Assistant Vice President - Operations Safety & Investigations

Description

Job Title: Assistant Vice President, Operations Safety & Investigations	Department: Presidents Office
MTA Agency: Metro-North Railroad	Primary Location(s): 420 Lexington Avenue
Salary Range: $164,578- $185,150	Regulated/Safety Sensitive: General Safety Sensitive
Union Affiliation: Non-agreement	Closing Date (if applicable): Until Filled
Shift (if applicable): 7:00 AM- 3:00 PM	Title 55-a (yes or no): Not Applicable
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework

ABOUT THE AGENCY 

MTA Metro-North Railroad is a dynamic organization, operating out of the jewel of New York City, Grand Central Terminal. We provide service to over 86.5 million customers, traveling in and out of New York and Connecticut. A subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North Railroad is one of the busiest commuter railroads in the nation. MTA Metro-North Railroad strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities for its employees.

Metro-North Railroad reserves the right to remove this posting before the Application Deadline.

JOB SUMMARY 

The Assistant Vice President, Operations Safety & Investigations provides executive leadership and strategic oversight of Metro-North Railroad's systemwide field safety operations and accident investigation functions. Reporting directly to the Vice President, System Safety, the position directs the Investigations Division and Field Safety Operations, ensuring effective 24/7 incident response, comprehensive accident investigations, regulatory compliance, and proactive identification and mitigation of operational safety risks.

The position oversees systemwide safety audits, grade crossing safety initiatives, root cause analysis, and the development, implementation, and verification of corrective actions. The incumbent works closely with senior operating leadership to strengthen accountability, improve safety performance, and ensure compliance with applicable federal and state regulations. Serving as a senior representative to regulatory agencies, the position provides strategic guidance to executive leadership on safety risks, investigation findings, operational improvements, and initiatives that advance Metro-North's overall safety objectives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Field Safety Operations and Investigations Division, overseeing subordinate directors and operational safety programs to ensure the consistent, coordinated, and effective execution of field safety initiatives and accident and incident investigations. Drive continuous improvement in safety performance through effective oversight, accountability, and implementation of strategies that mitigate risks, prevent recurrence of incidents, and enhance safety across Metro-North Railroad.
• Direct Metro-North Railroad’s accident and incident investigation programs, establishing and maintaining investigative procedures for operational and industrial accidents, fatalities, serious injuries, rule violations, and other safety-related events. Ensure investigations identify root causes and contributing factors, and develop recommendations and corrective actions to prevent recurrence, mitigate risks, and enhance overall system safety.
• Provide 24/7/365 on-call leadership and oversight for major incidents involving Metro-North Railroad or tenant railroad equipment, customers, employees, or infrastructure. Serve as a senior representative and liaison to regulatory agencies, including the FRA, NTSB, PTSB, and OSHA, and oversee the timely, accurate reporting of accidents and incidents in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. Ensure effective coordination of incident response, regulatory communications, and investigative activities to support compliance, accountability, and continuous safety improvement.
• Lead root cause analysis and safety risk identification initiatives to determine underlying causes and contributing factors of accidents and incidents. Review and approve investigation reports to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established procedures and regulatory requirements. Oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), ensuring accountability, timely completion, and documented closure to mitigate risks, prevent recurrence, and strengthen Metro-North Railroad’s overall safety performance.
• Oversee compliance with applicable federal, state, and local safety regulations, as well as Metro-North Railroad’s System Safety Program Plan. Provide strategic direction and oversight for safety-critical initiatives, including IR-1/IR-2 redevelopment, the Safety Action Plan, and operational audit programs, ensuring effective implementation, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement in safety performance across the organization.
• Serve as a key advisor to executive leadership on safety performance, regulatory matters, investigation findings, and operational risks, providing strategic recommendations to strengthen safety oversight and inform decision-making. Foster effective labor-management collaboration to address safety-related concerns and promote a culture of safety and accountability. Partner with operating departments to develop, implement, and monitor targeted safety initiatives that reduce accidents, mitigate operational risks, and improve compliance with established safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Select, develop, and motivate staff and provide career development for team members. Provide effective coaching and counseling. Manage team and individual performance. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables staff to develop and contribute to their full potential. Contribute to department-wide initiatives, including long-range planning, policy development, safety culture improvements, and resource planning.
• Serve as an active member of Metro-North’s Corporate Leadership Team (CLT), translating the company’s strategic priorities into action while reinforcing a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and leadership expectations across teams. Partner across departments to advance enterprise-wide priorities, identify risks and operational barriers, and provide leadership with feedback, insights, and recommendations to support informed proposed solutions.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards
• May be required to work hours outside regular work hours, as applicable
• Observes the work performed by contractors, as applicable
• Reviews invoices and approves them if the work has contractual standards, as applicable
• Addresses performance issues with the contractor when possible, as applicable
• Escalates issues to other parties when needed, as applicable

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Required:

• Strong knowledge of applicable regulations and compliance procedures, including OSHA, EPA, NYC and NYS health regulations.
• Strong knowledge of FRA, FTA, PTSB, and NTSB regulations and practices, including 49 CFR Parts 214, 217, 225, and 270.
• Demonstrated understanding of rail industry, equipment, technical standards, operations, and organization.
• Demonstrated knowledge of operating rules and procedures covering all areas of MNR operations, including Maintenance of Way, Maintenance of Equipment, Transportation, and Stations, or equivalent rules and procedures in another transportation or relevant operating environment.
• Ability to obtain MNR Operating Rules and Roadway Worker Protection qualification within 12 months.
• Strong knowledge of the principles and methods of accident investigation, including evidence collection, witness interviews, and chain of custody.
• Knowledge of root cause analysis methods and corrective action management, with the ability to verify that corrective actions are effective.
• Knowledge of auditing principles, with the demonstrated ability to establish and implement audit plans.
• Knowledge of site evaluation process and ability to specify hazard control measures and assess their effectiveness.
• Strong knowledge, skills, and experience in crisis and emergency management.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, and coordination of people and resources.
• Ability to prepare and review complex safety data and use it to set priorities.
• Excellent project management skills with adherence to deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills, including the ability to brief executive leadership and regulators.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to manage staff and maintain effective performance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Available for emergencies on a 24/7 basis and for periodic weekend coverage.

The following is/are preferred:

• Experience serving as Principal Investigator on FRA-reportable accidents.
• Knowledge and experience with FRA and NTSB investigation methodologies and procedures.
• ASP or CSP certification, or TSI Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) certificate.
• Knowledge of MNR Operational Testing Plan in accordance with 49 CFR Part 217.
• NIMS IS-700, IS-100, IS-200, and ICS-300 or equivalent.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in Safety Management, Industrial Engineering, Transportation Management/Operations, Business/Public Administration, Emergency Management, or related field. Demonstrated equivalent experience, education, and/or technical credentials to include an additional four years of related experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
•  Minimum 12 years of progressive experience in safety management, accident and incident investigation, operational risk management and/or field safety operations in a transportation, operations, or maintenance environment
• Minimum 7 years progressively responsible supervisory or management experience, including oversight of professional staff, safety operations, investigations, or related programs 

License and Certifications:  

• Valid drivers license is required.

OTHER INFORMATION 

• Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).
• Final salary is determined experience, skillset, and alignment with compensation practices. The posted range reflects expected compensation and may be updated as market or business needs evolve.
• Employees driving company vehicles will be subject to License Monitoring and must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MTA drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.
• To be eligible for consideration for a new role, current MTA employees must complete at least one year of service in their current role prior to applying. Additionally, eligibility to interview is contingent upon maintaining a satisfactory record of job performance, attendance, and disciplinary conduct.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ADA DISCLAIMER

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers and encourage qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.

If you seek a reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability, or for a religious practice or observance, to participate in the job application or interview process, please notify your MTA representative once you have been contacted regarding the role.

HOW TO APPLY:

For Internal Applicants: Log in to the My MTA Portal, click on the My Job Search tile, select the Careers link, search for the desired position, click Apply, and follow the on-screen instructions.

For External Applicants: Visit www.mta.info, click the “Careers” link located in the footer under the "The MTA" section, then click on “See All Open MTA Positions”. Search for the desired position, click Apply, and follow the instructions.

Disclaimer

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.