Ast Mgr, Regulatory Compliance & Safety Analytics

Ast Mgr, Regulatory Compliance & Safety Analytics Metra’s Safety and Environmental Compliance Department is responsible for the implementation, oversight and coordination of the agency’s passenger and employee safety programs. In addition to safety programs, the department oversees rail safety education and outreach programs and emergency evacuation training for first responders. The department also reports railroad incident and accident data to federal and state regulatory agencies. The environmental compliance function includes inspection and testing for environmental safety (air quality, hazardous materials storage, etc.) at Metra-controlled facilities, oversees environmental mitigation, employee training and the agency’s hazardous waste disposal program. Reporting to the Manager of Safety Reporting and Risk Reduction, the Assistant Manager, Regulatory Compliance & Safety Analytics leads the Safety Compliance Analyst team and oversees safety data management, regulatory compliance reporting, and federally required safety programs related to railroad injuries, accidents, and incidents. This role leverages data and trend analyses to proactively identify safety risks, support mitigation strategies, and drive continuous improvement in safety performance. The Assistant Manager also supports safety-sensitive contracts and serves as a key liaison between internal stakeholders and external regulatory agencies to ensure compliance and effective communication. The primary duties include: Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the Safety Compliance Analysts by setting clear priorities, expectations, and performance standards. Direct the development and execution of project schedules, task plans, and timelines aligned with regulatory requirements, safety objectives, and agency-wide goals. Proactively assess project risks, make informed decisions, and drive corrective actions to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of safety data, analytical insights, and continuous process improvements. Collect, validate, analyze, and manage safety event data—including injuries, equipment incidents, grade crossing accidents, signal failures, and hours of service violations—and ensure accurate, timely reporting to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA); coordinate with Safety Compliance Analysts to review, assign, and close events, ensuring data completeness and regulatory accuracy. Provide advanced administrative and analytical support for safety-related service contracts, including cost estimating, scope development, and drafting contract specifications and Request for Proposals (RFP); oversee vendor performance, authorize invoices, monitor budgets, and evaluate service delivery to recommend efficiencies and process improvements. Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual safety reports using internal and external data sources, including KPIs, FRA injury ratios, and district, department, and craft level metrics; track safety milestones, identify emerging risks, and support development of mitigation plans and compliance deliverables. Serve as a primary point of contact for safety-related data requests and analysis across internal departments and regulatory bodies; organize project meetings, document decisions, track action items, respond to safety inquiries, and ensure alignment across safety initiatives. Approve time off, coordinate staff schedules, fill vacancies as necessary, and ensure compliance with departmental and company policies and objectives. Decide/implement staffing decisions, performance evaluations, performance improvement, disciplinary, and/or termination procedures. Make recommendations regarding hiring, performance evaluations, disciplinary and/or termination procedures. Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment. Responsible for the safety objectives, goals, and program of the organization ensuring compliance with applicable safety rules and regulations. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health, urban planning, public administration, or a related field OR in lieu of specified degree, any combination of education and experience may be substituted for the required degree that equals four (4) years in safety administration or operations. In addition to #1, six (6) years of safety administration, or operations experience that includes performing trend analyses and compliance reviews. Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of safety methods relative to risk management, safety, and accident prevention. Knowledge of safety regulatory requirements, guidance, and programs of the Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Transportation (DOT) and their respective operating administrations: the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), FTA, and FRA. Demonstrates a strong understanding of federal regulatory requirements, compliance frameworks, and reporting standards, along with the ability to interpret complex rules to ensure deliverables meet agency and industry expectations. Knowledge of the following regulations related to the transit or railroad safety is preferred: 49 CFR § 225 - Railroad Accidents/Incidents: Reports Classification, and Investigations; 49 CFR § 228 - Passenger Train Employee Hours of Service; Recordkeeping and Reporting; Sleeping Quarters; 49 CFR § 270 - System Safety Program; 49 CFR § 673 - Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans. Knowledge of basic statistics; concepts, principles, and practices of hazard analyses; and system safety rules and regulations. Strong written and verbal communications and interpersonal skills. Excellent attention to details and strong analytical and organizational skills. Ability to prioritize work, develop and manage schedules, set and monitor goals using the SMART framework, and track progress to ensure projects are completed accurately and on time. Ability to learn and effectively use new systems and programs related to the reporting of injuries, accidents, incidents, and safety events. Ability to train and mentor others on job-related functions, ensuring consistent application of procedures, accuracy in work practices, and adherence to organizational standards. Ability to foster teamwork by collaborating with colleagues to establish objectives, resolve problems, and support informed decision‑making that improves program effectiveness. Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities, demonstrating strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and a sense of urgency to meet deadlines and deliver high‑quality work with minimal supervision. Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit, for extended periods of time. Hearing/Visual acuity, far/near, depth perception, field of vision, color vision. Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds. Must be willing to travel within and outside of Metra’s 6‑county region. Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends. Must be available on‑call 24‑hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year, including weekends and holidays. Preferred: Transportation or railroad industry knowledge and experience. Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position. Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees’ use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non‑synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for pre‑employment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles. Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation. #J-18808-Ljbffr