Chief of Safety and Design

Chief of Safety and Design Dept of Rail & Public Trans Richmond, VA Job Details Full-time Up to $185,000 a year 1 day ago Qualifications Rail transportation Health & safety investigations Stakeholder engagement Managerial strategic planning Public transit development projects Regulatory compliance Collaborating with government agencies Policy & process development Team management Transportation infrastructure projects Working on construction projects Stakeholder relationship building Stakeholder management Full Job Description 5104681 Richmond, Virginia, United States Dept of Rail & Public Trans Administrative Services Architecture / Engineering Full-Time (Salaried) Closing at: May 28 2026 - 23:55

EDT Dept of Rail & Public Trans Title:

Chief of Safety and Design State Role Title:

General Admin Manager III Hiring Range:

Up to $185,000

Pay Band:

7

Agency:

Dept of Rail & Public Trans Location:

Main Street Center Agency Website:

www.drpt.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type:

General Public - G Job Duties The Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) plans, establishes, maintains, improves and promotes public transportation services, rail passenger and freight transportation systems, and transportation demand management strategies that provide mobility and transportation choices for the people of the Commonwealth. The Department of Rail & Public Transportation (DRPT) is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the newly created role of Chief of Safety and Design. This position will serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), providing guidance and leadership to the Safety and Design Division. The Division includes engineering design as well as the State Safety Oversight program, mandated by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) with funding provided by FTA and the Virginia's Commonwealth Mass Transit Fund (CMTF). The State Safety Oversight (SSO) program is exclusively focused on the 7.2 mile light rail system in Hampton Roads. In addition to the SSO program the Division includes a project design and engineering team who bring technical expertise on strategies to avoid or minimize safety risks associated with traffic roadway design and accelerate project delivery for DRPT-funded construction projects; staff focused on federal regulatory compliance and oversight, including in the areas of cybersecurity. Core division duties include overseeing the SSO program, providing oversight of engineering, final design and construction activities for a portfolio of major rail and transit projects funded by the Commonwealth of Virginia and providing technical support necessary to avoiding, preventing and mitigating safety incidents. The position serves as a member of the agency's Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and supervises approximately six (6) classified positions and one (1) contractor position. This position requires considerable progressive experience directing the work of others responsible for engineering design and rail transit and public transportation systems including safety, security, operations and accident/incident investigations. College coursework in engineering, transportation safety, security, emergency management, business, public administration or related field, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. The Department of Rail and Public Transportation offers a generous total compensation package. Well qualified candidates will be eligible to negotiate Exceptional Recruitment Incentives. New external candidates of the Commonwealth will be eligible to negotiate cash and leave bonuses upon hire. Existing state employees will be eligible to negotiate leave bonuses upon hire.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

Considerable knowledge of and experience directing rail and transit engineering design projects. Considerable understanding of engineering principles, estimation, construction practices, and alternate project delivery methods Considerable knowledge of and experience directing rail transit systems development and operations, to include national rail safety initiatives and federal safety programs. Demonstrated ability to independently interpret and apply federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies and procedures as well as formulate policies and procedures, especially for new processes and initiatives. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and coordinate the efforts of a diverse team of individuals, ensuring collaboration with federal, regional and local partners. Demonstrated ability to develop relationships and work with diverse stakeholders to increase technical capacity on matters involving safety, design and engineering, and project delivery Demonstrated ability to develop a Division strategic plan in alignment with organizational goals/priorities and implement through an annual work plan.

Additional Considerations Preferred:

Demonstrated ability to deal with urgent, complex and sensitive issues. Demonstrated experience directing the operation, maintenance, and administration of multimodal, freight rail, rail transit, bus transit and bus facility projects. Demonstrated ability to maintain a comprehensive understanding of planned and active rail and transit construction projects in the Commonwealth. Demonstrated ability to make sound, timely judgments often with incomplete information. Considerable knowledge of financial management and federal and state grant management practices. Ability to develop and communicate information to the public and news media on matters of engineering design and rail safety oversight. Proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Internet Explorer. Special Instructions You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information Name:

Debbie Barnett Phone:

804-389-5505

Email:

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to

DARS/DBVI

to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note :

Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.