Transit System Safety Officer

Under general supervision, performs professional work in the development and implementation of Authority safety standards, procedures, and specifications including methodologies and strategies that promote safe operations, safety awareness, and accident prevention within the Authority. Acts as liaison and works collaboratively with field operations in implementing SMS and performs safety audits, inspections, and investigations within the Authority to ensure best practices are utilized.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

% time

1 25% Upholds proactive safety initiatives by implementing safety programs, policies, procedure training, objectives, and other initiatives to promote safe operations and incident prevention that eliminate or control unsafe behaviors, environments, and hazards.

2 25% Conducts comprehensive inspections of various Authority bus and rail cars, equipment, and facilities, including shops and garages for compliance with environmental requirements (noise, equipment layout, air quality, etc.) and related occupational health and safety issues.

o Assesses Authority safety processes and procedures.

o Observes operations to effectively identify hazardous conditions.

o Reports inspection findings and gathers information surrounding hazardous processes and procedures. o Assists in identifying and implementing long-term solutions to systemic safety issues identified in inspections and investigations minimizing liability and preventing recurrence.

3 15% Analyzes federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to safety and health to develop and prepare safety programs and procedures to ensure Authority compliance and safety. This includes Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) laws and regulations.

4 10% Participates in the administration of a variety of programs addressing occupational health and safety issues including trauma, blood borne pathogen, hearing conservation, and other safety related programs. Evaluates program goals and objectives, determines training or support requirements, and makes recommendations on program implementation plans.

5 10% Assists in reviewing accident and injury reporting and analyzes data to identify accident and injury trends throughout the Authority. Contributes to the development and recommendations of programs for corrective and preventative action.

6 10% Coordinates with outside federal, state, and local regulatory agencies on Authority safety programs and investigations.

7 5% Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position are the following jobs:

CHALLENGES

• Keeping abreast of and implementing federal, state, and local safety laws and regulations.

• Designing safety programs and training that successfully maintains the safety of Authority customers and employees.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Safety, Business Management, Organizational Development, Engineering, or a related field plus one (1) year of experience in managing safety programs, or a combination of education and experience related to the position.

• Safety industry recognized certifications (ASP, CSP, etc.) preferred.

• Must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires sitting for extended periods of time, standing, visual acumen, manual dexterity, and fingering for working with computer keyboards.

• Demands include extensive walking (up to 3 miles at one time), sometimes on rocks and on narrow catwalks, and climbing (such as onto trains and back down and up and down ladders of various sizes).

• Random nature of incidents leads to irregular work hours.

• Must wear applicable restrictive personal protective equipment.

Chicago Transit Authority requires all employees to be COVID-19 vaccinated. If you are offered employment, you must provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or proof that you are in the process of becoming fully vaccinated as part of the hiring process and as a condition of employment. Visit www.transitchicago.com/careers

Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of System Safety Engineering Practices.

• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and requirements.

• General knowledge of the methods and practices of investigations, research, analysisand/or data compilation.

• General knowledge of research methods and report presentation.

• General knowledge of transit operations, facilities, vehicles, rules and procedures desired.

• Good project management skills.

• Good oral and written communications skills and organizational skills.

• Good interpersonal skills in dealing with external groups and/or organizations.

• Good customer service skills.

• Intermediate computer skills.

• Ability to interpret and apply federal regulations.

• Ability to work independently.

• Ability to work with sensitive information while maintaining strict confidentiality.

• Ability to work collaboratively with others and other departments.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office environment.

• Required to travel to various CTA, vendor, and transit property locations.

• Working conditions are varied and include all weather ranges (from extreme cold to extreme heat, rain to snow and ice, etc.).

• Subject to normal garage/shop hazards such as noise, dust, grease, moving vehicles, etc. when visiting field locations.

• Conditions also include working at extreme heights; working near electrified third rail; working in subway tunnels with limited clearance, visibility, etc.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

• Standard office equipment.

• Personal protective equipment.