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 these primary specialty areas; Construction Safety an/or Fire Life Safety. 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.
 

DISCIPLINE RESPONSIBILITIES

C.     Fire/Life Safety

1. Conducts Fire / Life Safety inspections of Authority facilities, stations, and tunnels, and advises management of all fire prevention codes and standards violations. Ensures responsible managers carry out necessary corrective actions.
2. Conducts annual fire drills at all Authority facilities.
3. Supports the Authority’s effort through participation in design reviews, project meetings, and site visits.
4. Possesses thorough knowledge of NFPA, ICC, City of Philadelphia and other local, state, and federal codes, standards, and regulations as it pertains to fire / life safety as well as hazardous material handling and storage.
5. Participates in Philadelphia License & Inspection and local municipality audits and inspections, follows up on outstanding issues.
6. Conducts fire investigations on all Authority owned or operated equipment and facilities.
7. Organizes and conducts annual emergency evacuation drills exercises, with outside agencies per FRA and FTA regulations.
8. Conducts audits of Fire/Life Safety equipment, fire alarm systems, fire suppression systems, fire extinguishers, etc.
9. Ensures all Fire / Life Safety related programs, guidelines, and fact sheets are maintained to current codes, regulations, and standards.
10. Participates in and supports the Emergency Management Committee.
11. Works with insurance underwriters and representatives to ensure implementation of loss controls.
12. Ensures Authority infrastructure and physical plant improvement projects maintain compliance with the NFPA standards, the International Fire Code, and any codes, standards, and regulations required by SEPTA and/or an Authority Having Jurisdiction.
13. Serves as the Authority’s liaison with local emergency response agencies / departments, local Emergency Management Agencies (EMAs) and Emergency Management Coordinators (EMCs). in the SEPTA territory including the Philadelphia Fire Department and other local, state, and federal departments and agencies.
14. Develops, updates, and coordinates the management of Emergency Preparedness programs including the Emergency Management Operation Plan (EMOP), Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness Plan (PTEPP), Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and the Emergency Response Information Guidebook (ERIG) to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, codes, and standards. Conducts periodic compliance audits of programs and plans.
15. Conducts familiarization and safety training for emergency responders on SEPTA equipment as well as the physical plant.

DISCIPLINE RESPONSIBILITIES

III.     Construction Safety Department

A.     Construction Safety

1. Conducts audits of field construction activities for both third party contractors and in-house crews to ensure compliance with roadway worker rules, standard operating procedures, and SEPTA safety programs. Documents activities and works with crews to address non-compliance issues.
2. Implements risk management strategies to reduce or eliminate SEPTA’s risk on all construction projects.
3. Conducts audits of projects and works with the project staff and third-party contractors to correct all identified safety concerns.
4. Reviews third party contractor’s safety plans for accuracy and completeness prior to beginning and during construction. Inspects on-site activities to ensure compliance with Occupational Safety & Health Administration Standards.
5. Reviews in-house safety plans for accuracy and completeness prior to beginning and during construction. Inspects on site activities to ensure compliance with Occupational Safety & Health Administration Standards.
6. Reviews Construction design documents to identify potential safety hazards and exposures, and ensures documents provide for proper Engineering Controls and, Administrative Controls.
7. Interfaces with Bridges & Buildings (B&B) and Maintenance of Way (MOW) during investigations of contractor or employee related injuries. Assists in the compilation of incident related documentation. Works with SEPTA Operations, B&B and MOW staff to implement recommendations and corrective actions associated with incident investigations.
8. Serves as SEPTA’s representative in contractor’s associations and configuration management for updated Occupational Safety & Health Administration regulations.
9. Works with contractors and internal staff to develop initiatives to reduce construction related accidents and injuries.
10. Works with external safety professionals on Owner-Controlled Insurance Program projects to identify and reduce or eliminate construction-site safety hazards.
11. Participates in on-site job progress meetings and toolbox meetings with contractors on safety related issues pertaining to their work environments. Ensures that these meetings are being conducted.
12. Obtains OSHA 500 and 510 (Trainer course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Construction Industry) is a requirement.

DISCIPLINE RESPONSIBILITIES

B.     Electrical Safety

1. Updates, reviews, and approves Electrical Standard Operating Procedures.
2. Works directly with all power related departments to ensure the work force is complying with all SOPs, safety programs and requirements of NFPA 70E. When necessary, implement corrective action plans addressing deficiencies identified during field observations.
3. Investigates work related injuries that are a result of a construction and / or power related activity.
4. Conducts process audits of the Infrastructure departments to ensure all inspection and maintenance protocols are in accordance with developed protocol and ensures that proper records of work activities are properly developed and filed.
5. Conducts incident investigations, determine root cause, and develop corrective action plans.
6. Conducts design reviews of all electrical drawing of both existing and new installation.

C.     Roadway Worker Protection

1. Works directly with EM&C forces performing work within SEPTA’s track Right of Way.
2. Assists work forces with determination of the proper level of On-Track Protection.
3. Investigates Roadway Worker related incidents. Prepares report and recommendations.
4. Conducts Roadway Worker Audits, assisting with correcting any deficiencies found during the inspection.
5. Understands thoroughly the City/Suburban/RRD Roadway Worker Rules, Physical Characteristics, NORAC Qualifications, and Tower Operating Rules.
6. Operates within the Right of Way environment, experienced in work processes and procedures.
7. Possesses knowledge and experience with Control Center.
8. Maintains operational knowledge and experience with Roadway Worker Track Equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• B. S. Degree in related safety or safety engineering disciplines plus five (5) to seven (7) years’ experience in safety or safety engineering field required.
•  An equivalent combination of education and experience two (2) years of related experience equating to one year of post high school education) may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.
• Note that emphasis of experience and education may be tailored on the posting to reflect one or more of these areas of safety (i.e. Operational Safety, Occupational Safety, Fire/Life Safety, Construction Safety, Electrical Safety, Vehicle Engineering or Accident Investigation).
• Strong knowledge of one or more areas: Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), National Fire Protection Association, and PennDOT and applicable, local, state and federal regulations preferred.
• 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 data and participate in the development of corrective action plans to resolve complex safety and health issues.
• Must be able to satisfy rigorous and demanding work schedules, which include non-traditional working hours, and short-term deadlines.
• Must have valid driver’s license.
• Must have excellent verbal and technical writing skills with experience writing quality technical reports and Standard Operating Procedures.

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• USDOT Transportation Institute Transit (TSI) Safety and Security Program (TSSP- Rail and/or TSSP-Bus) certificate.
• Federal Transit Administration Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program Certification (PTSCTP).
• Working knowledge of the DHS Homeland Security Emergency and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
• Knowledge of Military Standard 882, identification of safety hazards and mitigation.
• Experience in Transit Safety and Security.
• Knowledge of the FTA Safety and Security Certification Handbook.