Transit Safety Officer

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is seeking a dedicated Transit System Safety Officer to help ensure the safety and reliability of public transportation throughout Silicon Valley. This role sits within VTAs System Safety & Security Division and plays a key part in protecting employees passengers facilities and construction projects across bus rail and transit operations. If youre driven by public service and take pride in building safer systems this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community.

In this position youll lead and support in compliance activities while partnering closely with internal teams contractors and regulatory agencies. Youll conduct accident/incident investigations analyze data for trends assist with audits and recommend corrective actions to reduce risk and improve operational safety.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience in transportation construction or industrial safety. Candidates are expected to be comfortable working in dynamic operational environments and to have a certain level of self-autonomy.

If youre ready to help shape the future of transit safety and advance your career in public transportation we encourage you to apply.

The ideal candidate is a safety professional with strong analytical and investigative skills who thrives in a regulated transit or construction environment. This individual demonstrates sound judgment works independently learns new skill sets quickly and is comfortable responding to emergencies and leading safety initiatives across diverse operational settings.

The successful candidate will bring experience in construction industrial or transportation safety; the ability to analyze safety data and trends; and excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively collaborate with employees leadership contractors union representatives and regulatory agencies. A strong commitment to advancing safety culture continuous self-improvement and regulatory compliance is essential.

Possession of relevant certifications such as the Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) the Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) Associate Safety Professional (ASP) Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or the Occupational Health and Safety Technician (OHST) is highly desirable.

Desired Skills & Qualifications

• Experience conducting safety audits and regulatory compliance inspections
• Knowledge of FTA FRA CPUC DOT CAL/OSHA and related safety regulations
• Experience investigating bus/rail accidents and employee injuries
• Strong hazard identification and risk mitigation skills
• Experience developing and delivering safety training programs
• Ability to analyze safety data and perform trend analysis
• Experience working with emergency response teams and emergency operations planning
• Professional certifications (TSSP PTSCTP CHST OHST ASP CSP)

This class is distinguished from the classification of Transit System Safety Supervisor in that the latter class has full supervisory authority and responsibility for program development coordination and implementation. The Transit Safety Officer performs an array of duties in the development administration implementation and enforcement of VTA safety programs.

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area VTA is Santa Clara Countys authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus) congestion management transportation-related funding highway design and construction real estate and transit-oriented development and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local state and federal partners VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable accessible community-focused transportation options that are innovative environmentally responsible and promote the vitality of our region.

VTA provides bus light rail and paratransit services as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain Capitol Corridor and the Altamont Corridor Express.

As the countys congestion management agency VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning including congestion management design and construction of specific highway pedestrian and bicycle improvement projects as well as promotion of transit-oriented development.

VTA provides these services throughout the county including Campbell Cupertino Gilroy Los Altos Los Altos Hills Los Gatos Milpitas Monte Sereno Morgan Hill Mountain View Palo Alto San Jose Santa Clara Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan visit: Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)

The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.

Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave lactation accommodation and work/family balance.

Knowledge of:

• Theories principles and practices of general industry and/or construction safety transportation safety transit operations disaster preparedness and emergency response;
• Applicable local state and federal safety laws and regulations governing facilities bus and rail operations and construction projects including those promulgated by CPUC FTA FED OSHA CAL OSHA CA/FED EPA and FRA;
• Strategies for hazard identification and mitigation;
• Principles of event investigations;
• Reporting and recordkeeping practices to ensure regulatory compliance;
• Operation of common office equipment including personal computers and common software applications.

Ability to:

• Perform thorough event investigations;
• Develop and implement safety program plans and procedures;
• Perform safety-related duties on an operational transit system at active construction sites and in maintenance work areas;
• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws rules regulations pertaining to transportation and workplace safety;
• Analyze interpret and apply laws rules regulations policies procedures and contracts;
• Work independently;
• Develop and implement training programs;
• Interact professionally with various levels of management union representatives employees and regulatory agency personnel;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Learn technical skills and concepts regarding various skilled trades;
• Exercise judgement and creativity in making decisions;
• Manage safety projects from conception to culmination;
• Analyze complex situations identify problems and recommend appropriate solutions;
• Attain and maintain accreditations required by regulatory or legislative bodies.

General Application Instructions

Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.

To be considered applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as continuous we encourage you to apply as soon as possible as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted you will receive an immediate email confirmation.

Personalized responses to Supplemental Questions that connect your past experiences to this specific role are the most effective. AI-generated content may lack the specificity required to address the key criteria outlined in the job description. While we encourage the use of AI as a tool to enhance your work we want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. You may use AI to generate ideas but please ensure your final responses are in your own voice and reflect your unique experience. Overreliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish your chances of success.

Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications resumes Job Interest Notification Cards or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.

Communication & Contact Information
All updates regarding your applicationincluding notices for testing and interviewswill be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.

Due to the high volume of applications we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support contact NEOGOV at Monday through Friday 8:00 AM 5:00 PM (PST) excluding holidays.

Application Review & Processing
All current and prior relevant work experienceincluding experience with VTAmust be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as see resume are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected even if you meet the minimum qualifications.

While you are welcome to upload a resume it does not substitute for completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.

Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications experience education or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.

This classification is represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees () Transportation Authority Engineers and Architects Association ( Wages hours and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.

Tentative Examinations:

Oral Panel: March 2026

Conditions of Employment

Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check reference checks verification of education or certifications and a criminal history review before appointment.

For sensitive positions VT requires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.

Eligibility List

The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation please contact the Human Resources Department at or email at least five business days before the test.

Equal Employment Opportunity

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employee son the basis of age ancestry color marital status mental or physical disability genetic information national origin immigration status political affiliation race religion creed sex gender identity gender expression sexual orientation pregnancy medical condition disabled veteran or veteran status etc.