Deputy Chief Safety Officer, Compliance and Performance

Career Opportunity 

Deputy Chief Safety Officer, Compliance and Performance 

Job ID: 93115
Department: Corporate Safety      
Post Date: 6/22/2018  
Close Date: 7/6/2018
Salary Range: Minimum: $112,280/Midpoint: $140,350
Position Classification: Safety Sensitive  
Location: Queens      
Reports To: Vice President Corporate Safety    
HAY Points: 994
This is a Non-Represented Position. 

Please note that this position has been designated as a “Policy Maker” pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics.  As such, you will be required to complete a Financial Disclosure Statement that will be provided to you by the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics. 

Summary:

This position contributes to the achievement of Long Island Rail Road operations and strategic objectives through the provision of research and analysis of changing LIRR, MTA, local, state, and federal policies and regulations ensuring mandates are met.  This division acts as primary representatives in all legislative, regulatory and public rail transportation industry forums and/or meetings in which LIRR has a vested interest.   These include forums and/or meetings conducted by, but not limited to: the Railroad Safety Advisory Committees (RSAC), American Public Transit Agency (APTA) , Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), American Association of Railroads (AAR), the National Safety Transportation Board (NTSB)/Public Transportation Safety Board (PTSB), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)/Public Employees Safety and Health (PESH), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of Homeland Security.  Serve as FRA required program compliance officer for mandated FRA programs including SAFER (Title 49 Part 217 Railroad Operating Rules); Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness (49 CFR Part 239), System Safety Program Plan (49 CFR Part 270); Critical Incident Stress Plan (49 CFR Part 272). This position contributes to the achievement of Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) operations and strategic objectives through the provision of effective system safety policies and programs consistent with organizational needs, MTA policies, and governmental regulations/initiatives as they pertain to safety. This position directs the implementation and administration of a System Safety Program Plan that encompasses, but is not limited to, safety assessments, hazard analyses, environmental engineering, industrial hygiene, occupational safety and health within the scope of federal, state and local regulations.  This position is responsible for developing and managing LIRR’s safety certification process, the System Safety Program Plan (SSPP), and assessing the LIRR’s Safety Goal Implementation Plan (SGIP). This position is directly responsible for overseeing LIRR compliance with all federal, state, and local reporting requirements for employee, customer, contractor, train incidents, accidents and injuries. This includes meeting the monthly regulatory accident/incident filing requirements under Title 49 CFR Part 225 Railroad Accidents/Incidents: Reports Classification, and Investigations as well as monthly President’s Corporate and MTA Board reports. This position also prepares and engages in research, review and analysis of customer and employee safety matters as directed by LIRR and MTA senior management. 

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Provide the strategic leadership and direction to ensure that LIRR is represented on all regulatory and standards committees governing operational and safety related issues. Ensure LIRR has the opportunity to communicate its concerns about proposed legislation/regulations and/or changes to current operational protocols and procedures. Communicate new regulations and standards to affected departments.  Research and provide analysis of published rule making and standards to proactively ensure compliance.  Provide guidance to insure proper interpretation, application and compliance with all Federal and State regulations and industry standards. 
• Develop policies and direct staff to ensure compliance with monthly incident and accident reporting as required under FRA Title 49 CFR Part 225. Ensure compliance with OSHA and PESHA incident and accident reporting. Provide monthly safety performance reports to the LI Committee of the MTA Board and issue President’s Monthly documenting safety performance for each of the operating departments, customer incidents, rail incidents, fire incidents, community outreach, etc.
• Develop policies and programs and direct staff in the implementation of the FRA mandated observation program for compliance with Part 217 Railroad Operating Rules. Ensure reports are generated monthly, every six months, annually and as required to document and monitor LIRR’s compliance with 217.  Work with Transportation, M of E, Stations, and Engineering to ensure observation mandates are being met.  Work with IT to ensure the SAFER/ECR system is functioning as required.  Ensure FRA program filings for Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness and Critical Incident Stress Plans are up-to-date and on file with the FRA as required.  Serve as lead during FRA Audits.  Develop a strategy and direct staff to conduct periodic internal audits to monitor Operating Department compliance.
• Develop policies and programs and direct staff in the development, review, implementation, and assessment of the LIRR’s System Safety Program Plan in compliance with NYS Department of Transportation and Title 49 CFR Part 270 System Safety Program Plan requirements. This includes developing a strategy to ensure audits of each of the twenty elements for conformance, compliance, quality, and effectiveness is completed as required.
• In compliance with industry standards and state and federal regulations, including 49 CFR Parts 236 and 270, direct the process for Safety Certification of software/computer based safety critical systems and processor-based technology used in Operations ensuring solutions meet all requirements while ensuring the safety of employees, customers, and the communities we serve. Responsible for directing the research and evaluation of new technologies for use in LIRR operations, approving recommendations for implementation.
• Manage, select, develop, train and motivate subordinate staff to ensure departmental and corporate goals are met. Provide career development, counseling, and guidance.  Ensure continuing education/refresher training is adequate to maintain a state of the art division.  Manage performance of staff and recommend promotional/disciplinary action as required.  Responsible for discipline/termination when necessary.
• Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.
• Ensure a safe working environment and adherence to guidelines of company safety policies and procedures. Lead by example.
• Perform other assignments as requested by Senior Management. 

Qualifications:

• Minimum (7) seven years managing other management personnel or regulatory function in the rail industry.
• Must possess extensive working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local railroad safety-related regulations, including regulations and procedures promulgated by Federal Railroad Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and NYS Public Employees Safety and Health.
• Must be a seasoned manager with a strong work ethic, business acumen, and must be capable of effectively introducing change to the way business is conducted, which may involve organizational and cultural changes.
• Must possess demonstrated understanding of rail operations, occupations, equipment, technical standards, work environments, and practices.
• Must possess demonstrated strategic management skills, including strategic planning, organization, project prioritization and management, resource identification and allocation.
• Must possess strong analytical, problem identification and resolution skills.
• Must possess ability to coordinate work and resources across management and department levels, and among agencies to build positive working relationships and accomplish shared goals.
• Must possess strong ability to operate effectively in high pressure situations; must be flexible and able to adapt to change.
• Must possess demonstrated mastery of business/negotiating skills to effectuate multiple projects in timely and effective manner.
• Must possess demonstrated effective leadership skills, which must be displayed both to internal and external customers, including labor organizations.
• Must possess critical thinking and root cause analytical skills, especially relative to operational issues.
• Must possess effective proven problem solving, judgment and sound decision-making skills.
• Must possess project management, negotiating and internal consulting skills and experience to productively work with senior staff level to accomplish departmental goals.
• Must possess excellent organizational skills with ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Must possess superior human relations, presentation and interpersonal communications skills (written and verbal).
• Strong, effective leadership and management skills in order to develop the organization, including setting high standards of professional conduct. Ability to effectively motivate, develop and influence others in a positive and productive manner to meet department/corporate goals. Experience developing and mentoring employees for succession planning purposes.
• Strong understanding of company/department operations, policies and procedures. Working knowledge of union rules with experience managing within a complex, unionized environment.
• Ability to plan, forecast, set objectives/goals to support corporate goals and determine course of action.
• Must have the ability to identify risks/problems, organize and convey pertinent information, and recommend viable solutions.
• Must be able to work effectively across and within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Must be a seasoned manager with proven progressively responsible experience in a related system safety environment with knowledge of the various safety management system programs.
• Ability to direct business functions associated with operations, including budgets, utility costs, resource and material allotment.
• Must possess strong human relations, communication, interpersonal, problem solving, decision-making, and judgment skills. Must demonstrate a high level of initiative, professional integrity and demeanor.
• The incumbent must understand and communicate technical issues to various audiences, anticipate and recommend audience responses, and put specific actions and policies into context with broad internal and external issues.
• Incumbent must be articulate, persuasive, and self-confident and possess a mature leadership style, which enables the incumbent to develop the organization, as well as manage conflict.
• Must possess and display proven leadership abilities including effective interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage all level of LIRR employees in achieving safety and operating excellence.
• Must be able to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and discretion.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license. 

Preferred/Desirable Skills/Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of railroad operations with respect to transportation operations, equipment and engineering.

 How to Apply:

Anyone interested in this position must apply online to 93115.

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The Long Island Rail Road is an Equal Opportunity Employer