Salary : $129,834.00 - $181,767.00 Annually
Location : Millbrae, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:Division: Rail
Department: Rail
Opening Date: 10/25/2026
Closing Date: 11/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
General Job Summary: The Senior Rail Safety Officer reports to the Manager, Rail Safety & Compliance and supports the safety program oversight for the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain).
Essential Functions & Duties - Leads Site-Specific Work Plan reviews, for complex capital projects, construction site inspections, investigations, corrective actions, and field and construction safety oversight throughout the Caltrain system.
- Responsible for railroad operations and maintenance safety oversight; Conduct safety inspections, audits, field observations and assessments including facilities & stations, and Right of Way (ROW) work.
- Provide safety oversight of railroad systems, including dispatching, signals, PTC, grade crossing warning systems, communications, traction power, OCS, and related control systems.
- Support assigned components of Caltrain's System Safety Program Plan, System Safety and Security Certification Plan, Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness Plan, and related safety, risk-management, hazard-management, and emergency-preparedness programs field and construction safety oversight at Central Equipment Maintenance Operation Facility CEMOF, including prioritizing coverage and reviewing safety documentation and corrective actions.
- Provide senior-level oversight of accident, near-miss, hazardous-condition, and safety-critical incident investigations, including the investigation process, supporting documentation, contributing-factor evaluations, and corrective and preventive actions.
- Serves as a technical liaison for assigned safety matters involving Operations, Maintenance of Way, Engineering, capital-project personnel, the contract operator, contractors, consultants, regulators, and emergency-response partners.
Examples of Essential Duties:- Conducts routine inspection reports, field observations, Site-Specific Work Plan comments, investigation materials, safety data, and corrective-action records.
- Conduct weekly risk assessments and hazard analyses for operational, maintenance, facility, and construction activities.
- Review railroad systems safety practices, identify hazards, and track corrective actions for dispatching, signals, PTC, grade crossings, communications, and traction power systems.
- Address and escalate safety-critical conditions, recommend corrective measures, and prepare findings and reports.
- Provide coaching assistants to Rail Safety Officers on inspection methods, hazard recognition, railroad right-of-way safety, documentation, incident response, and escalation procedures.
- Analyze safety data and regulatory developments and recommend program, procedure, or training improvements.
- Coordinate support for emergency exercises, regulatory audits, and after-action corrective-action tracking.
- Participate in safety meetings and collaborate with District staff to identify and resolve safety- related problems and issues.
- Participate, plan, coordinate, and assist with emergency rail drills and exercises
- Prepare technical findings and recommendations for the Manager, Rail Safety & Regulatory Compliance.
- Monitor compliance with FRA, OSHA, and Cal OSHA for Caltrain and SamTran's construction projects
- Assist with safety improvement programs, safety promotion activities, and the promotion of positive safety culture.
- Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect one's self, fellow employees and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures in an effort to reduce or eliminate accidents.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: Sufficient experience, training and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, Transportation Planning, Operations Analysis, or related field.
- Four (4) years of full-time experience supporting safety-related programs in a commuter rail, railroad, transit, construction, occupational safety, or comparable regulated environment
- Must be able to respond to service and operational emergencies on and around the active railroad 24/7 and in a variety of weather and road conditions.
- Valid California driver license with safe driving record, or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire.
Preferred Qualifications:- Knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations including FRA, CPUC, Cal/OSHA, and DOT standards.
- Familiarity with Safety Management System (SMS) frameworks and PTASP requirements National Incident Management System (NIMS) or Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) certification.
- Familiar with railroad systems, including dispatching, signals, PTC, grade crossing warning systems, communications, traction power, OCS, and related control systems.
- Experience with safety certification for rail capital projects or system modifications.
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and safety management or compliance tracking software.
- Some supervisory experience is preferred.
- Knowledge in the use of the SharePoint Platform is helpful.
- Effective written, verbal, and presentation skills.
The selection process may include a panel interview, written and skills test assessments, or supplemental questions. Only those candidates who are the most qualified will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to continue in the process.
How to Apply - Complete an online employment application by 11:59 p.m. of the listed closing date. Resumes and cover letters will not be accepted in lieu of fully completed applications. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that applications are completed with all relevant information (experience, education, certifications, licenses, references and/or other information).
Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits provided to District full-time employees:
Health and Welfare Benefits:
- Healthcare Benefits -District employees are offered a choice of healthcare providers under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program. The District will contribute ninety (90) percent towards monthly premiums for full-time employees. Fifty (50) percent for part-time employees.
- Free Dental and Vision Benefits provided - Employer Covers Premiums
- Free Employee Assistance Benefit - Employees are entitled to 5 face-to-face sessions or telephonic or web-video consultations for problem-solving support per incident, per calendar year.
- Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.
Retirement Medical Benefits:
- Long Term Disability Insurance - After 90 days of total disability, Administrative full-time employees are eligible for 60% of monthly income covered by the District.
- Health and Wellness - Gyms located at most work locations and discounted Weight Watcher Membership Option.
Holidays and Paid Time Off:
- Paid Time Off - Newly hired employees accrue 6.5 hours bi-weekly when hired (if Exempt 8.25 hours). As you move up in years of service credit, the rate of the amount of PTO accrued will also increase.
- Paid Holidays - The District provides seven paid holidays throughout the year - New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
- Floating Holidays - District employees can earn up to five (5) floating holidays.
Financial Planning Benefits:
- Pension Benefits through CalPERS -You must have a minimum of 5 years of service to be eligible for this pension.
- CalPERS PEPRA vs. Classic - All employees hired on, or after January 1, 2013, are considered PEPRA members and will contribute 8% of their salary up to the maximum IRS cut-off. All Classic members will contribute 6%
- Deferred Compensation Options - Select to contribute to one or both of our Tax Deferred Compensation Options
- Reliance Standard Life Insurance with 100% premium paid by the District - 1 times annual salary of employee - max $200,000
- Optional Life Insurance - Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible family members.
Growth and Education Benefits:
- Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and San Mateo County's professional training. District Tuition Reimbursement Program - A maximum of $5,250 per year for courses related to your job or career goals with the District.
- Computer Loan Program - Interest-free two-year loan with a maximum amount of $2,000.
Other Amazing Benefits:
- Credit Union - Employees and family members are eligible to join the San Mateo Credit Union and Patelco Credit Union.
- Employee Clean Commute (ECC) - Car/Van poolers and Public Transit riders receive a monthly reimbursement.
- Commuter Benefits - Free Employee Parking; Free Bus Pass for employee as well as children/spouse; Clipper Card/Go Pass Program for Central employees.
For union employees, all of the above benefits are subject to the employee's Collective Bargaining Agreement. Benefits listed are also subject to change with or without notice and are subject to contract/provider terms and conditions.
