Job Description

Accident Investigator

Promote a safe workplace and safe, efficient transportation for customers by performing incident investigations, in-depth analyses, and conformance audits to identify and resolve causal factors and hazards. Establish a collaborative approach with MNR operating departments to enhance employee, customer and operational safety. This includes but is not limited to:

Respond systemwide 24/7 as assigned to conduct on-site investigations of major and critical incidents including, but not limited to, employee and customer fatalities, derailments, collisions, fire-related events, near miss events, and unusual occurrences involving MNR, contractor, and/or tenant railroad equipment, customers, personnel and/or property. Lead interdepartmental investigation committees and drive thorough analyses to determine root causes and contributing factors and recommend corrective actions to eliminate or reduce the potential for future accidents/incidents. Prepare comprehensive accident/incident investigation reports and verify the implementation of corrective actions. Lead/drive the implementation of corrective actions as required. Direct and/or participate in conformance audits to ensure system-wide compliance with safety regulations, policies and procedures, Operating Rules, and training requirements. Oversee recordkeeping and reporting on incidents, injuries, investigative findings, audit/inspection findings, and corrective actions, in collaboration with other OSS teams. Coordinate with external regulatory agencies and stakeholders as required. Analyze accident/incident trends and produce and deliver reports to senior management on investigative findings, trends, and corrective actions. Coordinate with the Field Safety team and lead/mentor OSS Field Safety and Compliance managers participating in investigations and joint analyses/safety initiatives. Develop, implement, monitor effectiveness of major programs to achieve accident/incident reductions and safety compliance to address trends and findings from operational incident investigations.

Investigate operational incidents in accordance with MNR policy, including, but not limited to, employee and customer fatalities, derailments, collisions, fire-related events, near miss events, and unusual occurrences involving MNR, contractor, and/or tenant railroad equipment, customers, personnel and/or property.

Respond on-site on a 24/7 basis as assigned. Secure and analyze incident scenes in collaboration with responding operating departments. Coordinate and conduct witness interviews and statements, evidence collection and examination, and other investigative actions as required. Recommend, retain and coordinate outside experts/contractors as required. Coordinate and manage chain of custody documentation and processes.

Provide timely notifications to the FRA, PTSB, NTSB, OSHA and other agencies as required. Ensure appropriate recordkeeping and reporting in collaboration with other OSS teams to ensure adherence to regulatory and MTA/MNR requirements.

Lead interdepartmental investigation committees. Drive comprehensive analyses to determine root causes and contributing factors and to recommend corrective actions and other improvement plans based on findings, to eliminate or reduce the potential for future accidents/incidents. Provide regular and timely updates to operations staff regarding ongoing investigations to maintain engagement.

Coordinate in-depth incident reviews with the applicable departments to share findings and knowledge from open investigations. Formally distribute findings and action items.

Prepare comprehensive accident/incident investigation reports addressing root causes, contributing factors, and corrective actions. Present results to executive and senior staff as required. Serve as an expert witness as required.

Lead/mentor MNR OSS Field Safety, Compliance, and/or other staff supporting/participating in investigations.

Develop and monitor corrective actions; develop, monitor, and/or support other programs, policies, and initiatives to enhance safety of customers, employees, and overall operations

Develop corrective actions/improvements including policies, procedures, training, new technologies, partnerships, and other strategies as appropriate to address findings from investigations, audits, inspections, safety concerns or challenges, safety data analysis and trends, and other initiatives and issues. Maintain a log of pending actions in collaboration with other Investigators and OSS staff. Monitor/track status and follow up as required to ensure implementation, evaluate effectiveness, and recommend changes as appropriate.

Direct and/or participate in conformance audits to ensure system-wide compliance with safety regulations, policies and procedures, Operating Rules, and training requirements, including to verify the implementation of corrective actions identified through investigations, audits, and other findings.

Represent the Office of System Safety on the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) Peer Review Team (PRT). Review cases that meet the program criteria, develop causes, highlight trends, and prepare corrective actions to present to the senior staff for implementation.

Monitor progress of safety-related recommendations provided by external agencies such as the FRA, FTA and NTSB as assigned and provide status reports. Represent MNR at PTSB Board Meetings and interact with PTSB staff as required.

Collaborate with other OSS teams and MNR operating departments to establish the framework and focus for departmental Safety Action Plans, based on the review and analysis of departmental and agencywide data trends.

Conduct audits, inspections, and data analyses in collaboration with other MNR OSS staff to identify and monitor safety trends. Monitor MNR accident and injury reports, safety concerns, and safety challenges; take the lead on addressing issues as required. Participate in customer and community safety outreach events. Support departments in planning and conducting employee safety outreach including Safety Focus events, stand-downs, and the like.

Maintain operations and professional qualifications, safety certifications, and other continuing education requirements; remain current with state-of-the-art investigation methods, techniques, and technology.

Demonstrated understanding of rail industry, equipment, technical standards, operations and organization; demonstrated understanding of these factors for another complex operating/industrial environment may be considered

Strong crisis management skills with the ability to react effectively to emergency and other stressful situations

Knowledge and ability to review incidents and develop corresponding root causes, contributing factors, and corrective actions

Ability to develop, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of safety programs and initiatives.

Demonstrated excellent oral and written presentation and communication skills

Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to assimilate, organize, and convey pertinent information

Excellent project, team, and self-management skills, with the ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams as required, managing multiple projects while adhering to rapidly changing deadlines

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact and communicate effectively with all departments and all levels of management Metro-North, other MTA agencies, and external stakeholders, including executive leadership

Excellent leadership skills with the ability to foster teamwork and effective working relationships, resolve conflicts, lead multidisciplinary teams, and make effective decisions in a fast-paced and demanding environment

Ability to oversee safety compliance and exercise the authority to stop work or rail operations if deem imminent hazard to life or property exists; ability to take responsibility to initiate and terminate an investigation, including approving movement of equipment so recovery efforts can begin

Demonstrated ability to foster cooperation among diverse groups in a complex operating environment

Demonstrated ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and discretion

Demonstrated knowledge of audit/inspection principles and ability to establish audit/inspection plans. Ability to respond to incidents and emergencies 24/7, including working evenings and weekends as a normal course of business

Proficiency using Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and Outlook) or equivalent

Must be available and able to respond to emergencies 24/7 and available for coverage basis via cell phone.

Valid driver's license and ability to travel to various work locations 24/7

Associate degree in Business Administration, Safety, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or related field. Demonstrated equivalent experience, education and/or technical credentials to include an additional two years of related experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

Minimum of five (5) years of experience in the transportation industry related to the responsibilities of the position, at least two (2) years of which entail experience in one or more of the following: Transportation (train operations), Maintenance of Equipment, Maintenance of Way (Track, Structures, Communications & Signals, Power) and/or conducting safety-related investigations. Experience in another complex operating/industrial environment may be considered in lieu of experience in the transportation industry.

Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) certification (or ability to obtain within 1 year of hire)

Rail Accident Investigation training/certification (or ability to obtain within 1 year of hire)

Qualification in MNR Roadway Worker Protection/Supervisor Roadway Worker Protection, Operating Rules, and Blue Signal Protection (or ability to obtain within 1 year of hire)

Must have a valid driver's license

Background in the practical application of accident/incident investigation techniques, procedures and/or policies

Knowledge of applicable regulations and practices including FRA, OSHA, EPA, NYS and/or NYC Health, or equivalent.

Experience in railroad operations

Master's Degree in Safety , Emergency Management, Business, Engineering or related field.

Knowledge of and experience with FRA and NTSB investigation

Job Tags

Similar Jobs