Description

Definition

Performs a variety of professional and technical level duties involving the development, organization, implementation and coordination of a variety of safety and risk management programs, including workers' compensation, security and other training, safety/environmental management, and emergency management programs. This position has a strong emphasis on effective employee engagement through public speaking, training delivery, and field-based safety leadership and is expected to be highly visible, approachable, and to collaborate and engage with staff across departments.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the journey level classification, fully competent to independently perform a variety of technical duties in support of District activities. Employees are expected to be familiar with a diverse set of policies, procedures, and situations and receive only occasional instruction, assistance, or direction as new or unusual situations arise.

Supervision Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include direct or indirect supervision of staff.

Examples of Essential Duties

• The following duties are typical for this classification. Depending upon the assignment, the employee may not perform all of the listed duties and may be required to perform additional or different duties from those below to address business needs and changing business practices. Management retains the right to add, remove, or change duties at any time.
• Develops and enforces safety policies and procedures in compliance with State and Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) laws and regulations.
• Oversees and participates in the day-to-day operations of programs designed to reduce and manage risk and ensure workplace safety and facility security; performs a variety of duties involved in the development, organization, implementation, and coordination of safety and risk management programs, including workers’ compensation, security and other training, safety/environmental management, and emergency management programs.
• Performs on site visits to evaluate safety; acts as resource for safe work practices.
• Administers, implements, updates, and oversees a variety of safety-related programs, including the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and Workplace Violence Prevention Plans (WVPP); reviews, develops, and updates plans, policies and procedures as required by law or as directed.
• Develops and conducts frequent training and presentations on various safety topics to employees in large and small groups. 
• Inspects District facilities, equipment, and records for compliance with OSHA standards.
• Responds to the scene of accidents/injuries; conducts thorough investigations and analysis of conditions/circumstances related to the accident/injury; prepares reports with findings and recommendations to District management. 
• Ensures compliance with and participates in the administration of the State's Department of Transportation (DOT) program.
• Oversees and administers the District's Risk Management Program; receives, investigates, and processes claims filed by members of the public and other organizations; prepares reports with findings and recommendations; coordinates claims with appropriate parties, including outside agencies, claimants, and legal counsel.
• Works closely with outside risk management staff to coordinate periodic inspections and respond to follow-up inspection reports.
• Participates in the management and implementation of the District's Emergency Response Plan (ERP); performs a full range of duties to ensure the District is prepared to handle a disaster; trains staff on the principles of the State’s Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS); develops emergency exercises/drills and analyzes staff response and efforts; coordinates the efforts of staff to develop standard procedures to operate under duress and abnormal circumstances.
• Participates in the development and implementation of the District's training and employee development program related to safety; develops required training courses; ensures that employees receive required training and regulatory obligations; coordinates the implementation and maintenance of a training program database with an emphasis on practical, field-relevant training.
• Serves as point of contact, reacting, responding, and immediately reporting emergency situations and safety incidents.
• Tracks required staff training, including establishing individual training schedules.
• Maintains regular attendance and adheres to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities.
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with coworkers and the public by being accessible, responsive, and actively engaged in both office and field environments.
• Performs related duties as assigned. 
   

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge Of:

• Basic principles and practices of program development and administration, including safety and risk management programs.
• Risk management principles, including those related to managing risk in a local government, risk assessment, risk retention, risk transfer, claims and litigation management, loss control, workers' compensation, safety, and emergency response.
• Construction and water industry operation and safety standards and requirements.
• Standard organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to workplace safety and injury/illness prevention.
• Techniques of developing and effectively conducting workplace training programs, including adult learning principles, public speaking ability, and effective presentation/facilitation methods.
• Modern office methods, procedures, and equipment including common office computer software and database programs, including the Microsoft Suite of Programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, and PowerPoint).
• Methods and techniques of effective technical, administrative, and financial record keeping, report preparation, and presentation, including verbal presentation of safety information to groups.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.     
• Techniques and principles of effective interpersonal communication, particularly in field and operational environments.
•  Principles and practices of good customer service and work safety.

Ability To:

• Participate in planning, organizing, coordinating, and evaluating comprehensive safety and risk management programs.
• Perform responsible and difficult programmatic and administrative duties involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative.
• Participate in the continued development and administration of safety and risk management program goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Demonstrate strong presentation skills and engage diverse audiences.
• Conduct safety investigations, audits, and related research; prepare findings and recommendations in a clear and concise manner. 
• Understand the organization and operation of the District, assigned programs, and outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Understand, interpret, and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Research, analyze, and formulate recommendations, work plans, and activities regarding planning, technical, and administrative issues.
• Independently analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Establish and maintain various data collection, record keeping, tracking, filing, and reporting systems.
• Prepare clear and concise technical and administrative reports.
• Frequently provide training, both in person and virtually, in large and small groups, demonstrating confidence, clarity, and engagement.
• Operate a computer for word processing, database, and department specific software.
• Quickly and efficiently respond to emergencies and problematic circumstances in a calm, organized manner, dealing as necessary with conflict and communicating through the proper channels, to arrive at an effective course of action.
• Exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality in maintaining critical, sensitive, emergency and/or confidential information, records, and reports.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Initiate and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including maintaining a regular field presence and being accessible to operations staff as a resource.
   

Experience and Education:

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Four (4) years of increasingly responsible operations, utilities, or safety/risk management experience.

AND

Education:

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, safety engineering, occupational safety and health or other related field from an accredited college or university.  Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. 

License and/or Certificates:

      Valid Driver’s License issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and proof of good driving record as evidenced by the absence of multiple or serious traffic violations or accidents for at least two (2) years duration.  The driving record will not contribute to an increase in the District’s automobile rates.  Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be considered for accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

      Possession and maintenance of a safety-related certification such as CHSM (Certified Health and Safety Manager), SFC (Safety Foundations Certificate), SAC (Safety Associate Certificate), CSHO (Certified Safety and Health Official) or equivalent certification, or ability to obtain one of the above or other designated safety-related certification as approved by the GM or designee within 2 years of employment. 

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

      Travels intermittently by vehicle to conduct District business, including regular visits to District facilities and field operations sites.

      Communicates frequently with District management staff, coworkers, and the public in one-to-one and group settings.

      Regularly uses a telephone for communication and office equipment such as computers, including keyboard/mouse, and copiers.

      Regularly uses office equipment such as computers and copiers.

      Occasionally walks in uneven terrain, in an outdoor environment, making inspections of District facilities and work sites.

      Sits for extended periods of time.

      Hearing and vision required to be within normal ranges with or without correction.

      Occasionally may be required to change working hours or work overtime.

      Must wear CalOSHA approved protective footwear with a minimum ANSI I/75 or equivalent ASTM rating.

The specific statements shown in each section of this class specification are not intended to be all-inclusive.  They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.

HOW to APPLY

 This position will remain open until filled.  Qualified candidates will be interviewed as they are identified. To be considered for this position, candidates are required to submit a cover letter and SSWD application. To apply and for more information, please visit our website at www.sswd.org.