Director of Safety & Training

Under the authority of the AGM of Safety, Security and Technical Training, the Director of Safety & Training ensures company compliance with safety and training procedures by overseeing and developing policies and programs related to the safety of personnel, equipment and facilities. Furthermore, this position shall provide safety and training leadership to all agency staff including but not limited to safety managers while establishing and emphasizing a culture of safety and ensuring the administration and formulation of safety and training policies/procedures, programs, and practices. This position also performs and is responsible for achieving agency safety and training goals to improve employee performance, and ensure safe, reliable, responsive service in all three divisions. Incumbent must be available to work on-call as needed. This position is directly accountable to the AGM of Safety and Training with occasional direction from the General Manager. This position supervises the Safety & Training Superintendents and may assist in supervising other Managers or Supervisors; Transportation Superintendents or Bus operators as needed across the organization. Manages the assessment or organizational training and development needs, the design and implementation of training or performance management programs to meet these needs and improve performance and service. Oversees and evaluates all conferences, managerial/supervisory/Operator training and retraining programs, and performance coaching initiatives to ensure that they support organizational objectives, improve skills, commitment, and performance, and are delivered in a timely, cost-effective manner. Designs and facilitates safety, customer service, managerial and supervisory training programs and team-building conferences for all divisions such as Transit Ambassador Customer Service Training Program, Defensive Driving Program, Train the Trainer and serves as Project Manager for implementation of new training initiatives. Regularly assesses state-of-the-art training materials, media, and equipment and recommends programs and materials to update/enhance training at all levels and develops and initiates regular continuing education for Training Supervisors. Manages safety improvement initiatives, including the evaluation and grading of bus Operator accidents, ensuring that National Safety Council preventability criteria are consistently applied throughout all divisions, and develops interventions to improve safety performance. Initiates and manages organizational improvement projects to improve delivery of transportation services to customers and enhance employee morale, including bus stop and routing initiative, manages uniform program to ensure a professional appearance for the public and the safety and customer service recognition programs. Manages the operations of the companywide drug testing program as a safety function including working with all divisional drug program assistants for the scheduling of tests as required under applicable federal law. Participates in all divisional CTtransit Employee Safety and Health Committees per PTASP requirements ensuring that safety and health concerns under the committee’s authority are addressed in coordination with the AGM of Safety & Training. Manages company-wide safety events and employee safety recognition/appreciation programs. Assists to coordinate transportation security programs directly related to system safety. Creates and updates Handbooks on policy, procedures, regulations for Transportation Supervisors and Operators, and initiates appropriate communications to Supervisors and Operators regarding operations issues and changes. Oversees the assessment of Bus Operator training needs, helps establish training objective, outline, handouts, updated participant workbooks and, trainer guides, and training activities which will develop required knowledge and skills required by Operators. Supports the evaluation, investigation, and grading of Bus Operator accidents and incidents, develops and provides individualized coaching for Operators and initiates training and safety communication interventions to improve defensive driving, prevent accidents and enhance safety. Retrieve, download, review, and clip video footage for investigation on accidents, incidents or other as needed. Must be able to responsibly record, report, investigate and respond to any accidents or incidents as needed. Attends in-service training, seminars or other opportunities for professional development as made available by the Agency. Provides training for Agency personnel as required. Actively participates in staff meetings, trainings, etc. Has thorough working knowledge of Agency policies and procedures. Assists in managing problems and emergencies involving the Safety Department and Transportation Department as needed on a 24/7 basis. Occasional night and weekend work should be expected. Work cooperatively with all levels of personnel. Manage higher level steps of employee discipline. Will participate in the interview process, and the selection process for new positions. Assists in other departments and divisions as needed. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned. Minimum possession of a bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Operations, Safety, Management, Business, Public Administration or a closely related field and seven (7) years of relevant work experience is required. A minimum of 4 years of leadership experience is required. An equivalent combination of education and work experience on a year for year basis can be substituted for the 4-year degree requirement. Experience in managing employees in a union environment, interviewing, hiring, training, employee development, and managing employee discipline, is required. Knowledge of Company policies, procedures, rules, labor agreement provisions, CDL regulations and licensing procedures, FTA drug testing program policies and procedures, employee rights under state and federal law, and of safety and customer service issues related to public transit is required. Knowledge of public transit operations, policies and procedures, Company rules and regulations, traffic laws, routes, union contract provisions, transportation technologies, and other related information is required. Contractual requirements in a transit environment, knowledge of and the ability to model safe driving and customer service skills is required. Demonstrated ability to analyze organizational and individual performance problems, evaluate alternative solutions, and initiate programs to improve performance. A valid driver’s license is required. Individual may be required to travel in the course of their daily work. A valid Commercial Driver's License with the public service endorsements is preferred. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, to multitask, manage multiple employees, ability to conduct training when necessary. The ability to prioritize projects and have excellent oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy, demonstrated ability to present information in a clear, well-organized manner, to provide step-by-step instructions and constructive feedback, and excellent written communications skills are essential. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment. Willing to work various shifts and respond to emergencies as needed that may be outside of typical business hours. Must be able to handle confidential information. OSHA 30 preferred or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire. Proficient in software programs (word processing, spreadsheet and database), Internet applications and utilization of all relevant office equipment. The ability to learn quickly internal software programs. #J-18808-Ljbffr