SENIOR MANAGER, SYSTEMS SAFETY (RAIL SAFETY PROGRAMS)

Metro’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Description

Provides continuous support in reducing accidents and injuries and maintaining regulatory compliance by providing management and engineering support of fire, life, and safety related projects and systems assurance programs; contributing resourceful hazard mitigations and solutions to improve safety; and promoting a better safety culture for the agency. This position will be supporting the red-light photo enforcement safety program, generating and publishing reports, conducting safety audits, and managing corrective action plans. Additionally, all members of the Rail Safety teams are on-call 24 hours, seven days a week, and 365 days a year, and there will be occasions when Metro Management or the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) may request an inspection or task that must occur during night-time or weekend operations.
Recruitment Timelines: Interviews are projected to be scheduled for week of January 19, 2026. This date is subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.

Examples of Duties

• Designs and manages the implementation of a comprehensive system safety or assurance program for bus/rail transit operations to improve Metro's safety culture and reduce accidents and employee/ passenger injuries
• Develops and maintains transit safety policies, standards, and procedures
• Monitors and directs field personnel involved in the installation of bus/rail transit safety improvements
• Manages, researches, and implements demonstration projects to mitigate bus/rail transit accidents and injuries
• Initiates transit safety legislation and education programs with supporting materials such as videos, posters, fliers, etc.
• Performs design reviews of bus and rail projects for safety compliance
• Reviews safety and communication system capital project engineering design submittals
• Develops and manages departmental engineering projects for safety improvement
• Prepares and reviews specifications and drawings for transit safety facilities, such as rail stations, bus zones and terminals, maintenance bays, and equipment, to verify compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulations
• Reviews and prepares design criteria for safety of transit passengers and employees
• Participates or coordinates transit safety design and reviews with local, state, and federal agencies, including local fire departments
• Develops standards and guidelines for light rail transit systems
• Manages activities of transit safety consultants and contractors for assigned major capital projects
• Chairs or provides technical support to various committees, such as Fire/Life Safety Committee, Local Safety Committee, and Safety Certification Review Team
• Oversees and maintains regulatory compliance of rail projects to fire/life safety design criteria, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 130, and other related fire standards and codes
• Conducts field inspections/investigations to identify and resolve transit safety hazards
• Analyzes safety data, identifies trends, and makes recommendations based on findings
• Prepares and reviews hazard analyses relating to design, operations, and maintenance, and makes recommendations to control hazards
• Oversees investigations of bus/rail accidents and injuries and prepares comprehensive reports, including primary causation factors, contributory factors, and recommendations to prevent recurrence
• Monitors reliability demonstration tests
• Manages OSHA required training programs
• Supervises, trains, develops, and motivates assigned staff
• Performs rail start-up activities, including evaluating emergency drills and procedures and resolving transit safety hazards
• Supports integrated testing activity and audits test procedures and results
• Develops safety certification checklists and manages the safety certification program required by the California Public Utilities Commission to ensure compliance
• Interacts with various external agencies to improve interagency coordination for safety systems and projects
• Serves as safety liaison with Joint Powers Authority (JPA) rail projects for system safety, fire/life safety, hazard resolution, and other safety programs
• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees

May be required to perform other related job duties

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Safety, Engineering, Business, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred
  

Experience

• Six years of relevant experience or three years of relevant supervisory-level experience in bus/rail transit system safety, systems assurance programs, OSHA programs, transit safety certification programs, transit fire/life safety, or California Public Utilities Commission regulatory programs
  

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience supervising teams, coordinating cross-functional activities, and leading safety-related initiatives in an operational and/or regulatory environment.

• Experience managing long-term contracts, including oversight of vendor performance, budgeting, compliance, and photo-enforcement program administration.
• Experience applying General Orders (GOs), Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP), and other regulatory requirements related to rail safety operations.
• Experience applying Safety Management System (SMS) principles, including conducting accident investigations, hazard identification, and monitoring safety performance metrics.

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
  
• Certified Safety Professional, Associate Safety Professional, or Occupational Health and Safety Technician Credential from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals preferred
  
• Rail Transit Safety and Security Program Certificate from the Department of Transportation preferred
  
• Bus Transit Safety and Security Program Certificate from the Department of Transportation preferred
  
• Safety Management Certificate from the American Society of Safety Professionals preferred
  
• Asbestos, Lead, and Hazardous Materials Operations Certification preferred
  
• 24 hours on-call, weekend/holiday work required when necessary
  
• Frequent exposure to weather changes, odors, dust, heights, equipment, mechanical, and electrical hazards
  

Essential Knowledge

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theory, principles, best practices, and procedures of bus/rail system safety and assurance engineering design, construction, operation, and maintenance
• Principles and practices of transit safety certification programs
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies and standards governing transit and rail policies, fire/life safety, and occupational health and safety, including California Public Utilities Commissions Codes and General Orders
• Metro's Systems Safety Program Plan, Injury and Illness Prevention Program, SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), Preventative Maintenance Schedules, and General Safety Policies
• Bus, light and heavy rail equipment, and systems, including nomenclature, operations, infrastructure, maintenance, train control, traction power, electrical (high and low voltage), signaling, communication systems, vehicles, and ventilation
• Accident investigation/reconstruction theories and techniques
• Research, analysis, and report preparation methods
• Management of transit safety contracts and procurements
• Budget and time management concepts
• Modern management theory
• Applicable business software applications

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Overseeing safety activities of multiple transit safety projects involving other departments or divisions
• Investigating railroad accidents and derailments
• Hazard recognition, hazard mitigation, and Corrective Action Plans
• Determining strategies to achieve goals
• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending practical solutions, and evaluating outcomes
• Exercising sound judgment and making creative decisions in emergency situations
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees, external agencies, and outside representatives
• Training and developing various Metro departments in various elements of safety and compliance
• Contractor/consultant project management
• Specification writing and reading and understanding design documentation

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Ensure agency compliance with applicable safety laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, and budgets
• Ensure hazards or incident findings are properly mitigated
• Conduct studies, and formulate and deliver reports
• Multi-task and prioritize projects, deliverables, and requirements
• Work independently
• Understand, interpret, and apply transit safety, rail, and labor laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Convene and lead meetings to manage safety programs and processes
• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Plan financial and staffing needs
• Compile, analyze, and interpret complex data
• Oversee consultants who perform safety work
• Supervise, train, and motivate assigned staff
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority when classified as an Intermittent, Emergency, Annuitant, or Temporary employee, is assigned to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) or Board Clerk's Office, and/or reporting directly to the LACMTA Board of Directors
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen
• Work with regular exposure to odors or fumes
• Extensive safety training and/or use of protective devices and personal protective gear

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Standing
• Walking
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

(JZL)

Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program . Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application.
Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro locations:

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Open: Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Metro Talent Hub
8501 S. Evermont Place
Los Angeles, CA 90044
Open: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

East Los Angeles Customer Center
4501 B Whittier Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Open: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm
(Closed Sun & Mon)

Wilshire/Vermont Customer Center
3183 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 174
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Open: Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Rosa Parks Customer Center
Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station
11720 Wilmington Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90059
Open: Monday through Friday, 6am to 6:30pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered.

*Open to the public and all Metro employees

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.

*Please refer to the applicable benefit type (Regular or Temporary)*

BENEFITS FOR REGULAR EMPLOYEES

Benefits cover probationary or regular full-time (working at least 40 hrs/week) employees of Metro.

We offer a range of high-quality medical, dental and vision plan options as well as health care spending accounts for you and your family. Metro will cover a significant portion of your health care premiums.

Medical/Dental/Vision Plan - Employee has the choice of 3 separate medical plans and 3 dental plans. A separate vision plan is included in each medical plan.

Group Life Insurance - PTSC pays for an amount equal to your annual salary, rounded up to the nearest $1,000. Minimum amount of life insurance is $30,000.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - PTSC provides $50,000 coverage for each employee. Additional voluntary coverage in amounts up to $500,000 is available at favorable premium rates.

Long-Term Disability Insurance - 100% employer paid. Provides employees with a minimum income of 60% of earnings after six months of disability. Buy up or buy down options available.

Holidays - 12 days a year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Cesar E Chavez, Juneteenth,Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Time off with Pay (TOWP) - Compensates employees who are on approved absence from work for reasons such as illness, injury, medical and dental appointments, personal business, vacation, or observance of (a) religious holiday.
Years of Service Annual Accrual
Hire date - 5 years 20 days
Beginning of 6th - 10th year 25 days
Beginning of 11th - 15th year 30 days
Beginning of 16th + years 35 days

Pension Plan - PTSC retirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years. Minimum retirement age is 52, based on the 2% at 62 formula.

Other Benefits: Transportation passes for employees and/or eligible dependents; Medicare; Tuition reimbursement; credit union membership; SDI; Deferred Compensation Plan; 401(K) Thrift plan; EAP; Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; Flexible work schedules; and Jury Duty Pay.

BENEFITS FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES

Temporary (Contingent) employees are eligible for the following benefits only:

• Kaiser medical insurance
• Public Pension Plan
• 457/401K Plan
• Flex Spending
• Paid Sick Time
• Fare Media
• Rideshare Subsidies
• Metro One Fitness membership

For more information on the Benefits Enrollment for Contingent Employees, please visit LA Metro’s Pension & Benefits website at benefits.metro.net

Closing Date/Time: 1/8/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

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• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority - LA Metro

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