Chief Program Officer

Job Information  

This is a Non-Represented Position. 

Please note that this position has been designated as a “Policy Maker” pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics.  As such, you will be required to complete a Financial Disclosure Statement that will be provided to you by the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics. 

Summary  

This position is accountable for the strategic leadership and daily operations of the Safety Performance Division including mandated regulatory reporting activities for the busiest and most complex commuter railroad in the United States. Ensures optimal safety performance and mitigates risk for Transportation, Maintenance of Equipment, Engineering, and Stations operational and administrative activities; MTA HQ Capital Construction and Development and LIRR Operations funded construction activities; and Grand Central Madison Concourse Operating Company. Lead initiatives that leverage data science as a tool to develop measurable, data-driven insights to create safety solutions. Directly responsible for ensuring LIRR compliance with federal, state, and local reporting requirements including for employee, customer, contractor, train incidents, accidents, and injuries. This includes meeting monthly and periodic Federal Railroad Administration regulatory filing requirements; New York State Department of Labor and Department of Transportation reporting requirements; MTA Board, MTA Public Dashboard, and MTA EMMA Disclosure Statement; LIRR President’s Corporate; daily and weekly Operations Safety Performance Reports; and ad hoc reports as requested by internal and external stakeholders. Serves as subject matter expert and technical administrator for Corporate Safety software applications, website, and mobile apps including, but not limited to, corporate-wide Enterprise Safety System and Employee Compliance Reporting System. Serves as subject matter expert for IT-related matters.

Responsibilities:  

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:  

• Serve as LIRR’s business owner and primary technical administrator for LIRR corporate-wide safety software applications required for regulatory compliance including the Enterprise Safety System and the Employee Compliance Reporting System mandated by Federal Railroad Administration Title 49 CFR Part 225 Railroad Accidents/Incidents: Reports Classification, and Investigations and Title 49 Part 217 Railroad Operating Rules Part 217.
• Develop corporate policies, procedures, and direct staff to ensure data integrity/standardization and compliance with reporting as required under FRA Title 49 CFR Part 225, Title 49 Part 217 Railroad Operating Rules Part 217, and Title 49 Part 270 System Safety Program Plan. Ensure compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, New York State Department of Labor Public Employee Safety and Health Administration, and New York State Department of Transportation Public Transportation Safety Board incident and accident reporting. Provide data for MTA Headquarters reporting to meet New York State and Governor’s reporting requirements including monthly and annual MTA’s Annual Disclosure Statement, ISBeRG, American Public Transportation Association (APTA), and American Association of Railroads (AAR). Serve as subject matter expert and primary point of contact for internal and external audits. Ensure reporting compliance regarding events with MTA Headquarters Safety and Security Department Occupational Health Services and Medical Division, MTA Construction and Development, MTA HQ Legal Claims Department, Grand Central Madison Concourse Operating Company, Amtrak, NYAR, and Metro-North Railroad. Conduct audits to ensure data accuracy and quality.
• Conduct analysis and present findings and recommendations related to safety performance for the LI Committee of the MTA Board, MTA Headquarters, LIRR executive and senior management, and department heads. This includes daily and weekly safety performance reports for Operations, the President’s Monthly and quarterly performance reports, and ad hoc analysis of safety performance related to operating departments, customers, rail, fire, environment, code compliance, community outreach, etc. Establish goals and monitor safety performance indicators to measure performance against goals. Produce reports, develop dashboards, and develop risk visualizations for mapping.
• Provide reports, dashboards, and mapping related to investigations, audits, and inspection activities including but not limited to facilities, shops, yards, right of way, FRA, NYS Code Compliance, and NYS Environmental. Ensure data is integrated into the Enterprise Asset Management System including geospatial data analysis mapping and risk visualization through the LIRR EGIS map tool. Ensure data integrity and quality. Enforce data standardization.
• Served as a system administrator and primary IT liaison for the Corporate Safety website and mobile apps.
• Select, develop, and motivate personnel within the department. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary. Review direct reports and approve performance appraisals. Promote safe work practices and provide safe working conditions. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.
• Perform other assignments as requested by Senior Management.

Qualifications 

• Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science, Geographic Information Systems, Engineering, Safety, or a related field of study from an accredited college or an equivalent combination of education from an accredited college, and experience may be considered in place of a degree. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for a maximum of two years of related experience.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in data information and analysis or performing statistical analysis and research, analyzing data, developing recommendations, implementing strategies, and preparing reports.
• Minimum 7 years of leadership/supervisory experience in a progressively more complex management capacity with experience working in a regulated environment.
• Must be a seasoned leader with a strong work ethic, and business acumen, and must be capable of effectively introducing change to the way business is conducted, which may involve organizational and cultural changes.
• Must have knowledge of statistics, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, empirical research methods and procedures including sampling and surveying techniques, and analytical skills.
• Must have knowledge of principles of data science, including database architecture, object-oriented programming languages, and geographic information systems.
• Must have experience meeting report filing deadlines for analysis reports with recommendations, strategy implementations, and statistical findings at an executive level.
• Demonstrated ability in statistical analysis of problems and interpretation of key statistical measures.
• Must possess demonstrated strategic management skills, including strategic planning, organization, project prioritization and management, resource identification, and allocation.
• Must possess strong analytical, problem-identification, and resolution skills.
• Must possess the ability to coordinate work and resources across management and department levels, and among agencies to build positive working relationships and accomplish shared goals.
• Must possess a strong ability to operate effectively in high-pressure situations; must be flexible and able to adapt to change.
• Must possess demonstrated mastery of business/negotiating skills to effectuate multiple projects in timely and effective manner.
• Must possess effective proven problem-solving, judgment, and sound decision-making skills.
• Must possess project management, negotiating and internal consulting skills and experience to productively work with senior staff level to accomplish departmental and corporate goals.
• Must have the ability to identify risks/problems, organize and convey pertinent information, and recommend viable solutions.
• Must possess excellent organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Must possess superior human relations, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills (written and verbal).
• Must be a competent, mature leader who will develop the capabilities of the department’s personnel.
• Must possess excellent long and short-range planning skills.
• Must possess experience in providing briefings to Executive level such as President, Senior Vice President, Vice President, or Chief on a variety of topics.
• Must be politically sensitive with the ability to effectively work with senior staff, all departments company-wide, other MTA agencies, Federal and State Regulators, and the public.
• Must possess a demonstrated strong work ethic and a high level of professional integrity.

OR

• Advanced Degree or Graduate Certificate in a related field.
• Knowledge of LIRR operations.
• Familiarity with applicable federal, state, and local railroad safety-related regulations, including regulations and procedures promulgated by the Federal Railroad Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and NYS Public Employees Safety and Health.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Enterprise Safety products, business intelligence software, web design, ESRI GIS products, Microsoft Office Suite i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Other Information 

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements of the position, the selection process may include, but is not limited to, a pre-screening assessment (i.e., physical, written and/ or practical evaluation) and interview. Candidates forfeit further consideration in the process if they fail to participate in any step of the process when scheduled. Make-up dates/times will not be given. In addition, LIRR employee applicants must be in their current position for the 12 months immediately preceding the close date of this posting and must possess a satisfactory work history, including attendance and discipline record. A record of more than ten sick days without medical documentation in two of the last three years is considered unsatisfactory attendance.  Not all qualified applicants are guaranteed an interview due to the competitive selection process. A medical examination and safety-sensitive drug/alcohol test may also be required. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

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.