Director, LinkUS Safety & Security

Job Description

Job Description

SALARY: $115,398.40 - $135,761.60

LOCATION: 33 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43215

BENEFITS:

• Medical, Vision, Dental, Supplemental and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Discounts
• COTA Bus Pass
• Wellness Initiatives
• On-Site Chair Massage
• On-Site Health Coach
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Public Pension through OPERS & Ohio Deferred Compensation

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director, LinkUS Safety & Security is responsible for all safety and security activities across the LinkUS Program, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors and related capital projects. The Director ensures compliance with federal, state, and local safety requirements, including FTA Oversight Procedure 22 (OP 22), and leads the development and implementation of the program's safety and security management framework. Key responsibilities include preparing and maintaining the Safety and Security Certification Requirements, Safety and Security Certification Plan (SSCP), Safety and Security Management Plan (SSMP), the Safety and Security Certification Verification Report (SSCVR), and all documentation required for revenue service.

The Director serves as the primary point of contact for the Federal Transit Administration and its Project Management Oversight Contractor (PMOC) during OP 22 reviews and ensures the safety program aligns with the Project Management Plan (PMP).

Perform other duties in alignment with the COTA Strategic Plan and in support of the organization's vision to Move Every Life Forward.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Safety and Security Governance (OP-22 Compliance)

• Implement and maintain the LinkUS Safety and Security Management Program and SSMP in accordance with federal requirements, aligned with the PMP across project phases.
• Coordinate with FTA and the PMOC on risk-based review schedules, targeted assessments (e.g., design control, configuration management, testing/commissioning), status reporting, and OP 22 objective evidence (plans, procedures, hazard/security analyses, certification matrices, records).

Certification Leadership (SSCP, Requirements, SSCVR)

• Own the SSCP and certification requirements baseline, including certifiable elements, criteria, verification methods, and acceptance/waiver processes, consistent with FTA/industry guidance.
• Lead the certification process with COTA and project consultants (including the CMAR) and issue the SSCVR to confirm requirements are satisfied prior to revenue service, coordinating with the applicable oversight body.

Safety Management System Integration, Configuration & Change Control

• Partner with COTA's Safety and Risk leadership to integrate COTA's safety management approach into LinkUS capital projects and align with the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan.
• Establish hazard and security vulnerability identification, risk assessment/mitigation tracking, performance targets, and safety assurance metrics across the LinkUS portfolio in partnership with Safety & Risk leadership.
• Oversee safety/security design criteria, requirements traceability, human factors, and configuration/change control to embed and verify mitigations throughout the lifecycle.

Construction, Testing & Commissioning Readiness

• Lead integrated safety/security testing and commissioning plans (FAT/SAT/site), manage open items, and drive certification closure and SSCVR.
• Conduct field inspections, audits, and compliance reviews; hold the CMAR accountable for maintaining safety and security across active work sites.

• Coordinate with Operations, Vehicle Maintenance, and public entities to align pre-revenue testing, role-based training, emergency drills, and service start-up preparedness.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Requires a bachelor's degree in Engineering, Safety, Security, Construction Management, Transportation, Public Administrator or related field and a minimum of eight (8) years' progressively responsible experience in transit, major capital infrastructure, or construction program safety/security (including field oversight in active construction environments). Three (3) years leading or managing safety/security functions on complex, multi-stakeholder capital projects (owner, designer, contractor/CMAR, operations).
• Professional credentials (e.g., TSSP, PTSCTP, CHST, CSP, PSP, CPP, CISA or equivalent), and/or systems safety/security certification experience preferred.
• Certified OSHA 30-hour Construction preferred.

COTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on job needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status