SENIOR DIRECTOR, SAFETY CERTIFICATION & OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT (INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE)

Metro’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Description

Provides direction, guidance, and support to Metro's health and safety programs, verifies safety readiness of major projects, and focuses on safety priorities on operating lines, as required by regulatory agencies, such as Federal Transit Administration (FTA), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Air Quality Management District (AQMD).

The Senior Director will provide direction, guidance, and support to Metro's Industrial Hygiene Safety group and will manage and oversee health and safety programs as required by regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Air Quality Management District (AQMD), and other applicable agencies.

Recruitment Timelines : Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of April 6 , 2026. These dates are subject to change . We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.

Examples of Duties

• Directs, manages, and oversees the activities of Metro's Fire/Life Safety (FLS) Program for all operating rail and bus lines and capital/construction projects to ensure the safety of employees, passengers, contractors, and the public; manages staff to implement required safety functions on capital projects
• Serves as chair to Metro's Fire/Life Safety Committee and Joint Power Authority on Rail capital projects to ensure oversight and coordination of safety issues and ensure readiness for a Certificate of Occupancy
• Identifies operational fire/life and system security issues and resolutions
• Ensures Metro's compliance to Fire/Life Safety Design Criteria, National Fire Protection Association standards, and other similar regulations
• Performs Design Reviews of engineering package and contractor submittals for code compliance and safety issues
• Oversees and manages the work of Fire Services Representative(s) assigned to Metro to coordinate fire/life safety issues
• Coordinates review and approval with Fire Services of fire/life safety Requests for Special Consideration
• Performs field inspections and witnesses tests to resolve outstanding fire/life and systems safety concerns
• Serves as principal liaison between project personnel and outside agencies, including fire departments, CPUC, APTA (American Public Transportation Association), etc.
• Coordinates emergency training drills with Fire Services
• Develops, maintains, enforces, and oversees the Safety Certification Program Plan on all Metro rail and applicable bus projects to ensure regulatory compliance
• Oversees operational system safety and certification on rail capital projects managed by Joint Powers Authority
• Manages the safety certification program to comply with CPUC general orders
• Manages consultants and contractors on projects to ensure safety requirements are met in finished projects
• Reviews, approves, and audits criteria conformance checklists prepared by consultants
• Reviews conformance certificates for contract design checklists
• Reviews safety requirements for construction conformance checklists
• Monitors safety certification training and testing requirements
• Supports integrated testing and oversees testing safety certifications
• Serves on project Change Control Board
• Plans, develops, and implements incident response protocols and activities
• Serves as Metro's representative to local, state, and federal agencies and other outside organizations, including participating on industry committees for safety and chairing task forces to coordinate efforts in planning, developing, and implementing operational procedures on response protocols to potential terrorist attacks, pandemic or avian flu outbreaks, and other disasters
• Directs and oversees Metro's Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Programs
• Ensures compliance to applicable regulatory standards imposed by OSHA, AQMD, and Fire Departments
• Supports Rail Activation/Start-Up team in safety certification, fire/life safety, and emergency response activities
• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees

May be required to perform other related job duties

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Safety, Engineering, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred

Experience

• Five years of relevant management-level experience in transit system safety, facility engineering, safety certification, transit operations, or fire/life safety

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Completion of training courses provided by California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI), National Transit Institute (NTI), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) preferred

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience overseeing regulatory compliance with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and local fire and health departments, including hazardous materials compliance and response to regulatory investigations
• Experience leading investigations of industrial hygiene, safety, and environmental hazards—including asbestos, lead, mold, noise, and drinking water—ensuring regulatory compliance
• Experience conducting industrial hygiene, safety, and environmental investigations, delivering findings and actionable recommendations to executive leadership to guide strategic decisions and ensure compliance

Essential Knowledge

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, practices, and procedures of rail transit safety, engineering, design, and construction
• Applicable local, state, and federal, laws, rules, regulations, and standards governing rail transportation policies, fire/life safety, and occupational health and safety, including California Public Utilities Commissions Codes and General Orders
• Transit operations and system design
• Rail systems design and operations
• Fire prevention and detection design criteria
• Emergency response
• Safety certification concepts and procedures
• Modern management theory

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Managing and overseeing the operations and implementation of fire/life safety programs
• Determining strategies to achieve goals
• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes
• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside representatives
• Supervising, training, and motivating assigned staff
• Conducting meetings

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Grasp overall perspective of issues as they arise and identify the most appropriate course of action
• Work well with others, including various agencies and contractors
• Lead others
• Multi-task
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Compile, analyze, and interpret complex data
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen
• Work on elevated surfaces or below ground level

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Standing
• Walking (distance 5' to 100')
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

(RW)

Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program . Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application.
Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro locations:

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Open: Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Metro Talent Hub
8501 S. Evermont Place
Los Angeles, CA 90044
Open: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

East Los Angeles Customer Center
4501 B Whittier Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Open: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm
(Closed Sun & Mon)

Wilshire/Vermont Customer Center
3183 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 174
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Open: Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Rosa Parks Customer Center
Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station
11720 Wilmington Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90059
Open: Monday through Friday, 6am to 6:30pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered.

*Open to the public and all Metro employees

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.

*Please refer to the applicable benefit type (Regular or Temporary)*

BENEFITS FOR REGULAR EMPLOYEES

Benefits cover probationary or regular full-time (working at least 40 hrs/week) employees of Metro.

We offer a range of high-quality medical, dental and vision plan options as well as health care spending accounts for you and your family. Metro will cover a significant portion of your health care premiums.

Medical/Dental/Vision Plan - Employee has the choice of 3 separate medical plans and 3 dental plans. A separate vision plan is included in each medical plan.

Group Life Insurance - PTSC pays for an amount equal to your annual salary, rounded up to the nearest $1,000. Minimum amount of life insurance is $30,000.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - PTSC provides $50,000 coverage for each employee. Additional voluntary coverage in amounts up to $500,000 is available at favorable premium rates.

Long-Term Disability Insurance - 100% employer paid. Provides employees with a minimum income of 60% of earnings after six months of disability. Buy up or buy down options available.

Holidays - 12 days a year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Cesar E Chavez, Juneteenth,Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Time off with Pay (TOWP) - Compensates employees who are on approved absence from work for reasons such as illness, injury, medical and dental appointments, personal business, vacation, or observance of (a) religious holiday.
Years of Service Annual Accrual
Hire date - 5 years 20 days
Beginning of 6th - 10th year 25 days
Beginning of 11th - 15th year 30 days
Beginning of 16th + years 35 days

Pension Plan - PTSC retirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years. Minimum retirement age is 52, based on the 2% at 62 formula.

Other Benefits: Transportation passes for employees and/or eligible dependents; Medicare; Tuition reimbursement; credit union membership; SDI; Deferred Compensation Plan; 401(K) Thrift plan; EAP; Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; Flexible work schedules; and Jury Duty Pay.

BENEFITS FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES

Temporary (Contingent) employees are eligible for the following benefits only:

• Kaiser medical insurance
• Public Pension Plan
• 457/401K Plan
• Flex Spending
• Paid Sick Time
• Fare Media
• Rideshare Subsidies
• Metro One Fitness membership

For more information on the Benefits Enrollment for Contingent Employees, please visit LA Metro’s Pension & Benefits website at benefits.metro.net

Closing Date/Time: 3/24/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

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• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority - LA Metro

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