Field Safety Manager

Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility serving rural Wright County and western Hennepin County since 1937. Today, we provide safe, reliable electricity to more than 59,000 member accounts while remaining committed to the communities we serve.

About the role

The Safety Manager is charged with leading safety programs and assisting with driving the safety culture. This position will identify and promote safety best practices, conduct field observations, and lead contractor safety processes. This position requires a utility background and experience leading safety efforts.

Location: Onsite - Rockford, MN. Rockford is located on Hwy. 55, 15 minutes west of I-494.

Responsibilities

• Safety Leadership for Field Operations (40%)
  • Conduct crew observations for all WH businesses and subsidiaries.
  • Attend tailgates to coach and correct in real time.
  • Provide safety oversight for storm assistance and mutual aid.
  • Identify traffic hazards on jobs and recommend traffic control during normal business hours and after hours.
  • Assist with safety input on operational designs.
• Safety Program Management (15%)
  • Drive safety culture and make recommendations for safety programs.
  • Partner with senior leaders and provide guidance to ensure alignment with strategic plans and initiatives.
  • Organize resources to achieve safety goals and increase efficiency by leveraging synergies across the organization.
  • Lead Safety Committees and Medical Response Team. Conduct meetings, assign action items, and ensure progress.
  • Manage and analyze safety metrics and influence organization.
  • Track Safety Improvement Plan progress and act as primary contact for on-site safety audits. Create and lead action plans as a result of audit findings.
  • Manage equipment and PPE testing, observation, and tracking.
• Safety Training (15%)
  • Meet with department leaders to understand safety needs and conduct safety training based on needs assessment.
  • Coordinate safety events for employees, contractors, and public entities.
  • Create and facilitate safety training programs based on department and position needs.
  • Conduct internal safety trainings and curriculum, new hire on-boarding.
  • Review trends on past injuries and create training to mitigate future injuries in those categories.
• Risk Mitigation and Accident Investigations (20%)
  • Lead intake process for near-miss, injury/incident review. Share findings with employees to ensure learning from incidents.
  • Partner with HR team to ensure claims are filed appropriately.
  • Provide analysis of risks by evaluating the effectiveness of initiatives through safety assessments and compiling data to identify gaps.
  • Develop and implement action plans to mitigate risks.
  • Coordinate and conduct safety training and field evaluations. Provide assessment and work with leadership on ongoing training and program needs.
  • Ensure employees have access to safety training and track progress towards completion.
  • Develop and communicate policies and procedures to manage workplace accidents and injuries.
  • Conduct ergonomics assessments and ensure employees have proper equipment and resources to work safely.
• Contractor Safety Program (10%)
  • Build contractor safety onboarding programs.
  • Provide oversight to contractors and ensure adherence to WH safety principles.

Requirements

• Education and Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in safety, Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Health, or related field strongly preferred.
  • 5+ years of experience in utility operations.
  • Experience in a safety or compliance role within a manufacturing, industrial, electrical, or related environment.
  • Experience with OSHA, DOT, EPA, or other regulatory agencies.
• Licenses/Certificates
  • Valid Driver’s License.
  • CSP or ASP preferred.
• Skills and Abilities
  • Knowledge of relevant regulatory, industry standards, and best practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to use analytics and identify trends.
  • Must be capable of building strong relationships with partners throughout the organization and with external partners.
  • Demonstrated flexibility and ability to operate within an ambiguous and changing environment.
  • Proven strong planning, organization, and prioritization skills.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
  • Ability to resolve conflicts and diffuse difficult situations.
  • Demonstrated strong consultative and influencing skills.
  • Proven experience in training delivery.
  • Ability to be on-call and take after-hours emergency calls.

Pay

Salary Range: $90,000–125,000 based on qualifications and experience.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous 401(k) match.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions.
• Annual bonus opportunity.
• Paid time off and company-paid holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement programs.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care).