John Skipper Jr.
Capitol Heights
Summary
Safety and construction operations professional delivering independent safety oversight to ensure compliance with safety rules and regulatory standards. Expertise in conducting field inspections, analyzing incidents, and maintaining audit-ready documentation to support operational integrity and safety assurance.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Safety Specialist, WMATA
WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Washington
02.2026 - Current
- Deliver independent safety oversight across departmental operations, construction, and maintenance activities to ensure full compliance with safety rules, procedures, and regulatory standards.
- Execute field inspections and capture hazards, incidents, and corrective actions in the Origami Risk application to drive safety assurance, operational analysis, and informed decision-making.
- Analyzed operational timelines, maintenance records, and contributing factors to identify root causes and corrective actions for incidents.
- Maintained audit-ready documentation and communicated safety findings to leadership, enhancing organizational oversight and regulatory compliance.
- Reviewed documentation for accurate reporting and effective corrective action follow-up, driving continuous improvement in maintenance and infrastructure operations.
Supervisor, WMATA
WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Washington
04.2019 - 02.2026
- Led safety-critical maintenance, inspections, and emergency response operations across multiple divisions, providing decisive operational oversight and ensuring system reliability.
- Managed Maximo work orders, failure reporting, and close-out documentation to ensure accurate maintenance records and enhance operational assurance.
- Delivered daily operational shift reports on incidents, safety concerns, and system status to facilitate informed decision-making and leadership oversight.
- Conducted joint inspections with cross-departmental teams to validate system readiness, ensure regulatory compliance, and reinforce safe infrastructure operations.
- Conducted daily toolbox talks and weekly compliance checks to promote safety culture and operational discipline.
- Developed work plans, schedules, and performed field measurements and system testing to validate operational performance and support safe, reliable maintenance functionality.
Construction Inspector Electrical/Communication, WMATA
WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Washington
01.2016 - 04.2019
- Conducted pre- and post-construction inspections to identify unsafe work practices and reinforce safety oversight across project operations.
- Reviewed blueprints and engineering modifications for constructability and safety assurance, mitigating risks and reinforcing operational integrity.
- Ensured contractor compliance with approved plans, methods, and specifications through consistent field oversight and operational assurance.
- Documented daily construction activities in Procore and IDR, enhancing quality assurance, schedule tracking, and operational visibility.
- Managed project documentation, schedules, drawings, and inspection records, ensuring organized, audit-ready project controls.
Mechanic - Construction, Inspection and Testing, WMATA
WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Washington
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Led team in operational oversight, coordinating field activities and preparing maintenance and failure reports to enhance system reliability.
- Diagnosed and resolved equipment and apparatus malfunctions using specialized tools, restoring safe and compliant operational performance.
- Executed preventive and corrective maintenance per plans, procedures, and manufacturer specifications, ensuring reliable system operations.
- Supported installation, testing, and operational inspections of systems equipment and apparatus, contributing to maintenance assurance and system readiness.
Assistant Lead Building Engineer
QUADRANGLE MANAGEMENT
Washington
08.2011 - 01.2013
- Maintained life-safety systems, BAS, HVAC, and critical building operations to ensure safe, reliable facility performance.
- Oversaw operations at The National Press Building to ensure optimal facility management.
- Executed weekly generator and fire alarm testing to ensure safety compliance and confirm emergency system readiness.
- Performed preventive maintenance on heat pumps, AHUs, cooling towers, and mechanical systems to sustain equipment reliability and operational readiness.
- Coordinated work orders and provided timely tenant service to uphold safe building conditions and facilitate daily operations.
- Generated daily plant operations reports to enhance operational oversight and assure maintenance effectiveness.
Electrical Apprentice
LOCAL 26 UNION
Washington
09.2004 - 03.2011
- Installed conduit, lighting, panels, and branch circuitry on residential and commercial construction projects, supporting safe and compliant electrical operations.
- Pulled, routed, terminated, and tested electrical wiring and cabling to ensure reliable system performance and installation quality.
- Followed blueprints, schematics, and electrical codes under journeyman oversight to maintain construction accuracy and regulatory compliance.
- Identified installation challenges and optimized routing and layout to enhance safety and efficiency in field operations.
- Maintained tools and shop equipment while implementing jobsite safety and lockout/tagout procedures to ensure safe maintenance practices.
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 26
Education
Electrical Engineering -
TESST COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
Beltsville, Maryland01-2010
High School -
SUITLAND HIGH SCHOOL
Suitland, Maryland01-2004
Skills
- Safety management systems
- Safety compliance
- Hazard identification
- Hazard analysis
- Risk assessment
- Safety oversight
- Quality assurance
Certifications Training
- CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
- OSHA 30 CONSTRUCTION CERTIFIED
- ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
- WSO CERTIFIED SAFETY SPECIALIST (WSO-1286)
- FIRST AID/CPR/AED
- EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND OPERATIONS SAFETY
Timeline
Safety Specialist, WMATA
WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY
02.2026 - Current
Supervisor, WMATA
WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY
04.2019 - 02.2026
Construction Inspector Electrical/Communication, WMATA
WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY
01.2016 - 04.2019
Mechanic - Construction, Inspection and Testing, WMATA
WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY
01.2013 - 01.2016
Assistant Lead Building Engineer
QUADRANGLE MANAGEMENT
08.2011 - 01.2013
Electrical Apprentice
LOCAL 26 UNION
09.2004 - 03.2011
Electrical Engineering -
TESST COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
High School -
SUITLAND HIGH SCHOOL