GENERAL PURPOSE:
The Chief Safety Officer (CSO) is responsible for strategic policy development, management, and oversight of the Agency’s Safety Programs. Exhibits a personal commitment to safety and is a passionate advocate for the safety of our passengers and our workforce. Develops a progressive and proactive vision of safety across the Agency and our transit system. Translates the safety vision into strategy and provides guidance and direction to managers on program implementation, government regulations, reporting requirements, and standards of practice in five safety areas: Construction Safety, Operational Safety, Safety Certification, Employee Health and Safety, and Public Safety. Directs and manages the operations and activities of the divisional programs; develops and implements associated plans, procedures, and program activities associated with safety and health assurance; oversees compliance with federal and state rail and bus safety requirements; coordinates compliance with safety certification requirements for new rail service extensions; and serves as agency liaison with various municipal departments and local, state and federal agencies; ensures public safety programs, policies and procedures are aligned with Agency values.
The CSO ensures that a safety culture exists in all decision-making to guarantee the safety of our riders, employees, contractors, key stakeholders and the communities we serve. Works as a partner with other agency organizations, contractors and consultants to assist in driving safety culture. Further, the CSO sees that the agency shares responsibility for the implementation and adherence to the Safety Management System and delivers a ‘best-in-class’ safety program.
Additional information pertaining to this position will be made available on our Careers page at soundtransit.org/jobs shortly. Be sure to check back for the details! Interested applicants must apply directly to the posting, include a resume and cover letter, and complete the screening questions.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.
• Participates as an active member of the agency’s System Expansion and Delivery Council; assists the CEO and the executive team in identifying key challenges and opportunities and in developing and implementing effective responses to safety issues in order to position Sound Transit for ongoing success.
• Drives performance through influence, relationship building and rational thinking; by creating an agency-wide culture of excellence that maximizes internal and external safety; sets clear and challenging goals for internal-facing departments ensuring these functions collaborate and create efficient cross-functional processes and teams to work effectively while addressing the agency’s mission; seen as a valued and collaborative partner across agency departments.
• Creates clarity within the department and throughout the agency of the Safety Department’s roles and responsibilities. Drives performance by actively leading and managing the culture change necessary for creating a best-in-class safety system and acting as a change agent; effectively communicates the need for change while modeling and enforcing new behaviors and norms for the department and creating and promoting an inclusive and positive work environment.
• Participates in organizational design, staffing, recruitment, and succession planning efforts. Coaches, trains, and motivates staff; facilitates staff training; manages employee relations and staff performance and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; and provides advice and counsel to staff as well as guidance to agency leaders on establishing professional growth and development plans for staff.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with Federal Transit Agency (FTA), their Project Management Oversight Contractor (PMOC) and the State Safety Oversight (SSO) Office.
• Assures the CEO, FTA and the State through the Safety Verification Report that the projects are ready for revenue services. CSO has the authority, at any point, to inform the CEO if the project is not ready for revenue services.
• Provides leadership and directs staff in developing policy concerning System Safety, Employee Health and Safety, Construction Safety, Rail Operations and Public Safety.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders including Sound Transit Departments, consultants, contractors, local officials, cities, counties, Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), and Sound Transit Board members.
• Focuses department efforts on work plans intended to provide transit service; monitors compliance with identified objectives and work scope commitments; makes decisions and takes action regarding the administration and management of short and long term transit service plans.
• Oversees the administration and management of assigned contracts involving consultants; directs, manages, oversees, and participates in contract negotiations; monitors administration of terms and conditions and budget performance; implements corrective actions when needed; oversees the management of third party partner agreements to maintain partnerships and ensure compliance and accountability; assists in the development of future contracting strategies and negotiation of terms and conditions; negotiates solutions to conceptual issues involving policy and direction change and effectively leads and influences internal and external decision makers and stakeholders; assists senior managers with development and administration of contract terms; ensures agreed upon services are completed within the scope, schedule, and budget and that all objectives are successfully met.
• Develops, administers, maintains, and oversees the department's annual budget; makes recommendations and forecasts for future funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; reviews and approves department expenditures and implements adjustments. Meets frequently with management to provide direction and supervision for the development and implementation of various Agency program plans that define the safety culture and safety requirements and standards of care for implementation of regulatory and contractual requirements; and defining the level of safety requirements of the Agency, its employees, consultants, and contractors, patrons, and facilities.
• Collaborates and meets on regular basis with Operations Executive Director and Executive Director for Design, Engineering and Construction Management (DECM).
• Leads and directs programmatic engagement with fire chiefs and building officials of city, state, and county agencies impacted by Sound Transit's projects and facilities; coordinates with federal, state, and county agencies.
• Support the agency’s safety committee structure to ensure key executives within Sound Transit are involved in agency risk evaluations per Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and State Safety Oversight (SSO) requirements, and that identified executives are part of the acceptance and/or resolution of these risks, as appropriate.
• Provides support to the CEO on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment including new auditing and accounting pronouncements; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.
Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.
