Safety Specialist II

About the role

The Safety Specialist II, under the supervision of the US Utilities Transmission & Distribution Health & Safety Manager, is responsible for implementing, executing, and continuously improving the Safety Management System (SMS) across AES Ohio Transmission & Distribution. This role provides leadership and technical expertise in Health & Safety programs, focusing on safety culture, performance improvement, risk management, compliance with AES Health & Safety Standards, and applicable regulations. The Specialist will serve as a key field resource supporting employees, contractors, and business leaders in achieving the company’s safety objectives.

Responsibilities

• Maintain compliance with all applicable Health & Safety regulations, AES Health & Safety Standards, and business-specific requirements.
• Develop and execute Annual Work Plans to achieve established Health & Safety objectives, goals, and key performance indicators (KPIs), with approval from the T&D Safety Manager.
• Actively participate in AES Health & Safety audits and assessments, including developing, implementing, and following up on corrective action plans.
• Ensure effective application of the Hierarchy of Controls when conducting General Hazard Assessments, Risk Analyses, Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), and Job Safety Analyses (JSAs).
• Lead and/or support incident investigations, with emphasis on proactive reporting and investigation of non-injury Significant Incident Potential (SIP) events using TapRooT® methodology.
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver Health & Safety training programs for employees and contractors, including new-hire orientation, refresher training, job-specific safety training, and training related to regulations, company standards, and identified risks. Evaluate and improve training effectiveness.
• Oversee the implementation and execution of the Proactive Safety Program. Conduct regular field and facility visits, including Safety Walks, Work Activity Observations, Safety Inspections, and other proactive safety activities. Ensure identified actions are documented, communicated, and closed in a timely manner.
• Provide leadership and technical expertise for Health & Safety programs supporting both AES and contractor employees, with a primary focus on field operations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify risks, implement solutions, and continuously improve safety performance.
• Serve as a safety culture ambassador by promoting employee engagement, accountability, hazard awareness, and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and communicate Health & Safety performance reports on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis, including key trends, KPIs, observations, and action items.
• Actively participate in the planning and execution of Safety Day activities and other safety engagement initiatives.
• Plan and execute emergency response drills in accordance with established Emergency Action Plans.
• Support the planning and execution of General Safety Orientations for contractors during storm recovery and other emergency response activities.
• Communicate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory agencies such as OSHA.
• Support Health & Safety special assignments, initiatives, and projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Safety Management, Occupational Safety, EHS, or a related field preferred.
• 2-4 years of relevant safety experience.
• Transmission & Distribution utility safety experience preferred.
• Experience working in a utility, electric transmission, distribution, construction, or field operations environment preferred.
• Bilingual skills are a plus.
• Professional Health & Safety certifications are preferred.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with employees, contractors, supervisors, managers, and external stakeholders.
• Willingness and ability to regularly travel to field locations, job sites, and facilities.