Safety lead - fire life safety

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, and sustainability and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Safety Lead - Fire Life Safety (FLS) leads a staff responsible for investigating all incidents across the authority with a FLS component (e.g., major events and near misses involving employee injuries, infrastructure damage, service interruption, etc.), assessing hazardous conditions, equipment, and risk for injury to employees and customers, conducting FLS inspections and developing corrective actions, tracking implementation of FLS solutions and corrective actions, and developing and implementing programs to achieve reductions in incidents, injuries and safety noncompliance.

The Safety Lead - FLS and their centralized staff will respond to incidents, gather documentation and information, report to the appropriate parties, determine root causes, and collaborate with appropriate departments to recommend feasible corrective action plans to improve safety programs, infrastructure, policies, and procedures. The Safety Lead - FLS will work closely with and support senior leadership from the Engineering & Maintenance and Capital Delivery departments to track and implement safety recommendations and/or corrective actions. The Safety Lead - FLS will collaborate with the Deputy Directors of Safety Engineering and Occupational Health & Safety with development and implementation of the MBTA Safety Programs consistent with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards. The Safety Lead - FLS will also collaborate with the Deputy Director of Safety Assurance regarding safety assurance activities including regular audits. The Safety Lead - FLS will be responsible for staying abreast of current safety laws and regulations and recommend appropriate changes to MBTA Safety management.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide professional safety support including developing, updating, and interpreting MBTA policies and practices, codes and industry standards as needed to advance the application of safety programs across the authority.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and interpretative authority for applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), OSHA, American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and related standards advising up to the senior management levels of the authority.
• Respond to incidents that occur involving the MBTA, gather documentation and evidence, notify and report necessary information to the appropriate parties in a timely manner.
• Provide operational management oversight of Safety Specialists, Safety Analysts and Safety Audit Coordinator.
• Oversee the performance of safety activities, conduct assessments of safety programs, including field inspections, and procedure and policy reviews, to identify areas of improvements and corrective actions.
• Serve as key MBTA liaison working closely with field representatives from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to resolve identified safety issues.
• Be a strategic member of committees responsible for the implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) throughout the MBTA through support and daily application of safety policies, safety risk management activities, safety assurance activities, and safety promotion.
• Provide operational oversight of the development of root cause analyses including recommending feasible corrective for all fire life safety activities across the authority when necessary.
• Provide technical direction to support staff to ensure safe work practices and effective mitigations of hazards are performed.
• Work primarily day shifts with the ability to work night and weekend shifts as necessary.
• Conducts scheduled and unscheduled inspections and/or audits of MBTA facilities, work sites, specifications, infrastructure, vehicles, and equipment, ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local codes, regulations and guidelines.
• Indirectly overseeing the work of a wide range of departments across the authority to ensure compliance with safety programs including proper procedures and PPE are utilize in the performance of work.
• Review and approve construction plans and specifications to assure compliance with fire and safety codes.
• Work with the Safety Certification team to ensure capital projects and vehicle procurements include proper design of FLS systems and verification testing is properly performed and documented before revenue service.
• Develop and oversee the delivery of safety trainings in compliance with regulatory requirements and company policy.
• Provide technical direction in the design of safety inspections and hazard assessment reports and present findings to internal stakeholders.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
• Assist in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
  
  
  

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a safety-related field such as Fire Life Safety, Occupational Safety and Health, Safety Management, Safety Science, or Safety Engineering.
• Six (6) years of experience in Fire Life Safety including safety reviews, inspections, investigations, assessments, or training functions.
• Knowledge of 527 Code of Massachusetts (CMR) – the Massachusetts Fire Prevention Code, Massachusetts General Law Chapter 148 and 780 CMR – the Massachusetts State Building Code, or equivalent state codes and rules, and standards referenced by state and federal regulations.
• Demonstrated experience applying methods and techniques to mitigate safety issues by assessing safety hazards and implementing corrective measures.
• Experience applying safety knowledge through facilitating and processing safety programs and related assessments.
• Experience participating in incident investigations.
• Knowledge of NFPA and its relationship to standpipe, sprinkler, hydrant and fire extinguisher testing and inspection protocol.
• Effective organizational, analytical, time management, and multitasking skills.
• Ability to complete, apply, and adhere to concepts in safety training including but not limited to SMS Fundamentals, ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 as well as courses offered on websites hosted by MassDOT, FEMA, and TSI within three (3) years of employment.
• Ability to complete a Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) within three (3) years of employment
  
  
  

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An associate degree from an accredited institution an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.
  
  
  

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in Occupational Safety and Health, Fire Protection Engineering, Fire Science Administration, or related field.
• Fire Marshall or Fire Chief.
• Experience with fire protection systems experience in a transit environment.
• Working knowledge of OSHA standards, including Hot Works.
• Certifications or other training in general industry (29 CFR 1910) or construction industry (29 CFR 1926).
• NFPA 51B Certification.
• Completed Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) courses.
  
  
  

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team (or supervise, if required)
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection)
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service
  
  
  

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
• Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or .
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer . For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions .