Director of Safety and Health

Job Title:Director, Safety & Health

Resume Date: Open Until Filled 

If you previously applied for this position your application is still under consideration 

Department:Environmental Health & Safety

Work Location:Randall’s Island

Job Family/ Grade:SAS008

Earnings Potential: $128,620-$160,775

MTA Bridges and Tunnels reserves the right to remove this posting before the application deadline

MTA Bridges and Tunnels operates the largest bridge and tunnel network in New York City, managing nine crossings that include seven bridges and two tunnels. Serving more than 336 million vehicle crossings each year, this network connects communities across the five boroughs and supports regional mobility. In addition, MTA Bridges and Tunnels oversees the Congestion Relief Zone, working to ensure safe, efficient travel and a more sustainable urban environment. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.


Telework:
This position is eligible for telework which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

Job Summary:

The Director of Safety and Health reporting directly to the Vice President of Safety and Health provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for occupational safety and health programs across MTA Bridges and Tunnels (B&T) and the Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP). The Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating safety, industrial hygiene, and regulatory compliance programs that promote a safe and healthy work environment while ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations. This position oversees safety program governance, risk management initiatives, emergency preparedness, incident investigation, and continuous improvement efforts that support agency operations, maintenance activities, and capital construction projects. The Director serves as a key advisor to executive leadership, collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, and leads professional safety staff in advancing the agency's safety culture and performance objectives.

Responsibilities:

      Strategic Leadership, Policy Development, and Program Management:

• Provide strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for the agency's Safety and Health programs.
• Develop, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve safety, industrial hygiene, and regulatory compliance policies, procedures, standards, and initiatives.
• Analyze regulatory requirements and industry best practices to ensure programs remain effective, compliant, and aligned with organizational objectives.
• Support strategic planning efforts and identify opportunities to reduce risk, minimize system failures, and improve safety performance.

     Compliance, Risk Management, and Program Oversight:

• Direct and oversee occupational safety, industrial hygiene, hazard identification, risk assessment, incident investigation, corrective action, and compliance monitoring activities.

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, standards, codes, and agency policies. Provide quality assurance and quality control oversight of Safety and Health programs through audits, inspections, assessments, monitoring, and performance reporting.

Staff Leadership, Supervision, and Development:

• Lead, supervise, coach, mentor, and develop Safety and Health personnel.
• Establish performance expectations, assign and monitor work, evaluate performance, provide technical guidance, support professional development, and ensure staff possess the knowledge and resources necessary to effectively administer agency programs and initiatives.

Training, Technical Guidance, and Safety Culture:

• Develop and deliver technical guidance, training programs, and awareness initiatives that strengthen employee understanding of Safety and Health policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote a proactive safety culture and provide subject matter expertise to management and staff throughout the organization.

Stakeholder Engagement and Project Support:

• Collaborate with internal departments and external stakeholders, including regulatory agencies and governmental entities, to support agency operations, maintenance activities, and capital projects.

• Represent the agency's interests in matters related to safety, health, industrial hygiene, and regulatory compliance. Serve as technical advisor and/or project manager for Safety and Health-related initiatives and design projects.

Emergency Response, Operational Support, and Executive Representation:

• Provide Safety and Health leadership and support during emergencies, adverse weather events, special events, operational incidents, and other agency responses.
  Serve as the agency liaison and representative in the absence of the Vice President of Safety and Health, as assigned.

Reporting, Internal Controls, and Governance:

• Prepare executive reports, committee reports, performance metrics, and regulatory submissions for senior leadership and the President's Office.
• Lead departmental participation in Internal Controls Program assessments, including vulnerability assessments, business process reviews, risk evaluations, self-assessments, and related compliance activities.
• 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

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Science, Engineering, Public Health, or a closely related field
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in safety and health management, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, regulatory compliance, or a related field, including demonstrated leadership experience within a complex, highly regulated organization. Experience performing workplace risk assessments, safety audits, hazard evaluations, and managing comprehensive occupational safety and health programs is required.
• Minimum 5 years experience supervising, coaching, mentoring, and developing professional safety and health staff, including assigning work, managing priorities, evaluating performance, and supporting professional growth
• Extensive experience developing, implementing, and managing comprehensive occupational safety and health programs, including workplace hazard assessments, risk evaluations, safety audits, compliance reviews, and corrective action initiatives.
• Experience developing and delivering safety training programs, guidance materials, and awareness initiatives to build employee understanding, promote safe work practices, and support a strong safety culture.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze safety performance data, identify trends and systemic risks, prepare reports, and use data-driven insights to develop strategies that improve safety outcomes and operational effectiveness.
• Experience conducting and overseeing incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action processes to identify contributing factors, prevent recurrence, and strengthen safety performance.
• Experience interpreting regulatory requirements, evaluating operational risks, and developing strategies to improve safety performance, compliance, and operational effectiveness
• Strong written, verbal, analytical, and organizational skills, including the ability to prepare executive-level reports, presentations, policies, and recommendations.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of federal, state, and local safety and health regulations, standards, codes, and compliance requirements, including OSHA/PESH requirements and applicable industry standards.
• Ability to be on call 24/7 and respond to any MTA Bridges and Tunnels facility as operational needs require.
• Valid driver's license in New York State.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Arts/Sciences (MA/MS) Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Public Health, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Strong experience collaborating with executive leadership, operations, maintenance, engineering, construction, and external regulatory agencies to address safety and compliance priorities.
• Experience managing safety and health programs within transportation, infrastructure, public agency, construction, utilities, or other complex operational environments.
• Experience supporting capital programs, design projects, construction activities, emergency response operations, and large-scale operational initiatives.
• Experience working with regulatory agencies such as OSHA, PESH, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH), and federal environmental or safety agencies.
• Experience implementing safety management systems, continuous improvement programs, internal controls, risk assessments, and organizational safety culture initiatives
• CCM - Certified Case Manager Certified Occupational Safety Manager
• Certified Safety Professional

Additional Information:
This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

Other Information:
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.

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.

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”).

MTA Bridges and Tunnels is governed by the Civil Service Rules and Regulations administered by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS).

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:Visitwww.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.

Comprehensive Benefits & Total Rewards Package:

Transportation & Financial Benefits

• Commuting Made Easy – Enjoy a complimentary MTA transportation pass, plus access to tax-advantaged commuter benefits to maximize your savings.
• Premium Health Coverage at Low Cost – Access high-quality individual, family and domestic partner healthcare, dental, vision and life insurance plans.
• Secure Your Future – Build long-term financial security through pension plans and retirement savings accounts designed for eligible employees.

Time Off & Work-Life Balance

• Generous Time Away – Recharge with substantial paid time off and comprehensive holiday schedules that support your personal and family commitments.
• Holistic Support Services – Access our dedicated Work Life Services team and Office of the Chaplains unit for personal guidance and support when you need it most.

Professional Growth & Development

• Learning & Development Program – Advance your career through structured professional development opportunities, skills training, and leadership programs tailored to support your growth within the organization.
• Educational Investment – Pursue your career goals with in-house training and professional development, tuition reimbursement support, and partnerships with educational institutions.

Employee Experience & Community

• Employee Assistance Programs – Comprehensive support services to help you navigate life's challenges with confidence and resources.
• Discounts & Perks – Take advantage of MTA employee discount programs offering savings on products and services.
• Connect & Belong – Join our vibrant Employee Resource Groups to build meaningful connections, share experiences, and contribute to an inclusive workplace culture.

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities. The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.