Careers – Rio Grande Pacific Transit Group – Manager of Safety & Training
Manager of Safety & Training
Company Description
Rio Grande Pacific Corporation (RGPC) is a Texas-based, privately-held railroad holding company established in 1986, specializing in regional freight railroads, signal construction and design, passenger operations, equipment remanufacturing, dispatching services, and asset leasing. Operating across six states, RGPC manages four short line railroads covering 700 route miles. The company serves approximately 140 freight customers, including major Fortune 500 companies, across diverse industries such as agriculture, chemicals, lumber, minerals, and recycling.
Role Overview
The Manager of Safety & Training is responsible for leading all safety, training, and quality assurance programs for an FRA-regulated passenger and freight rail environment. This role ensures regulatory compliance, oversees training programs, manages safety investigations, and supports continuous improvement across system operations. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience administering federal and industry safety regulations, managing training programs, and ensuring exceptional safety performance in rail systems of comparable scope.
Key Responsibilities
* Manage all safety, training, and quality assurance programs for the organization.
* Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, county, and municipal regulations including:
o FRA regulations
o GCOR
o NTSB
o HazMat requirements
o OSHA 29 CFR 1910 & 1926
o NIMS requirements
o Other relevant industry and governmental safety standards
* Lead and conduct accident, incident, derailment, and near-miss investigations; prepare comprehensive reports and corrective action plans.
* Oversee the Contractor’s safety compliance program, training program, and quality program.
* Manage PPE training, hazard management, bio-hazard protocols, risk reduction programs, and safety-related complaint resolution.
* Perform regular field audits, inspections, and rules testing with craft employees; ride trains weekly.
* Review all class syllabi, lesson plans, and training materials prior to instruction; attend and audit training classes.
* Develop, implement, and administer safety and training procedures, plans, and compliance programs (including CSCP and other required plans).
* Ensure accurate, timely completion of all safety- and training-related reports and documentation.
* Partner with internal departments and third-party railroad organizations to support safety initiatives and coordinated operating practices.
* Maintain availability to respond to safety incidents and operational callouts, typically within one hour.
Qualifications
* Minimum 10 years of experience managing safety, training, and quality functions for FRA-regulated passenger and freight railroads.
* Strong knowledge of all applicable safety regulations, including FRA, GCOR, NTSB, HazMat, OSHA, and NIMS.
* Demonstrated experience conducting investigations and writing formal reports.
* Preferred:
* Completion of FTA/TSI safety training
* Current FTA PTSCTP (rail) certification
* Must possess or obtain required NIMS training:
o ICS-100 andICS-200 upon assignment
o ICS-300 andICS-400 within one year
* Proven management, leadership, and training development skills.
* Strong communication, documentation, and analytical abilities.
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