Bus Safety Specialist

Salary : $81,972.80 - $132,932.80 Annually
Location : Heywood Office and Operations Facility, Minneapolis, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Division: Metro Transit
Department: System Safety
Opening Date: 11/03/2026
Closing Date: 11/16/2026 11:59 PM Central

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Bus Safety Specialist position performs professional level work responsible for administering and coordinating a variety of Metro Transit bus safety system programs at assigned bus garages and other locations, with a primary focus on: Providing safety awareness, training, guidance and coaching to bus operators and maintenance personnel. Supporting regulatory compliance and proactive, frontline safety engagement through the identification, assessment, and mitigation of safety hazards and risks consistent with Metro Transit's Safety Management System (SMS). Conducting bus accident investigations, supporting hazard identification and risk management activities, and monitoring facility and safety regulatory compliance related to Metro Transit bus operations and facilities. Safety Specialists promote safe operating practices, support continuous improvement and contribute to the safety of employees, customers, and the general public.
What you would do in this job
1. Responsible for conducting bus accident investigations, safety processes, and ensuring appropriate follow-up at assigned bus garage location(s):

• Investigating accidents by interviewing bus operators or mechanics, obtaining reports from street supervisors and law enforcement, requesting and reviewing bus/location video, and conducting site visits
• Enter and maintain accurate accident investigation data and documentation
• Review accident findings with bus operators and mechanics, and conduct safety conferences
• Make accident responsibility determinations
• Develop and recommend appropriate corrective actions
• Update operator safety award records and present awards to recipients
• Prepare preliminary and final reports for executive staff on high profile accidents, including pedestrian, bicyclist and traffic-related incidents

2. Provide ongoing professional safety consultations, interviews, training and mentoring to support and improve bus operator performance and safe operating practices:

• Develop and present Safety-First training for new operators
• Develop and present safety messages for Professional Operator Development (POD) to all bus operators
• Develop and present safety orientation and Right to Know (RTK) to all new employees during New Employee Orientation
• Develop and present safety messages and data trends to instructors for quarterly instructor meetings
• Conduct Field Safety Observations to identify hazards, reinforce safe work practices, and support continuous safety improvement

3. Promote and coordinate facility safety and health through employee safety committees, compliance monitoring and follow-up on reported safety concerns:

• Chair and facilitate monthly A Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction (AWAIR) committee meetings
• Monitor compliance with established safety procedures and practices
• Review and follow up on reported Safety Reports, document activities and maintain accurate safety records
• Conduct safety hazard analysis with Safety Management System (SMS) principles and coordinate with appropriate departments to address and resolve identified safety hazards.

4. Assist Transit management, Labor Relations and Risk Management staff in preparing for union grievances, arbitrations, veterans' preference hearings, and other related proceedings. May provide Metro Transit safety related subject matter expertise and testimony in ATU union arbitrations, workers' compensation and liability hearings:

• Provide consultation, guidance, and technical expertise to Metropolitan Council and external legal teams
• Prepare and provide relevant documentation and supporting records
• Provide sworn statements and participate in depositions, as required
• Provide testimony as a safety Subject Matter Expert (SME)
• Participate in garage-level grievances, first and second- step grievance proceedings, veterans' preference hearings and arbitrations.

5. Plan, develop, and coordinate annual safety activities, training, and emergency preparedness:

• Develop and conduct annual Right to Know (RTK)
• Plan and conduct the Metro Transit Roadeo
• Coordinate and conduct fire drills across all three shifts at each assigned facility
• Review and update Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) for assigned facilities
• Assist in State Fair planning for bus operations and participate in monitoring bus operations at transit sites.

6. Perform occupational safety and health compliance, reporting, and injury prevention activities:

• Record and maintain employee injury and illness information in OSHA 300 and 300A logs, as applicable
• Prepare and submit annual Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) survey information
• Assist Occupational and Industrial Safety staff in responding to OSHA investigations
• Support compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and National Transit Database (NDT) reporting requirements
• Conduct employee injury investigations and identify and recommend injury prevention and risk mitigation strategies

7. Support safety considerations in construction projects and future operational planning:

• Participate in construction and project planning meetings, as requested, to provide safety-related input and identify potential impacts to bus operations, employees, and facilities
• Review and recommend updates to Metro Transit safety procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as appropriate, to support safe operations and address identified safety concerns

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)
Any of the following combinations of education and related professional experience in occupational health, safety management, transit, transportation, public safety, or a closely related field:

• A high school diploma/GED with seven (7) years of related professional experience
• An associate degree with five (5) years of related professional experience
• A bachelor's degree or higher with three (3) years of related professional experience

What licensure is required for this job:

• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record

What additional skills, experience, and licensure would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Degree in occupational health, safety management, transportation, and business management/administration.
• Training and/or certification(s) in training, occupational health, Safety Management System (SMS), and safety or related field (e.g., OSHA 100, Smith System, Basic Workplace, and/or industry-related training/certificates).
• Commercial Driver's License.
• Good communication skills (listening, verbal and written).
• Knowledge and familiarity of Metro Transit bargaining unit contracts; ability to understand and interpret

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Working knowledge of Hastus, TX Base, Microsoft Word, Excel and electronic communication systems
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work independently with limited day to day supervision
• Knowledge of relevant local, state and federal safety-related codes, standards, laws and regulations
• Ability to coordinate, execute, and implement multiple projects and priorities
• Analytical skills to evaluate data, identify trends, and support informed decision making
• Knowledge of defensive driving principles and training programs, including Safety Keys
• Ability to effectively deliver training, provide coaching, and engage and motivate employees
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with individuals in challenging or sensitive situations
• Ability to effectively work with a diverse group of people at all levels of the organization

Additional information
Union/Grade: AFSCME / Grade G
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be:
Your work is in a bus garage and office setting. You may be required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crawl and reach with hands and arms. You may be exposed to moving parts and equipment, fumes and airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and frequently may be exposed to outdoor conditions.

Physical Requirements: Regularly required to sit for long periods, stand/walk occasionally, speak, hear normal conversation and telephone ring tones, operate a computer and other office equipment, reach with hands/arms frequently below chest height and occasionally overhead, must occasionally lift/carry/push/pull up to 10 pounds, must have adequate close vision for reading and computer work.

The responsibilities listed are typical of the positions included in the job classification; however, not all duties are necessarily performed by each specific position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position. Regular attendance is an essential responsibility.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:

• Well@Work clinic
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
• parking at many job locations
• fitness centers at many job locations
• Employee Assistance Program
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources

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Applicant Instructions: It is important that your application shows all relevant education and experience you possess. The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely, and please do not type "see resume." Otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete, and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attach a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step.I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application and supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

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How did you first hear about this job opening?

• CareerForce Center
• Community Event/Organization
• Employee Referral
• Facebook
• Glassdoor
• Indeed
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn</