Program Manager, Safety & Performance Improvement

Job ID:

240678

Location:

MD-Metro Bldg New Carrollton

Full/Part Time:

Full-Time

Posting Open-Close

11/20/2024

-

12/03/2024

Union

NRP

Regular/Temporary:

Regular

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Transportation, or related field

• In lieu of Bachelor’s Degree a high school diploma and four (4) years of relevant safety experience, in addition to the experience stated below will be considered

Experience

• A minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in transportation safety management, including incident investigation, to include at least two (2) years in a supervisory capacity, responsible for developing and executing initiatives to improve workplace safety.

Certification/Licensure

• Valid Driver’s Permit

Preferred

• World Safety Organization (WSO): Certified Safety Specialist, Certified Safety Manager or equivalent

• CPR Certified

¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ Medical Group:

Ability to satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this class.

Mission Essential Designation:

• In accordance with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) this job has been identified as critical to mission essential functions. Incumbents in this role may be required to report to or continue to work in the event of authorized office closings or service suspensions due to severe weather, natural disaster, fire, operational emergencies or related events.

J ob Summary/Duties:

The Program Manager, Safety & Performance Improvement spearheads the office’s multifaceted approach to improve workplace safety, engaging with stakeholders in multiple functional teams within the reporting office and across departments. The incumbent proactively reviews safety data to identify potential trends; partners with the Office of Transit Performance (PERF) and Department of Safety (SAFE) to conduct in-depth data analyses and makes data-driven recommendations and decisions to develop and implement targeted safety initiatives, revised procedures, and safety forums. In concert with Corporate Safety, the incumbent conducts and supports investigations of accidents/incidents and develops and coordinates execution of intervention strategies to resolve identified unsafe acts and conditions observed in the workplace. This position will be responsible for the management of the Safety Management System for the respective office. A significant portion of this position’s responsibilities requires travel/visits to field locations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops and manages safety performance improvement programs and initiatives, including performance behavior analysis programs to mitigate the occurrence of bus incidents, and employee and customer injuries.

• Conducts trend analyses to identify and track risks, in partnership with the Office of Transit Performance (PERF) and the Department of Safety (SAFE). Develops risk mitigation strategies and coordinates with cross-functional teams to implement.

• Develops effective safety communications, engaging all employees within the department, embedding a strong safety culture, and impacting enhanced safety oversight in all operating divisions and teams.

• Manages responses to safety audit reports and investigation findings from internal and external oversight entities by reviewing findings, meeting with managers to develop proposed Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), managing projects to complete the CAPs, ensuring CAPs are submitted, accepted, and closed. Facilitates timely responses to inquiries and effective implementation of safety recommendations from internal and external oversight entities.

• Makes recommendations for enhancements to bus operator training programs based on in-the-field observations and trend analyses to improve bus operator driving skills and subsequently reduce the occurrence of bus incidents and employee and customer injuries.

• Audits safety data, reviewing for consistency in bus accident preventability determinations, thoroughness in investigation documentation and confirming that disciplinary decisions are supported by the data. Manages the accident appeals board.

• Conducts daily review of incidents and accidents, serves in a support capacity when responding to major incidents and accidents to assist with fact finding to assist with identifying the root cause, follows up with management staff to ensure incidents and accidents are handled timely and in compliance with SAFE requirements, WMATA policy, and standard operating procedures. Proactively identifies trends in the root causes of incidents and accidents, address in partnership with management, and enforce compliance with established policies and procedures.

• Updates existing and develops new standard operating procedures related to safety, conducts change management activities to facilitate adoption of new and enhanced processes to strengthen internal controls and impact continuous improvement in the area of safety.

• Coordinates and facilitates various safety meetings with leadership, management, and frontline employees to reinforce safety requirements, arouse awareness to safety trends, discuss existing safety issues, and develop solutions to safety challenges.

• Manages staff dedicated to planning and executing safety programs and initiatives including development of clear success measures. Assesses the effectiveness of safety programs and adjusts program plans on an ongoing basis.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Liaises with corporate safety on hazard mitigation strategies, safety and investigation data integrity, Safety Measurement System (SMS) compliance. Identifies and addresses safety concerns and support thorough, timely, and well documented safety incident investigations as required per the Department of Safety’s (SAFE) established SMS process.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in anyway the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment

• Personal interview

• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)

• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)

• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)

• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.