The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) located in Cleveland, Ohio, is searching for an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist to join their Safety Department.
Applications are accepted electronically at: www.riderta.com.
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) provides transportation services for 150,000-200,000 customers on a typical weekday, or about 45 million rides annually, through a variety of services, including HealthLine, bus, Paratransit, light rail, heavy rail, and vanpools. GCRTA is the 2019 recipient of the prestigious American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Gold award for Bus Safety & Security Excellence. We are proud to be one of northeast Ohio’s major employers with a workforce of over 2,100 employees carrying out our mission of Connecting the Community.
We offer a wide range of comprehensive benefits and programs to support the health and wellness of employees and family members including health benefits (medical, dental and vision), a wellness incentive program and participation in the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System (OPERS).
Brief Description
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) located in Cleveland, Ohio, is searching for an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist to join our Safety Department.
Detailed Description
Coordinates all aspects of environmental health and safety for Bus, Rail, Paratransit and Non-Revenue operations, under direction of Manager of Safety. Assists in coordination of all environmental work including managing underground storage tank requirements, hazardous waste and non-hazardous waste contracts, waste minimization plans, spill prevention, and regulatory requirements. Initiates, facilitates, and participates in meetings with various RTA departments as well as outside agencies regarding safety matters. Assist State Safety Oversight Agency with FTA mandated incident response, auditing, Risk Based Inspections, policies and procedures for inspection access, and data collection. Analyzes accident and injury data to develop recommendations for improvement. Serves as an advisor to District Safety Committees and supports Executive Safety Committee meetings with safety information updates; assists in resolving hazards, and follow-up on safety suggestions. Investigates and/or assists in the investigation of major Bus, Rail, and other vehicle accidents. Conducts root cause analysis and provides recommendations for all incidents. Follows-up on all recommendations to completion. On-call status 24/7, on a rotating schedule utilizing a company response vehicle. Reviews project and product specifications for safety standards. Leads in the development, implementation, and instruction of safety programs. Conducts or assists in conducting safety inspections at various GCRTA properties. Conducts Internal Audits of Organizational Functions described in the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan in accordance with 49 CFR Part 673 to determine compliance and develop continuous improvement strategies. Develop Corrective Action Plans; monitors and evaluates results. Works with all departments, districts, and divisions within the GCRTA to ensure compliance with established safety regulations, company policies and procedures in order to ensure the safety of employees, and the public, minimize property damage while protecting the environment. Manages safety contracts as assigned by the Manager or Director of Safety. Performs other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
An Associate Degree in Safety, Engineering, Natural Science, Environmental or related technical field or a two-year college or technical school certification or degree preferred. Must have High School Diploma or GED, 3-5 years’ experience in EHS or Rail is preferred. Must have excellent report writing skills.
Take every reasonable precaution given the circumstances to ensure the protection of employees, patrons, and members of the public. Sets the example for others to follow contributing to a positive safety culture. Identify and inform employees of hazards in the workplace. Determines safe work methods and ensures that employees are notified of new and modified methods. Ensures that employees are trained on safety policies and procedures. Ensures that employees follow procedures.
Enforces security measures, controls, and procedures. Reports any security related issues in a timely fashion to the appropriate Manager or Transit Police. Engages the workforce to recognize and report security matters promptly. Responds to health and safety concerns of employees in a timely manner.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Additional Details
Sets schedule for meetings assisted by local committee; facilitates at meetings; ensures minutes are taken and standard format is used. Discusses past problems with committee; resolves problems or takes additional action. Directs new problems for appropriate sources. Ensures Safety Management System is utilized and understood by committee members.
Provides safety information verbally, with pamphlets, or other materials to convey messages as it relates to committee members; provides any additional information, such as accidents from the Safety Office; provides information for safety bulletin board at each facility. Conducts safety inspections with committee members after meetings. Serves on Executive Safety Committee as a resource to provide information on safety. Research questions asked by committee. Generates periodic reports (e.g. trends, summaries, etc.); presents findings to committee. Acts as catalyst with individuals of committee.
Periodically receives request to address an issue or make a presentation on safety; compiles information on safety; discusses proper procedures. Assists in providing “Familiarization with RTA” training for Emergency Response Agencies (e.g., Police, Fire and E.M.S.) Provides safety orientation for new employees. Participates in safety training program development. Instills safety as number one concern for operators.
Compiles data for reports. Analyzes accident, employee injury, and hazard report data as well as reviews data provided by other transit operations. Detects trends; identifies problem; and makes recommendations for improvement resolutions. Summarizes data and compiles into reports. States problems and recommends corrective action to the responsible Department or District.
Serves “on-call response” to incidents on a rotating basis 24/7. Gathers information from RTA personnel on the scene (e.g., claims, operations, etc.); interviews witnesses; takes pictures and measurements; determines who involved, injuries, location; documents findings.
Occasionally interacts with local police, Fire or other regulatory agencies. Assists in coordinating activities concerning the investigation with other Departments in RTA and external agencies. Reconstructs and discusses accident with internal departments. Conducts root cause analysis. Assists supervisor in providing recommendations for remedial action and drafting of final report; submits report. Follows-up on actions taken as stated in report. Provides support as requested for rail or employee accidents.
Ensures all specifications come through Safety office; scrutinizes those specifications relevant to safety. Reviews all vehicle specifications including bus, rail, and support vehicles.
Reviews other GCRTA materials for safety. Reviews construction drawings for safety and designs. Obtains and reviews other literature dealing with safety. Analyzes other areas of RTA regarding safety.
Instructs various safety training programs as are needed to maintain compliance with federal, state, and local code, laws, and rules. Ensures programs are on-going. Generates program ideas and provides recommendations. Updates continuing programs with the phasing out of old programs. Administers safety incentive programs and other safety promotional programs. Generates and distributes monthly safety toolbox talks.
Assists other safety staff with inspections. Performs ride checks, bus stop or rail inspection.
During the inspections, considers safety standards; analyzes situation; notes possible safety hazards; documents safety hazards noted during observation; and completes ride check form or completes checklist. Completes hazard reports and maintains follow-up on identified hazards. Serves as Project Manager for specific safety contracts requiring time management, communication, and budgeting skills.
Working Conditions: The working conditions described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environmental Conditions: This person will split their time between an office type environment, outside and at the Operations Districts conducting audits, inspections, job hazard analyses, drills at the operating facility. Must investigate accidents and incidents and as a result be outside for a number of hours and be on-call 24/7 on a rotating schedule.
Physical Demands: Must be able to walk many miles of track and facilities. Must withstand various weather conditions during investigations and at all times during the day and night. The employee is frequently required to see, hear and speak, kneel, crouch, stand, climb and stoop. The employee may be required to work at a desktop computer for more than 5 hours a day. The employee is required to travel to different agency sites and work irregular schedules.
Mental Demands: Reading, watching, studying, observing, focused listening, auditing, inspecting, proofreading and evaluating. Ability to give, receive and analyze information, formulate work plans, prepare written materials and articulate goals and action plans. Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written), develop and interpret policy, procedures and data, maintain emotional control under stress. Must be adaptable to constant changing routine and ability to work in a demanding environment with strict deadlines.
Selection Process: This is a non-bargaining exempt level position. Merit system rules do not apply. No Eligible list will be established. The selection process will include one or more components to demonstrate applicants’ knowledge, skills and abilities in job related areas. These may include exercises such as practical demonstrations, written communications, oral interviews and/or competency assessments.
This position requires successfully passing a criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and pre-employment physical.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ADA EMPLOYER/DRUG FREE WORKPLACE