Senior Occupational Health & Safety Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

Plans and coordinates the activities of employees engaged in the formulation of safety standards, procedures and specifications including methodologies and strategies that promote injury prevention and work safety. Collaborates with all Authority departments to analyze working conditions and procedures and recommends safety improvements. Audits accident data to identify trends and accidents that can be prevented with improved processes.

• Leads comprehensive inspections and audits of various CTA property locations and sites, including facilities, shops, and garages to ensure compliance with OSHA and CTA regulations.
  • Performs thorough inspections and audits at various CTA locations to ensure compliance.
  • Reviews inspection reports and records to confirm compliance and identify deficiencies.
  • Assists in identifying and implementing long-term solutions to systemic safety issues.
• Develops and implements proactive safety initiatives to eliminate or control unsafe behaviors, environments, and hazards in accordance with OSHA regulations and CTA requirements. This includes creating safety programs, policies, procedures, training objectives, and other initiatives to promote safe operations and prevent incidents.
  • Evaluates audit findings and accident data to identify hazards.
  • Performs safety assessments of CTA facilities, garages, and shop safety processes.
  • Implements safety programs and training for field personnel.
  • Monitors and reports on the effectiveness of implemented safety programs.
• Serves as a subject matter expert to conduct reviews and analysis of new and existing SOPs, bulletins, and training programs to ensure federal, state, and local law compliance.
• Facilitates safety incident/ event and injury investigations and assists managers in creating corrective and/or preventative action. Reviews injury report findings for local or CTA-wide impact.
• Analyzes federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to occupational safety and health to develop safety programs and procedures for CTA compliance.
• Leads the administration of programs addressing occupational health and safety issues including trauma, blood borne pathogens, hearing conservation, and other safety related programs. Evaluates program goals and recommends implementation plans.
• Performs and reviews Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) to identify hazardous conditions and recommend controls.
• Hires, trains, supervises, develops, monitors, and evaluates staff. Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Reporting to this position are the following jobs:
  • Occupational Safety Officer(s)
  • Industrial / Senior Industrial Hygienist

• Keeping abreast of all compliance regulations with OSHA and other regulatory compliance programs.
• Involvement with the regulatory agencies (e.g., Chicago Dept. of Public Health, Illinois Dept. of Labor).
• Remaining calm dealing with multiple constraints or deadlines in a 24‑hour 7 days a week operation.
• Keeping abreast of all CTA operations in connection with safety aspects.
• Maintaining awareness of liability concerns when dealing with legal community and oversight organizations.

• Bachelor's degree in Safety, Public Health, Environmental Engineering, or a related field plus five (5) years of experience in creating and maintaining safety initiatives and/or OSHA practices, or a combination of education and experience related to the position.
• Must have five (5) years of experience in leading a team.
• Valid driver’s license (DL) required.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification preferred.

• Remains stationary for extended periods, constantly operating a computer and other office equipment.
• Extensive moving (up to 3 miles at one time), sometimes on rocks and on narrow catwalks, and traversing trains and ladders of various sizes.
• Must wear applicable restrictive personal protective equipment.
• Might lift objects up to 25 pounds.
• Service Area Requirement:
  Exempt (Non‑Union) employees must live within the CTA Statutory Service Area within 6 months of beginning employment.