Specialist, Safety Compliance (Alaska Railroad)

Job Description

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Safety Compliance Specialist supports the development, implementation, analysis, documentation, and continuous improvement of ARRC safety programs, with primary emphasis on Federal Railroad Administration accident and incident reporting under 49 CFR Part 225 and system safety program requirements under 49 CFR Part 270. The position also supports training, qualification, and oversight activities related to safety-related railroad employees under 49 CFR Part 243, as well as other applicable FRA, OSHA, state, and company safety requirements.

This position provides accurate regulatory reporting, safety data analysis, incident investigation, program coordination, training, field safety support, and risk-based recommendations to strengthen compliance, reduce hazards, improve safety performance, and promote a proactive safety culture throughout ARRC.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Works with departments to ensure employee safety, process safety, accident and incident reporting, system safety program activities, and safety-related compliance requirements are integrated into ARRC operations and programs. Monitors safety performance through training, field observations, internal reviews, data analysis, audit support, and incident investigation. Identifies short-term and long-term safety issues and recommends corrective actions, risk controls, and improvement strategies.

Coordinates and supports 49 CFR Part 225 accident and incident reporting, classification, recordkeeping, quality control, documentation, and monthly submission activities. Reviews injuries, occupational illnesses, rail equipment accidents/incidents, and highway-rail grade crossing events for reportability. Reconciles source records, maintains supporting documentation, prepares reports, identifies trends, and provides recommendations to address hazards, recurring causes, and opportunities for corrective action.

Supports implementation and continuous improvement of ARRC’s 49 CFR Part 270 System Safety Program by assisting with hazard identification, risk assessment, mitigation tracking, internal assessments, corrective action follow-up, documentation, and safety performance review. Develops and and delivers training for ARRC employees and contractors related to Part 225 reporting responsibilities, Part 270 system safety processes, Part 243 training, qualification, and oversight requirements, corporate safety programs, and other applicable OSHA and FRA compliance requirements.

Participates in the management and execution of ARRC’s incident reporting and investigation process, including First Alert review and follow-up. Serves as an active member of the incident investigation team. Facilitates incident investigations to identify direct, contributing, and underlying causes. Assists in developing corrective actions to prevent recurrence and tracks completion of assigned follow-up items.

Participates in the management and execution of the ARRC Occupational Safety Programs, including but not limited to Hearing Conservation, Respiratory Protection, Confined Space, Fall Protection, PPE, Hazard Communication, and other programs as assigned.

Prepares follow-up summaries, communications, reports, and documentation resulting from inspections, investigations, audits, and program reviews. Oversees the tracking of the Safety Issue Resolution Process (SIRP).

Supports the operating departments with emergency services when requested. Will be an active member in the ARCC Incident Command Team, supporting emergency response in both filed applications and or at the Emergency Operations Center when needed.

Contributes to team effort by performing other duties as assigned.

FACTOR 1:

Technical and Operational Knowledge

Must have thorough knowledge of railroad safety program administration, practices and related laws, regulations, and standards.  Must have specific working knowledge of, or demonstrated ability to learn and apply 49 CFR Part 225, Railroad Accidents/Incidents: Reports Classification, and Investigations, and 49 CFR Part 270, System Safety Program, and familiarity with 49 CFR Part 243, Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees. Must be able to locate, interpret, explain and apply federal, state, and company safety standards to reporting, hazard analysis, risk reduction, training, investigations, and program improvement activities.

Must have a general understanding of the following processes; work experience in one or more area preferred:

Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessments

Development of Job Hazard Analysis (JHA’s)

Conducting Field Safety Inspections

Incident Investigations

FRA regulations pertaining to railroad accident/incident reporting, classification, investigations, system safety programs, workplace safety, and safety-related railroad employee training, qualification, and oversight, including CFR 225, CFR 270, and CFR 243.

FACTOR 2:

Analytical Skills and Impact

Ability to apply CFR 225 and CFR 270 knowledge and CFR 243 familiarity to determine effective methods for accident/incident reporting, data validation, trend analysis, hazard identification, risk assessment, corrective action tracking, employee training, qualification support, investigations, and field safety assessments. These program elements are designed to support compliance with federal and state requirements and company authority while reducing accident, injury, and operational risk.

Ability to determine employee and supervisor training and education needs to reduce or eliminate potential accident-related loss and the establishment of procedures to accomplish this objective.

Ability to assess environmental conditions to minimize adverse effects on the safety and occupational health of individuals and to determine compliance with State and Federal safety and occupational health standards.

Ability to accurately document and report findings from field observations and formal inspections.

As a safety team member, must be able to contribute to the development and editing of corporate safety policy, procedures, documents, manuals, and system safety program materials; analyze CFR 225 accident/incident data, investigation reports, safety observations, and applicable regulations; and recommend corrective actions and risk-reduction strategies to reduce or eliminate hazards.

FACTOR 3:

Supervision and Control

This position generally works under the direction of the Director, Safety, but is expected to perform duties with a high degree of independence, accuracy, and professional judgment. The incumbent may provide functional direction, coordination, or technical guidance to employees, supervisors, contractors, or project participants regarding safety processes, reporting requirements, corrective actions, training activities, inspections, investigations, or program requirements. The position may assist with safety program planning, budget input, contractor coordination, and management of safety-related services or projects. The incumbent must be able to prioritize work, manage competing deadlines, maintain regulatory documentation, and complete assignments with minimal supervision. This position does not normally supervise regular employees unless specifically assigned.

FACTOR 4:

Communication

Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential. The position communicates with employees, supervisors, managers, contractors, regulatory stakeholders, and other internal and external parties regarding safety requirements, incident reporting, investigations, training, corrective actions, safety concerns, and program improvement activities.

The incumbent must be able to:

Explain technical and regulatory requirements in clear, practical language;

Prepare accurate written reports, summaries, safety messages, and correspondence;

Develop training materials and safety communications;

Facilitate meetings, investigations, or follow-up discussions;

Communicate professionally with e