Job Description

About the Role

The Office of the Chief Safety Management Officer (CSMO) is responsible for developing and overseeing enterprise-wide safety programs that protect the Port Authority’s employees, customers, partners, and stakeholders. The office leads occupational health and safety compliance, operational and construction safety, fire prevention, environmental safety, safety training, and other risk management and assurance functions across the agency. The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey is seeking an experienced construction safety leader to serve as Program Director, Construction Safety Management. This role requires a proven track record of leading complex construction safety programs, driving strategic initiatives, and building strong partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Safety Management Office, the Program Director, Construction Safety Management is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing construction safety strategy, operations, and risk management across the agency’s capital, redevelopment, and construction programs. The position partners closely with executive leadership, project teams, contractors, and regulatory agencies to ensure safe and compliant project delivery. The selected candidate will be responsible for:

• Developing, strategizing, leading, and mentoring staff in alignment with Safety Management Systems (SMS) for the various construction programs across the agency. These include major capital programs, redevelopment programs, tenant alteration/construction application programs, and others. These also include Owner Controlled Insurance programs (OCIP) as well as Contractor Controlled Insurance programs (CCIP).
  
• Developing and regularly update multi-year strategic plans for construction safety, taking into account the industry’s best SMS practices.
  
• Managing the Construction Safety Unit budget, including development of annual budget submission, tracking and oversight of budget performance, as well as development of near-term and future needs.
  
• Providing routine briefings to the Chief Safety Management Officer and Director on key Agency safety initiatives, participating in executive level working groups and committees, and immediately communicating emergent situations as they arise.
  
• Delivering executive presentations on project status, reporting salient issues and expert support for the Agency’s construction safety programs and risk mitigation.
  
• Mitigating and manage and successfully resolve safety issues, including expert interaction with stakeholder line departments, engineering construction management departments and contractors.
  
• Liaising with external partners such OSHA, DOH, jurisdictional emergency responders in support of the Agencies Authority Having Jurisdiction status, adjacent agencies.
  
• Resolving technical issues on all stakeholder projects, including safety code-related issues critical to projects. Must have the ability to interpret industry codes and work with the Authorities Having Jurisdiction and all design disciplines is essential.
  
• Responding to emergencies and critical incidents and conducting facility visits to address safety related matters.
  
• Empowered to halt work or take appropriate action for imminent safety risk or hazards.
  
• Identify potential project safety risks or high-risk activities from project schedules and document reviews to ensure plans are in place to prevent incidents, accidents, near misses, injuries, losses.
  
• Ensure appropriate documentation and data capture is achieved consistently to measure safety performance, trend analysis and tracking of open hazards to closure
  
• Mitigate, manage and successfully resolve safety issues, including expert interaction with stakeholder line departments, engineering construction management department and contractors.
  
• Ensure the growth and development of staff to sustain a diverse and inclusive workplace including setting performance objectives, monitoring and providing feedback on progress, developing reach assignments, ensuring succession plans, filling department vacancies, and partnering with Human Resources on personnel issues.
  
• Supervise site safety teams and interface with facility operations and Construction Management leadership to foster strong relationships and partnerships.
  
• Review roles and responsibilities of staff and recommend improvements for efficiency and greater safety coverage for construction programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Candidates must possess the following qualifications to be eligible for the position:
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Safety Management, Occupational Health, Transportation, Public Policy, Fire and Life Safety or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ten (10) years of full-time experience with at least 5 (five) years of field experience applying safety methodologies and leading safety functions including auditing, compliance, safety system management, field inspections and quality control.
• Experienced in initiating accident investigations and root cause analysis, litigation processes, and various insurance programs.
• Demonstrate leadership, stakeholder management, negotiation, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Ideal candidates will possess the following profile:
• Master’s degree in Construction Management, Safety Management, Occupational Health, Public Administration, Transportation or related field.
• Possesses professional safety certifications or licenses (e.g., CSP, CSM, CSMC, CHST, CRIS, etc.)
• Demonstrated knowledge of both US Department of Labor OSHA Construction and General Industry Regulations, best practice Safety Programs and NYCDOB Regulations.
• Possess significant and extensive knowledge of safety management principles (SMS).
• Familiarity with National Fire Codes, NFPA standards, NYC Fire Codes, NYC Department of Health, and other local, state, and federal regulations.
• Understanding of NYC DOB and FDNY regulations pertaining to construction operations in NYC, and NJ DCA regulations regarding construction in NJ.
• Possess a valid OSHA 30-hour card in the Construction and General Industry less than five-years old.
• Experience in performing comprehensive and focused safety inspections on major construction projects.
• Experience in the review of contractor health and safety plans, job hazard analyses, and work plans.

Selection Process

The application process varies by position, but typically includes an initial phone interview for qualified candidates, followed by a more in-depth interview(s) and/or assessment(s). Selected candidates who are made a conditional job offer will be asked to undergo a background check.

Compensation, Benefits & On-Site Collaboration Requirements:​

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey offers a competitive benefits package and a professional environment that supports development and recognizes achievement.​ Click here for more information about benefits, our culture, and career development opportunities.​

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey anticipates that the actual salary offered to a successful candidate will depend on aspects such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and internal factors. The expected compensation range for this role is:​​

Minimum $170,820 Midpoint $222,070 Maximum $250,016​

In accordance with Port Authority policy, this position permits employees to work remotely a maximum of one day per week, subject to operational and business needs.

Note: The position requires travel to all Port Authority facilities and work hours on occasion may include early morning, late evening, and weekend shifts to respond to emergencies and safety related events or incidents. Due to operational demands with the high level of construction activities Agency wide, this position will involve both facility and office work.