Public Works Safety Officer

Salary Range: $35.1246–$44.7966 per hour (Step 1 and Step 6 of a 7-step pay scale; dependent on education, experience, and training).

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

About the Role

Develop, administer, and continuously improve a comprehensive department-wide occupational safety, health, regulatory compliance, and risk management program serving all Public Works divisions, including Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Distribution and Collection, Street and Traffic, Engineering, Environmental Services, Solid Waste Collection, and Landfill Operations. Serve as the department’s technical expert on workplace safety and regulatory compliance by partnering with managers and supervisors to identify hazards, evaluate risks, develop safe work practices, investigate incidents, provide employee training, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local safety regulations. Promote a proactive safety culture focused on preventing injuries, protecting employees and the public, preserving City assets, and supporting efficient Public Works operations. Provide oversight of Public Works facilities maintenance and custodial operations to ensure City facilities are safe, functional, properly maintained, and supportive of departmental operations.

Responsibilities

• Develops department-wide safety policies, procedures, and safe work practices.
• Maintains written safety programs.
• Reviews policies and procedures to ensure compliance with changing regulations.
• Tracks safety performance metrics and recommends improvements.
• Coordinates departmental safety committees and employee involvement initiatives.
• Develops annual safety goals and performance objectives.
• Develops and delivers department-wide employee safety training including new employee orientation, confined space, lockout/tagout, respiratory protection, hazard communication, bloodborne pathogens, PPE, defensive driving, commercial vehicle safety, work zone safety, excavation safety, equipment operation, forklift certification, fall protection, heat and cold stress, chemical handling, emergency response, fire extinguisher training, and CPR/First Aid/AED.
• Maintains all training documentation.
• Maintains a strong field presence by routinely inspecting Public Works operations to identify hazards and improve safe work practices.
• Conducts inspections involving water treatment operations, wastewater treatment operations, utility excavation, confined space entry, trenching and shoring, traffic control and work zones, heavy equipment operation, commercial vehicle operations, solid waste collection, landfill operations, welding and fabrication, electrical safety, lockout/tagout, fall protection, crane and lifting operations, chemical storage and handling, and public works construction projects.
• Provides immediate recommendations and follows up to ensure corrective actions are completed.
• Ensures departmental compliance with all applicable occupational safety regulations.
• Coordinates regulatory inspections and assists divisions during audits.
• Evaluates risks associated with equipment, chemicals, utility systems, plant processes, fleet operations, construction activities, public interactions, and contractor activities.
• Assists divisions with emergency/action plans, spill response, chemical releases, fire protection, severe weather response, active threat planning, and emergency exercises and drills.
• Works with supervisors to improve vehicle and equipment safety.
• Coordinates facilities safety in Public Works facilities including fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, eyewash stations, building inspections, hazardous storage, safety signage, emergency egress, and indoor air quality concerns.
• Leads investigations of employee injuries, vehicle accidents, equipment damage, environmental releases, near misses, and other safety incidents.
• Responds to incident scenes, collects evidence, interviews employees and witnesses, determines root causes, identifies corrective actions, prepares investigation reports, monitors corrective action completion, and supports workers’ compensation claims management.
• Focuses on prevention through lessons learned.
• Provides administrative oversight of Public Works facilities maintenance and custodial operations to ensure department facilities are safe, functional, and properly maintained.
• Coordinates maintenance, repair, and improvement projects for department buildings, grounds, and support facilities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene, environmental health and safety, risk management, or related field.
• Minimum three years’ experience in comprehensive occupational safety and regulatory compliance programs.
• One year supervisory experience; OR at least seven years’ experience in workplace safety and supervision.
• Valid Montana driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within thirty days of employment.