What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Safety Specialist position at San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART)?
AFSCME Pay Grade A13
Annual Salary: $125,840.00 (Step 1) - $152,942.40 (Step 5)
This job classification has moved to a salary step structure as of January 1, 2025. Individuals hired into the classification will typically be appointed at step 1 of the salary range. They will advance to step 2 after working in the position for six (6) months, to step 3 one year from the hire date, and to steps 4 and 5 at one-year intervals thereafter. Each salary step progression will provide a 5% increase to the employee’s base salary until step 5 is reached.
*The negotiable salary offer will be $123,364.80 (Step 1) - $138,736.00 (Step 3) to commensurate with experience and education.
Reports To
Manager of Employee/Patron Safety
Current Assignment
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is currently seeking an experienced Senior Safety Specialist to join our dynamic and dedicated System Safety Department. This is an exciting opportunity for a safety professional who thrives on tackling complex safety challenges and has a strong background in occupational health and safety program development, implementation, and compliance.
In this advanced journey-level role, this position will play a key role in shaping and enhancing the District’s safety culture, work on high-impact projects, lead critical safety initiatives, and collaborate across multiple departments to ensure our facilities and operations meet or exceed regulatory safety standards. This includes conducting comprehensive accident investigations and safety audits, to developing targeted training programs and emergency preparedness strategies, your work will directly contribute to the health and well-being of both employees and the public.
The most qualified candidate for this position will have highly developed competencies beyond the minimum qualifications in the following areas, which will be reinforced with related work experience and will be clearly articulated during the selection process:
Technical expertise and in-depth knowledge of Cal/OSHA and other relevant regulation
Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills
Public Transit / Transportation subject matter expertise preferred
This position is represented by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). All applicants must apply online at www.bart.gov/jobs.
All applicants are asked to complete the application/bid form in full, indicating dates of employment, all positions held, hours worked, and a full description of duties, and are invited to electronically attach a resume to the application form to provide supplemental information, but should not consider the resume a substitute for the application/bid form itself. Applications must be complete by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement.
The Talent Acquisition Division will screen applications/resumes against the minimum qualifications. Those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the hiring department for further consideration. The selection process may involve a skills/performance test, a written exam, and/or a panel interview. Outside applicants will not be considered until all employees who have applied have been considered first.
The successful candidate must have an employment history demonstrating reliability and dependability; provide copies of certificates, diplomas or other documents as required by law, including those establishing his/her right to work in the U. S.; pass a pre-employment medical examination, and which is specific to the essential job functions and requirements. Pre-employment processing will also include a background check. (Does not apply to current full-time District employees unless specific job requires additional evaluations).
The selection process for this position will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Applicants needing assistance with the online application process may receive additional information by contacting the Talent Acquisition Division at (510) 464-6112 or employment@bart.gov.- Participates in the more complex work of staff responsible for the design, analysis, review, administration, and implementation of District occupational health and safety programs including facility inspections, accident investigations, and emergency planning operations; monitors program compliance with mandated laws, rules, and regulations.
- Monitors and inspects new and planned District facilities for compliance with environmental requirements including noise, equipment layout, air quality, and related health and safety issues.
- Administers Illness and Injury Prevention program; reviews Cal/OSHA, Public Utility Commission, and other safety regulatory standards; observes District operations to assess potentially unsafe working practices and conditions; develops code of practices to address these issues.
- Administers a variety of programs addressing occupational health and safety issues including cumulative trauma, blood-borne pathogen, hearing conservation, and emergency preparedness programs; evaluates program goals and objectives; determines training or other support requirements; makes recommendations on program implementation.
- Functions as liaison between System Safety Department and other departments and between District and regulatory agencies; participates on a variety of District-wide safety-related committees; communicates safety concerns and integrates safety concerns into goals, objectives, priorities, and project plans.
- Investigates employee and patron accidents, complaints from employees, and all unusual occurrence reports or near-miss incidents; participates in non-criminal accident/incident investigations; responds to scene; gathers evidence and other information; writes report of findings.
- Trains District employees in safety-related work practices, procedures, and techniques; conducts training, drills, and communication checks with District and local fire protection services; ensures adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
- Maintains records and develops reports on new or ongoing programs and program effectiveness; prepares statistical reports as required.
- Develops safety education and safety training programs; evaluates training needs; develops materials and conducts training sessions to meet District safety objectives.
- Provides technical safety information and compliance requirements to District management staff, employees, and contractors; conducts health and safety audits and inspections at District locations; determines liability and compliance concerns, documents findings, and tracks findings closure.
- Reviews safety accident investigation reports of employee injuries; determines cause and recommends preventive measures.
- Oversees and administers the District's defensive driving program; schedules and teaches classes; maintains participant database.
- Recommends personal protective equipment for District employees; creates specifications for procurement staff to purchase personal protective equipment for the organization.
- Maintains awareness of new developments in the field of industrial safety; incorporates new developments as appropriate into programs.
Possession of a bachelor’s degree with major course work in safety engineering, industrial engineering, industrial hygiene, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
Experience:
Three (3) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable occupational health and safety program experience.
Other Requirements:
- Must be physically able to access the BART operating right-of-way; climb on and off rail equipment, climb ladders, walk on uneven surfaces, and visit construction sites.
- Must be able to respond to after-hours incidents and perform after-hours assignments for the District’s various work shifts.
- Must possess a valid California driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.
- Must be able to wear respiratory protective equipment during the performance of assigned duties in accordance with the District Respirator Program and applicable Cal-OSHA and Public Utility Commission requirements.
- Conducts building inspections to identify asbestos following AHERA guidance and Cal/OSHA regulations.
Additional professional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year- for-year basis. A bachelor’s degree is preferred.Knowledge of:
- Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive occupational health and safety program
- Principles of lead supervision and training
- Methods and techniques of statistical analysis
- Principles and practices of occupational health and safety programs
- Methods and techniques of work design solutions to health and safety issues
- Tools and equipment used in monitoring and measuring noise and environmental safety factors
- Principles and practices of safety and training program development and implementation
- Methods and techniques of assessing safety hazards and implementing corrective measures
- Methods and techniques of investigating safety related accidents and injuries
- Applicable building and fire safety codes
- Methods and techniques of developing and conducting safety program training sessions
- Recent developments, current literature, and information related to safety rules and regulations
- Current office equipment, including computers
- Related Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and safety regulations
- Related OSHA, Cal OSHA, and Public Utility Commission rules and regulations
Skill in:
- Performing a variety of occupational health and safety duties
- Leading, organizing, and reviewing the work of staff
- Developing and conducting safety training programs
- Monitoring safety program performance and recommending adjustments
- Identifying safety training needs
- Evaluating operational area safety requirements
- Investigating accidents and developing solutions to avoid future accidents
- Interpreting and explaining District policies and procedures
- Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including the general public
Salary : $125,840 - $152,942