Safety Specialist

Job Responsibilities

• Fosters a one-District approach to implementing District health and safety programs through close collaboration with stakeholders and with unified support of other Safety personnel.
• Conducts work area assistance visits for identification and analysis of unique hazards and develops risk-based countermeasure options to abate the hazards.
• Works with stakeholders to implement the selected countermeasure.
• Analyzes employee job activities and determines gaps in required skills or knowledge and recommends and delivers the necessary health and safety training.
• Acquires instructor credentials and conducts any of the over 16 health and safety courses taught by the Safety Department as part of the District’s training program.
• Surveys work areas, collects and organizes hazard data, analyzes data to select and recommend personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce hazard exposure to employees.
• Edits employees on proper use and limitations of the PPE.
• Participates in the development and improvement of standards relating to health and safety.
• Conducts inspections and audits, using hazard identification methods, assessing and analyzing risks to develop and recommend hazard controls.
• Prepares and provides safety briefings and training at facility or department meetings during different work shifts.
• Introduces and interprets Federal, State, consensus standards, and industry-recognized rules, regulations and procedures dealing with workplace health and safety.
• Actively participates in emergency response drills and exercises, provides input and recommendations related to risk management and emergency response programs.
• Responds to unscheduled or emergency events and provides assistance.
• Prepares site emergency action plans.
• Investigates incidents, determines root causes, develops and tracks corrective action recommendations using Maximo HSE.
• Protects confidential information.
• Performs or schedules inspections, testing, and maintenance of fire suppression systems, including backflow prevention devices/reduced pressure zone valves, fire alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers and ensure all inspection tasks are completed accurately and efficiently.
• Provides fire prevention, fire extinguisher, and fire drill training.
• Collaborates with engineering and operations teams to ensure safety is integrated into facility designs and construction.
• Leads by example and provides coaching as necessary in the facilitation of safe work practices within the District to continuously improve the safety culture and influence behavior related to safety.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in risk management, safety management, public health, process safety engineering, chemical safety engineering, industrial hygiene, or a related STEM field desired. Certification such as a Certified Safety Professional, Certified Industrial Hygienist, Registered Safety Engineer, or Certified Marine Chemist desired. Two years of experience in safety, accident prevention, and/or loss control programs.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Knowledge of relevant TCEQ, ANSI, NEC, NFPA, OSHA, and industry developed consensus standards regarding safety, health, environmental, emergency preparedness, security standards, guidelines, and best practices. Ability to read and interpret standards and communicate relevance and impact to District operations. Knowledge of advanced science and math relating to safety, safety management systems, fire prevention and protection, emergency response, industrial hygiene and occupational health, training, education, and communication. Ability to calculate performance metrics and interpret quantitative measures to track and report performance. Knowledge of relevant principles of accident prevention, loss control, process safety management, occupational health and industrial hygiene. Ability to conduct quantitative respirator fit tests. Ability to Interpret plans, specifications, technical drawings and process flow diagrams. Interpret quantitative measures to track and report performance. Able to gather and compile information, following oral or written instructions, to develop and deliver effective presentations or trainings to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders. Able to effectively communicate orally with individuals in a face-to-face, one-on-one setting or by telephone to influence behavior related to safety and resolve conflicts. Able to function in the incident management structure and participate in emergency response drills and exercises. Able to prepare a site emergency action plan and facilitate and evaluate emergency response exercises. Able to establish priorities for own workload based upon such factors as needed for immediate action, work objectives, work schedule, knowledge of future needs, etc. Able to work cooperatively with other District employees and representatives from other governmental agencies. Able to detect and develop recommendations of corrective actions to abate hazardous, unsafe working conditions and practices to prevent accidents or injuries to employees or citizens. Ability to review, compile, analyze and interpret data from accident and loss reports and other sources regarding injuries, illnesses, property damage, and public impacts to identify causes, trends, and relationships. Ability to develop job hazard analyses and select equipment or apparel designed to protect the wearer or user from a recognized hazard. Ability to identify which health and safety programs are relevant to site-specific safety plan. Exceptional organizational skills, discretion, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams. Environmental and Physical Working Conditions Driving a District vehicle for business will be required. Employees required to drive as part of their job duties are responsible for maintaining a current, valid, and vehicle - appropriate driver' s license of their resident state. The duties and responsibilities are generally performed in a solid waste, water or wastewater conveyance and treatment environment. The position involves sitting (up to 6 hours per day), frequent standing, frequent walking, light to heavy lifting (up to 75 lbs.), light carrying, frequent bending and reaching, keyboarding, and telephone operation. It often requires an irregular work schedule and work outside normal working hours (e.g., early morning, evenings and or weekends). Specific physical conditions require frequent work with chemicals, tools, machinery, moving mechanical parts, etc. The duties and responsibilities are performed both indoors and outdoors. Moderate to heavy exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, biological hazards, rain, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials and chemicals, machinery, moving mechanical parts, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, and water hazards are common. Performs and reviews work at locations that involve hazardous environments requiring the physical ability to wear and work using personal protective equipment (PPE to include SCBA, fall arrest equipment, etc.) that meets or exceed guidelines such as established by OSHA which may result in some physical discomfort due to temperature, dust, odors, chemicals and noise. The position may require work in confined spaces, on ladders and rooftops, and in adverse weather conditions with appropriate training. Must meet shaving requirements for respiratory fit test at all times. Possess visual and muscular dexterity to operate a motor vehicle (including while towing a trailer) up to 4 hours a day, use safety equipment, hand tools, and a computer. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Must complete the OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire and obtain a medical determination that the employee is able to use respirators and must pass a respirator fit test during pre-employment offer period. Must always meet shaving requirements for respiratory fit test. Performs functions requiring manual dexterity and precision movements, continuous or repetitive arm and hand movements, grasping movements, and occasional forceful exertion. Perceive/discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth and visual cues or signals. Possess visual and muscular dexterity to operate a motor vehicle (including while towing portable equipment), equipment, hand tools and a computer. Work may be performed at any location and any shift across the District (weekends and holidays included).