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Rail Safety Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AZ · On-site

$89K/yr

... rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment. Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the ...

CA · On-site

$89K/yr

... rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment. Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the ...

AZ · On-site

$89K/yr

... rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment. Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the ...

IA · On-site

$89K/yr

... rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment. Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the ...

CO · On-site

$89K/yr

... rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment. Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the ...

AZ · On-site

$89K/yr

... rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment. Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the ...

CA · On-site

$89K/yr

... rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment. Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the ...

CA · On-site

$89K/yr

... rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment. Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the ...

AZ · On-site

$89K/yr

... rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment. Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the ...

CO · On-site

$89K/yr

... rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment. Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the ...

CA · On-site

$89K/yr

... rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment. Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the ...

CA · On-site

$89K/yr

... rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment. Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the ...

CO · On-site

$89K/yr

... rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment. Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the ...

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Showing results 1-20

Rail Safety Director information

See salary details

$22K

$92.6K

$148K

How much do rail safety director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for rail safety director in the United States is $92,572.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,500.00 and $119,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a rail safety director do?

A Rail Safety Director is responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of safety within a rail organization. Their primary duties include developing safety policies, ensuring compliance with federal and local regulations, conducting safety audits, and investigating incidents or accidents. They work closely with other departments to implement safety training programs and identify potential hazards to minimize risks. Ultimately, a Rail Safety Director ensures that the rail operations maintain the highest standards of safety for employees, passengers, and the public.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a rail safety director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Rail Safety Director, you need expertise in safety regulations, risk assessment, and operational procedures, typically supported by a degree in engineering or transportation and extensive rail industry experience. Familiarity with safety management systems (SMS), regulatory compliance software, and certifications such as CSM (Certified Safety Manager) are commonly required. Strong leadership, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help drive a culture of safety and ensure regulatory adherence across teams. These competencies are crucial for minimizing incidents, maintaining compliance, and safeguarding both personnel and infrastructure within rail operations.

What are the most common challenges faced by a rail safety director, and how can they be addressed?

A Rail Safety Director often faces challenges such as ensuring regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions, fostering a strong safety culture among diverse teams, and staying updated with evolving safety technologies. Addressing these challenges requires proactive communication, regular training programs, and close collaboration with operations, maintenance, and engineering departments. Building strong relationships with regulatory bodies and encouraging open reporting of safety concerns are also key strategies for success in this role.

What is the difference between Rail Safety Director vs Rail Operations Manager?

AspectRail Safety DirectorRail Operations Manager
CredentialsSafety certifications, industry-specific trainingOperations management experience, safety knowledge
Work EnvironmentRegulatory compliance, safety oversightDaily operations, staff management
Employer & Industry UsageRail companies, transportation agenciesRail companies, logistics firms
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on safety regulations and complianceFocus on operational efficiency and management

The Rail Safety Director primarily oversees safety protocols, compliance, and regulatory adherence within the rail industry. In contrast, the Rail Operations Manager focuses on daily operations, staff coordination, and ensuring efficient rail service. While both roles require safety knowledge, the Safety Director emphasizes safety certifications and regulatory oversight, whereas the Operations Manager concentrates on operational management and logistics.

What are popular job titles related to Rail Safety Director jobs?

For Rail Safety Director jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Rail Safety Director job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,572 per year, or $44.5 per hour.

Railroad Safety Inspector (MP&E) -BIL DIRECT HIRE- SME

AZ • On-site

Federal Railroad Administration
Public Administration • 501 - 1,000 employees

$89K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

This position(s) is located in the Office of Railroad Safety, Motive Power & Equipment Division. A Railroad Safety Inspector (MP&E) provides technical expertise and direction in th execution and administration of rail safety programs to ensure maximum safety in railroad operations relevant to motive power and equipment.

Qualifications:

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To be qualified for a Railroad Safety Inspector (Motive Power & Equipment), the Qualifications Standard states you MUST have demonstrated knowledge in the following areas: 

  • Railroad industry, including economic and operating considerations and equipment.
  • General safety and health principles and practices applicable to the railroad industry.
  • Railroad accident investigation techniques.
  • Communication in writing and orally.
  • Design, maintenance, or inspection of various types of locomotive and freight cars currently in use and their capabilities and limitations.
  • Installation, maintenance, or testing of railroad safety appliances and power brakes, their capabilities and limitations; AND
  • Federal laws and regulations pertaining to inspection and testing of locomotives, freight cars, safety appliances, and power brakes.

To qualify for the Grade 12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

  • Experience in the functionality of mechanical equipment that pertains to design, maintenance, testing, and inspections of various types of locomotive and freight cars currently in use and their capabilities and limitations.
  • Experience ensuring railroad compliance with federal regulations by auditing railroad inspections activities, conducting inspections, assessing safety complaints, and performing accident investigations.
  • Experience producing electronic and automated inspection and violation reports that describe defective conditions, narrative accident/incident reports and present safety related information to railroad managers, and federal and state stakeholders.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  1. Accident Investigation- Knowledge of guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with an accident investigation including preservation of accident scene, root cause analysis, and evidence detection and handling.
  2. Compliance Inspection- Knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with compliance inquiries, including application of compliance rules and criteria and ability to make appropriate decisions and issue citations, fines or orders.
  3. Planning and Evaluating- Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short-or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
  4. Oral Communication- Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
  5. Written Communication- Writes a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4
All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education:Employment Type: OTHER