Safety and Security Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION

Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) / MTM

Job Title: Safety & Security Specialist

Department / Division: Safety & Security

Reports To: Chief Safety & Security Officer

FLSA Status: Salaried non-exempt 

Bargaining Unit / Non-Bargaining Unit: Non-bargaining unit 

Safety Sensitive Position (49 CFR Part 655): No

Pay Rate / Range: $70,000–$75,000 

JOB FUNCTION: 

Supports MATA’s safety, security, and emergency management programs across fixed-route bus, paratransit, demand-response, Ready, rail/trolley operations, maintenance facilities, transit centers, and other agency work locations. The Specialist helps identify and mitigate hazards, investigate incidents, support regulatory compliance, and develop, coordinate, deliver, document, and evaluate occupational safety and OSHA-related training, as applicable, to strengthen employee safety and operational risk controls.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

•  Develop, coordinate, deliver, document, and evaluate occupational safety training and OSHA-related training, as applicable, for employees, supervisors, managers, and contractors.

•  Identify training needs using incident and near-miss trends, hazard assessments, workplace inspections, audit findings, employee safety reports, regulatory changes, and corrective action plans.

•  Coordinate with Operations, Maintenance, Training, Human Resources, and other departments to schedule training and align instruction with job tasks across bus, paratransit, demand-response, Ready, rail/trolley, maintenance, transit center, and field operations.

•  Maintain accurate training records, attendance, completion status, certifications, and related documentation; prepare reports and support audits or regulatory reviews as required.

•  Evaluate training effectiveness through feedback, knowledge checks, field observations, incident trends, inspection results, and follow-up actions; recommend improvements where needed.

•  Participate in, develop, implement, and provide safety coaching and education for MATA management, employees, and contractors.

•  Coordinate, monitor, and participate in accident, incident, and near-miss investigations, analyses, and assessments; identify contributing factors and recommend corrective measures.

•  Work collaboratively with managers, supervisors, and employees to identify, analyze, document, track, and mitigate hazards in a timely manner.

•  Represent Safety & Security on task forces, working groups, and committees addressing safety, security, emergency management, and operational risk.

•  Work with Operations, Maintenance, Communications, Procurement, Capital Development, and other departments to record, track, graph, measure, and analyze safety performance data, indicators, and trends.

•  Assist with internal and external safety audits, reviews, inspections, and assessments to evaluate conformance with MATA/MTM programs, policies, applicable OSHA requirements, and federal, state, and local safety and security requirements.

•  Contribute to safety evaluations and certification activities for new and existing infrastructure, vehicles, rolling stock, equipment, and systems through planning, design, construction, operations, and lessons learned.

•  Conduct or assist with independent accident and incident investigations involving vehicles, facilities, construction sites, passengers, employees, contractors, and equipment, assigned by the Chief Safety & Security Officer.

•  Perform or assist with hazard, risk, threat, vulnerability, and root-cause analyses; recommend mitigation strategies and monitor corrective actions.

•  Coordinate with state and federal agencies and other external stakeholders to identify, analyze, coordinate, and resolve safety, security, emergency management, and risk concerns.

•  Assist in identifying safety performance, state-of-good-repair, and other metrics; analyze trends and develop mitigation strategies to reduce or eliminate risk.

•  Prepare and submit safety-critical data, reports, and documentation to appropriate internal departments and external agencies, including FTA, TDOT, NTD, and OSHA, as applicable, within established timeframes.

•  Participate in the Internal Safety/Security Audit Program and help verify adherence to safety plans, regulatory requirements, industry standards, and agency policies, procedures, and processes.

•  Manage or support tracking and disposition of Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), including documenting status, coordinating with responsible departments, and verifying completion as assigned.

•  Respond to safety reports, inquiries, and complaints from passengers, employees, contractors, and vendors in a confidential, courteous, and professional manner.

•  Perform other related duties and projects as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education and Experience: 

•  Associate or bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, safety management, transportation, public administration, emergency management, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.

•  At least five years of relevant supervisory, safety, security, transportation, operations, training, or risk-management experience; experience in public transportation or a related regulated operating environment is desirable.

•  Experience identifying workplace hazards, supporting incident investigations, developing or delivering employee training, documenting corrective actions, and maintaining safety records.

•  Experience working with employees and supervisors in bus, paratransit, demand-response, rail/trolley, maintenance, facilities, or similar operational settings is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

•  Working knowledge of occupational safety principles, hazard identification and control, incident prevention, workplace inspections, and applicable OSHA standards and requirements.

•  Ability to develop, deliver, document, and evaluate clear safety instruction for employees with different roles and levels of experience.

•  Ability to analyze incident trends, inspection findings, audit results, and corrective action plans to identify training needs and recommend risk-reduction measures.

•  Knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS), safety assurance, risk assessment, and continuous improvement principles, or the ability to learn and apply them.

•  Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, organizational, and analytical skills; ability to communicate professionally with employees, management, contractors, regulators, and external stakeholders.

•  Ability to handle confidential safety and security reports appropriately, exercise sound judgment, and address difficult or confrontational situations with courtesy and tact.

•  Ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage multiple assignments, and work flexible hours, including evenings or weekends, as operational needs require.

•  Ability to use Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365 and computer-based systems to maintain records, analyze data, prepare reports, and track corrective actions.

•  Ability to learn and apply MATA route and service information, applicable operator rules, procedures, and relevant collective bargaining agreement provisions.

Licenses and Certifications: 

•  Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record, if driving is an assigned job requirement.

•  Ability to complete training required by MATA/MTM policy and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

•  OSHA 30-Hour training or equivalent occupational safety training.

•  Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) certification and/or Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) coursework or certification, as applicable.

•  Safety Management Systems (SMS) training or experience, including safety assurance, hazard management, and corrective action tracking.

•  Applicable rail/trolley safety training and experience supporting rail safety requirements or oversight.

•  Experience developing and delivering safety training in a multimodal public transportation environment.

•  Experience supporting regulatory audits, OSHA compliance activities, incident investigations, and safety performance reporting.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The position requires a combination of office and field work. The employee may regularly sit, stand, walk, use hands, reach, bend, stoop, crouch, or kneel while conducting inspections, training, or investigations. The employee must be able to communicate effectively by speaking and hearing and use close and distance vision, including the ability to adjust focus. The employee may occasionally lift, push, or move up to 40 pounds and may need to climb a ladder or access areas around buses, rail/trolley equipment, or facilities when necessary and safe to do so. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Work is performed in office settings and in the field at fixed-route bus, paratransit, demand-response, Ready, rail/trolley, maintenance, transit center, construction, and other agency locations. Field work may involve exposure to weather, dust, engine fumes, moving vehicles or equipment, variable temperatures, and moderate to high noise levels. The employee must follow applicable safety procedures and use required personal protective equipment. Travel between agency locations and flexible work hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

BACKGROUND AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS: 

•  Successful completion of applicable background screening in accordance with MATA/MTM policy.

•  Compliance with the MTM Drug & Alcohol Policy and any applicable FTA/DOT requirements, including 49 CFR Part 655, if the position is designated safety sensitive.

•  Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record if driving is required for the position.

DISCLAIMER: 

This class description lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Not all duties are necessarily performed by each incumbent. Incumbents may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this description, and MTM reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties as necessary to meet business needs.

MTM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.