System Safety Engineer

Metra is America’s fourth busiest commuter rail system, providing essential transportation services to a community of over 9.4 million residents. As an organization of over 2,600 professionals, we are committed to safely and efficiently meeting the growing and changing transportation needs of the commuters and businesses we serve.
To meet those needs, Metra employs a diverse workforce in an environment that fosters creativity and drives innovation. We invite you to learn more about Metra and the many career opportunities we offer.

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws, including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail syst ems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Metra’s Safety and Environmental Compliance Department is responsible for the implementation, oversight and coordination of the agency’s passenger and employee safety programs. In addition to safety programs, the department oversees rail safety education and outreach programs and emergency evacuation training for first responders. The department is also responsible for reporting railroad incident and accident data to federal and state regulatory agencies.

The department’s environmental compliance function includes inspection and testing for environmental safety (air quality, hazardous materials storage, etc.) at Metra-controlled facilities. The department also oversees environmental mitigation, employee training and the agency’s hazardous waste disposal program.

Reporting to the Director, Safety, the System Safety Engineer will be responsible for defining, planning, and coordinating regulatory safety activities, training, regulatory compliance, and the continuous improvement of safety performance through the development and implementation of various programs, procedures, with interdepartmental cooperation. Will utilize methodologies and strategies that promote safe operations and accident prevention, with emphasis on system safety, increasing safety awareness, and compliance throughout Metra's six-county service area.

Serve as subject matter expert for safety training programs and classes, railroad safety, and hazard analyses; also liaison between management, staff, and external stakeholders.

Identify, investigate, and report on safety defects and unsafe/hazardous conditions utilizing the hazard identification and resolution procedure, including the performance of root cause analyses, contributing factor determinations, and corrective action recommendations; and identify trends to create proactive risk mitigation plans.

Perform comprehensive observations, on-site inspections, audits, and assessments of facilities, equipment, work stations, locations, and employees' activities, including hazardous chemicals/substances, to ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations as well as the agency's operating rules.

Respond to and investigate all reported incidents, accidents, and significant safety events, including injuries, fatalities, and equipment failures; provide detailed written documentation for use in…