Safety Specialist

About the role

The Safety Specialist II position at Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, focuses on ensuring safety in the workplace and the Aqua Texas region. This role involves administering the safety program, managing safety teams, and participating in corporate safety programs. The position requires a combination of office work and field work, including observing work practices and conducting investigations.

Responsibilities

• Manages, develops, implements and enforces Aqua’s safety program in compliance with local, state, and Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and regulations.
• Measures the Safety Program’s effectiveness through use of analytics/measures and indicators/etc. Takes an active role in identifying and correcting any shortcomings.
• Works closely with both local and corporate stakeholders to develop, implement, and update effective policies and procedures for all OSHA programs to ensure compliance with regulations and guidelines.
• Conducts hands on training in subject matter as needed and regularly is available to guide, coach and assist others with understanding safety rules and expectations.
• Investigates all injuries and incidents in assigned region and interfaces with state management, HR and national safety director to ensure root cause and corrective actions are identified and implemented as required.
• On a continuous basis, interprets technical and regulatory information to provide guidance both in plants and in the field.
• Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) to explain Aqua policies and procedures and safety/risk management concepts and practices to the general regulators, consultants, and Aqua staff.
• Champions inspections, ride-a-longs, and audits to ensure safety presence in all operations.
• Regularly engages in troubleshooting concerns in the field and stop checks to ensure safety compliance.
• Administers state or regional programs for procurement of safety gear, PPE, tools or consultants, to support safety goals.
• Maintains utmost confidentiality in dealing with employee records and business information.
• Secures records and interfaces with HR and Legal departments to ensure business interests are protected.
• Attends conferences, meetings, and workshops to keep up-to-date on new safety methods and procedures to applicable codes and regulations or to maintain required level of certification.

Requirements

• Candidate should have a bachelor's degree in safety management, safety engineering, industrial hygiene, occupational environment health and safety, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3– 5 years of experience and knowledge of environmental and occupational health and safety, along with an establish track record of success may be considered as a substitute for the educational requirements.
• Must possess valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
• Must be able to analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Safety certifications such as CSP, CHMM or successful completion of OSHA 501 (train-the-trainer) highly desired.
• Candidate must be competent in oral and written communications.
• The candidate must have demonstrated computer skills, including a proficiency in using common word processing software, spreadsheet software, database applications, project and presentation software, email, contact management and scheduling software.
• The candidate should demonstrate a working knowledge of safety rules and regulations at all levels of government, including federal, state and local.
• The candidate should also show an ability, through demonstrated experience, to accomplish the following: conduct safety audits and field inspections to ensure compliance with occupational and environmental health and safety requirements; develop, implement and maintain employee training programs; establish and maintain complete safety and training records; and develop, update and manage workplace safety programs, procedures and policies.

Qualifications

• Frequent travel to Company locations and regular field inspections.
• May require work on alternate shifts or after hours.
• May require climbing, bending, wearing of PPE or lifting of equipment up to 50 lbs.