Safety Specialist

Marketing Statement:

Come be an integral part of Metro's Safety Team as a Safety Specialist. This position is a key member of the Operations Safety Oversight team, responsible for Safety Assurance across all transit modes, facilities, and construction projects. The Safety Assurance function is a key component of Metro¿s implementation of a Safety Management System (SMS). The Safety Specialist provides field- and remote-based oversight and subject matter expertise for the implementation of safety programs, rules, policies, and procedures in conjunction with Metro¿s Agency Safety Plan and applicable regulatory requirements to all Metro departments. The Specialist also reviews voluntary employee safety reports and minor injury events. This role partners with labor/management and safety committees to identify and eliminate potential safety hazards. It also partners with the operational points of contact to address deficiencies and achieve compliance. This role will be assigned to complete occasional overnight and weekend duties.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor¿s Degree in Engineering, Safety Management, Rail Accident Investigation, or related field
  • In lieu of a bachelor¿s degree, a High School Diploma or GED and four (4) years of experience in Electrical, Mechanical, Electronics or related field, in addition to the experience stated below, will be considered

Experience

• Five (5) years of experience with auditing, inspection, data management, OSHA compliance, Transit Operations, Maintenance, or Safety

Certification/Licensure

• Valid driver¿s license
• Roadway worker protection (RWP), level 2, within 6 months of hire and maintained for the duration of time in position

Preferred

• Master¿s Degree Engineering, Safety Management, Rail Accident Investigation, or related field
• The USDOT Transportation Institute Transit (TSI) Safety and Security Program (TSSP-Rail and/or TSSP-Bus) certificate
• Experience in transit safety

Medical Group

Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Job Summary

The Safety Specialist provides direct support and subject matter expertise for the implementation of safety programs, rules, policies, and procedures in conjunction with Metro¿s Agency Safety Plan and applicable regulatory requirements to all Metro departments. The incumbent performs assessments to identify potential safety deficiencies based on trend analyses, safety performance data, and employee reporting and participates in the development and execution of site-specific and department- or agency-wide safety activities/initiatives. This role partners with labor/management and local safety committees to identify and eliminate potential safety hazards and to adhere to safety policies, programs and procedures and partners with the operational points of contact to address deficiencies and achieve compliance.

Essential Functions

• Monitors field utilization of safety, health, injury, and accident/injury prevention programs, initiatives and activities to reduce the rate if injuries and incidents in the field. Collects data on safety processes and program implementation.
• Performs assessments and utilizes safety audits, data trend analysis, safety performance data, and input from other areas (e.g., Safety Hotline, Committees) to identify potential safety deficiencies and mitigations.
• Partners with site-specific management and safety committees to assist in the identification and mitigation of safety hazards. This includes promoting employee safety reporting and responding to Hotline calls in a timely manner, to support the Authority¿s safety risk management and safety promotion aspects of the Agency Safety Plan.
• Exercises the authority as Safety Oversight to stop work at a specific location, job site, or contract if conditions are unsafe and pose an imminent danger to employees. Partners with impacted personnel and contractors to identify and communicate the hazards and assist with the development and mitigations to allow the work to continue.
• Regularly performs targeted audits of contract/construction personnel working in the field to evaluate compliance with critical safety related rules and procedures, to ensure risks are being mitigated and managed to protect employee safety.
• Maintains accurate record of their inspections and subsequent findings. Works with action item owners to resolve findings and documenting the steps taken to address those concerns. Also, documents actions taken for any assigned safety hotline through the safety hotline tool.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Responds to safety emergencies as required and manages "on call" duties to ensure site activities are safely conducted and the required pertinent information is collected in the event of an investigation.
• Responds to safety emergencies on a 24/hr. 7-day, 365 days a year basis including weekends and holidays
• Participates in the development and execution of local and site-specific safety activities and initiatives, the implementation of corporate safety practices, policies and programs, and facilitation of local safety committees.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.