Safety Lead - Heavy Rail

Salary: $106,750.00 - $137,260.00 Annually
Location : 185 Kneeland Street, Boston
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25-20955
Department: MBTA - Safety
Area: 095-Safety Administration I
Opening Date: 04/17/2025
Closing Date: 5/2/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Licenses / Certifications: None Required
Union Affiliation: Executive
Safety Sensitive: No; this is not a Safety Sensitive position.
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 Safety Lead - Heavy Rail is responsible for investigating all incidents with a Heavy Rail operations component (e.g., major events and near misses involving employee injuries, infrastructure damage, service interruption, etc.). The Safety Lead will respond to incidents, gather documentation and information, report to the appropriate parties, determine root causes, and collaborate with Heavy Rail Transportation to recommend feasible corrective action plans to improve safety programs, policies, and procedures. The Safety Lead will work closely with and support Heavy Rail Transportation to track and implement safety recommendations or corrective actions.

Duties & Responsibilities
Safety Investigations

• Respond to incidents and accidents, assessing safety and oversee investigations and safety actions.
• Write, investigate, manage, review, comment on, and contribute to safety event, safety assessment and hazard analysis reports.
• Develop root cause analyses, including recommending feasible corrective actions for Heavy Rail Transportation activities across the authority, when necessary.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and interpretive authority for all Heavy Rail Transportation related safety matters and advise up to senior management.

Compliance

• Provide professional safety support including developing, updating, and interpreting MBTA polices, practices, codes and industry standards as needed to advance the application of safety programs across the authority.
• Oversee the performance of safety activities, conduct assessments of safety programs, including field inspections, and procedure and policy reviews, to identify areas of improvements and corrective actions.
• Serve as key MBTA liaison working closely with field representatives from the State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA) the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) regarding field response, incident investigations, information requests, and regular meetings.
• Conduct scheduled and unscheduled inspections and/or audits of MBTA facilities, work sites, specifications, infrastructure, vehicles, and equipment, ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local codes, regulations and guidelines.
• Coordinate with transit department heads and MBTA Safety management to review DPU monthly and quarterly meetings and agendas.
• Review and contribute to the accuracy of DPU investigative reports for Operational content (E&M and Transportation) and create Corrective Action Plans and coordinate with the appropriate departments and regulators to track until closure.

Safety Promotion & Training

• Promote safety in the field to the front-line employees which includes receiving safety concerns, distribution of Safety Flashes, promotional safety items and promoting the Employee Safety Reporting Program.
• Create, assist, and implement safety-related training throughout the organization.
• Create and deliver training documents including Safety Flashes, SOPs on Transit related responsibilities, ROW safety, On-Call field response, Special Event duties, and Safety Rules Compliance Program (SRCP) practical training.
• Deliver technical field training for MBTA Safety staff and management including but not limited emergency response, Right of Way (ROW) hazards, proper safety promotional activities, safety assurance activities, and incident investigation.

General Safety Management

• Provide operational management oversight of Safety Specialists, Safety Analysts and Safety Audit Coordinators.
• Respond, either directly or through others, to emergencies twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
• Travel to work sites and to assist at emergencies and/or events as needed.
• Uphold the rights and interest of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle to visit/inspect work sites and to assist with emergencies and/or events as needed.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Supervision

• Oversight of Safety Specialists, Safety Analysts and Safety Audit Coordinators.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Six (6) years of experience in rail operations with a focus on safety reviews, investigations, assessments, or training functions.

• One (1) year of supervisory, managerial, and/or leadership experience.
• Valid Class D driver's license.
• Ability to drive and respond to incidents/accidents and perform safety oversight in various weather condition including extreme weather events on all shifts and any time of day or night.
• Demonstrated experience applying methods and techniques to mitigate safety issues by assessing safety hazards and ensuring corrective measures are followed.
• Effective organizational, analytical, confidentiality, quantitative, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
• Experience applying safety knowledge by facilitating and processing safety-related programs.
• Experience participating in incident response and/or investigations.
• Effective organizational, analytical, time management, and multitasking skills.
• Ability to respond to Operations (E&M and Transportation) related incidents in the field including walking the Right of Way (ROW) on track and ballast and carrying safety equipment to and from incidents/accidents on/off the ROW.
• 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.
• Available to work all shifts and locations in the field as assigned or directed with proper PPE 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.

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 degree from an accredited institution an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• A master's degree in a related subject may substitute 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 Skills

• Experience as an RTL Instructor, RTL Dispatcher, RTL yardmaster, RTL Chief Inspector, RTL Inspector, RTL Supervisor, or equivalent positions.
• Four (4) years of experience in a supervisory role.
• Bachelor's degree in business, transportation, safety, occupational health, or related field.
• Experience working in transportation, safety, or related field; and candidates demonstrating an understanding of 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 heavy rail.
• Completed the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) in Rail.
• Working knowledge/understanding of 49 CFR Part 659/672/673/674 (the State Safety Oversight Program), 49 CFR Parts 220 CMR 151.

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 attain a High School Diploma.
• A High School Diploma or GED with 13 or more years of experience in rail operations with a focus on safety reviews, investigations, assessments, or training functions.
• An associate degree with 9 or more years of experience in rail operations with a focus on safety reviews, investigations, assessments, or training functions.
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with 6 or more years of experience in rail operations with a focus on safety reviews, investigations, assessments, or training functions.
• A master's degree in a related subject with 4 or more years of experience in rail operations with a focus on safety reviews, investigations, assessments, or training functions.

02

Do you have one (1) year of supervisory, managerial, and/or leadership experience?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a valid US Drivers license

• Yes
• No

04

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

• Yes
• No

Required Question