Manager, Safety - Commuter Rail (Project Management)

At Regional Transportation District (RTD), We make lives better through connections!

When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits

(RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

This position acts as the liaison with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to ensure regulatory understanding and compliance. Develops, implements and administers comprehensive system safety programs, including the RTD System Safety Plan (SSP) and Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness (PTEP) plan and serves as the principal authority regarding safety issues for Commuter Rail. Responsible for ensuring the safety of the organization's customers, employees and facilities for the Commuter Rail System. This is a safety sensitive position subject to the rules and regulations of the RTD Drug and Alcohol Policy and as it related to the requirements of the Federal Railroad Administration. Reviews the RTD Concessionaire Agreement to ensure compliance by Denver Transit Partners/Operators (DTP/O) with reporting, safety compliance, and response to safety/regulatory issues raised or formally cited by safety regulator, FRA. Acts as the Reporting Officer for all commuter rail lines for RTDC system.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves as an agency subject matter expert for all FRA related issues to provide expert recommendations  and assistance to executive leadership on safety standards, as well as on railroad safety practices and all FRA required programs.

• Provides management and oversight of safety activities relating to train operations or maintenance of way  employees engaged in FRA infrastructure inspection, construction, maintenance or repair activities.

• Serves as the liaison with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to ensure regulatory understanding and compliance for all RTD employees and contractors in safety related positions. Works with local fire departments and local health departments, regarding situations related to commuter rail safety.

• Collaborates with DTP/O  to develop and maintain the joint RTDC System Safety Program Plan (SSP) and RTDC Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness (PTEP) plan and coordinates emergency preparedness standards for the commuter rail system, directs environmental clean-up and remediation for contaminated sites and ensures compliance with FRA regulations.

• Directs the development of system safety performance indicators for RTDC N Line and the actions needed to improve or correct performance and the capture and analysis of safety data, to include employee reported safety concerns, accident/incident data, and trends.  Makes recommendations to DTP/O in areas of safety performance in accordance with the Concessionaire Agreement.

• Works with Real Property on third-party licensing agreements and right of entry permitting to the Commuter Rail System.

• Develops, implements and administers FRA regulatory compliance programs and ensures organizational compliance with safety  requirements, laws and regulations for the Commuter Rail System.

• Acts as primary liaison with the FRA when external audits, requests of information, and inspections are conducted. Conducts internal safety audits and assessments as required to ensure compliance with System Safety Program Plan  requirements.

• Recruits staff to include interviewing, hiring, assigning work, training, coaching, and counseling to ensure consistent application of Employee Guidelines, processes, and procedures. Conducts performance reviews and holds employees accountable for performance of their responsibilities.

• Develops and manages the budget as it relates to the Commuter Rail Safety Division.

• Performs all other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree in system safety engineering, occupational and industrial safety management, related engineering field, or closely related field.

• Minimum of five years of experience in industrial hygiene, safety engineering and environmental compliance which includes a minimum of three years of supervisory responsibility.

• Prior experience working on a team or committee that includes contractors, industry officials, labor unions, the public and state and local governments to develop practical solutions and/or recommendations to persistent complex problems pertaining to operating a railroad.

• Valid Colorado driver license and acceptable motor vehicle report.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the FRA industry, including operating requirements, practices  and equipment.

• Knowledge of the general safety and health principles and practices applicable to the railroad industry.

• Knowledge of railroad emergency management principles.

• Knowledge of federal regulations and standards relating to FRA railroad operations and requirements in such areas as hours of service, accident reporting, and drug and alcohol railroad employee testing.

• Knowledge of guidelines, regulations and procedures associated with railroad accident investigations including preservation of accident scene, root cause analysis and evidence detection and handling.

• Proficiency in data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, including trend and predictive analysis. 

• Proficiency in Federal Railroad Administration System Safety/Safety Management Systems.

• Proficiency in Colorado and Federal Railroad Administration safety guidelines and regulations and standards in a Commuter Rail System.

• Proficient in capital and expense budgetary process and requirements.

• Proficient in specification writing, as well as RFP and contract administration procedures.

• Proficient in training and developing federal programs in a Commuter Rail System regulated by the FRA.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written means.

• Ability to use sound judgment.

• Ability to manage time and workload effectively which includes planning, organizing, and prioritizing with attention to details.

• Ability to manage and respond to safety and environmental emergencies on a 24-hour on-call basis.

Or:

• An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Working Environment and Physical Requirements:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations.

• An employee may be occasionally exposed to mechanical equipment in the commuter rail maintenance facility, moving trains or outside weather conditions.

Reports To: Senior Manager, Safety and Environment

Pay Range:

$103,709.00 - $160,748.00 Annual

RTD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy [ https://www.rtd-denver.com/sites/default/files/files/2022-12/EEO%20Policy%20Statement-%20UPDATED.pdf ]