Program Manager, Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC) Safety Management System (SMS)

Marketing Statement:

Would you like to make an impact by ensuring that safety is the top priority in an organization? Do you possess the necessary skills to create a world-class safety culture? Are you an effective communicator who can design, develop, administer, and coordinate safety systems & processes that mitigate risk? The Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC) at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is undergoing a cultural and organizational transformation to improve standards, increase morale, and professionalize operations.

We are seeking a talented individual to fill the role of Program Manager, Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC) Safety Management System. This managerial role will be responsible for designing, developing, owning, administering, and leading a comprehensive safety management system for the Rail Operations Control Center, in partnership with safety specialists and all other rail departments.

Additionally, this individual will create business plans and have oversight of how the control center will address and execute Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) across training, process documentation, technology development, and resource allocation. Working closely with senior management, the successful candidate will review existing and develop new safety processes and support documentation to improve accident/incident prevention and related investigations.

We are looking for an individual who values the importance of creating business plans and systems to drive critical safety processes, along with experience utilizing MIL-STD-882E approach to identifying hazards and assessing and mitigating associated risks encountered in the development, test, production, use, and disposal of safety management systems.

Successful candidates must have superior analytical skills, a thorough understanding of risk management principles, prior experience managing complex projects, the ability to develop long term plans, generating and presenting reports, and excellent communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Safety, Environmental Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering, Safety Transportation, Health, Occupational Safety or a related management field.

Experience

• Eight or more (8+) years of relevant experience in quality assurance, safety, process improvements and training, administration/management techniques and/or cost effectiveness/cost control as they pertain to system safety programs, to include a minimum three (3) years of direct supervisory or management experience in a safety-related function.

Certification/Licensure

• N/A

Preferred

• Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) degree
• Prior experience in mass transit and/or transportation industries or a comparable relevant operational environment
• Experience working within a control center environment
• Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, Project Management Certificate and/or Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred
• Transportation Safety and Security Program (TSSP) certification
• World Safety Organization (WSO) certification

Medical Group

Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Job Summary

Working closely with ROCC and SAFE senior management, the ROCC Safety Management System (SMS) Program Manager provides strategic direction and tactical implementation of WMATA’s SMS methodology within the Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC). The incumbent develops end-user friendly processes; leads implementation through training, coaching, and mentoring; measures effectiveness with metrics based on key performance indicators; and collects feedback that is used to drive continuous improvement. The incumbent is charged with delivering a robust SMS that applies the MIL-STD-882E methodology, prioritizes safety risks, allocates resources against those risks, measures progress against performance targets, and adjusts to account for lessons learned.

The SMS Program Manager partners with ROCC leadership to foster a culture where employees are comfortable reporting safety concerns, which are then captured, analyzed, and dispositioned in a manner that is formalized and transparent. Additionally, the incumbent guides the ROCC in performing root cause analyses in response to safety events and implementing Corrective Action Plans that effectively mitigate the risk of a re-occurrence. The ROCC SMS Program Manager oversees the creation and delivery of regular reports that provide a clear picture of top operational risks, the actions being taken in response, and input as to whether these actions are working as intended, which serves to inform decision making by senior management. The ROCC SMS Program Manager is ultimately responsible for establishing the ROCC as the standard for SMS implementation and benchmark for the rest of the WMATA to follow.

Essential Functions

• Oversees the development, implementation, administration and overall review of the ROCC’s Safety Management System (SMS)
• Consults with and advises ROCC leadership in the development of annual safety goals and objectives for their department/office in accordance with data driven risk analysis and CAP requirements
• Leads a cross-functional team of subject matter experts in re-engineering current safety processes and the development of new safety processes for greater efficiency and effectiveness of ROCC operations.
• Develops, implements and maintains statistical data and performs in-depth analysis of safety data. Generates reports and charts to effectively communicate findings to senior management and assist in the development of safety policies, procedures and strategies.
• Consults on safety process program initiatives designed to assist in the reduction of incidents and third-party claims with the Chief Safety Officer, Assistant Chief Safety Officer, Deputy Chief Safety Officer, and other Authority representatives. Ensures compliance with applicable codes, regulations and/or laws of the Federal government, District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
• Develops safety-related communication plans for staff, leadership and the executive team to be delivered on a regular schedule. Coordinates how safety related news will be communicated to staff. Briefs, as necessary, senior staff and helps to answer any questions staff might have.
• Assists or acts on behalf of the Chief Safety Officer as the investigative liaison for the Authority with other regulatory bodies such as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the Washington Metrorail Safety Council (WMSC) when required. Briefs the Chief Safety Officer, and other key safety officers on major investigations and studies of major significance when required.
• Supports the ROCC’s implementation of SMS in accordance with the Agency Safety Plan, including but not limited to:
  • Identification and assessment of safety risks using the MIL-STD-882E methodology;
  • Management and monitoring of corrective action plans;
  • Supporting root cause analysis as part of safety incident investigations /safety behavior monitoring systems
  • Providing/coordinating subject matter expertise; and
  • Attending/reporting on SMS-related activities at safety meetings.
  
  

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.