Safety Operations Program Specialist

Are you interested in meaningful work that allows you to apply your rail or industrial experience while benefiting rail transit riders in the Washington Metropolitan Area? This specialist position requires a professional with at least 5 years of experience in a rail or similar industrial environment, with independent safety judgment, and the ability to identify hazards.

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) is the designated state safety oversight agency responsible for overseeing the safety of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail system, which operates rail transit in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. The WMSC safety oversight program complies with the WMSC Compact, federal law, and other applicable safety standards.

This Safety Operations Program Specialist position is part of the WMSC Safety Operations team, which is supervised by the Safety Operations Program Manager and includes other rail specialists. The Safety Operations team conducts regular oversight activities of Metrorail through field observations, document and data reviews, and regular meetings with Metrorail. This position contributes to the overall safety of the Metrorail system primarily by assisting each of the WMSC’s oversight programs (Audits, Corrective Action Plans, Inspections, Investigations, and Safety Certification Oversight). This position will collaborate and establish working relationships with internal WMSC personnel, WMSC contractors, and WMATA personnel.

The Safety Operations Program Specialist conducts inspections of Metrorail facilities, infrastructure, assets, and personnel. It collaborates across rail disciplines, including with operations experts, training experts, investigations experts, signals experts, program managers and executive managers to ensure system-wide safety.

Responsibilities

·       Evaluate safety concerns related to rail vehicles, track, structures, high-voltage electrical systems, and other functional areas that exist on the WMATA Rail System.

·       Write, edit, and present technical reports, communications and presentations, safety assessments, and recommendations for various audiences.

·       Perform on-site inspections of rail vehicles, maintenance facilities, rail maintenance machines, elevators and escalators, traction power, track infrastructure, and targeted training programs.

·       Review and analyze relevant policies, program documents, training curricula and workbooks, records and forms, and similar documents and materials—written and electronic.

·       Devise and implement methods to collect data that facilitate short-term and long-term tracking and analysis related to inspections and observations of the WMATA rail system.

·       Support other WMSC oversight activities as needed, which include, but are not limited to, Audits, Corrective Action Plans, Inspections, Investigations, and Safety Certification Oversight. 

·       Coordinate with multiple internal teams, and external agencies including WMATA departments and local, state, and federal stakeholders.

·       Exercise focus, discipline, organization, and close attention to detail for all tasks.

·       Perform other responsibilities as assigned. 

Job Qualifications

Experience

·       Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible work experience and understanding of rail transit systems, heavy infrastructure, transportation systems, or other industrial-type safety‑critical environments.

·       Minimum of 3 years of experience analyzing or evaluating new and existing jobs, processes, products, or other systems to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards.

·       Writing on technical or other matters.

Preferred: Knowledge or work experience with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) or Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)-regulated entities. Knowledge or work experience evaluating technical aspects of safety programs to ensure effective application of rules, standards, or instructions.

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is preferred. However, professional experience may be considered in lieu of educational requirements.

Residency Requirement

This position currently is primarily remote; however, given the nature of the WMSC’s oversight of the WMATA Metrorail system, it does require in-person work to attend Washington, DC area meetings, conduct inspections on the rail right of way, at rail facilities and on-board railcars. Therefore, it is required that the Safety Operations Program Specialist live within 30 miles of any WMATA Metrorail station no later than 30 days from the first day of employment.

Must have availability of a home office or other suitable, general setting for conducting daily responsibilities. Alternatively, the WMSC office is available for this purpose.

Certifications

The Safety Operations Program Specialist will be required to complete all courses of the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) within 3 years of joining the WMSC.

WMSC staff must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license or provide reliable means to arrive to and leave a rail station, rail yard, maintenance facility, the WMSC office, a WMATA office, or other facility or location in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

This position also requires training, testing, and successful completion of WMATA’s Level B Roadway Worker Protection qualification.

Other Skills and Abilities

·       Ability to work independently and be self-driven to maintain and improve WMSC work programs.

·       Ability to quickly shift priorities for new and fast-moving initiatives.

·       Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks under tight deadlines.

·       Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain ethical integrity, and build effective working relationships.

·       Proficiency in asset management software or engineering software tools.

Physical Requirements

·       The ability to safely move for long periods on potentially rocky and uneven surfaces along rail right-of-way, in rail yards, and in maintenance facilities on an occasional basis.

·       The ability to ascend/descend ladders and narrow staircases, and to board and disembark rail vehicles, including those designed for passenger use and maintenance.

·       Work may take place at any time of day as warranted by emergency conditions or scheduled oversight activities (e.g., responding to a Metrorail event or conducting observations of overnight maintenance work).

·       Work may take place on or about WMATA property where WMSC personnel must be alert at all times for the approach of trains or rolling equipment; slips/trips/fall hazards; hazardous materials and electrical hazards.

·       WMSC personnel may be exposed to unfavorable weather conditions, including temperature extremes and precipitation, and other environmental discomforts such as insects and vegetation.

·       Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required for specific job functions (and will be provided). All WMSC personnel will comply with WMATA requirements for PPE as applicable to the circumstances, as well as with applicable industry standards.

·       The physical demands described here are not exhaustive but are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WMSC Location, Salary, and How to Apply

The WMSC is located at 750 First Street NE, Suite 900, Washington, D.C. 20002.

The WMSC offers a robust benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and qualified dependents.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Interested candidates must submit a résumé, cover letter, and salary requirements to hr@wmsc.gov.

• This job announcement may result in multiple hires.