Description

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

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 ConditionsTypical 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)

Requirements

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 RequirementsA 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