

The selected candidate must demonstrate a work history reflecting reliability and dependability and may be required to provide copies of certificates, diplomas, or other documentation required by law, including proof of authorization to work in the United States.

Pre-employment processing will include a background check. This requirement does not apply to current full-time District employees unless the position requires additional evaluations or clearances.

1. Develops, manages, and administers safety related activities of the Operations Safety Division including the identification and evaluation of safety risks for the District’s rail operations services.
2. Investigates safety related rail operations accidents and incidents; performs walk through inspections; conducts safety checks on current and proposed operations and extensions; coordinates CPUC triennial safety audits with BART departments. 
3. Identifies and reports on safety related hazards to senior management and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC); tracks corrective actions from audit recommendations. 
4. Manages and administers the District’s comprehensive rail safety operational policies and procedures (Operations Rules and Procedure Manual, Roadway Protection Manual, and Operating Bulletins). 
5. Serves as safety liaison with other divisions, departments and outside agencies; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues. 
6. Coordinates training with District and local fire protection services; plans and conducts drills to determine emergency response times. 
7. Participates in the management of the District’s Safety Management System (SMS) and successful transition of System Safety Program Plan (SSPP) to Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) as required by Federal regulation 49 CFR Part 673. 
8. Selects, trains, motivates and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures. 
9. Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the division's annual budget; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; implements adjustments. 
10. Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations and operational studies; recommends modifications to safety programs, policies and procedures as appropriate. 
11. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; stays abreast of new regulations, trends and innovations in the field of transportation safety. 
12. Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels. 
13. Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned programs; recommends and administers policies and procedures. 
14. Provides responsible staff assistance to the Chief Safety Officer; assumes department responsibility in the absence of the Chief Safety Officer. 

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in safety engineering, industrial hygiene or a closely related field from an accredited
college or university.
 
Experience:
Five (5) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable professional safety programs experience which must have included at least two (2) years of administrative and supervisory experience.
 
Other Requirements:
Must possess a valid California driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record
Must respond to after-hours, weekend and holiday incidents and perform related field activities
 
Substitution:
Additional professional safety programs experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis. A college degree is preferred.Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services and activities of a transportation safety program
• Principles and practices of transportation safety and safety engineering
• Principles and practices of program development and administration
• Methods and techniques of safety inspection and investigation
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration
• Methods and techniques of accident investigation
• Operating principles of rail transportation systems
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation
• Functions and authority of regulatory agencies in relation to operations safety
• Emergency response policies and procedures
• Related Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations

 
Skill/Ability in:

• Overseeing and participating in the management of a comprehensive transportation safety program
• Overseeing, directing and coordinating the work of lower level staff
• Selecting, supervising, training and evaluating staff
• Conducting safety audits on the performance of rail operations and activities
• Investigating and analyzing accident and incidents
• Participating in the development and administration of division goals, objectives and procedures
• Preparing and administering large program budgets
• Reading and interpreting schematic diagrams and plans
• Preparing clear and concise administrative and financial reports
• Analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences
• of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in support of goals
• Researching, analyzing and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques
• Evaluating operations safety features
• Interpreting and applying Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work