Deputy Director of Workforce Management Policy & Compliance

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Deputy Director of Workforce Management Policy and Compliance will support the Chief Workforce Officer and Deputy Chiefs in the development, drafting, and implementation of Workforce Management policies and procedures, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, union contracts, and best practices. The Deputy Director will oversee Compliance staff and monitor all aspects of the Workforce Management compliance program, including inspections, audits, data gathering, and internal and external reporting activities to ensure the Workforce Management’s compliance with applicable federal, state, and other regulatory requirements.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Ensure the Authority adheres to the highest level of ethics and legal compliance.
• Develop, implement, and oversee both departmental and authority wide policies and procedures for the MBTA’s Workforce Management Department (Human Resources and Labor Relations), ensuring compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and Authority standards.
• Advise Workforce Management leadership and other internal stakeholders on HR best practices, policy violations, risk management, and any employment law changes.
• Represent the Chief Workforce Officer and the Workforce Management Department on various policy development committees, projects, and initiatives to ensure department policies align with Authority mission and goals.
• Responsible for the development, maintenance, and version control of all Workforce Management policies from initial draft through finalized policy and implementation, including all updates to the Employee Handbook.
• Collaborate with the Legal Department on various information requests, as well as ensure policies and policy updates are approved and signed off on by all appropriate stakeholders.
• Identifies and meets unmet needs (i.e., gaps and process failures) and responds to new challenges proactively, offers creative yet compliant solutions to advance the best interests of the department and authority.
• Partner with Labor Relations and Legal departments on pending litigation, mediation, arbitrations, and MCAD/EEOC complaints, ensuring compliance with all legal or informational requests.
• Works closely with and provide guidance to the Leave Management team to ensure practices and procedures comply with ADA, FMLA, PFML, and other leave management regulations.
• Responsible for reviewing existing compliance processes and procedures and monitoring the effectiveness of current compliance practices.
• Oversee I-9 and E-Verify compliance, evaluating background check results, and ensuring personnel and hiring records are maintained through the use of audits.
• Produces, coordinates, and provides compliance education and training.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
• Assist in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
  
  
  

Supervision

• Supervise Senior Compliance Specialist(s), Compliance Specialist(s), and/or Policy Analyst(s).
  
  
  

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) years of experience in HR or Employment Compliance.
• Two (2) years of experience managing and supervising people and/or large-scale major enterprise-wide project/program management in related area.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of local, state, and federal employment laws and regulations as well as collective bargaining agreements.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, confidentiality, multi-tasking, time management, interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Demonstrated success working horizontally as well as vertically across an organization.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications.
• Effective professional communication skills.
• Proven track record of collaboration, transparency, and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor or co-worker in a courteous and professional manner.
• The ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to supervise or work effectively with diverse workforce.
  
  
  

Substitutions Include

• A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An associate’s degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience.
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
  
  
  

Preferred Experience And Required Skills

• A Juris Doctorate (J.D.).
• Five (5) years’ experience in Employee and Labor Relations.
• An SHRM-SCP, CP, or S/PHR certification.
• Master’s degree in business administration, Public Administration, Education or a related field.
• Experience in the public sector and/or the transportation industry.
  
  
  

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting their positions and throughout the duration of their program.
  
  
  

Disclaimers and Definitions:

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com .
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer . For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions .
• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.