Director, Safety and Environmental Compliance / Chief Safety Officer

Please complete the application in its entirety. Include all previous employment so that it may be taken into consideration. Please include a resume attachment with submittal of your application. Resume should document months and years with your dates of employment. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received before the closing date and time listed.

At Regional Transportation District (RTD), We make lives better through connections!

When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits

(RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

The Director, Safety and Environmental Compliance/Chief Safety Officer (DSEC/CSO) is responsible for providing leadership to the Safety and Environmental Compliance Division. Reporting directly to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) with dotted line reporting to the General Manger and Chief Executive Officer (GM/CEO), this position ensures the safety of the agency’s employees, customers, facilities and transit network by overseeing all aspects of safety and environmental compliance, ensuring the agency adheres to federal and state law while maintaining a safe working environment by managing safety programs, conducting safety and environmental audits, and coordinating with regulatory agencies when necessary.

Duties & Responsibilities

Safety and Environmental Compliance

• Responsible for the development and execution of a long-term system safety strategy in alignment with the agency’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives.
• Serves at the delegation of the GM/CEO as the Chief Safety Officer responsible for the implementation, management, and execution of the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) in compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requirements, and the System Safety Program Plan (SSPP) in compliance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requirements.
• Acts as the primary contact with outside regulatory agencies, and is responsible for establishing, managing and monitoring all safety standards, processes and communication, to ensure compliance with federal and state safety oversight standards and regulations.
• Responsible for leading the full implementation and continuous improvement of the agency’s Safety Management System (SMS) to identify risks and effectively manage hazards to ensure the safety of employees, customers, contractors, and the public in accordance with FTA and FRA regulations.
• Manages the Operational Risk Management (ORM) framework and safety assurance processes and outputs and coordinates ORM evaluations, investigations, and controls with attention to cross-organizational impacts
• Leads safety incident, accident, and hazard investigations, analyzes root causes, and tracks the implementation of corrective actions to conclusion, using appropriate tracking systems.
• Oversees the collection and analysis of safety data to identify trends and measure safety performance
• Advises the GM/CEO and executive leadership team on safety, occupational health and safety, and environmental regulations, industry best-practices, trends, and risk mitigation options.
• Co-chairs the Joint Labor Management Safety Committee and serves as a key member of the GM/CEO’s Leadership Safety Committee.
• Directs and administers the process to obtain and comply with environmental permits; reviews supporting documentation required by various agencies; directs inventory procedures and recording of potential hazardous materials.
• Directs environmental clean-up and remediation for contaminated sites and ensures compliance with corrective action plans and assists the Chief of Police and Emergency Management’s coordination of emergency preparedness and response and advises on related standards for bus, rail, facilities and environmental operations.
  
  
  

People Power Management

• Recruits staff to include interviewing, hiring, assigning work, training, coaching, and counseling to ensure consistent application of Employee Guidelines, processes, and procedures.
• Conducts performance reviews and holds employees accountable for performance of their responsibilities.
• Fosters a culture of safety and ensures compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations.
• Takes action to advance the goals of Equal Employment Opportunity, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Title VI and ADA Plans, thereby ensuring RTD's hiring programs, work environment, contracting and procurement practices, and transit services/programs are fair, equal, and non-discriminatory.
  
  
  

Other Duties As Assigned

• Provides leadership and direction to accomplish the agency's strategic goals and objectives for safety and environmental compliance.
• Identifies and resolves technical and operational issues and problems that impact the agency or its customers.
• Informs and advises the Deputy CEO regarding current trends, problems, and activities to facilitate both short, mid, and long-term strategic plans as well as improve operational performance.
  
  
  

Required

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in health and safety, safety engineering, environmental health, or related engineering or physical sciences.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in system safety principles, industrial hygiene, safety engineering and environmental compliance.
• A minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience in a public transit or similar regulated industry.
• Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) or ability to acquire within 12 months of hire.
• “National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System All-Hazards Position Specific Safety Officer" training course (usually designated as E/L 954)
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with SMS.
• Experience with accident investigation methodologies and reporting.
• Intermediate level NIMS Certification.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Colorado Driver’s License within 6 months of start date.
  
  
  

Preferred

• Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, transportation management, planning or related field.
• Ten (10) years of c-suite leadership - Senior/executive-level management.
• Previous leadership experience within a complex public transit agency.
• Experience leading and managing in a unionized environment.
  
  
  

Ideal Qualifications And Experience

• Master’s degree health and safety, safety engineering, environmental health, or related engineering or physical sciences.
• NIMS Certification
• Certified Safety Profession (CSP)or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), preferred.
• Experience leading and managing in a unionized environment.
  
  
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS And ABILITIES

• Proficiency in data analysis and performance measurement.
• Proficiency in safety and environmental laws, regulations and standards.
• Proficient in capital and expense budgetary process and requirements.
• Proficient in specification writing, RFP and contract administration procedures.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to use sound judgment.
• Ability to manage time and workload effectively which includes planning, organizing, and prioritizing with attention to details.
  
  
  

Or

An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities.

Working Environment And Physical Requirements

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations. The work environment is a typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

The expected hiring salary range for this role is between $141,115 and $199,326, depending on experience.

We are considering all applications for this position up until the position close date of 06/05/2026. For consideration, please be sure to apply to this link KL2Connects LLC - Director, Safety & Environmental Compliance / Chief Safety Officer - RTD in Denver, CO before the posting end date.

Pay Range

$141,115.00 - $199,326.25 Annual

EEO POLICY AND ADA ACCOMMODATIONS

RTD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless to the race, sex, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. RTD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, promotions, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to our Employment ADA Coordinator Kris Frazier at adarequests@rtd-denver.com, or the Talent Acquisition team rtd.ta@rtd-denver.com.

To learn more or see our EEO policy, please visit our EEO page at: https://www.rtd-denver.com/open-records/reports-and-policies/eeo-policy

RTD posts a compensation range that represents a good faith estimate of what RTD anticipates paying for the position at the time of posting. Starting salary is based on the candidate’s relevant and verified education, training and work experience. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application.