WGL - Sr Director, Safety, Security, and Emergency Response

Job Summary:

The Senior Director of Safety, Security, and Emergency Response is the single accountable position responsible for protecting AltaGas Utilities (Washington Gas and SEMCO) employees, contractors, customers, and critical natural gas infrastructure from all hazards-occupational, physical, intentional, and emerging threats. This role serves as the Chief Security Officer for Utilities. The role integrates personnel and pipeline safety, corporate security, threat intelligence, insider threat mitigation, and ICS-based emergency response into one cohesive, risk-based enterprise program that delivers zero-harm outcomes, regulatory excellence, and operational resilience in one of the nation's most sensitive critical infrastructure environments.

Primary Duties:

Occupational and Pipeline Safety Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, data-driven safety strategy targeting zero recordable incidents across all gas distribution and transmission operations (excavation, confined space entry, hot work, pressure testing, leak survey, damage prevention, etc.).
• Ensure framework for compliance with OSHA 1910/1926, PHMSA 49 CFR Parts 191-193, DOT Operator Qualification, and state utility commission safety regulations.
• Oversee enterprise-wide incident investigations, root-cause analysis (TapRooT or equivalent), corrective/preventive action tracking, near-miss reporting programs, and safety observation systems.
• Drive a generational safety culture transformation through leadership engagement, recognition programs, behavioral safety initiatives, and union collaboration.
• Establish and report leading/lagging KPIs (TRIR, LTIR, preventable vehicle incidents, etc.) to the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors.

Physical Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection

• Design, implement, and continuously improve physical security programs for corporate headquarters, operations centers, peaking plants, regulator stations, and pipeline rights-of-way.
• Maintain compliance with TSA Pipeline Security Directives, CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and critical infrastructure protection best practices.
• Oversee access control systems, CCTV, perimeter security, security operations center (SOC), guard force management, and executive protection programs.
• Conduct regular security risk assessments and vulnerability audits of all facilities and critical assets.

Investigations

• Lead or oversee all internal investigations related to safety incidents, security breaches, fraud, theft, workplace violence, substance abuse policy violations, and insider threat concerns.
• Coordinate with HR, Legal, and external law enforcement/investigative agencies as required while preserving evidence and confidentiality.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Direct the company-wide Emergency Management Program, maintaining fully NIMS/ICS-compliant plans, procedures, and training.
• Serve as principal advisor (not Incident Commander) to the designated IC during activations for gas emergencies, severe weather, security incidents, or cyber-physical events.
• Plan and execute tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises; lead After-Action Reviews (AARs) and Deficiency Improvement Updates (DIUs).
• Maintain 24/7 Emergency Operations Center (EOC) readiness and emergency notification systems.

Regulatory Strategy and External Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent Washington Gas in regulatory proceedings, audits, and industry forums with PHMSA, NTSB, TSA, state public service commissions, and congressional staff on safety and security matters.
• Cultivate and sustain proactive relationships with DHS CISA, FBI Washington Field Office, Joint Terrorism Task Force, state fusion centers, and local first-responder agencies.

Threat Intelligence and Forecasting

• Establish and lead an active, full-spectrum threat intelligence program that monitors domestic, international, and local events with potential impact on natural gas infrastructure and personnel in the National Capital Region.
• Fuse open-source intelligence (OSINT), law-enforcement reporting, classified briefings (when cleared), and industry partnerships (ONG-ISAC, API, AGA, InfraGard) into actionable daily/weekly intelligence products and on-call briefings during elevated risk periods.
• Develop and disseminate threat assessments for facilities, field operations, executive travel, public events, and emerging risks (geopolitical, terrorism, protest activity, cyber-physical convergence).

Insider Threat and Counterintelligence Program

• Build and continuously mature an enterprise insider threat program covering employees, contractors, and vendors with unescorted access to critical gas infrastructure or sensitive information.
• Implement behavioral indicator training, continuous evaluation protocols (criminal history monitoring, financial triggers where legally permissible), and user/activity monitoring in coordination with HR, OGC, and IT.
• Lead insider threat case management, investigations, and mitigation actions in full compliance with SEAD 3, DoD/DOE best practices, and privacy regulations.
• Protect proprietary information, trade secrets, SCADA schematics, and pipeline mapping data from espionage or unauthorized disclosure.

Team Leadership, Budget, and Culture

• Lead a unified team of safety professionals, security specialists, emergency management staff, and threat/intelligence analysts.
• Develop and manage combined operating and capital budgets for all safety, security, and emergency response functions.
• Champion a "One Team - Zero Harm" culture that seamlessly blends safety, security, and preparedness at every level of the organization.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Occupational Safety & Health, Security Management, Emergency Management, Intelligence Studies, or closely related field required.
• Master's degree preferred

Work Experience:

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in either safety and security disciplines, with at least 7 years in senior/executive roles.
• Deep technical and regulatory expertise in TSA Pipeline Security Directives, and NIMS/ICS emergency management frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience designing and leading threat intelligence and insider threat programs in a regulated environment.
• Proven ability to reduce incident rates and build a unified safety/security culture in large, field-based, unionized workforces.
• Prior corporate Chief Security Officer (CSO) or equivalent experience preferred
• Established relationships with DHS CISA, FBI, PHMSA, and emergency management agencies preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance (Secret or higher preferred).

Skills and Abilities:

• Proven ability to shape, coordinate, and deliver enterprise-wide narrative strategies.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex strategies into clear and compelling messages.
• Strong executive presence and ability to influence without direct authority.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating across functions and advising senior leaders.
• Data-driven mindset with ability to measure narrative impact and refine approaches.

For Canadian hires: AltaGas hires personnel on the basis of job-related qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to a person's ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.