Assistant Director, Safety Training

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

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

Opening:

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 its employees with a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Position Objective:

The Assistant Director – Serves as the lead for a team of Safety Training Officers delivering safety courses and modules to employees in all departments of Metro-North.  Oversees the day-to-day training activities and follow-up of individual contributors on the team.  Serves as the primary relationship manager with leadership in the Safety Department, MofE, MofW, Stations, Transportation, and other client departments regarding all issues concerning safety training, new hire programs, and refreshment/recertification of employees in the relevant programs.  Responsible for analyzing employee performance issues, including safety-critical issues, and recommending and implementing training and non-training recommendations to address those issues.  Balances conflicting priorities to achieve training objectives.  Leads develops and motivates Safety training staff.  Coordinates with the Deputy Directors in the Operations Training Department on the planning and implementation of shared training responsibilities, including but not limited to recertification, refresher, new hire, and regulatory training.  Coordinates with peers in the Operations Training Department to implement joint program initiatives, address logistical/resource issues, and support program development efforts.  Assists in the assessment of team and organizational needs and establishment of plans to address those needs.  Evaluate, recommend, and implement/facilitate learning activities to build future capabilities to support Metro-North Railroad in meeting organizational goals.

Responsibilities:

• Manages the day-to-day activities of all team members and trainees, ensuring alignment with the Operations Training Department and client needs.  Addresses issues in collaboration with the unit, Operations Training Department, and client department management.  This includes, but is not limited to, overseeing the planning and implementation of all training activities, monitoring and evaluation of student progress, and organization of classroom and student schedules.
• Assesses training programs, such as Bloodborne Pathogens, Respiratory Protection, and Confined Space training, on an ongoing basis this includes, but is not limited to, quality improvements, delivery methodologies and mechanisms, and feedback/coaching strategies.  Ensures training programs follow regulatory standards.
• Maintains a strong alignment between the client departments (Safety Department and others) and the team by working with client department managers and support departments to develop and implement training programs that match organizational structures and staffing needs.  Ensures effective communication with other teams and departments.
• Leads, manages, coaches, and develops staff.
• Keeps current with industry-leading training trends and operational trends through participation in MNR meetings, benchmarking, external partnerships, and industry affiliations.
• As needed, handles other responsibilities as assigned.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Technical Training Expert:

• Create and deliver effective and efficient training processes and services tailored to unique business needs.
• Manage people and training-related costs.
• Ensure internal and external customer focus.
• Apply information technology appropriately to rapidly deliver quality training products and services.
• Demonstrate success working across businesses by building a foundation of communication and partnership.
• Demonstrate strong planning, organizational, analytical, and communication (verbal, written, presentation) skills.
• Working knowledge of automated learning systems.
• Ability to rapidly acquire and apply strong knowledge of MNR operations and safety policies and procedures.

Performance Consultant

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and foster teamwork.
• Develop and align strategies with business and serve as an inside consultant for line management.
• Assist line managers in solving organizational, personnel, and change-related issues.
• Contribute to management team's strategic decision-making.
• Foster systems thinking, customer focus, and continuous learning.
• Strategically manage workforce development.
• Keep current with business trends, rules/regulations, and the training implications.
• Ability to change priorities while meeting deadlines

Change Agent

• Understand the organizational culture and what is effective and ineffective
• Demonstrate project planning skills and meet deadlines even as priorities change
• Institutionalize change capability within the organization
• Help line managers to lead and facilitate change
• Act as a consultant in organizational effectiveness
• Enhance management development

Training Competencies

• Ability to design, develop, implement, facilitate, evaluate, and measure training and development activities
• Knowledge of adult learning principles
• Assist in forecasting MNR training needs
• Ability to identify and correct unsafe conditions and work practices and emphasize the importance of safety to others
• Ability to analyze performance problems and implement solutions
• Actively partner with management to identify training and development needs
• Display excellent presentation, oral, and written communication skills
• Develop and maintain network of contacts with third party vendors and business partners
• Working knowledge of multiple human resources disciplines including organizational change, employee relations, diversity, and performance management.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, Instructional Design, or other related field., Demonstrated equivalent experience, education, and/or technical certification to include an additional four years of related experience may be considered in place of a degree.
• Prior experience and current qualification in one or more relevant areas of instruction.
• Minimum of five (5) years of related experience.  Must include experience training and/or certifying employees in relevant crafts and/or skills.  Experience may include relevant training and qualification periods.
• Valid driver’s license required.

 The following is/are preferred:

• Supervisory experience
• Experience working with a unionized workforce
• Training and/or instructional design certification
• OSHA 500 and 501 Certification to instruct General Industry and Construction 10/30 Hour Training Courses
• National Safety Council Certified Defensive Driving Instructor
• American Heart Association CPR/AED First Aid Instructor

Other Information

This position is safety-sensitive and subject to toxicological testing.

According 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”).

Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MNR drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.