Chief Safety and Regulatory Compliance Officer

The Chief Safety and Regulatory Compliance Officer is expected to promote a culture of safety, ensure operational integrity, and uphold Metra's reputation as a leader in rail safety and compliance. Additional duties may be assigned as necessary to meet the organization's needs.

Reporting directly to the Deputy Executive Director - Operations, the Chief Safety and Regulatory Compliance Officer is tasked with leading Metra's regulatory compliance efforts across all Operations departments. This includes monitoring activities, issuing corrective directives, and serving as Chair of the Regulatory Compliance Committee (RCC), where they oversee the agency's participation in industry forums and regulatory engagements.

Key Responsibilities

• Policy Development & Compliance Monitoring: Create and oversee policies and programs that encourage employees and managers to report issues without fear of retaliation. Identify compliance gaps, take corrective actions, and ensure alignment with all applicable regulations and standards.
• Annual Compliance Work Plan: Design, implement, and revise the compliance work plan to keep operations fully compliant with regulatory requirements.
• Committee Leadership: Convene and chair monthly RCC meetings, maintain accessible records, coordinate communications with regulators, and provide updates to the ELT and Board as needed.
• Regulatory Representation: Represent Metra at FRA's Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), AAR, APTA, and other industry forums to stay ahead of regulatory trends, share insights, and promote best practices. Assign agency delegates to ensure ongoing representation and information sharing.
• Leadership & Training: Provide direction to senior directors and collaborate with the Workforce Education and Training department to ensure employees are well-trained and equipped to maintain compliance with evolving regulations. Oversee staffing, performance evaluations, and professional development to foster a safe and efficient work environment.
• Environmental Oversight: Manage programs for environmental safety, such as hazardous materials storage, air quality testing, and waste disposal, ensuring Metra-controlled facilities meet stringent safety standards.
• Strategic Direction: Advise the ELT on regulatory compliance matters, deliver executive briefings, and guide the agency's approach to regulatory challenges and opportunities.

Metra's Safety & Regulatory Compliance Department plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, regulatory adherence, and environmental compliance of the agency. This department develops and enforces safety directives, policies, and procedures, coordinates regulatory engagement, and ensures all Operating Department policies meet applicable laws, regulations, and standards. By fostering safe environments for both passengers and employees, the department actively conducts and participates in internal and external safety audits, reports accident and incident data to regulatory agencies, and provides strategic updates to Metra's Executive Leadership Team (ELT). Environmental responsibilities include air quality testing, hazardous materials management, waste disposal oversight, and employee training on environmental safety.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

Click here to learn more about our benefits!

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is required. In lieu of the specified degree: A combination of education and experience equivalent to four (4) years in regulatory oversight is acceptable. oversight or rail safety operations management.

Experience:

• A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in regulatory oversight or rail safety operations management.
• At least 10 years of supervisory experience, encompassing:
  • Day-to-day employee management.
  • Assigning tasks and providing guidance.
  • Performance monitoring, conflict management, and employee development.
  • Budgeting, hiring, and, when necessary, disciplinary actions or terminations.

Technical Knowledge:

• Comprehensive understanding of transportation safety principles, practices, and procedures.
• Broad expertise in rail-related equipment, including vehicles, tracks, structures, facilities, electric traction power, signals, communication, operations, and control systems.
• Extensive familiarity with local, state, and federal railroad regulations, particularly FRA compliance requirements and procedures.

Safety & Environmental Expertise:

• In-depth knowledge of safety and environmental regulations, including those from the FRA, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other oversight authorities.
• Familiarity with freight and inter-city rail safety and environmental practices.

Technical Proficiency:

• Advanced skills in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with a strong focus on database applications for tracking and recording compliance projects.

Communication & Leadership Skills:

• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities to interact effectively with senior and executive leadership.
• Strong analytical and leadership skills to identify challenges and implement effective solutions.
• Proven ability to foster a culture of compliance and safety within an organization.

Relationship Management:

• Demonstrated capacity to build and maintain productive relationships both within the agency and with external regulatory bodies.

Flexibility & Availability:

• Willingness to travel within and beyond Metra's 6-county region.
• Availability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, or late afternoons as needed.

Preferred:

• Advanced Degree

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees' use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for pre-employment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to RAC@Metrarr.com.