Health & Safety Specialist

About the Role

The Health & Safety Specialist develops and evaluates Safety and Health programs to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Responsibilities include root cause analysis, policy and operational analysis, emergency safety planning, and disaster planning at correctional institutions. Supports overall compliance efforts to reduce liability and exposure risks to the County.

Functional Area: Facility Management

Plans, coordinates, and oversees construction projects related to health and safety.

Metro Detention Center (MDC) Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, oversees, monitors, and evaluates Safety and Health programs, including Safety and Environmental Health inspections, accident(s) and near-miss investigations, Defensive Driving Course (DDC) instruction, root cause analysis, policy and operational analysis, emergency safety planning, and disaster planning.
• Develops, implements, and maintains a Countywide Safety Plan to prevent and eliminate accidents.
• Conducts monthly fire and life safety inspections and follows up on corrective actions and recommendations.
• Performs and documents safe work observations.
• Oversees and monitors facility chemical procurement, distribution, storage, and chemical spill response plans, including maintaining Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• Identifies, evaluates, and recommends remedial actions to reduce occupational health and safety hazards in facilities, kitchens, work sites, vehicles, tools, and equipment.
• Coordinates with the Correctional Facility Training Supervisor to plan, develop, and deliver safety training for inmates and staff, along with OSHA education programs.
• Provides professional safety recommendations and support to Department Directors, management, employees, and contractors.
• Researches safety issues, law enforcement liability, and worker's compensation issues.
• Identifies, evaluates, and recommends corrective actions related to law enforcement liability, tort liability, and worker's compensation losses.
• Develops, plans, and implements safety standards in accordance with applicable Federal, OSHA, and State Occupational Safety and Health Bureau (OSHB) regulations.
• Participates in and coordinate risk analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and work hazard control techniques.
• Coordinates and conducts monthly safety meetings and presents analyses of occupational injury trends.
• Participates in Accident and Safety Review Committees and help implement accident prevention programs.
• Supervises staff, including assigning daily tasks, managing time, and assessing performance.
• Provides Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) training, maintains the PIT program, and ensures OSHA poster compliance and recordkeeping.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Safety Management, Safety Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field.
• Eight (8) years of work experience in occupational safety, regulatory compliance, risk management, loss prevention or worker's compensation.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience may be considered for the above requirements.

Screening and Compliance

• Successful completion of a post-offer employment medical examination and background investigation.
• Adherence to all County safety guidelines.
• Complete all FEMA training(s) assigned to this position.
• Possession of a valid New Mexico driver's license by the date of hire and maintenance of a valid license while employed in this position.
• Complete required supervisor training, if applicable.
• Employee must provide copies of transcripts or documentation confirming education and experience with the employment application.
• Employee must complete eighty (80) hours of OSHA Outreach Training Institute classes.
• OSHA 500 or 501 certification must be obtained within nine (9) months of hire.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed indoors and outdoors, including in correctional institutions, construction sites, and industrial settings.
• Work may involve standing or walking for extended periods, climbing ladders or stairs, and entering confined spaces such as crawlspaces or rooftops for inspections.
• Duties require kneeling, crouching, bending, twisting, and working with arms extended or bent.
• Work requires occasional lifting of up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Employee must use protective equipment and safety gear as required.
• Use of a County vehicle may be required.

Equipment, Tools, and Materials

• Equipment used includes computers, digital cameras, recording equipment, industrial hygiene equipment, vehicles, and standard office equipment (telephone, copier, scanner, calculator, facsimile machine).
• Materials handled include safety manuals, regulatory documents, reports, spreadsheets, graphs, and various office forms.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) and specialized safety inspection tools are used regularly.