Director of Bus Safety

Salary: $144,020.00 - $176,562.00 Annually
Location : 185 Kneeland Street, Boston
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25-20932
Department: MBTA - Safety
Area: 095-Safety Administration I
Opening Date: 04/07/2025
Closing Date: 4/21/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Licenses / Certifications: None Required
Union Affiliation: Executive
Safety Sensitive: Yes; this is a Safety Sensitive position. Employees in this role will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
Essential Classification (Emergency Staff): Yes; this position is classified as essential. Employees in this role are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by supervisory personnel during declared States of Emergency.
On-Call or 24/7: Yes; this position is classified as on-call or 24/7. Employees in this role must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as directed by supervisory personnel.

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA's core values are built around safety, service, equity, and sustainability and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.
Job Summary
The Director of Bus Safety is a safety-sensitive senior management position that leads a team of safety professionals dedicated to work closely with Bus Operations departments to identify, resolve, and track safety issues. This leadership position will be responsible to perform safety oversight of bus operators, and bus operations personnel ensuring compliance with federal regulations, bus operating rules, guidelines, and agreements, MBTA safety program requirements, and industry best practices.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee the bus operations and maintenance workers' compliance on safety deliverables and safety performance as well as gauge the effectiveness of associated operations, maintenance, and engineering through measurement, tracking, and reporting.
• Respond to and lead the investigation of emergency events (such as accidents), conditions, hazards, and other unusual occurrences, and provide formal reports as required.
• Manage the development and implementation of corrective actions related to identified hazards and/or incidents occurring on buses or bus lines.
• Review, comment on, and prepare root cause analyses, system safety assessments, hazard analyses, and other specialized technical reports.
• Partner with representatives from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and various MBTA departments to ensure the resolution of identified safety issues.
• Develop and provide safety training, coaching, and education of MBTA employees and contractors, as appropriate.
• Direct and manage a team that provides bus safety outreach and awareness programs.
• Participate in external audits and inspections and conduct and provide oversight of internal audit and inspection activities.
• Represent MBTA Safety on task forces and committees established to address safety, passenger needs, and other topics relevant to Authority goals.
• Manage follow up of investigative reports, including rollup summary of key areas of deficiency.
• Manage, review, approve, and track corrective action plans from creation to closure, including identification of ongoing/symptomatic issues.
• Manage the direction and preparation of routine audits of bus transportation activities including review of rules and procedures for dispatchers and operators to ensure compliance with all regulations.
• Work with bus operations to implement safety programs as necessary.
• Direct the routine review of rules/procedures and recordkeeping for all required training for all safety sensitive bus operations employees.
• Direct the supervision of routine audits of bus operations safety activities including maintenance and inspection processes.
• Conduct routine reviews of training programs for bus operations to include the necessary recordkeeping requirements in conjunction with the MBTA training department.
• Conduct auditing of reporting criteria to ensure adequate and timely resolution of identified issues related to repair and compliance.
• Collaborate cross functionally with the MBTA Safety Engineering team to evaluate new and existing bus operations capital projects and vehicle procurements, as part of the MBTA's Management of Change and Safety Certification Programs.
• Manage the information collection, analysis, and response to reports and correspondence submitted by passengers and others as they relate to bus safety concerns.
• Assist in the management, recruitment, training, discipline, and promotion of MBTA Safety personnel.
• Participate in the department's budget committee to develop, administer, maintain, and oversee the department's annual budget; make recommendations and forecasts for future funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and services; reviews and approve division expenditures and implements adjustments.
• Lead the on-boarding process for new hires. This includes the administrative logistics (purchasing of PPE, computers, creation of departmental new-hire packets, cubicles, etc.) and working with appropriate management and staff to ensure on-the-job training, formalizing training, and job expectations are clearly communicated.
• Ensure that all required documentation and reports are completed accurately and forwarded to the appropriate operating areas including the DPU and the NTD in accordance with established time frames.
• Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor or coworker in a courteous and professional manner.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle to visit/inspect work sites and to assist at emergencies and/or events as needed.
• Perform night and weekend Safety Duty Response in rotation with other Safety staff.
• Respond or report to work as directed by supervisory personnel for emergencies, extreme weather conditions or any other abnormal conditions that impair service or the safety of service, twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Supervision

• Effectively manage a staff of deputy directors, safety leads, and other qualified personnel.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Safety, Engineering, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field.
• Seven (7) years of experience in the transportation field in a safety oversight position.
• Verifiable experience in bus operations, bus maintenance, policy development, policy implementation, urban planning, public administration, and/or regulatory compliance.
• Must possess a valid Class B Commercial Driver's License with passenger and airbrake endorsement.
• Five (5) years of related leadership, supervisory, and/or management experience.
• Ability to complete, apply, and adhere to concepts in safety training including but not limited to SMS Fundamentals, ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800 as well as courses offered on websites hosted by MassDOT, FEMA, and TSI within the first month of employment.
• Ability to complete a Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) within three (3) years of employment.
• Knowledge of outside/contract bus operations that occur on the MBTA bus network.
• Experience in compiling, analyzing and reporting information into databases.
• Effective organizational, analytical, multitasking, time management and interpersonal skills. Ability to demonstrate strong analytical, communication and regulatory/technical writing skills
• Capability for analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, and implementing recommendations.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Database applications.
• Effective organizational, analytical, confidentiality, quantitative, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
• Available to work all shifts and locations as assigned or directed, with proper PPE, including overnight shifts, when necessary, in the field to perform safety oversight activities, investigations, manage safety activities in severe weather conditions, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Ability to travel to incidents/accidents in various weather conditions in a timely manner.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.
• The ability to effectively communicate with regulatory agencies, community organizations and others on technical and sensitive matters.

Substitutions Include

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the Bachelor's degree requirement
• An Associate's degree from an accredited institution with an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the Bachelor's degree requirement
• A Master's degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience

Preferred Experience and Required Skills

• A Master's degree in safety, Engineering, Urban Planning, or Public Administration.
• Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) Certification.
• Transportation Safety and Security Professional Certification (TSSP) for Bus
• Possession of a World Safety Organization (WSO) Certificate or equivalent.
• Knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS) principles and best practices.
• Experience working in transportation, safety, security or related field; demonstrating an understanding of OSHA/DLS Regulations, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and/or DPU regulations.
• Knowledge of American Public Transportation Association (APTA) standards, and/or experience conducting training.
• Experience in the transportation industry with commuter, heavy rail, light rail, and/or bus systems.
• Experience with transportation equipment, such as vehicles, track, structures, facilities, power, signals, communication, and control systems.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.

Application Completion: It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. Recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.

Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.

Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.

Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.

Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.

Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.

On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.

Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.

ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit

Employment Benefits at the MBTA

Full-Time Employees:

The MBTA offers comprehensive benefits packages to full-time employees. Types of benefits offered at the MBTA are subject to the union affiliation / Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of the position to which you apply. Benefits that may apply to your position include the following:

• Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life (basic and supplemental), and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Vacation, Personal Days, Sick Leave, and Holidays
• Retirement: Pension or deferred compensation 401(a), plus MBTA contributions
• Complimentary pass for travel on the MBTA transit system (bus, train, ferry, and Commuter Rail)
• Tuition Reimbursement (up to $10,000 per year)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for student loans
• Commuter Choice Parking Program: Pre-tax benefits for parking
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Pre-tax benefits for healthcare-related expenses
• Discounted tickets for concerts, movies, travel / vacation, etc. via TicketsAtWork.com
• Shopping discounts via GovX.com
• Verizon and AT&T service discounts
• And more...

Internships:

Internship positions are not eligible for most MBTA Benefits. However, paid sick time may be incurred. Each intern also receives a complimentary pass for travel on the MBTA transit system (bus, train, ferry, and Commuter Rail) to use throughout the duration of their internship. Please contact the assigned Recruiter directly or email internships@mbta.com for more information.

Disclaimer:

The above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the MBTA, which may or may not apply to a specific position. This summary is not a contract andis not meant to change the provisions of union contracts or Authority policies and does not establish a binding practice. Please contact the assigned Recruiter directly or email hrstaffing@mbta.com for more information.

The MBTA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
01

Which of the following best describes your education and experience?

• I did not receive a High School Diploma / GED.
• A High School diploma or GED with fourteen (14) years of experience in the transportation field in a safety oversight position.
• An Associate's degree from an accredited institution with ten (10) years of experience in the transportation field in a safety oversight position.
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Safety, Engineering, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field with seven (7) years of experience in the transportation field in a safety oversight position.
• A Master's degree in a related field with five (5) years of experience in the transportation field in a safety oversight position.

02

Do you have five (5) years of related leadership, supervisory, and/or management experience?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a valid Class B Commercial Driver's License with passenger and airbrake endorsement?

• Yes
• No

04

Please rate your Microsoft Word, Excel and Database applications skills.

• No experience
• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert

05

Please describe your experience with bus operations, bus maintenance, policy development, policy implementation, urban planning, public administration, and/or regulatory compliance?

• No experience
• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert

06

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status)?

• Yes
• No

Required Question