Operating Rules Examiner

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA's Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Operating Rules Examiners are a team of subject matter experts (SMEs) assigned to operational departments, providing proactive field support, analyzing operating rule trends, and advising on rule-related training and communications. Each examiner ensures rules are interpreted consistently, anticipates potential compliance issues, and helps implement change management initiatives to improve operational safety and effectiveness within their assigned department. Examiners collaborate across the team to maintain consistency, share insights, and support continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Field Support & Subject Matter Expertise

• Serve as an SME for your assigned operational department, providing guidance and clarification on operating rules.
• Support frontline staff and supervisors with questions or interpretation challenges related to rules.
• Monitor field operations to identify potential rule violations or operational risks before incidents occur.
• Collaborate with other examiners to ensure consistent rule interpretation and guidance across all departments.

Outreach, Engagement & Feedback

• Conduct outreach initiatives to communicate rule changes, reminders, and best practices within your assigned area.
• Actively solicit and manage feedback from frontline staff regarding rule clarity, challenges, and compliance.
• Facilitate working group sessions with front-line staff and stakeholders to share updates and gather insights.
• Maintain a shared knowledge base of common rule questions, interpretations, and best practices to support all operational areas proactively.

Training Advisory & Support

• Advise Operations Training on topics that require rule-based training or retraining.
• Recommend content, focus areas, and updates to ensure training aligns with current rules and operational practices.
• Collaborate with Operations Training and other examiners to address areas of concern or recurring rule interpretation issues identified in the field.

Change Management & Continuous Improvement

• Support changing management initiatives related to operating rules, including new implementations or updates.
• Identify operational impacts of proposed rule changes and provide recommendations to minimize disruption.
• Analyze incident reports, field feedback, and operational trends to anticipate emerging risks or compliance gaps.
• Provide actionable recommendations to the Director for rule updates, clarifications, or process improvements.

Documentation, Reporting & Proactive Communication

• Maintain accurate records of outreach, feedback, field observations, and advisory activities.
• Track trends, findings, and proactive interventions to support continuous improvement and reporting to leadership.
• Develop tools, checklists, or reference materials to help staff comply with rules and prevent violations.
• Share observations, lessons learned, and best practices with other examiners to maintain consistency across departments.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• The physical demands and work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Available to work all shifts and locations assigned or directed.
• Available to work as per assignment by the MBTA twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week, as directed by supervisory staff for severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Have the ability to work any and all shifts and/or locations assigned or directed.

Supervision

• None.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a related field
• 5+ Years of Experience in transit operations or a safety-sensitive operational environment
• Strong knowledge of operating rules, procedures, and compliance practices within a transit operation
• Field experience in transportation craft preferred
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working with frontline staff, supervisors, and cross-functional teams
• Analytical skills to identify trends, assess compliance, and recommend improvements

Key Competencies

• Subject matter expertise in operating rules
• Proactive field support and risk identification
• Team collaboration across operational departments
• Training advisory and guidance
• Change management assistance
• Data analysis, trend identification, and anticipatory reporting
• Knowledge management and resource development
• Communication, engagement, and problem-solving

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Field experience in transportation craft
• Proficient with the use of MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and database applications.

• A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• An associate's degree from an accredited institution with an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• A master's degree in a related subject substitute for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.

• Application Completion: It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.

• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.

• Work Environment:The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.

• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.

• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.

• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.

• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.

• Essential / Emergency Staff:During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.

• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at or

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit

• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.