Safety Officer Operational Systems

Position: Safety Officer Operational Systems (9069)
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The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the sixth-largest transportation system in the U.S., connecting communities across a 2,200-square-mile service region. SEPTA is at the forefront of innovation in the transit industry, ensuring reliable and efficient services while driving economic growth in the Philadelphia region.

We are proud to be recognized as:

2023 FORBES Best in State Employer

Philadelphia Employer of Choice for 2024

We are seeking to hire candidates for our Safety Officer Operational Systems (9069).

Opening Date: 02/20/2026

Closing Date: 02/27/2026

Job Grade: SAM 40

Salary Range: $82,342.00-$

OVERALL DESCRIPTION

The Safety Officer will coordinate and cooperate with all levels of Authority management and collective bargaining unit employees to provide expert assistance toward identifying, assessing, and prioritizing line management's prevention of safety, health, and environmental hazards. The Safety Officer must be able to satisfy rigorous and demanding work schedules, which include non-traditional working hours (nights and weekends), and short-term deadlines.

The Safety Officer's work effort will be concentrated in one of the five (5) primary specialty areas;
Operational Safety, Occupational Safety and Health, Construction Safety, Accident Prevention and Investigation, and/or Safety Regulatory Compliance. To maintain a diverse and broad level of subject matter expertise that is needed to perform all the Division's responsibilities, the required expertise and responsibilities will vary for each hire and be based on the current status of vacancies and needs of the division.

Based on the vacancies and needs of the Division. The Safety Officer will be required to be experienced in one of these five (5) areas and would be expected to perform functions based on the specific responsibilities selected for the position at that time and identified in the job posting. The Chief Safety Officer, Deputy Chief Safety Officer, System Safety and/or the Department Director will make this determination of what responsibilities are required based on the current staffing needs at the time of posting.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

I. Operational Safety Department

A. Operational Safety

* Facilitates and assists audits of Authority's operational systems conducted by Authorities Having Jurisdiction, including FRA, NTSB, FTA, State Safety Oversight (PennDOT), and APTA.

* Implements and facilitates activities as required by the Code of Federal Regulations for both the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

* Inspects Authority operations and equipment to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and standards. Recommends cost effective enhancements to existing safety programs.

* Conducts compliance audits of Operational Rules and Practices. Must be knowledgeable in SEPTA's operating rules.

* Develops and executes audit protocols and checklists to assess compliance with operational practices, operational training, rules, and vehicle maintenance activities as related to their safety critical elements for all modes of operation. Provides safety support and consultation for these functions.

* Assesses compliance with various regulations and interfaces with regulatory agency personnel including

* Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation State Safety Oversight Agency, (PA DOT SSOA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration, emergency response personnel and local municipalities.

* Reviews accident and incident statistics to identify trends and develops programs with the various Operation departments to reduce, if not eliminate, accidents and incidents.

* Develops, updates, and assesses compliance with Operational Safety programs including, but not limited to, the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan, System Safety Program Plan, Hours of Service Program, and Currency & Proficiency Program.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Operational Safety Department

* Bachelor's Degree in Transportation Safety or related field; five (5) years' experience in System Safety, Transportation Operations or Maintenance, Project Management, or Engineering.

* An equivalent combination of experience and education (one year of formal education equating to two years of work experience) may be considered in lieu of the above requirements.

* Note that emphasis of experience and education may be tailored on the posting to reflect a specific area of safety (i.e. Operational Safety, Occupational Safety, Fire/Life Safety, Construction Safety, Electrical Safety, Vehicle Engineering or Accident Investigation).

* Must demonstrate the ability to pursue/perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

* Must have a strong understanding of union and management environment and demonstrate the ability to address health and safety matters directly to union employees.

* Must be able to review and analyze accident…