Director, Safety Certification and Engineering

Marketing Statement
WMATA is seeking a strategic and experienced safety leader to serve as our Director, Safety Certification and Engineering, a critical role in advancing the implementation and maturity of our Safety Management System. The Director will lead safety certification activities for capital projects, system modifications, and new infrastructure, ensuring that safety risks are identified, analyzed, and mitigated before assets enter revenue service.

As a key member of the Department of Safety, the Director will collaborate across departments to integrate safety certification into project planning, design, and delivery. This position plays a vital role in strengthening WMATAs safety assurance processes, supporting hazard management, and maintaining regulatory compliance with the FTA and other oversight authorities.

Were looking for a leader with a deep understanding of transit safety standards, engineering principles, and certification methodologies, someone who is passionate about proactive safety management and committed to building a safer future for our riders, employees, and communities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelors degree in Systems Management, Engineering, Safety Management, Operations Management, Emergency Management, Transportation, Business Management, Quality Management or related field
• • In lieu of bachelor's degree, a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED) and four (4) years of experience performing Operating Practices/rules management or related activities. Experience leading and managing in a manner that drives performance and results, may be considered in the absence of a degree. The candidate will also need to satisfy the Experience requirement referenced below

Experience

• Minimum six (6) years of experience working in high reliability operations. Experience leading and managing in a manner that drives performance and results to include minimum two (2) years supervising subordinate staff.

Certification/Licensure

• Possession of valid motor vehicle operators license issued by jurisdiction of residence.
• Roadway Worker Protection Level II (to be obtained within 30 days of hire).

Preferred

• Masters degree in Systems Design/Engineering, Public Administration, Risk Management, Business, Operations, or other related fields
• Certification in the field of Auditing, Safety or Safety Management System (e.g. Transportation Safety Institute).
• Project Management Certificate (PMP)
• Professional Engineering (PE) License
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
• World Safety Organization Certified Safety Specialist or Certified Safety and Security Director designation
• Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) designation from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

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.

SUMMARY

The Director, Safety Certification and Engineering has oversight of the development, integration, and administration of the Safety and Security Certification program within the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The overall scope is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing WMATAs policies, procedures, and programs as they relate to Safety and Security Certification. To be a successful program, specific protocol ensures that WMATA is current with the latest Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and transit industry best practices. The incumbent evaluates and approves technical engineering specifications, while supporting verification efforts, and compiling information required for safety certification. These measures are required in support of facilities, systems, and vehicle functional disciplines.

The Director, Safety Certification and Engineering requires the ability to provide information effectively when communicating with various internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the Department of Safety (SAFE). This position is the focal point for information and inquires, concerning the status of Safety and Security Certification reports, programs, and coordination of Safety and Security Certification issues.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Directs the Safety Certification and Engineering staff in civil, mechanical, electrical, electronic, environmental, and industrial engineering review tasks required for an effective Safety and Security Certification program. Serves as Chairperson of the Safety Certification and Review Committee including the preparation of meeting agendas, statistics, policies, and programs.
• Develops and reviews the safety chapter of the WMATA Design Criteria, Design Criteria Conformance Checklists, Specification Conformance Checklists, Certifiable Elements Lists, Certifiable Items Lists, project hazards list and hazard analysis, certification verification report, open items list and safety and security certification certificates.
• Reviews and approves technical engineering designs, Engineering Modification Instructions (EMI) policies and procedures, Safety Bulletins, Temporary and Permanent Orders, design specifications, and change orders related to rail car equipment, track, structures, systems maintenance, facilities, elevator/escalator, and related systems and equipment for safety compliance.
• Communicates and interfaces with various departments within WMATA, such as but not limited to Operations, Engineering, and other relevant departments on issues identified through Safety and Security Certification reports, analysis, relevant literature, best practices, and senior managements recommendations. Provides system safety engineering support in collaboration and coordination with other departments for technical problems which may arise.
• Evaluates and approves technical engineering system designs, specifications, change orders related to but not limited to rail car, track, structures, automatic train control, power distribution systems, elevator/escalator systems while supporting verification efforts, and compiling information required for safety certification.
• Partners with the functional disciplines of facilities (civil and track, structures and buildings, electro-mechanical, design criteria and standards), systems (automatic fare collection, automatic train control, communications, station and traction power, design criteria and standards), and vehicles (railcar and railcar procurement programs, design criteria and standards).
• Ensures the required safety analysis is performed on proposed modifications to systems, rail car vehicles, on track equipment or facilities previously certified under the System Safety and Security Certification Process to identify hazards that might arise because of implementation of a proposed modification.
• Conducts independent investigations, researches, studies and analyzes draft reports or recommendations on specific organizational issues.
• Directs and supervises subordinate staff to include recommending applicant selection, disciplinary action, resolutions of grievances, assigning duties, directing work, approving leave requests and time sheets, and ensuring appropriate staff training is provided. Coordinates and monitors confidential and other sensitive administrative matters. Provides and coordinates safety staff training, works with employees to correct deficiencies, and implements discipline procedures.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable Federal Transit Administration (FTA) or Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Safety and Security regulations and requirements for Operations and Major Capital Projects. Interacts as necessary with the various external regulatory agencies as the Safety and Security Certification liaison.
• Reviews the work of assigned staff responsible for performing training and a variety of administrative tasks, technical monitoring, inspecting, data entry, data analysis, coordination, document preparation, and document management in support of WMATAs Safety Management System (SMS) . Manages various Safety and Security Certification training, education, and communications with staff, including contributing to corporate safety information and delivering presentations.
• Implements changes to the Safety and Security Certification and Engineering Safety programs and updates all relevant material as needed.
• Maintains current on the various best practices and analysis as well as Safety and Certification throughout various industries. Participates in industry training program and conferences as required.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

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, 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.