Bus Safety Specialist

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Metropolitan Council's Metro Transit Division is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides ridership through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as a resource for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Bus Safety Specialist position will be responsible for administering and coordinating a variety of Metro Transit bus safety programs at an assigned bus garage and other locations. This role's primary focus is managing the assigned facilities' Safety Management System (SMS), guidance and coaching, regulatory compliance, and frontline leadership to promote safety throughout Metro Transit through forward-thinking hazard management. Safety Specialists conduct all bus accident investigations, safety training-related classes, hazard management, and building regulatory compliance audits as they relate to Metro Transit bus operations and facilities. They promote and enhance safe operations for the benefit of the general public and Metro Transit employees.

Recruitment Type: This posting will establish a six (6) month eligibility pool for current and future opening.

• Responsible for all bus accident investigations, safety processes and follow-up at assigned bus garage location(s), includes investigating the accident through interviewing the operator, reports from street supervisors and police, bus/location video, site visits and courtesy/witness cards; reviewing with bus operators, safety conference; developing and recommending corrective actions; preparing preliminary and final reports for executive staff on high profile accidents. (Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Traffic Laws).
• Provides professional safety consultations, interviews, training, and mentoring to improve and ensure bus operator job and safety performance, including developing and presenting Safety First-Class, Mentorship Class, POD messages, Safety Introduction, Right to Know, and New Employee Orientation.
• Promotes and coordinates facility building health through employee safety committees, compliance monitoring, and hazard report follow-up, including Chair and conducting monthly A Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction committee meetings; monitoring compliance with safety procedures; following up on reported safety reports.
• Updates and presents the Final Safety Reports.
• Assists Transit Management, Labor Relations, and Risk Management staff with preparations for union step grievances, arbitrations, vet preference hearings, etc., and may offer Metro Transit safety expert testimony at ATU union arbitrations, worker's comp, and liability hearings, including counseling and coaching Met Council and external legal teams; preparing and providing needed documentation; giving depositions and get deposed; testifying as subject matter expert; holding participate in garage grievances, 1st and 2nd steps, veteran preference cases and arbitrations.
• Plans, develops and coordinates Annual Safety Events, including developing and conducting Right to Know; planning and conducting the Metro Transit Roadeo; conducting fire drills for all three (3) shifts at each facility; updating the Emergency Action Plan for each facility; assisting in State Fair planning for bus operations and participate in monitoring bus operations at transit sites.
• Performs Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) duties, including entering and documenting employee injuries into the OSHA 300 and 300A log; documenting the annual Bureau of Labor and Statistics survey (year-end); assisting Occupational and Industrial Safety in response to OSHA investigations.

Any of the following combinations of related work experience in occupational health, safety management, transit, transportation, public safety, or similarly related field and completed education (in occupational health, safety management, transportation, business management/administration or a related discipline):

• High school diploma/GED with seven (7) years of experience.
• Associate degree with five (5) years of experience.
• Bachelor's degree with three (3) years of experience.

• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record

• Degree in occupational health, safety management, transportation, and business management/administration.
• Training and/or certification(s) in training, occupational health, Safety Management System (SMS), and safety or related field (e.g., OSHA 100, Smith System, Basic Workplace, and/or industry-related training/certificates).
• Commercial Driver's License.
• Good communication skills (listening, verbal and written).
• Knowledge and familiarity of Metro Transit bargaining unit contracts; ability to understand and interpret.

• Knowledge of relevant local, state, and federal safety-related codes, standards, laws, and regulations.
• Knowledge of defensive driving training (Safety Keys).
• Skilled with computer programming in Hastus, TX Base, along with using MS Suite including Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Skilled at being an effective trainer and motivator of people.
• Skilled at using analytical skills in the evaluation of data, identification of trends, and decision-making.
• Skilled at organizing and prioritizing workload and responsibilities.
• Ability to work independently with limited day-to-day supervision.
• Ability to execute and implement many different projects.
• Ability to effectively and tactfully deal with conflict and difficult situations.
• Ability to effectively work with a diverse group of people at all levels of the organization.

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. We conduct a selection interview.