The Chief Safety Officer (CSO) for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District a passenger rail also known as the South Shore Line Railroad is responsible for the strategic leadership development implementation and oversight of all safety regulatory compliance environmental and risk management programs for the South Shore Line passenger railroad. The CSO ensures compliance with all applicable Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations while promoting a proactive culture of safety throughout the organization.The Chief Safety Officer serves as a key member of executive leadership and works collaboratively with all departments to reduce risk improve operational safety performance and ensure the protection of employees passengers contractors and the public.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:- Provide executive leadership for all railroad safety initiatives policies and compliance programs.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive System Safety Program Plan (SSPP).
- Ensure compliance with FRA FTA OSHA DOT and other applicable federal and state regulations.
- Lead accident incident and injury investigations and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
- Analyze safety trends operational risks and performance metrics to identify areas for improvement.
- Oversee railroad operational safety audits field inspections and regulatory reviews.
- Coordinate emergency preparedness planning and response activities with local state and federal agencies.
- Develop and administer employee safety training and education programs.
- Promote a positive safety culture through leadership engagement and employee accountability.
- Serve as primary liaison with regulatory agencies regarding safety compliance matters.
- Prepare and present safety performance reports to executive leadership and Board of Trustees.
- Oversee contractor safety compliance for capital projects and railroad operations.
- Collaborate with Transportation Mechanical Engineering Human Resources and Risk Management departments to ensure organizational safety objectives are achieved.
- Manage departmental budget staffing and strategic safety initiatives.
- Recommend policies and operational changes to improve safety performance and reduce organizational risk.
Minimum Qualifications:- Bachelors degree in Safety Management Transportation Industrial Engineering Business Administration or related field preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of railroad transit transportation or industrial safety experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive management or executive leadership experience.
- Extensive knowledge of FRA FTA OSHA and DOT regulations.
- Experience conducting accident investigations and root cause analysis.
- Strong knowledge of passenger railroad operations and operating practices preferred.
- Excellent leadership communication organizational and analytical skills.
- Ability to work effectively with labor unions regulatory agencies executive leadership and frontline employees.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and safety management systems.
- Valid drivers license required.
Preferred Qualifications:- Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation.
- Experience in commuter or passenger rail operations.
- Knowledge of Positive Train Control (PTC) roadway worker protection and railroad operating rules.
- Experience managing emergency response and crisis management programs.
Working Conditions:- Combination of office and field environment.
- Subject to on-call responsibilities for emergency response situations.
- Occasional travel required.
- Ability to work nights weekends and holidays as operational needs require
Salary and Benefits:- Competitive executive salary
- Railroad Retirement benefits
- Medical dental and vision insurance
- Paid vacation and holidays
- Retirement savings options
- Supplemental Pension Plans
The starting salary is $155000. Health care dental care vacation holidays supplemental pension plans Railroad Retirement Board benefits and comp time are some of the benefits available. Credit for time served in other railroad employment including approved military leaves will be applied in determining vacation day entitlements.How to Apply:Complete the online application andsubmit a written resume outlining education training experience and work history. A cover letter outlining the reasons why you are interested and why you believe you are best qualified is encouraged but not required. Contact Joseph Cieniawski Director of Human Resources & Labor Relations at ext. 268 if you have questions about this opportunity or notice.
All interested employees must submit resumes by 9:00 a.m. Tuesday May 26th 2026.
Apply early for best chance for consideration; the District reserves the option to close this position prior to the stated application deadline. Late or lost applications will not be accepted by the District
Apply early for the best chance for consideration; the District reserves the option to close this position at any time.
NICTD is an Equal Opportunity Employer
NICTD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race color religion national origin sex (including gender identity sexual orientation and pregnancy) age genetic information disability veteran status or other protected class assuming the individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
NICTDs complete EEO Policy Statement is available upon request to the Districts EEO Officer Ms. Melissa Jones at ext. 289; e-mail:
Applicant Note: This application form is intended for use in evaluating your qualifications for employment. It is not an employment contract. Please answer all questions completely and to the best of your ability. False or misleading statements are grounds for refusal or termination of employment and benefits.
Applicants are considered without regard to race color religion national origin gender age disability marital status veteran status sexual orientation citizenship or any other characteristic protected by law in all employment decisions.
Required Experience:
Chief
The Chief Safety Officer (CSO) for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District a passenger rail also known as the South Shore Line Railroad is responsible for the strategic leadership development implementation and oversight of all safety regulatory compliance environmental and risk manage...
The Chief Safety Officer (CSO) for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District a passenger rail also known as the South Shore Line Railroad is responsible for the strategic leadership development implementation and oversight of all safety regulatory compliance environmental and risk management programs for the South Shore Line passenger railroad. The CSO ensures compliance with all applicable Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations while promoting a proactive culture of safety throughout the organization.The Chief Safety Officer serves as a key member of executive leadership and works collaboratively with all departments to reduce risk improve operational safety performance and ensure the protection of employees passengers contractors and the public.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:- Provide executive leadership for all railroad safety initiatives policies and compliance programs.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive System Safety Program Plan (SSPP).
- Ensure compliance with FRA FTA OSHA DOT and other applicable federal and state regulations.
- Lead accident incident and injury investigations and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
- Analyze safety trends operational risks and performance metrics to identify areas for improvement.
- Oversee railroad operational safety audits field inspections and regulatory reviews.
- Coordinate emergency preparedness planning and response activities with local state and federal agencies.
- Develop and administer employee safety training and education programs.
- Promote a positive safety culture through leadership engagement and employee accountability.
- Serve as primary liaison with regulatory agencies regarding safety compliance matters.
- Prepare and present safety performance reports to executive leadership and Board of Trustees.
- Oversee contractor safety compliance for capital projects and railroad operations.
- Collaborate with Transportation Mechanical Engineering Human Resources and Risk Management departments to ensure organizational safety objectives are achieved.
- Manage departmental budget staffing and strategic safety initiatives.
- Recommend policies and operational changes to improve safety performance and reduce organizational risk.
Minimum Qualifications:- Bachelors degree in Safety Management Transportation Industrial Engineering Business Administration or related field preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of railroad transit transportation or industrial safety experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive management or executive leadership experience.
- Extensive knowledge of FRA FTA OSHA and DOT regulations.
- Experience conducting accident investigations and root cause analysis.
- Strong knowledge of passenger railroad operations and operating practices preferred.
- Excellent leadership communication organizational and analytical skills.
- Ability to work effectively with labor unions regulatory agencies executive leadership and frontline employees.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and safety management systems.
- Valid drivers license required.
Preferred Qualifications:- Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation.
- Experience in commuter or passenger rail operations.
- Knowledge of Positive Train Control (PTC) roadway worker protection and railroad operating rules.
- Experience managing emergency response and crisis management programs.
Working Conditions:- Combination of office and field environment.
- Subject to on-call responsibilities for emergency response situations.
- Occasional travel required.
- Ability to work nights weekends and holidays as operational needs require
Salary and Benefits:- Competitive executive salary
- Railroad Retirement benefits
- Medical dental and vision insurance
- Paid vacation and holidays
- Retirement savings options
- Supplemental Pension Plans
The starting salary is $155000. Health care dental care vacation holidays supplemental pension plans Railroad Retirement Board benefits and comp time are some of the benefits available. Credit for time served in other railroad employment including approved military leaves will be applied in determining vacation day entitlements.How to Apply:Complete the online application andsubmit a written resume outlining education training experience and work history. A cover letter outlining the reasons why you are interested and why you believe you are best qualified is encouraged but not required. Contact Joseph Cieniawski Director of Human Resources & Labor Relations at ext. 268 if you have questions about this opportunity or notice.
All interested employees must submit resumes by 9:00 a.m. Tuesday May 26th 2026.
Apply early for best chance for consideration; the District reserves the option to close this position prior to the stated application deadline. Late or lost applications will not be accepted by the District
Apply early for the best chance for consideration; the District reserves the option to close this position at any time.
NICTD is an Equal Opportunity Employer
NICTD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race color religion national origin sex (including gender identity sexual orientation and pregnancy) age genetic information disability veteran status or other protected class assuming the individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
NICTDs complete EEO Policy Statement is available upon request to the Districts EEO Officer Ms. Melissa Jones at ext. 289; e-mail:
Applicant Note: This application form is intended for use in evaluating your qualifications for employment. It is not an employment contract. Please answer all questions completely and to the best of your ability. False or misleading statements are grounds for refusal or termination of employment and benefits.
Applicants are considered without regard to race color religion national origin gender age disability marital status veteran status sexual orientation citizenship or any other characteristic protected by law in all employment decisions.
Required Experience:
Chief
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