Investigation specialist [h1.location_city]

Transportation Investigation Specialist

This job opening is being used to fill current and future vacant positions in this classification at various shifts and locations.

Minimum Qualifications

Education : Bachelor's Degree in Transportation, Engineering, Safety Management, or related field. In lieu of a Bachelor's degree, a High School Diploma or GED plus four (4) years of relevant investigative experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be considered.

Experience : Four (4) years of hands-on collision investigation in a public transportation or industrial environment. Demonstrated competency rating accidents for preventability and managing complex incident caseloads.

Certification / Licensure : Completion of prescribed training and / or certifications for Transportation Investigations and Safety Improvement Specialists within the first year of appointment.

Preferred

Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) Certificate. Certification in Accident Reconstruction. Experience with bus technology systems and advanced driver assistance technologies. Commercial driver's license.

Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Mission Essential Designation :

In accordance with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authoritys Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) this job has been identified as critical to mission essential functions. Incumbents in this role may be required to report to or continue to work in the event of authorized office closings or service suspensions due to severe weather, natural disaster, fire, operational emergencies or related events.

Job Summary

The Transportation Investigations & Safety Improvement Specialist leads in-depth investigations of transit bus collisions and rates each event as preventable or non-preventable. The incumbent compiles factual reports in the Safety Universal Data System (SUDS), recommends corrective actions, and supports operational decision-making. Leveraging formal methodologies (five whys, fault tree analysis), this role partners with operations, maintenance, and regulatory entities to recommend corrective actions, submit timely reports, and drive continuous safety improvements across metrobus. The incumbent also assists Bus Operations Managers with safety performance monitoring, customer complaint resolution, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders to drive a data-informed safety culture.

Essential Functions

Applies structured root-cause analysis techniques to identify contributing factors such as human performance, fatigue, mechanical defects, route design, and weather to determine preventability per WMATA criteria. Presents findings, preventability determinations, and performance metrics to Bus Operations Management, Office of Labor Relations, Department of Safety, and executive leadership. Advises Bus Division Superintendents on performance impacts stemming from accidents, recommends route or schedule adjustments, and assists with customer complaint resolution related to collision events. Recommends administrative actions based on investigation outcomes, support grievance procedures, and accident appeals, including providing expert testimony. Facilitates coaching of bus operators using onboard vehicle video recordings triggered by driving events. Supports overall administration of the Performance Behavior Analysis program. Uses onboard vehicle video for standardized random assessments of bus operator compliance with safety rules. Manages and supports implementation of departmental safety initiatives that impact front-line employee safety behaviors, including messaging campaigns and discussion forums. Conducts multi-source data trending and analyses, incorporating training records, past incident logs, maintenance histories, and field observations to spot emerging hazards. Actively engages Division, Facility, and Department Safety Committee meetings to identify and proactively mitigate safety hazards.

Other Functions

Contributes to cross-departmental safety initiatives, special projects, and workshops to enhance WMATAs overall safety culture and operational resilience. Supports supplemental operations during special events and service disruptions. Encourages close-call reporting, promote safety awareness campaigns, and mentors staff on investigative protocols and just culture principles. Maintains mandatory training and certifications as required. Works various shifts (evenings, overnights, weekends, holidays) as needed, including for special events. Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience. Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following : skills and / or behavioral assessment, personal interview, verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses), criminal background check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment), medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions), review of a current motor vehicle report.

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law. This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.