Under general direction, the Safety and Compliance Officer plans, organizes, coordinates, and participates in the District’s safety plans, training programs, and practices for rail operations, transportation, and maintenance; develops and implements safety and training programs to comply with federal, state, and regional codes and regulations; develops and facilitates safety and operational training courses; supports the effective use of District resources to improve organizational commuter and freight railroad safety and compliance; and performs related duties as assigned.  

Examples of Typical Job Functions:

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the typical functions of the job.

• Plans, conducts, and administers transit related training, safety, and inspection program activities for rail operations, transportation, and maintenance; ensures compliance for all related programs and operations. 
• Participates in the development and implementation of safety goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the District; recommends and administers policies and procedures. 
• Assists in developing standardized procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of the Districts safety and training programs; assesses and monitors safety compliance; identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for improvement. 
• Develops curriculum and delivers training related to transit safety, accident/incident review, compliance, licensing, and other topics as needed; develops and facilitates a comprehensive training program in compliance with applicable regulations for newly hired and promoted Locomotive Engineers and Conductors.
• Provides administration and assistance related to the creation of a variety of mandated reports to federal and state agencies including the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, California Public Utility Commission, and Occupational Health and Safety Administration, to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations; reports key performance indicators and other transit data as required.  
• Creates, in conjunction with management, in-service training initiatives, updates training materials and develops and implements new or revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). 
• Participate in the investigation of violations of Federal Railroad Administration regulations, including incidents and accidents involving employees and/or the general public.
• Works with operating departments on daily, monthly, and yearly goals for safety and compliances; facilitate and leads safety committee meetings.
• Monitors field operations for compliance with performance standards and safety regulations.
• Provides staff assistance to management; prepares and presents staff and agenda reports and other necessary correspondence related to assigned activities and services; presents reports to various commissions, committees, and boards. 
• Conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate. 
• Serves as a safety liaison for assigned functions with other agency departments, divisions, and outside agencies. 
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in transit safety, training and risk management; research emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to agency needs; performs outreach to key and diverse constituencies to support public transit. 
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.  
• Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action. 
• Guides the establishment and maintenance of working and official files. 
• Ensures staff compliance with agency and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. 
• Conducts and participates in all departmental safety committee meetings.
• Adheres to all required safety procedures and programs.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to an associate degree with coursework in occupational health and safety, safety engineering, or a related field.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible rail transit operations experience, including two (2) years of safety, compliance, and/or training experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, and ability to maintain, California Class C driver’s license.
• Possession of, and ability to maintain, Locomotive Engineer certification.
• Possession of, and ability to maintain, Passenger Conductor certification.

About SMART

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) is the North Bay’s passenger rail service providing a safe, reliable and congestion-free transportation option for Marin and Sonoma counties. The current system includes stations in Windsor, Sonoma County Airport area, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma, Novato, San Rafael, and Larkspur. SMART’s system also includes a bicycle and pedestrian pathway along the rail corridor. Future extensions are planned for Healdsburg and Cloverdale. The full project will provide 70 miles of passenger rail service, connecting SMART passengers with jobs, education centers, retail hubs and housing along the Sonoma-Marin corridor, and a bicycle-pedestrian pathway.

Connections working at SMART