System Safety Specialist - Safety Documentation chez Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, MA

About the Department

The System Safety Specialist - Safety Documentation coordinates within the Safety Division and throughout the Agency to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements that support the successful implementation of the MBTA's Safety Management System (SMS). Specifically, this position collaborates across departments, interacts with government agencies, facilitates root cause analysis, manages corrective actions and documentation, and coordinates audits and inspections. 

Position Duties

• Address internal and external information requests in a thorough and timely manner.
• Routinely interact with other departments in the Safety Division and throughout the MBTA in a collaborative and respectful manner.
• Prepare, review, and submit preliminary safety event reports and formal investigation reports to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Rail Transit Division.
• Facilitate root cause analysis workshops for safety event investigations.
• Assist in the development, monitoring, and closure of corrective action plans (CAP).
• Receive, review, and distribute documentation and correspondence as requested by internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that documents are effectively indexed, stored, and retrievable.  
• Coordinate audit and inspection activities amongst internal stakeholders and the DPU.
• Identify trends using safety data and other pertinent information to inform internal stakeholders of improvement opportunities.
• Participate in MBTA Safety promotional activities, safety assurance activities, and incident investigations as requested or assigned.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle to visit/inspect work sites and to assist with emergencies and/or events as needed.

• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in Safety, Engineering, Science, Transportation, Business, or a related field. 
• Four (4) years of relevant experience in public transportation or a similar area.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate at all levels of the organization effectively. 
• Effective group facilitation, organization, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• Technical report writing skills.
• Relevant experience creating, reviewing, and managing Corrective Action Plans (CAP's). 
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Intermediate skill level in the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and enterprise data management systems.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Ability to complete the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program within three (3) years of employment. 
• Ability to complete, apply, and adhere to concepts in safety training, including but not limited to SMS Fundamentals, ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800, as well as other assigned courses offered by the MBTA within the first month of employment. 
• Ability to sit for extended periods, stand, have visual acumen, manual dexterity and fingering for working with computer keyboards.
• Ability to wear the proper personal protective equipment when required.
• May require walking long distances, on uneven surfaces such as ballast, and narrow paths.
• May require climbing stairs and ladders (e.g., climbing onto trains).
• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. Successful applicant must have English language skills required for the effective performance of the position.
• 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 service.

Other Qualifications

• 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 substitute for two (2) years of general experience.  
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience. 

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in safety, engineering, science, transportation, business, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of 49 CFR Parts 672 (Public Transportation Safety) and 673 (Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan), 454 CMR 25 (Occupational safety and health for public sector workers), and 220 CMR 151 (Rail fixed guideway system: system safety program standard).
• Experience working in transportation, safety, or a related field.
• Additional years of experience in the transportation industry.
• Working knowledge of transit operations, facilities, vehicles, rules, and procedures.
• Formal training and experience in investigations, report writing, meeting and workshop facilitation, risk assessment, and root cause analysis. 
• Transit Safety and Security Program Certification.
• Public Transportation Safety Training Program Certification.
• World Safety Organization Certificate or equivalent.