Deputy Director of Assurance and Oversight

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, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, 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.

The Deputy Director of Assurance and Oversight will support the Engineering & Maintenance (E&M) division by overseeing and managing assurance activities and leading programs related to safety investigations, hazard identification and mitigation, field assurance observations, and safety performance monitoring.
This role serves as a key operational safety leader, ensuring field-level safety risks are identified, analyzed, and addressed; investigations and corrective actions are conducted thoroughly; and safety training programs are effectively managed and aligned with regulatory and MBTA requirements.

The Deputy Director will work closely with MBTA Safety, Quality Management (QM), Operations Rules Compliance (ORC), and the Director of Policy, Strategy, and Oversight to ensure comprehensive oversight of safety-related matters across E&M.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership & Management

• Directly manage, support, and mentor Safety & Training Manager roles across E&M, ensuring effective delivery of training programs and field support.
• Provide leadership for safety investigations, hazard mitigation initiatives, and field assurance programs across E&M.
• Lead policy and program development, metrics development, and communication for assurance programs.
• Serve as acting lead in the absence of the Director of Policy, Strategy, and Oversight, as needed.
• Develop annual safety strategy and performance goals for E&M in collaboration with the Director of Policy, Strategy, and Oversight
• Lead and participate in safety improvement projects driven by incident trends, field assurance findings, or audit outcomes.
• Develop and mentor champions for safety across E&M through identifying training resources, coaching, and modeling proactive safety behaviors.
• Communicate with executive leadership on data driven insights, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations for E&M wide safety assurance priorities.

• Lead or oversee investigations into E&M-related injuries, near misses, incidents, and hazards to ensure thorough documentation, root cause analysis, and corrective action development.
• Oversee tracking, completion, and closure of Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) and Immediate Actions required by MBTA Safety, Quality Management, DLS, DPU, FTA, and other regulators.
• Ensure high-quality investigative practices and consistent application of investigation procedures across E&M.

• Oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of hazard identification and mitigation processes.
• Lead field assurance activities including field observations, compliance reviews, and validation of safe work practices, including but not limited to Operational Testing and Inspection Program (OTIP), Quality Management (QM) Audits, MBTA Safety Audits, and internal safety assurance activities.
• Partner with operational departments to review work plans, evaluate job site hazards, and verify proper controls are in place.
• Monitor, trend, and report safety performance indicators, hazards, and field observations.

• Assist in developing annual safety strategy and performance goals for E&M.
• Lead and participate in safety improvement projects driven by incident trends, field assurance findings, or audit outcomes.
• Promote consistent, data-driven decision-making through reporting, analytics, and performance monitoring.

• Drive to field locations as necessary and respond to emergencies, adverse weather, or service-impacting events.
• ·Work closely with MBTA Safety, Quality Management, and regulatory entities to support audits, investigations, and corrective action processes.
• Support Local Safety Committees and assist in safety-related communications and engagement initiatives.
• Serve as a resource to E&M leadership and front-line departments (MOW, SCM, PSM, TFM) on safety issues, hazard controls, and safe work practices.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

• Will supervise two managers

• Bachelor's degree in safety, occupational health, engineering, public administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) years of relevant experience in safety management, field safety operations, occupational health, or a comparable industrial, transit, construction, or maintenance environment.
• Two (2) years of supervisory or team leadership experience, including coaching and developing staff.
• Demonstrated experience conducting incident investigations, performing root cause analysis, and developing corrective actions using established methodologies (e.g., Five-Whys, Ishikawa, fault tree analysis).
• Experience performing field safety audits, job hazard analyses, or operational testing in active operational environments.
• Working knowledge of regulatory requirements applicable to safety operations (e.g., OSHA, DLS, FTA, DPU) and ability to apply them in daily operational decision-making.
• Experience using data, trends, and performance metrics to support safety decision-making, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with safety reporting or analytics tools.
• Ability to travel throughout the MBTA service area and respond to field locations, emergencies, or service-impacting events as required.
• Valid driver’s license in accordance with MBTA policy.
• Ability to work any and all shifts and/or locations assigned or directed.

• 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 with an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes 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.

• Three (3) years of supervisory or team leadership experience, including coaching and developing staff.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), CHST, OSHA 500, or equivalent.
• ·Experience conducting or managing safety investigations and Corrective Action Plans.
• Knowledge of OSHA, DLS, ANSI, and other applicable regulations and standards.
• Experience in transit, construction safety, utilities, or heavy maintenance environments.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• 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 diverse workforce 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 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. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

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. The 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: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees 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 .
12. Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.