Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
Senior Director of SMS Implementation (Senior Director of Safety Project Implementation)
Boston, MA
May 10, 2025
$162,710 - $189,830 a year
Full-time
Full Job Description

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, and sustainability and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

This position involves identifying opportunities and managing initiatives that promote and optimize safety programs and oversight that drive the successful implementation of the MBTA's Safety Management System (SMS). Specifically, this position supports planning, developing, and implementing the SMS by directing, coordinating, and managing strategic and tactical initiatives. This in-person position supports the Safety Division's executive management.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • In conjunction with the Chief of Safety Management, Deputy Chief Safety Officer, and other Safety Division management, evaluates safety performance, develops and recommends strategies for program improvement, and implements and manages initiatives that support recommended strategies.
  • Drives implementation and optimization of the MBTA's enterprise safety management system.
  • Creates and collaborates with Safety management to develop policies, programs, processes, activities, and measures that reduce safety risks and ensure consistency.
  • Identifies and implements long-term solutions to systemic safety issues identified in audits, assessments, and safety assurance processes to minimize liability and prevent recurrence.
  • Participates in developing safety goals, objectives, and key performance indicators.
  • Develops and fosters relationships that support the advancement of safety enhancements for the MBTA.
  • Serves as a member of various MBTA and safety-related teams and committees.
  • Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.


Additional responsibilities may include a focus on one or more departments or locations.   See applicable addendum for department or location-specific functions.


Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Safety, Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
  • Ten (10) years of experience in safety management, the transit industry, and/or regulatory compliance, including a minimum of:
  1. Five (5) years of large-scale/enterprise-wide program management and/or project management experience;
    • Three (3) years of Safety Management System experience; and
    • Two (2) years of regulatory compliance experience.
  • Advanced working knowledge of formal project management processes.
  • Advanced skill-level in the use of Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, PeopleSoft and/or other database applications.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate at all levels of the organization effectively. 
  • Strong leadership, project management, consensus-building, analytical, and decision-making skills. 
  • Working knowledge/understanding of 49 CFR Parts 672 (Public Transportation Safety) and 673 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).
  • Ability to complete, apply, and adhere to concepts in safety training, including but not limited to SMS Fundamentals, ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800, as well as courses offered on websites hosted by MassDOT, FEMA, and TSI within the first month of employment.
  • Ability to complete a Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) within three (3) years of employment. 
  • A valid Class D driver's license.
  • Ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce.

Substitutions Include

  • A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement. 
  • An associate degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitute for the bachelor's degree requirement. 
  • A master's degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience. 
  • A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field, substitutes for one year of experience.

Preferred Experience

  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or actively pursuing a PMP certification.
  • Project management training. 
  • Master's degree from an accredited institution in Safety, Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
  • Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) Certification.
  • Public Transportation Safety Certification (PTSCTP) Certification.
  • Additional years of experience in the transportation industry.
  • Working knowledge of transit operations, facilities, vehicles, rules, and procedures.
  • World Safety Organization (WSO) Certificate or equivalent.

Job Conditions:

  • Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
  • Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
  • Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
  • Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team (or supervise, if required).
  • Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
  • Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
  • Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
  • Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
  • Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
  • Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

  1. General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
  2. Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. Recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
  3. Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
  4. Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
  5. Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
  6. Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
  7. Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
  8. On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
  9. Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
  10. ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
  11. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.
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Senior Director of SMS Implementation (Senior Director of Safety Project Implementation)
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
Boston, MA
May 10, 2025
$162,710 - $189,830 a year
Full-time
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