Chief Safety Officer

Chief Safety Officer (DOT Executive VIII (8086))

Maryland Transit Administration

$137,450.00 - $216,759.00 Annually

Baltimore City

Full Time

Job Number: 8086-MTA-CSO-5/26-wj

Description

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is seeking an experienced and dynamic Chief Safety Officer to lead and oversee the safety functions across our six transit modes. The Chief Safety Officer (CSO) is a strategic executive leader responsible for shaping and advancing the safety vision of a complex, 24/7 transit system. This role requires a decisive and collaborative professional who can effectively navigate real-time operational challenges while fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and continuous improvement. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CSO provides strategic direction and operational oversight, ensuring the development, implementation, and effectiveness of safety policies across all MTA operations, including contracted services. The CSO also serves as a primary representative to external partners, regulators, and the public, communicating with clarity, confidence, and transparency.

Reporting directly to the MTA Administrator, the CSO leads efforts to minimize operational risk through a comprehensive Safety Management System (SMS) and a strong safety culture. The role fulfills the responsibilities of SMS Executive in accordance with 49 CFR Part 673 and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including 49 CFR Parts 40, 655, 671–674, and 270, as well as OSHA, FTA, FRA, EPA, and NFPA standards. Additionally, the CSO oversees safety requirements for complex transit projects and manages environmental compliance, requiring exceptional communication skills and the ability to perform effectively in high-pressure, time-sensitive environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee and lead the following safety programs/functions:
• Operational Safety for MARC, Light Rail, Metro Subway, Core Bus, Mobility, and Commuter Bus Services:
• Safety Management System (SMS)
• Safety and Security Certification Program
• DOT Compliance (Drug & Alcohol and Medical)
• Emergency Management
• OSHA Compliance for Construction and General Industry
• Environmental Compliance
• Technical and Safety Training
• Transit Claims
• Workers' Compensation
• Advise the Administrator (CEO/Accountable Executive) and senior leaders on ongoing safety-related issues and high-priority hazards impacting the agency.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, specifically ensuring adherence to 49 CFR Parts 671-674 and coordinating with officials from SSOA, FTA, FRA, FMCSA, NTSB, MOSH, MDE, and EPA.
• Drive continuous improvement by regularly conducting inspections, overseeing audit planning and stakeholder interviews, and assisting in the development of findings and corrective actions.
• Manage and strategically allocate the department's annual budget of $45 million, ensuring effective use of resources.
• Implement and monitor core SMS components and processes throughout the agency to provide leadership with the necessary training, tools, and support for success.
• Develop and refine safety management policies, including the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) and MARC System Safety Program Plan (SSPP).
• Develop, monitor, and continuously improve safety data tracking systems to analyze trends and facilitate ongoing communication between internal and external stakeholders regarding policies and safety performance targets.
• Represent MTA at industry meetings and maintain relationships with governmental agencies, including the SSOA.
• Must be available for evening/weekend work and on-call for emergencies and accident investigations.
• Additional Focus Areas:
• Project Oversight: Review and analyze construction drawings/specifications for safety and security compliance across bus, rail, and capital projects. Conduct safety-engineering surveys and assist in the preparation of design packages.
• Technical and Safety Training: Oversee training programs for operation staff positions and agency-wide safety initiatives.
• Incident Management: Lead accident/incident investigations and ensure compliance with FTA/FRA/NTSB/MOSH during such events. Communicate findings and recommendations to executive leadership.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree (Occupational Health, System Safety, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred).

Experience: 8-9 years of executive-level experience in safety and compliance within regulated industries (e.g., transportation, rail). Proven track record in implementing safety management systems and ensuring regulatory compliance. Three (3) years of the required experience must have involved the supervision of employees.

Notes:

1. Additional experience in administrative or professional work may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
2. Additional graduate-level education at an accredited college or university may be substituted at the rate of thirty credit hours on a year-to-year basis of the required general experience.
3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant on a year-for-year basis for the required education and experience.

Licenses & Certifications

• Candidates appointed to positions in this classification may be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.
• Currently holds Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program – Rail (or ability to receive credential within 3 years of hire).

Additional Information

The Chief Safety Officer (CSO) is designated as the SMS Executive. The CSO is responsible and accountable for the overall safety performance of personnel and equipment, implementing and maintaining effective control and mitigation measures, and for reporting compliance to the SSOA. The CSO should foster a positive safety culture by leading with integrity, and adhering to and enforcing all safety rules, policies, regulations, and personal protective equipment requirements to support a safe and healthy working environment.

The CSO is responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of the SMS. This position is responsible for the identification of safety hazards and concerns, conducting inspections and safety risk assessments, and developing recommendations and Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) to address safety concerns including tracking and implementation verification. The CSO is responsible for the development of safety procedures, practices, and plans to prevent, control, or resolve unsafe conditions. The CSO co-chairs the Risk Review Committee safety meeting.

To support a safe and healthy work environment, employees must refrain from willful violations of safety rules and procedures, reckless and negligent behavior, involvement in criminal activities, and the misuse of drugs or alcohol. Failure to adhere to this requirement may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. May only perform work for which they have the appropriate safety training.

To Apply: You must complete a Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) application (Form DTS-1) to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes may not be substituted for the application. Consideration for employment may be based solely on the contents of your application; therefore, it is essential that the application is filled out completely and accurately, listing all relevant experience in detail and addressing the specific requirements shown above. Please include all relevant experience on your application. This includes, but is not limited to, full or part time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other experience that is relevant to the position you are applying for within MDOT, one of the Transportation Business Units, or the Authority.

Note: Applications not completely filled out will not be considered. The selected candidate may be subject to background and reference checks. Employees are subject to the State Substance Abuse Policy to include possible drug testing. It is highly recommended that applications be completed and submitted online by registering at Make sure you meet the minimum and selective qualifications and follow the instructions on MDOT's Online Employment Center website. Applicants with degrees granted outside of the United States will be required to provide a written evaluation of education documentation by a credentialing organization such as: International Credential Evaluation (WES), Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be provided as requested. The Maryland Department of Transportation is not sponsoring new employees in application of the H-18 Visa at this time due to budgetary constraints. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Federal regulations prohibit H1B Visa candidates from paying sponsorship fees; all sponsorship fees must be assumed by the potential employer. TTY call