Safety Management Systems; SMS Program Specialist

Job Description

Help drive safety excellence at VTA.

VTA 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. The position coordinates hazard management activities, facilitates safety risk assessments, monitors corrective actions, analyzes safety performance data, and supports compliance with federal, state, and agency safety requirements.

The Specialist works collaboratively with operational departments, project teams, and safety professionals to identify hazards, evaluate risks, develop mitigation strategies, and strengthen VTA's safety culture. The role also supports quality reviews of safety investigations and documentation, safety performance monitoring, training initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts to ensure the safety of employees, passengers, contractors, and the communities served.

This division oversees VTA's safety, transit system security, and law enforcement functions, including oversight of the Transit Security Department, management of contracted security services, administration of the Sheriff’s Department contract for law‑enforcement personnel, and cyber security.

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

This advanced-level classification requires independent judgment and specialized knowledge of Safety Management System principles, practices, and regulatory requirements. It is distinguished from other safety positions by its program‑level authority and enterprise-wide responsibility for oversight of the SMS, including hazard management, safety risk management, corrective action oversight, and accountability for the identification, evaluation, mitigation, and verification of risk closure.

The ideal candidate is an experienced SMS professional with demonstrated expertise administering hazard management programs, facilitating safety risk assessments, overseeing corrective actions, and supporting regulatory compliance within a regulated environment such as transit, construction, or industrial settings.

The candidate possesses hands‑on experience identifying hazards, evaluating risk, developing mitigation strategies, tracking corrective actions, and validating the effectiveness of implemented solutions. They must analyze safety performance data, identify trends, and recommend improvements that strengthen organizational safety performance and support continuous improvement initiatives.

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 are essential.

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in safety, occupational health and safety, safety engineering, industrial hygiene, or a related field, plus three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in transportation safety, construction safety, industrial safety, safety program administration, and/or regulatory compliance.
• Two (2) of those years must include direct application of SMS principles, including hazard identification, risk assessment, corrective action tracking and closure, and safety data analysis.
• Valid California Class C driver’s license.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) credentials and to travel, including overnight and out‑of‑state travel.
• Certifications such as TSSP, CHST, STS, ASP, CSP, or OHST are desirable.

• Administers and oversees the Hazard Management Program (HMP), including hazard identification, classification, prioritization, tracking, and closure of…