Safety Specialist I (Rail)

Description

Under the general direction of the Safety Manager, the Safety Specialist I (Rail) fosters a proactive organizational safety culture and promotes a safe and healthy environment for all employees, passengers, contractors, and the public in accordance with applicable federal, state, local, and regulatory laws, rules, and/or guidelines with the primary focus on rail system safety.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This position supports the Safety & Risk Management Division by providing professional level knowledge of safety programs, emergency response plans, and federal and state regulations directly related to transit systems. This position requires prior experience in conducting safety activities and the ability to identify, evaluate, and mitigate public and industrial safety risks.

Supervision Received and Exercised

This position reports to the Safety Manager and exercises no supervisory authority. This position is expected to participate in the sharing of expert knowledge and as a vital member of various project teams that may be instituted.

Working Conditions

Normal working conditions for this position are in both an office and field setting. Business travel may be required periodically between District sites, governmental agencies, consultants' facilities, and other locations as required. The Safety Specialist I (Rail) may be required to respond to emergencies at any hour; work may at times require more than 8 hours per day or require irregular hours to perform the essential duties of this position.

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conducts audits/reviews and prepares reports in support of NCTD's Safety Plans.

• Identifies and generates reports on trends analysis on indicators to reduce or mitigate incidents and accidents.

• Edits and proofreads documents and reports.

• Investigates and performs hazard analyses on all safety incidents and accidents, generates conclusive reports, and makes recommendations for corrective actions.

• Assists in the management of construction safety consultants.

• Supports the management of the environmental health and safety programs related to rail operations/facilities.

• Facilitates and/or attends field safety project meetings.

• May serve as a liaison with oversight agencies such as the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Cal OSHA, and various environmental regulatory authorities.

• Performs field inspections and inspects the day-to-day rail operations and maintenance facilities, transit stations, and other NCTD facilities to evaluate service quality and compliance with contracts, regulatory requirements, and system safety standards.

• Supports the management and oversight of safety training efforts at all NCTD sites.

• Supports the management of NCTD's hazardous materials program.

• Identifies, recommends, and pursues resolution and correction of safety deficiencies.

• Manages and configures ongoing audit processes for rail operations and facilities to reflect evolving best practices and regulatory trends.

• Develops and maintains accident statistical data bases for internal and external reporting.

• Prepares and presents a variety of reports, correspondence, and other documents, and makes presentations to a variety of audiences.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in in Safety, Public Administration, Computer Science, or related field is preferred, but not required.Applicable experience will be considered in lieu of degree.

• A minimum of three (3) years of directly relevant experience required.

• Specialized training and skills in the areas of safety systems and emergency management is preferred.

• Experience administering safety-related programs in a commuter rail environment, preferred.

A combination of experience/skills and education to fulfill the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position may be considered.

Certificates/Licenses

• The successful candidate will be required as a condition of employment to comply with FTA training requirements as set forth in 49 CFR Part 672 by enrolling in the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCP) and must successfully complete the training courses within the three-year timeframe as prescribed by the FTA.

• Must be able to become GCOR Qualified on NCTD owned railroad properties after hire.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain annual access to Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton.

• Possess and maintain a California driver's license, Class C, with less than 6 points in the preceding 36 month period and no DUIs in the preceding 7 year period.

• Maintain compliance with the District's policy regarding Conflict of Interest and Ethics.

General Requirements

• Experience with and knowledge of railroad and/or rail transit track, signal, mechanical, and operations discipline, preferred.

• Ability to reason clearly and exercise a high degree of independence in performing routine daily work assignments.

• Ability to work well under pressure with minimal supervision, analyze situations accurately, and recommend and coordinate effective courses of action, while establishing and maintaining cooperative and positive working relationships with others, both inside and outside NCTD.

• Knowledge of principles of inspections and audits, preferably for rail agencies, to ensure the compliance of state and federal requirements, such as State General Orders, System Safety Plans, and the Code of Federal Regulations.

• Experience with investigating accidents; ability to determine probable cause and contributing factors.

• Demonstrated proficiency in computer software programs including the Microsoft Office Suite and database systems.

Supplemental Information

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must possess the ability to use the phone and computer for extended periods, manual dexterity to complete clerical functions and work with office equipment and lift equipment up to 25 pounds on a periodic basis. The employee must be able to hear, see, and communicate verbally to exchange information. The employee must be able to physically travel between District locations and other destinations, work in evenings when required, work in hazardous conditions, and negotiate a variety of different and irregular terrain as is typical along a railway right of way. The employee may be subject to fumes, odors, dusts, gases, chemicals. The employee must be able to walk, climb, balance, bend, carry, push, reach, sit, and stand.

Machines / Tools / Equipment

• Ability to operate a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite programs.

• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a fax and scanner machine, copy machine, and telephone.

• Ability to carry and operate a mobile device.

Application Information: All applicants must complete and submit an online application at . A job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check. Salary based upon experience, not to exceed midpoint of stated range. NCTD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.