Job ID: 8822 Business Unit: Metro-North Railroad Location: New York, NY, United States Regular/Temporary: Regular Department: Safety Department Date Posted: Oct 21, 2024
Description POSTING NO. 8822 JOB TITLE: Assistant Director - Safety Engineering DEPT/DIV: President's Office WORK LOCATION: New York, NY or North White Plains, NY FULL/PART-TIME FULL SALARY RANGE: $ 94,906 - $ 124,564.13 DEADLINE: Until Filled This position is eligible for teleworking which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire. Metro-North Railroad reserves the right to remove this posting before the Application Deadline. Opening: MTA Metro-North Railroad is a dynamic organization, operating out of the jewel of New York City, Grand Central Terminal. We provide service to over 86.5 million customers, traveling in and out of New York and Connecticut. A subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North Railroad is one of the busiest commuter railroads in the nation. MTA Metro-North Railroad strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities to its employees. Position Objective: This position supports the Office of System Safety by supervising system safety engineering efforts including safety certification and review, testing, hazard controls, fire protection, ergonomics, defect analysis and process controls, accident investigation and analysis, product safety , and human behavior. Responsibilities:
- Guides the division's technical personnel in performing system safety analysis of projects and initiatives throughout the directorate's technical facilities and contracted projects, system controls, software , and simulation.
- Develop policies and procedures to identify hazards associated with system testing, safety certifications, fatigue management , and other safety-critical aspects of the railroad. Support implementation, annual assessment, and revision of the System Safety Program Plan (SSPP) and Fatigue Risk Management Program Plan (FRMP) in accordance with all applicable requirements (49 CFR 270).
- Review contracts and proposed designs using applicable laws, regulations , and industry standards.
- Works closely with engineers and program managers, reviews designs and test procedures to determine worthiness and formulate robust executable risk mitigation strategies.
- Provides safety engineering input to test plans and procedures. Reviews test results.
- Guides the division's technical personnel in performing safety risk assessments, regulatory compliance reviews , and ergonomic reviews on equipment and operations processes. Participate in conformance audits via site inspections related to policies, programs, plans, work practices, training, and corrective actions.
- Work with various teams supporting the review and approval process for new and modified equipment. Must be independently driven to seek improvement opportunities in the safety review process.
- Provides guidance in the development of new safety standards. Develop audit reports and ensure data is captured for analysis. Respond to requests for data, reports, etc. from senior staff, regulatory authorities (FRA, PTSB, PESH), etc. Ensure safety data is accurately captured, securely stored for retrieval, and analyzed to identify trends and themes.
- Select, develop, and motivate staff and provide career development for team members. Provide effective coaching and counseling. Manage team and individual performance. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables staff to develop and contribute to their full potential. Supervises technical personnel performing investigations, including precipitating or underlying human, mechanical , or material factors; consults with subject-matter experts concerning work process modification and recommends corrective or remedial safety measures.
- Develop, implement, and monitor new programs and initiatives to eliminate potential or actual hazards and to reduce/avoid potential injuries, costs, property damage , and production delays. Collaborate with other OSS teams and with operations to participate in in-depth interdepartmental incident reviews.
Required Qualifications: Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Candidates should have knowledge of interpreting and implementing:
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations,
- Theory, principles, practices, and procedures of rail system safety .
- Military Standard (MIL-STD-882) System Safety .
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort interfacing with leaders and all levels of the organization .
- Strong analytical skills with demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Ability to adapt well to fast-paced environments with changing circumstances, direction, and strategy.
- Have a knowledge and understanding of certification and regulatory bodies.
- Strong knowledge of data validation to ensure reporting quality.
- Superior customer service and interpersonal skills with the ability to deal with internal and external customers and all levels.
- Must be able to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and discretion .
- Project management skills with adherence to deadlines with the ability to handle multiple projects and assignments .
- Strong time management, organizational , and coordinating skills including appropriate sense of urgency and proactive approach .
- Ability to exercise a high level of independent judgment and decision-making with a minimum of supervision and guidance.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel , and PowerPoint or demonstrated equivalent .
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to foster teamwork and effective working relationships.
- Fundamental knowledge of electro-mechanical systems, industrial processes, and software development.
- Familiar with performing and/or evaluating various safety analyses (e.g., hazard analysis, fault tree analysis and failure mode effect and criticality analysis).
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships/contacts within the Office of System Safety, as well as with other MNR departments, to promote a cooperative atmosphere and achievement of shared goals.
- Must be safety conscious and committed to ensuring safety for all.
- Ability to remain current on regulatory, operations, and other safety requirements and guidelines.
- Strong decision-making skills with the ability to exercise authority.
- Must be able to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week .
- Must be able to adjust work schedule to accommodate special projects as necessary, including periodic night shifts and weekend coverage.
- Must possess a valid driver's license.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering , Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline.
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience in System Safety, with at least two (2) years in a transportation environment.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience managing staff and/or programs.
- MNR Roadway Worker Protection qualified or ability to become qualified within (6) months of hire and maintain the annual requalification thereafter.
P referred Education/Experience/Training :
- Master's degree in a related discipline .
- Current and in good standing professional industry recognized certification(s) (CSP, WSO, others).
- Experience working in a commuter railroad or mass transit agency environment.
- Professional Certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), and Safety Management System (SMS).
- Familiarity with SCADA, Positive Train Control (PTC) , and Roadway Worker Protection Systems (RWPS).
- Familiarity with Fatigue Risk Management and biomathematical models (e.g., FAID, SAFTE).
- Proficient with Microsoft Access, Visio, and Project and/or equivalent .
- MNR Operating Rules qualified or ability to become qualified within (6) months of hire and maintain the annual requalification thereafter.
Other Information This position is safety-sensitive and subject to toxicological testing. According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the Commission ). Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MNR drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position. Equal Employment Opportunity MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities. The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.