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Posted: 08-May-26
Location: Denver, Colorado
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Required Education:
Join the leadership team at Regional Transportation District (RTD) as its new Director, Safety and Environmental Compliance/Chief Safety Officer (DSEC/CSO). A core member of RTD’s senior leadership team, the DSEC/CSO ensures the safety of the agency’s employees, customers, facilities, and transit network by overseeing all aspects of safety and environmental compliance, ensuring the agency adheres to federal and state law while maintaining a safe working environment by managing safety programs, conducting safety and environmental audits, and coordinating with regulatory agencies when necessary.
Headquartered in Denver, RTD covers 2,345 square miles and eight of the twelve Colorado counties in the Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area. Governed by a Board of Directors, RTD delivers public transit services (bus, commuter- and light-rail) to a population of just over 3 million. Its bus fleet operates 126 routes. RTD owns and operates 607 of the buses for its fixed routes; private carriers manage and operate 421 non-RTD facilities that vary according to their specific transit function. RTD employs over 3,000 people and has an operating budget of $1.2 billion.
Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO), RTD’s safety leader is responsible for the development and execution of a long-term system safety strategy; the implementation, management, and execution of the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP); establishing, managing, and monitoring all safety standards, processes, and communication; the full implementation and continuous improvement of the agency’s Safety Management System (SMS); management of the Operational Risk Management (ORM) framework; leadership in safety incident, accident, and hazard investigations; advising the leadership team on all safety regulations and best practices; ensuring compliance with environmental permits, direction for clean-up and remediation; and power people management while fostering a safety culture within the organization.
A typical way of demonstrating qualifications for this position include possessing a bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in health and safety, safety engineering, environmental health, or related engineering or physical sciences plus a minimum of 10 years of experience in system safety principles, industrial hygiene, safety engineering, and environmental compliance as well as a minimum of five years of supervisory experience in a public transit or similar regulated industry. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System All-Hazards Position Specific Safety Officer training course (E/L 954) is required. Additionally, candidates must either possess or have the ability to acquire the following certifications and documentation: Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) and a valid Colorado driver’s license. A Certified Safety Profession (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) is preferred.
The expected hiring salary range for this role is between $141,115 and $199,326, depending on experience. Please see our Brochure for further information.
This is an outstanding career-defining opportunity that offers attractive compensation, benefits, and relocation. RTD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to the race, sex, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law. To be considered, go to https://jobs.kl2connects.com/jobs/current, select the RTD DSEC/CSO listing and upload your letter of interest, resume, salary expectations, and four or five professional references (preferably supervisory and/or clients, including their name, title, phone, email address, and relationship to you). For more information, please connect with KL2’s Christian Kent at Christian@KL2connects.com. Position closes at 5pm MDT on June 5, 2026.