Overview

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) is seeking a Rail Safety Compliance Analyst to support the growing investigation team.

The WMSC is the designated State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA) responsible for overseeing the safety of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail system, which operates rail transit in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. The WMSC is responsible for implementing an oversight program in compliance with the WMSC Compact as well as federal and other applicable regulations.

Position Overview
This position will serve as the Rail Safety Compliance Analyst supporting and supervised by the Investigations Program Manager. The Rail Safety Compliance Analyst will have expertise in rail operations, accident investigations and rail safety. This position is responsible for assisting the WMSC Investigations team in organizing, managing and coordinating the investigation of safety events, developing and presenting reports for adoption by the WMSC Commission. The position responsibility encompasses when WMATA Metrorail conducts investigations on WMSC’s behalf, and when WMSC launches its own investigations into safety events of WMATA Metrorail.

The selected candidate will ensure a commitment to effective safety oversight program administration through collaboration, establishing working relationships with WMATA personnel, coordinating with a skilled and qualified staff team at WMSC and applying technical expertise to promote rail safety. The incumbent must have sufficient knowledge of rail and other transportation modal industry best practices and benchmarks to monitor and evaluate the changes recommended or underway at the WMATA Metrorail system, and to assist in providing recommendations for continued safety improvements.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities
• Provide technical input alongside of the WMSC Investigations team, WMSC staff and WMSC leadership regarding safety events with a view to analyzing contributory factors and systemic causes and identifying a preventative action.
• Tracks gaps in WMSC investigation procedures and compiles this information for process and program improvement activities.
• Maintain awareness of national and international accident/incident investigation reports to identify applicable recommendations for implementation.
• Assist WMSC Investigation team in FTA, NTSB, or other agency investigations of WMATA Metrorail accidents as needed.
• Assist in preparing written reports, as well as other production-related results and update the WMSC leadership and Commissioners; provides supporting materials for presentations to internal and external audiences at various levels of technical knowledge and management.
• Conduct ongoing monitoring activities on behalf of the WMSC, at the direction of the WMSC Investigation Program Manager utilizing electronically recorded information pertaining to WMATA Metrorail.
• Provide analysis on information gathered pertaining to trends in operations, training, inspection, infrastructure, vehicles, and procedures arising from ongoing monitoring activities pertaining to WMATA Metrorail.
• Work collaboratively within the WMSC to achieve organizational goals.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications
Experience
A minimum of 5 years of progressively increasing responsibility in rail operations, or operations control of rail or other transportation modes. Knowledge and familiarity of applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations is required, including industry best practices such as those issued by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA). Will have a strong attention to detail, the ability to multitask, strong organizational and computer skills. Will have the ability to track, prioritize, and adhere to deadlines.

Education
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is strongly preferred.

Residency Requirement
This position is primarily remote; however, given the nature of the WMSC’s oversight of the WMATA Metrorail system it does require in-person work from time-to-time. Therefore, it is required that the candidate live within 25 miles of any WMATA Metrorail station.

Physical Requirements
• The ability to safely move for long periods on potentially rocky and uneven surfaces along rail right-of-way, in rail yards, and in maintenance facilities on an occasional basis.
• The ability to position oneself to take measurements.
• The ability to ascend/descend ladders and narrow staircases, and to board and disembark rail vehicles including those designed for passenger use and maintenance vehicles.
• Work may take place at any time of day as warranted by emergency conditions or scheduled oversight activities (e.g., responding to a Metrorail event or conducting observations of overnight maintenance work).
• Work may take place on or about WMATA property where WMSC personnel must be alert at all times for the approach of trains or rolling equipment; slips/trips/fall hazards; and hazardous materials.
• While on-site, WMSC personnel must also take precautions with electrical hazards associated with passenger and non-passenger vehicles and equipment, the third rail, and other power equipment throughout the Metrorail System.
• WMSC personnel may be exposed to unfavorable weather conditions, including temperature extremes and precipitation, and other environmental discomforts such as insects and vegetation.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required for specific job functions (and will be provided). All WMSC personnel will comply with WMATA requirements for PPE as applicable to the circumstances, as well as with applicable industry standards.
• The physical demands described here are not exhaustive but are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Certifications
Candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license or provide reliable means to arrive to and leave a rail station, rail yard, maintenance facility, the WMSC office, or other facility or location. Candidate will be required to enroll in and complete the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) within 3 years of designation by the WMSC and then, upon successful completion maintain that certification in good standing thereafter. Candidate is encouraged, but not required, to enroll in and complete the Transit Safety and Security Program as well. Additional certifications from AREMA, American Society of Safety Engineers (ASEE), and World Safety Organization (WSO) may also be encouraged.

Key Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities
• Excellent English-language written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment comprised of individuals from diverse cultures, work background and expertise areas.
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strength and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Ability and enthusiasm to acquire needed knowledge to perform duties.
• Ability to manage projects to fruition, on time.
• Ability to take direction and constructive criticism from supervisor, management, and others.
• Ability to consistently conduct all aspects of the position.
• Ability to be a team player who assists the WMSC in fulfilling its overall safety mandate.
• Ability to adhere to strong professional ethics, including resolution of any conflicts of interest.
• Ability to independently carry out duties following direction by supervisor/management and recognize any related duties on own initiative.
• Ability to use Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and other common software for conducting daily work including, but not limited to, preparing work products such as presentations, reports, graphs, tables, and for ensuring proper record retention.
• Ability to effectively use the internet and other collaboration software to perform assigned work.

Other Requirements
• Availability of a home office or other suitable, professional setting for conducting daily responsibilities. Alternatively, the WMSC office is available for this purpose.

Additional Information

WMSC offers a robust compensation and benefit package.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Office Location: 750 First Street NE, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20002

Apply by sending your cover letter with salary requirements and resume to hr@wmsc.gov.

The most up-to-date information regarding this job posting is available via the WMSC Employment Opportunities page (https://wmsc.gov/opportunities/employment-opportunities/).