Risk and Safety Manager

Capital Area Transit System (CATS) is a public transportation agency dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and efficient transit services to the residents and visitors of the region. As a key player in the public transportation sector, CATS is committed to maintaining the highest standards of operational safety, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction. The agency operates a diverse fleet of buses and maintains a robust infrastructure to support its mission of delivering quality transit solutions that promote accessibility and convenience throughout the capital area. With a strong focus on safety and security, CATS continuously works to enhance its systems and practices to protect passengers, employees, and the community at large.\n\nThe Risk and Safety Manager role at CATS is a critical leadership position tasked with overseeing the agency’s operational safety risk management, accident and incident handling, regulatory compliance, and safety assurance functions. This leadership position is responsible for developing and administering safety programs that align with federal, state, and local transportation and workplace safety regulations. The Manager sets safety priorities, monitors performance metrics, and ensures that identified hazards are promptly addressed with appropriate corrective actions. Collaborating closely with various departments such as Transportation, Maintenance, Human Resources, Customer Engagement, Facilities, and executive leadership, the Risk and Safety Manager fosters a culture of safety and accountability throughout the agency. By leading a dedicated team including the Risk and Safety Supervisor and the Security Team, the Manager ensures that all operational safety concerns are investigated thoroughly, that risk mitigation strategies are effective, and that safety protocols improve continuously.\n\nIn this role, the Manager also spearheads the implementation and maintenance of the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) and the Safety Management System (SMS), ensuring that all regulatory reporting, audits, and corrective measures are completed on schedule. The Manager acts as a liaison with external partners such as law enforcement and emergency responders to coordinate security efforts and respond to significant safety or security events as needed. This position requires someone with strong analytical skills to interpret accident and safety data, identify trends, and recommend actionable improvements to enhance safety outcomes. Given the nature of public transit environments, the role may involve working flexible hours and attending to operational requirements in various settings, including field and outdoor environments.\n\nOverall, the Risk and Safety Manager position at CATS offers an exciting opportunity to influence the agency’s safety culture positively while ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory frameworks. This position calls for a seasoned professional with considerable experience in transportation safety, risk management, and leadership, who is committed to high standards of performance and continuous improvement in a dynamic, public service-oriented environment.