Safety Inspector

Position Overview

The Safety Inspector is a field-based compliance role established to support implementation of the Harris County Worksite Safety Policy adopted by Commissioners Court on November 13, 2025.

Job Duties

• Inspection & Compliance (35%)
  Conduct random and scheduled site safety visits and inspections.
  Use the Universal Site Inspection Checklist, which is outlined in the Policy, to verify compliance with the Policy and applicable OSHA standards.
  Review contractor daily inspection checklists and safety documentation.
  Interview workers and supervisors regarding safety practices.
  Issue Stop Work Orders when required and appropriate, as outlined in the Policy.

• Violations & Hazards (20%)
  Notify all applicable stakeholders of violations and non-compliance findings.
  Issue written notices of non-compliance requiring corrective action, and verify that corrective actions have been properly implemented.
  Provide immediate verbal notification of serious hazards or imminent danger conditions.

• Worker Complaint Investigation (15%)
  Receive worker complaints.
  Record complaints directly in the County's tracking system.
  Provide a case number and expected timeline to the worker and protect worker confidentiality to the extent possible.
  Investigate complaints in accordance with the Policy.

• Reporting & Documentation (10%)
  Photograph or video recording site conditions and safety violations.
  Issue written inspection reports within 5 business days.
  Work with Data Analysts to provide information for the central database tracking, including inspection findings and checklist deficiencies, stop work orders issues, corrective actions, and completion status, repeat violations and systemic issues, and other information as needed.
  Provide information to the County Safety Monitor for Quarterly Worksite Safety Reports, which are defined in the Policy.

• Collaboration & Support (10%)
  Work closely with the Health and Safety Manager and Project Managers to address safety concerns.
  Coordinate with the Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity (DEEO), which is the County Safety Monitor for the purposes of implementation of the Worksite Safety Policy, on escalations, complaint investigations, and non-retaliation procedures.
  Recommend program improvements and strengthen Countywide compliance and contractor accountability.

• Other Activities (10%)
  Provide training, coaching, and guidance to department employees on safe work practices and regulatory requirements, including fall protection, confined space entry, excavation safety, and PPE use.
  Develop and deliver safety training for department employees on hazard recognition, safe work practices, and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  Identify contractor and subcontractor training deficiencies and collaborate with management to address them.
  Stay current with evolving safety regulations, industry standards, and best practices to ensure continuous program improvement.

Requirements

• Education: Associate degree in Occupational Safety, Construction Management, Engineering Technology, or related field from an accredited institution.
  An equivalent combination of technical training and directly related safety experience (minimum 4 years) may substitute for educational requirements.

• Experience: Minimum two (2) years of construction safety experience, including field inspection, OSHA compliance monitoring, and incident investigation.

• Certification Requirements: OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety certification required.
  One of the following professional certifications required within 12 months of hire: -Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST)
  Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician (OHST)
  Associate Safety Professional (ASP)
  Certified Safety and Health Official (CSHO)
  Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) certification

• Driver's License: Valid Class C Texas Driver's License required with an acceptable driving record per Harris County fleet policy.
  Must maintain an acceptable driving record as a condition of continued employment, given extensive daily driving requirements (70-80% of work time).

• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs): Strong computer skills, utilizing internet-based databases and Microsoft software such as Outlook and Word. Excel. and Teams.
  Self-starter with exceptional attention to detail, organizational, time management, and decision-making skills.
  Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills.
  Ability to learn newly implemented software with proficiency and adapt to procedure changes with ease.
  Ability to operate and/or utilize a variety of standard business and office machines and equipment.
  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of individuals.
  Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information at all times.

Preferences

• Education: Bachelor's degree preferred
  Experience: Experience with heavy civil construction (roadways, bridges, drainage infrastructure) strongly preferred.
  Experience with public sector construction projects is preferred.

General Information

• Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in outdoor field environments at active construction sites throughout Harris County. Regular exposure to construction hazards, including moving equipment, excavations, elevated work areas, noise, dust, extreme weather conditions, and vehicular traffic.

• Office work includes report preparation and safety record maintenance. Inspectors must wear required PPE, including a hard hat, safety glasses, a high-visibility vest, and steel-toed boots at all construction sites.

• Position requires extensive driving (approximately 70-80% of work time) to multiple project locations daily across Harris County's 1,777 square miles.

• Physical & Mental Demands: The position can be physically challenging. Sitting for extended periods of time, with frequent standing and walking, and occasional ascending/descending stairs. Lifting to 20 lbs. and/or a negligible amount of constant force necessary to move objects may be required. Speech, vision, and hearing must be adequate or corrected to be able to accomplish assigned duties. You must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle and travel as needed throughout Harris County to visit indoor and outdoor work locations.

• Must be able to safely navigate active construction sites, including uneven terrain, climbing ladders/stairs, entering confined spaces, and working at heights. Must be able to wear required PPE for extended periods, including hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, high-visibility vest, respirator, and hearing protection as site conditions require.

• This position also requires a high level of attention to detail, the ability to develop new ideas or processes, manage multiple priorities and deadlines, and retain key information from reference materials as needed.

• Position Type and Typical Hours of Work: Full-time position
  Typical work schedule is M-F, 8 am - 5 pm
  Subject to frequent early morning and evening work.
  Some weekend work may be required.
  Hours may vary based on the business needs of the department.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.

• Wellness.

• Professional development opportunity.

• 457 deferred compensation plans.

• Retailment assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).

• Disability and life insurance.

• Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).