Vice President - Corporate Safety and Chief Safety Officer

Job ID: 9700

Business Unit: Long Island Rail Road

Location: Jamaica, NY, United States

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Department: Admin Tracks Payroll & Misc

Date Posted: Nov 26, 2024

Description

Title: Vice President – Corporate Safety and Chief Safety Officer

Department: Corporate Safety

Posting Date: 11/27/2024

Close Date: 12/12/2024

Hay Point Evaluation: 1418

Salary Range: $154,724.00 - $232,087.00

Position Classification: Safety Sensitive

Location: Jamaica

Reports to: LIRR President

This is a Non-Represented Position.

This position is eligible for telework which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

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:

As the senior accountable executive reporting to the LIRR President, this position established the vision for and is responsible for leading risk management initiatives and driving the safety performance of the busiest and most complex commuter railroad in the United States. This position defines the safety requirements and strategies for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the safety management systems and system safety initiatives for Long Island Rail Road operations and construction consistent with strategic objectives and organizational needs, MTA policies, and federal, state, and local government regulations, and industry standards as they pertain to safety and operations. Responsible to direct risk management and safety assurance including research and analysis of changing LIRR, MTA, local, state, and federal policies and regulations ensuring mandates are met. Develop and implement agency-wide safety initiatives and strategies - including identifying the potential resources required as well as labor contract and operational impacts to address needs in a timely, cost-effective manner. This position is responsible for the oversight and accountability to ensure that the operating departments are meeting their established safety goals and plans, including updates, as necessary. Advise the President on safety and environmental protection matters including potential litigation and matters that may influence elected officials and public perception. The incumbent has the authority to suspend unsafe operations to protect employees, contractors, customers, emergency responders, and the public.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Establish the vision and direct the development, implementation, and assessment of the LIRR’s safety management system program focusing on the four pillars: Policies and Procedures, Hazard Assessment, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion and in compliance with the Federal Railroad Administration’s Title 49 CFR Part 270 System Safety Program Plan mandate. Lead and drive the agency safety goals and culture by holding the operating departments accountable for their respective established safety plans, implementations and related updates. departments to facilitate and implement agency-wide safety initiatives and change. Ensure staff is identifying resources required and they are within budget. Make business case for additional resources as required.

• Direct staff to ensure the development and implementation of Fire Prevention Program for compliance with applicable fire codes and standards. Direct staff to ensure LIRR facilities and real estate properties are in compliance with NYS Building Codes including review of new construction and renovation as well as Code Enforcement. Direct staff to ensure violations are issued and shut downs occur of operations/businesses if required. Direct staff to ensure submission of mandated NYS Annual Public Authorities Building Code Compliance report. Direct staff to ensure resolution of safety and operation problems resulting from inspection and evaluation of infrastructure and equipment to ensure workable, cost-effective solutions in a highly organized union environment.

• Oversight and accountability for emergency management, including winter storms and incident command.

• Direct staff to ensure training of emergency responders to safely respond to incidents on LIRR property and equipment considering unique hazards of the LIRR operating environment. This includes classroom training, equipment and yard familiarization, and large-scale drills simulating rail incidents. Direct staff to ensure LIRR representation in Nassau and Suffolk Emergency Operations Centers during weather events and major service disruptions.

• Direct staff to ensure the development and implementation of environmental protection and sustainability programs. Division personnel serve as lead environmental compliance officers establishing programs and policies in compliance with federal and state regulations. Department serves as environmental permit applicant and maintains all LIRR environmental permits. Direct staff to ensure compliance with mandated petroleum management and storm water compliance. Direct staff to ensure submission of annual mandated state reports. Direct staff to ensure response to spills and ensure appropriate disposal of waste. Direct staff to ensure environmental technical oversight and expertise is provided to LIRR departments and to MTA C&D for capital projects. Direct staff to ensure inspection and reporting mechanisms comply with federal and state regulations. Direct staff to ensure resolution of safety, operating, and infrastructure challenges resulting from findings by Corporate Safety, NYS DEC, and NYC DEP to ensure workable, cost-effective solutions. Direct staff to ensure hiring and oversight of consultants and contractors to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and standards in our unique transportation operating environment. Direct staff to ensure progress and monitoring of remediation of violations resulting from historic operations and infrastructure.

• Direct staff to ensure development and implementation of programs, policies, and procedures associated with occupational and industrial hygiene hazards in the work environment. Direct staff to ensure the development, ensure compliance with, and monitor the effectiveness of federally mandated programs including Personal Protective Equipment, Blood Bourne Pathogen, Confined Space Entry, Hazardous Communication, and Hearing Conservation. Direct staff to ensure the management of lead and asbestos assessment and abatement including issuing applicable permits and monitoring compliance with LIRR policies and procedures as well as federal and state by employees and third parties doing construction on LIRR property. Direct staff to ensure oversight for consultants and contractors who conduct hazard and exposure assessments (e.g. chemical, noise, air quality, mold, etc.) as requested by departments in cooperation with labor organizations. Direct staff to ensure participation in labor management partnership committees. Direct staff to ensure OSHA mandated job task hazard assessments and analysis are conducted to ensure employee tasks are optimized for safety through use of procedures, equipment, personal protective equipment, etc. Direct staff to ensure risk assessments are conducted to optimize safety for proposed or new infrastructure or equipment.

• Direct staff to ensure the development and implementation of programs, policies, and procedures to optimize safe, reliable, and efficient operations. Direct staff to ensure the currency of the LIRR Corporate Safety Rules for Employees. Direct staff to ensure safety training is provided to all new employees, supervisors, and managers. Direct staff to ensure audits and observations are conducted to ensure compliance. Direct staff to ensure work is appropriately being stopped as required to mitigate immediate threats to life safety. Direct staff to ensure follow up on all employee injuries and work with department to mitigate reoccurrence. Direct staff to ensure inspections are being done of stations, employee facilities, and yards to monitor conditions and follows up on deficiencies noted until corrected. Direct staff to partner with the MTA Police on the Right of Way Task Force to harden the right of way from trespass, vandalism, and sabotage. In addition to inspection of all locations along the right of way biannually, direct staff to ensure they respond to public complaints and work with Engineering, MTA HQ Public Affairs, MTA HQ Procurement, and MTA C&D to assess need for high security fencing and other mitigation strategies, being sensitive to political and community concerns. Direct staff to ensure corporate and department reporting is compliant with federal and state regulations. Direct staff to lead the FRA’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System including facilitating the Peer Review Team (PRT). Direct staff to ensure representation on the PRT from all operating departments and labor organizations. Direct staff to ensure they are analyzing reports, developing corrective actions, and presenting to Senior Staff for implementation approval and support.

• Direct staff to ensure the development and implementation of programs and policies for establishing goals and monitoring safety performance. Direct staff to ensure the FRA mandated Reporting Officer is transmitting required monthly reports for employee, customer, contractor, trespasser, and rail incidents in compliance with FRA mandates under Title 49 CFR Part 225 Reporting. Direct staff to ensure integrity of data for five years. Direct staff to reconcile data with Claims and MTA Police monthly. Direct staff to ensure all departments are in compliance with FRA and Corporate Policy mandates. Direct staff to ensure they provide accident data to PESH as required. Direct staff to ensure they prepare required monthly reports to Senior Staff. Present safety performance report and highlight key initiatives during monthly to the MTA Board’s LI Committee and Safety Committee Meetings. Direct staff to ensure they conduct analysis and make recommendations at the Corporate and Department level based on trends. Direct staff to ensure they maintain the corporate Enterprise Safety System ensuring the software application is appropriately configured and data entry by all departments is timely and accurate.

• Direct staff to ensure the development and implementation of corporate programs in compliance with FRA mandates. Direct staff to ensure they develop and submit FRA filings for mandated programs including Title 49 CFR Part 217 Railroad Operating Rules Observation and Testing requirements; Title 49 CFR Part 214 Railroad Workplace Safety On Track Safety Manual and program; Title 49 CFR Part 227 Occupational Noise Exposure; Title 49 CFR Part 239 Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness; Title 49 CFR Part 270 System Safety Program Plan; and Title 49 Part 272 Critical Incident Stress Plan to address needs of employees involved in traumatic events. Direct staff to ensure all departments comply through document review and field audits and observations. Direct staff to ensure they are representing the LIRR during inspections and audits. Direct staff to ensure they follow up on violations and corrective actions to ensure remediated. Direct staff to ensure they prepare mandated FRA reports.

• Direct staff to ensure the development and implementation of the Accident/Incident Investigation and Prevention Program that responds 24/7 to incidents on LIRR, GCMCOC, and NYAR property. Provide oversight of and partner with LIRR operating departments to review and determine root cause of all accidents and incidents. Act as incident/accident lead and safety incident chief in determining, reviewing, classifying, and finalizing the cause for all LIRR accidents/incidents. Develop and implement policies, procedures, guidelines, and recommendations that will assist with preventing and mitigating accidents/incidents. Provide direction and guidance to the operating departments in ensuring a complete and thorough investigation and review of all LIRR accidents/incidents. Participate on the Rail Incident Committee. Direct staff to ensure corrective actions are developed, assessed for feasibility, monitored implementation and effectiveness. Direct staff to ensure analysis for trends is conducted. Direct staff to conduct thorough investigations in partnership with operating departments and external authorities (i.e. FRA, NTSB, PTSB, PESH, etc.). Direct staff to ensure Corporate Safety serves as LIRR safety expert during external investigations.

• Direct staff to ensure the development and implementation of programs that ensure safety compliance in all phases of capital project design review and construction. Direct staff to ensure the review and approval third party construction contractors’ safety and health plans. Direct staff to ensure the review of resumes and approval third party construction contractors’ safety representatives. Direct staff to ensure the provision of site safety oversight and inspections including stopping work if hazards are deemed a threat to life safety, may result in damages to infrastructure/equipment damage, or pose a hazard to the community. Direct staff to ensure the investigation of incidents and near misses. Direct staff to ensure mitigations are implemented to prevent recurrence. Direct staff to ensure safety of contractors and force account labor when comingling on worksites. Direct staff to ensure safety certification activities are performed as required for all new technology, equipment, and infrastructure.

• Direct staff to ensure the development and implementation of programs to educate customers and the public about hazards associated with LIRR operations (e.g. grade crossings and third rail). In partnership with the MTA Police conduct community education and outreach in schools, businesses, and community centers. Work with Grand Central Madison Operating Company, Metro-North Railroad, New Jersey Transit, Amtrak, and New York City Transit to implement customer safety awareness activities at the five west end terminals. Develop safety advertisements including seat drops, print advertisements, radio and television commercials, and videos to address community and customer safety. In partnership with Long Island Crisis Center and Response of Suffolk, engage in outreach activities to mitigate suicide.

• Direct staff to ensure LIRR interests are accounted for during regulatory rulemaking and standards development processes. Direct staff to disseminate information to departments to ensure input is received as well as to ensure compliance. Direct staff to ensure they coordinate responses to rulemakings and standards development efforts with other MTA agencies. Direct staff to ensure they survey other railroad properties across the country to coordinate efforts and learn best practices.

• Perform other assignments as requested by Senior Management. Select, develop and motivate personnel within the department. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary. Review direct reports and approve performance appraisals. Promote safe work practices and provide safe working conditions. 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.

  Qualifications:

  (A)

• Bachelor's degree in business management, engineering, or related field with 12+ years of progressively responsible, recent, related experience in an operations environment, including experience managing a staff and budget or demonstrated equivalent combination of education and experience. In lieu of the degree, 16+ years of progressively responsible, recent, related experience in an operations environment, including managing a staff and budget may be considered.

• Must be a seasoned professional and possess experience in railroad field operations and a working knowledge of the operating rules. Demonstrated understanding of rail operations, occupations, equipment, technical standards, work environments, and practices.

• Must possess working knowledge of auditing techniques and the ability to develop audit plans.

• Must possess in-depth knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local railroad safety-related regulations, including regulations and procedures promulgated by Federal Railroad Administration, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, US Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, NYS Public Employees Safety and Health, NYS Public Transportation Safety Board, National Transportation Safety Board, NYS Code Compliance, and Transit Security Administration.

• Must possess in-depth knowledge and skill in crisis and emergency management practices, including, but not limited to, familiarity with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and its application in a commuter rail environment.

• 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 strategic management skills, including strategic planning, decision-making, organization, project prioritization and management, resource identification and allocation, and project prioritization and management.

• Must possess in-depth knowledge of risk assessment and hazard management principals and the application of such principals in a transportation environment.

• Must possess strong analytical, problem identification, problem solving and resolution skills.

• Must possess demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to provide direction to both internal and external customers, including labor organizations.

• Must possess the ability to coach, develop, and motivate staff, and foster teamwork.

• Must possess the ability to coordinate work and resources among levels of management, across departments, and among agencies to build positive working relationships and accomplish shared goals.

• Must possess strong ability to exercise a high level of independent judgment and decision making.

• 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/tasks in timely and effective manner. Strong verbal and written communications skills, human relations skills, and demonstrated presentation skills.

• Must possess critical thinking and root cause analytical skills, especially relative to operational issues.

• Must possess project management, negotiating and internal consulting skills and experience to productively work with senior staff level to accomplish departmental goals.

• Must possess a valid Driver's license.

  (B)

• Master's degree in business management, engineering, or related field is preferred.

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

  Other Information:

  In addition to meeting the minimum requirements of the position, the selection process may include, but is not limited to, a pre-screening assessment (i.e., physical, written and/ or practical evaluation) and interview. Candidates forfeit further consideration in the process if they fail to participate in any step of the process when scheduled. Make up dates/times will not be given. In addition, LIRR employee applicants must be in their current position for the 12 months immediately preceding the close date of this posting and must possess a satisfactory work history, including attendance and discipline record. A record of more than 10 sick days in two of last three years is considered unsatisfactory attendance. Not all qualified applicants are guaranteed an interview due to the competitive selection process. A medical examination and safety sensitive drug/alcohol test may also be required.

  Equal Employment Opportunity:

  MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

  The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.