Job Description:
Principal Safety Engineer, Environmental
Description
Marketing Statement Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.
Job SummaryPAY RATE
Non-Represented Pay Band-E08
Annual Salary: $144,443.00 - $218,831.00
Note: The negotiable salary offer will be between $144,443 .00 /annually - $184,876.55/ annually (commensurate with experience and education)
CURRENT ASSIGNMENT
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is seeking an accomplished
Principal Safety Engineer, Environmental to lead initiatives that ensure our transit system not only meets, but exceeds, environmental compliance and safety standards. This role is pivotal in advancing BART’s commitment to sustainability, regulatory excellence, and the health of our riders, employees, and communities.
Under the general direction of the Chief Safety Officer, the
Principal Safety Engineer, Environmental will serve as BART’s lead authority on environmental compliance, hazardous materials management, and environmental engineering across our complex transit system. This position directs the Environmental Compliance Division within the System Safety Department-ensuring BART not only meets but exceeds federal, state, and local environmental regulations while supporting the District’s sustainability and climate resilience goals.
This leader will oversee critical programs such as hazardous materials and waste management, spill prevention, underground storage tank compliance, and environmental review for engineering and construction projects. They will also manage procurement and administration of environmental services contracts, act as a primary liaison with environmental regulators, and advise on proposed environmental legislation affecting transit operations.
Key operational priorities include:
- Driving compliance with environmental regulations and District Facility Environmental Permits and Plans.
- Managing hazardous materials programs and minimizing environmental liabilities.
- Supporting capital projects with applicable environmental compliance requirements.
- Investigating environmental incidents and implementing effective action plans.
- Educating employees and advancing a culture of environmental responsibility.
- Representing the District on local, regional, state, and federal environmental issues.
- Leading the development of innovative solutions to complex environmental challenges.
The most qualified candidates for this position will have highly developed competencies in the following areas, which will be reinforced with related work experience and will be clearly articulated during the selection process:
- Environmental Regulatory Expertise: In-depth knowledge of environmental laws, permitting, and compliance practices relevant to large-scale transit or industrial operations.
- Program Leadership & Administration: Demonstrated success in managing environmental programs, contracts, and cross-functional teams.
- Technical Environmental Engineering Skills: Mastery of environmental engineering principles and application to infrastructure, maintenance, and operational contexts.
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Ability to identify, analyze, and address environmental hazards proactively.
- Policy Analysis & Advocacy: Skill in interpreting environmental legislation and representing organizational interests with regulators and stakeholders.
- Communication & Collaboration: Excellence in presenting technical issues to varied audiences, fostering partnerships, and leading change.
Selection Process Applications will be screened to assure that minimum qualifications are met. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will then be referred to the hiring department for the completion of further selection processes.
The selection process for this position may include a skills/performance demonstration, a written examination, and a panel and/or individual interview.
The successful candidate must have an employment history demonstrating reliability and dependability; provide copies of certificates, diplomas or other documents as required by law, including those establishing his/her right to work in the U. S; pass a pre-employment medical examination which may include a drug and alcohol screen, and which is specific to the essential job functions and requirements. Pre-employment processing will also include a background check. (Does not apply to current full-time District employees unless specific job requires additional evaluations).
Application Process Applications will be screened to assure that minimum qualifications are met. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will move forward in accordance with the selection process.
The selection process for this position may include a skills/performance demonstration, a written examination, and/or one or more individual or panel interviews.
Current employees are strongly encouraged to apply online, either at www.bart.gov/jobs , or on Employee Connect. Applicants needing assistance with the online application process may receive additional information by calling (510) 464-6112 .
All applicants are asked to complete the application in full, indicating dates of employment, all positions held, hours worked, and a full description of duties. Online applicants are invited to electronically attach a resume to the application form to provide supplemental information but should not consider the resume a substitute for the application form itself. Applications must be complete by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement.
*This job announcement will fill one (1) vacant position.
Examples of DutiesRecommends and assists in the implementation of division goals and objectives.
Participates in the development of policies, procedures and standards; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies, procedures and standards; and makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing policies, procedures and standards.
Updates the System Safety Program Plan, Facilities Safety Criteria, and drafts Safety Certification Program Plans; reviews variance requests; and maintains safety certification records.
Represents the District with full authority to enforce contract requirements; evaluates proposed contract changes; prepares independent engineering cost estimates of revised project scopes; inspects construction at substantial and final completion stages.
Establishes schedules and methods for overseeing design reviews, inspections, testing, and verification of records; ensures adherence to specifications; identifies resource needs; monitors progress of large scale construction projects.
Participates in the preparation and administration of assigned program budget; submits budget recommendations; monitors expenditures.
Prepares analytical and statistical reports on assigned project operations and activities.
Initiates and evaluates design and field engineering changes during construction; recommends approval of and submits contractor's progress payment applications; recommends retention levels as appropriate.
Coordinates with outside agencies on areas of work within their jurisdiction; administers control of required documentation for construction contracts; writes and submits required reports; coordinates the submittal of requested documentation.
Prepares or reviews a variety of reports and correspondence on assigned construction projects including monthly and final completion reports, contract modifications and field or design engineering changes.
Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering design and construction.
Participates in the resolution of safety-related non-conformances and discrepancies.
Prepares contracts, initiates grant and capital funding requests/proposals, and initiates white papers.
Participates in the selection of contracted staff.
Conducts safety analysis of facilities and systems; performs exiting analysis; proposes design solutions.
May supervise and review the work of staff responsible for performing a variety of professional engineering, design and construction work; may provide or coordinate staff training; may work with employees to correct deficiencies; may implement discipline procedures.
Minimum QualificationsEducation :
A Bachelor’s degree in Safety, Industrial, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil Engineering or a related field from an accredited college or university.
Experience :
Four (4) years of (full-time equivalent) verifiable professional experience in engineering, which must have included at least one (1) year of safety certification program work.
License:
A California Professional Engineering License is preferred.
Other Requirements :
Climbing ladders, and climbing in and out of trains at locations other than station platforms.
Substitution :
Additional professional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis. A college degree is preferred.
Knowledge and SkillsKnowledge of:
- Related building codes, regulations and provisions.
- Related Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.
- BART Operating system and Automatic Train Control System.
- Principles and practices of Fire Protection Engineering.
- Principles and practices of system safety and safety certification programs.
- Principles and practices of statistical analysis.
- Principles and practices of fire test standards.
- Methods and techniques of field measuring and testing.
- Methods and techniques of conducting facility or construction site inspection.
- Methods of hazard identification, categorization, and resolution.
- Materials and equipment used in engineering and construction projects.
- Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
- Current office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer programs.
Skill in :
- Interpreting and explaining District policies and procedures.
- Conducting analytical study on various types of safety related issues.
- Interpreting and preparing revisions to engineering plans, drawings, and specifications.
- Conducting and overseeing field inspections, measurements, and testing.
- Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Preparing clear and concise reports.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those
- contacted in the course of work.
- Resolving non-compliance issues.
- Performing internal safety audits.
- Selecting, supervising, training and evaluating staff.
Equal Employment Opportunity GroupBox1
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at employment@bart.gov .
Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran's Preference Policy and Application link at www.bart.gov/jobs .
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) prides itself in offering best in class benefits packages to employees of the District. Currently, the following benefits may be available to employees in this job classification.
Highlights
- Medical Coverage (or $350/month if opted out)
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Insurance (Basic and Enhanced Plans Available)
- Retirement Plan through the CA Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS)
- 2% @ 55 (Classic Members)
- 2% @ 62 (PEPRA Members)
- 3% at 50 (Safety Members - Classic)
- 2.7% @ 57 (Safety Members - PEPRA)
- Reciprocity available for existing members of many other public retirement systems (see BART website and/or CalPERS website for details)
- Money Purchase Pension Plan (in-lieu of participating in Social Security tax)
- 6.65% employer contribution up to annual maximum of $1,868.65
- Deferred Compensation & Roth 457
- Sick Leave Accruals (12 days per year)
- Vacation Accruals (3-6 weeks based on time worked w/ the District)
- Holidays: 9 observed holidays and 5 floating holidays
- Life Insurance w/ ability to obtain additional coverage
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Survivor Benefits through BART
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Health and Dependent Care
- Commuter Benefits
- Free BART Passes for BART employees and eligible family members.
Closing Date/Time: 9/12/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary:
$144,443.00 - $218,831.00 Annually