Safety Management Systems; SMS Program Specialist

Safety Management System (SMS) Program Specialist

Help drive safety excellence  is seeking a Safety Management System (SMS) Program Specialist to play a critical role in advancing the agency's commitment to safety, risk reduction, and continuous improvement. This position serves as a key contributor to VTA's Safety Management System by coordinating hazard management activities, facilitating safety risk assessments, monitoring corrective actions, analyzing safety performance data, and supporting compliance with federal, state, and agency safety requirements.

The Safety Management System Program Specialist works collaboratively with operational departments, project teams, and safety professionals across the organization to identify hazards, evaluate risks, develop mitigation strategies, and strengthen VTA's safety culture. This position also supports quality review of safety investigations and documentation, safety performance monitoring, training initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts that help ensure the safety of employees, passengers, contractors, and the communities we serve.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced safety professional who enjoys problem-solving, data analysis, regulatory compliance, and partnering with stakeholders to proactively identify and address safety risks in a dynamic public transportation environment.

About the Safety & Security Department

This division oversees VTA's safety and transit system security and law enforcement functions, which include oversight of the Transit Security Department, management of contracted security services provided by Allied Universal Security, administration of VTA's contract with the Sheriff's Department for sworn law enforcement personnel and Cyber Security.

Definition

Under general direction, performs advanced-level professional work in the implementation of VTA's Safety Management System (SMS), with lead responsibility for coordinating and administering assigned safety programs, including the Hazard Management Program (HMP), quality review of safety documentation and investigation reports, and support training, onboarding, and related safety compliance activities.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is an advanced-level professional classification. Incumbents exercise independent judgment and apply specialized knowledge of Safety Management System principles, practices, and regulatory requirements in the administration and oversight of VTA's SMS. This class is characterized by responsibility for hazard management, safety risk management, corrective action oversight, and accountability for the identification, evaluation, mitigation, and verification of closure of safety risks across the organization.

Positions in this class may provide lead direction and technical guidance to other staff, as assigned.

The Ideal Candidate

The Ideal candidate is an experienced Safety Management System (SMS) professional with demonstrated expertise administering hazard management programs, facilitating safety risk assessments, overseeing corrective actions, and supporting regulatory compliance within a transit, transportation, construction, industrial, or other highly regulated environment. The successful candidate possesses hands-on experience identifying hazards, evaluating risk, developing mitigation strategies, tracking corrective actions, and validating the effectiveness of implemented solutions.

They have a proven ability to analyze safety performance data, identify trends, and recommend improvements that strengthen organizational safety performance and support continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate is skilled at reviewing accident and incident investigations for quality, completeness, regulatory compliance, and root cause identification. They are highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities while working collaboratively with operational departments, project teams, management, and regulatory agencies.

Additionally, the ideal candidate demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills, the ability to facilitate meetings and risk discussions, and a commitment to promoting accountability, transparency, and a proactive safety culture throughout the organization.

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County's authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning.

With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)

The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that…