STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Transportation Safety Director

Recruitment #220721-8673MP-001

Introduction



The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is seeking an experienced professional to serve as the Transportation Safety Director leading the agency’s Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) within the Office of the Commissioner. CTDOT is deeply committed to health and safety as a core value within our organizational culture and the Transportation Safety Director plays a key role in the work to ensure our workforce can thrive in a workplace that is free from recognizable hazards.

As the agency’s authority on occupational health and safety, the Transportation Safety Director is responsible for the development, oversight, coordination, evaluation, and compliance of CTDOT’s wide ranging Health and Safety Program(s) and applicable State and Federal laws and regulations. The Safety Director serves as technical advisor to the executive management team, provides counsel on complex health and safety issues, and is a liaison between the CTDOT and other state and federal agencies in matters concerning occupational health and safety.

In addition to overseeing Department-wide compliance on applicable occupational health and safety regulations and standards, the position performs in-depth analysis of the Department’s safety program needs and develops internal health and safety policies, procedures, directives, and protocols. The ideal candidate will have experience developing occupational health and safety education strategies and objectives and implementing necessary technical training and direction. Superior skills in Occupational Health and Safety investigations, inspections and audits, workplace health and safety risk and hazard assessments, and data and information management are required.

As head of the Division of Occupational Health and Safety, the Safety Director leads and works alongside a small team of talented and dedicated safety professionals who provide technical expertise and guidance, and perform Occupational Health and Safety data management, compliance tracking, incident reporting, investigations and root cause analysis, inspections, and audits to identify trends in order to meet the Department’s safety goals. As Division head, the Safety Director is also responsible for overseeing Occupational Health and Safety medical monitoring, physical exams and medical clinical operations, USDOT/FMCSA requirements for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) compliance and management and other administrative aspects of the Occupational Health and Safety Program.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is a champion of health and safety, and wants to help build a healthier, safer workplace for the more than 3,000 public employees that move Connecticut forward.

Selection Plan

To Apply:

  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
Important Information After You Apply:

  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
Connect With Us:

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jennifer Neumann via email at jennifer.neumann@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Transportation, Division of Safety this class is accountable for directing the Occupational Safety Program.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Directs staff and operations of theDivision of Safety; 
  • Coordinates, plans and manages division activities including Workers Compensation Program, health clinic operation, accident prevention promotion and instruction and driver training and vehicle inspection programs;
  • Formulates program goals and objectives; 
  • Assists in development of related policy;
  • Interprets and administers pertinent laws; 
  • Evaluates staff; 
  • Prepares division budget;
  • Maintains contacts with department personnel regarding accident prevention training, corrective action to eliminate Occupational Safety and Health Administration deficiencies and other safety matters;
  • Develops safe working methods, general safety rules and specific safety regulations;
  • Directs inspection of office, shop and field operations for compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations and inspection of contract work for safety practices; 
  • Directs investigation of motor vehicle and personal injury accidents, determines causes and recommends preventive measures;
  • Recommends purchase and standardization of safety related products and equipment;
  • Organizes and conducts safety meetings; 
  • Represents department at outside functions;
  • Prepares replies and/or appeals to Occupational Safety and Health Administration citations;
  • Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection; 
  • May attend hearings before Occupational Safety and Health Administration Review Commission; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
    • principles and practices of accident prevention; 
    • department, office, shop, field and equipment operations;
  • Knowledge of
    • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
    • maintenance and construction methods; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communications skills; 
  • Analytical ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience in an advanced working level capacity in training and/or enforcement of employee safety regulations including accident prevention and safe working practices in highway maintenance or construction work.
NOTE:
  • For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Transportation Safety Advisor.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with Occupational Health and Safety program development and implementation including fundamental industrial hygiene principals.
  • Experience in highway maintenance and/or construction operations.
  • Experience with applicable state and federal health and safety related regulations including but not limited to Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Fire Protection Administration and building and life safety codes.
  • Experience with technology including, various computer programs and technical Occupational Health and Safety programs and equipment.
  • Experience with various effective methods of adult education, instruction, training and communications in order to deliver effective worker safety and health training.
  • Experience in the career or volunteer fire service, emergency management or other related fields.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.