Safety Specialist

The salary advertised represents Step 1 through Step 10 on the pay table.

The salary offered depends on qualifications.

Under general supervision, performs daily work assignments for the Human Resources division of the Assistant City Manager's Office, in accordance with the Employee Manual, Safety and Health Manual, Department Policies and Procedures, City of Alamogordo Ordinances, and any applicable State or Federal authority.

Required:

• Associate Degree in Health and Safety or a closely related field;

• Three (3) years of experience in a safety position or equivalent experience performing safety-related tasks;

• Valid OSHA 30-Hour Compliance Course completion certificate or successful completion of the course within six (6) months of employment;

• Valid New Mexico Driver's License, or the ability to obtain within sixty (60) days of employment, with a driving record acceptable to the City of Alamogordo; or

• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Desired:

• Bachelor's degree in Health and Safety or a closely related field.

• Successful completion of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) 10-Hour Safety Training for General Industry.

• Certification through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.

• Identifies best practices and lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce work process risks, raise safety awareness, and improve safe work practices;

• Maintains current knowledge of compliance changes, initiatives, and industry trends;

• Facilitates a work environment that supports a safe and healthy culture;

• Assists in the research, writing, and implementation of safety policies and procedures in compliance with local, State, and Federal OSHA rules and regulations;

• Conducts or coordinates job-specific worker training in areas such as safety laws and regulations, hazardous condition monitoring, and use of safety equipment;

• Works with management to perform safety audits and inspect facilities, machinery, worksites, and equipment to identify and correct potential hazards and to ensure safety regulation compliance; follows up to ensure compliance;

• Conducts fire extinguisher inspections, fire drills, inspections of sprinkler systems, sanitation stations, and panic buttons to ensure proper operations; reports needed repairs and/or maintenance to the appropriate division; follows up to ensure compliance;

• Conduct surprise inspections of job sites, taking immediate action if necessary or reporting discrepancies to the appropriate division;

• Assists with communicable disease control, including but not limited to conducting employee intake interviews to determine a need for quarantine or eligibility status to attend work; documents and maintains records related to employee work status and ensures that time is coded accurately in the payroll system; maintains vaccination records when voluntarily disclosed and provided by an employee; utilizes equipment and cleaning products (including aerosols) to sanitize City facilities, offices, and or workspaces;

• Inspects, audits, and updates Right-to-Know boards throughout City facilities;

• Responds to on-site accidents and determines the need for post-accident drug testing;

• Investigates accidents, near-miss incidents, and occupational injuries to determine causes, install preventive measures, and manage return-to-work activities;

• Assists with Human Resources processes, including but not limited to new hire and transfer orientations and reviewing job descriptions to conduct Job Hazard Analyses; participates in the planning and execution of employee recognition and wellness events;

• Forwards incident or accident documentation where private property was involved to the Legal Department;

• Provides technical advice, coaching, guidance, and mentoring to employees on safety initiatives and necessary changes;

• Coordinates employee safety programs to determine adequacy, including review of short- and long-term strategic safety planning and development;

• Provides input for Safety and Health Manual updates;

• Performs tasks related to the Department of Transportation (DOT) Clearinghouse; assists in the annual audit of employees operating commercial vehicles on behalf of the City (Commercial Driver's License holders);

• Provides appropriate safety and health, accident prevention, and investigation training for managers and supervisors;

• Prepares appropriate notices to management to address and coordinate abatement of any identified hazards;

• Maintains a record of employee safety training hours for all City employees through the use of the City's Safety Training Tracker and the City's online learning management system;

• Generates monthly safety hour reports for departments and monitors employee completion of required hours;

• Co-coordinates, plans, and implements the actions and recommendations of the City Safety Committee;  provides technical assistance and advice to the committee;

• Maintains records and compiles weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports as required;

• Assists management and supervisors in investigating accidents and developing measures to prevent recurrences;

• Assists with the recording, reporting, and maintenance of Workers' Compensation claims for injuries and illnesses pursuant to OSHA requirements;

• Provides input and assistance in meeting annual OSHA reporting requirements;

• Drives a City vehicle and may operate equipment in the performance of duties;

• Contributes to a high-quality work culture through participation in training and mentoring to develop skills, including safety-related training and skills;

• Interacts professionally and provides excellent customer service to all levels of City staff and citizens to ensure high operational and service standards; and

• Performs duties in accordance with the Employee Manual, Department Policies and Procedures, City of Alamogordo Ordinances, and any applicable State or Federal authority.

OTHER IMPORTANT DUTIES

• Work may be required outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays;

• Must obtain and maintain required license(s);

• Maintains the confidentiality of information obtained during the performance of duties; and

• Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.   The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a safety and training program;

• Principles, practices, materials, equipment, methods, and techniques of safety program development and implementation;

• State, Federal, and local occupational, environmental safety, and health laws applicable to City operations, including but not limited to Street, Water, Wastewater, Utilities, Fire, Police, Animal Control, Zoo, Parks and Golf Course, Solid Waste, Airport, Mechanics, Facilities, and Recreation workers;

• OSHA Reporting Standards;

• Modern and complex principles and practices of project organization and coordination;

• Methods and techniques of research, statistics, and analysis;

• Recent developments, current literature, and information related to safety regulations;

• Accident investigation techniques; accident and incident record-keeping techniques;

• Principles and practices of customer service;

• Office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases;

• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation; and

• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Skill/Ability to:

• Demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication; understand and follow instructions;

• Perform tasks and other daily activities in a positive and professional manner alongside employees of varied backgrounds and personalities;

• Attend work, as scheduled and on a regular basis, to effectively perform the position's essential duties and responsibilities;

• Exercise common sense and good judgment in the performance of essential duties;

• Coordinate and direct effective safety and training programs;

• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for providing risk management loss control and prevention and safety programs;

• To effectively interpret and administer the Employee Manual, Safety and Health Manual, Department Policies and Procedures, City of Alamogordo Ordinances, and any applicable State or Federal authority;

• Read, interpret and apply a variety of regulations related to industrial/occupational safety;

• Conduct research, interpret data, and prepare complete and accurate analyses, reports, and recommendations;

• Ensure compliance with appropriate safety practices and regulations;

• Assess and evaluate safety training needs and develop appropriate programs and/or make recommendations for improvement;

• Conduct accident and workplace safety investigations; identify existing or potential hazards;

• Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations;

• Prepare and present clear and concise oral and written reports, both narrative and statistical;

• Coordinate projects and programs among City departments and outside agencies;

• Operate and use modern office equipment, including computers and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications;

• Adapt to changing technologies and learn the functionality of new equipment and systems;

• Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit;

• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in the area of responsibility; and

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Work is typically performed in an office setting; noise level is typically quiet;

• Travel tasks related to special events, job site, and facility inspections may occur outdoors in varying weather conditions;

• Lift and/or move items weighing up to fifty (50) pounds; the lifting of any object greater than fifty (50) pounds by a single individual is prohibited. Lifting objects, materials, or equipment weighing more than fifty (50) pounds requires the buddy system or the use of devices designed to assist with lifting or moving. Proper lifting techniques shall be used when lifting items of any weight;

• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines;

• Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, and responding to customer issues;  

• Position may require duties to respond to emergency needs and may include extended hours; 

• Position may also include on-site work at various locations and facilities where hazards may exist involving exposure to all phases of construction, traffic, hazardous materials, weather conditions, noise, debris, dust, and other related obstacles and hazards; and

• Required to wear protective clothing, personal protective equipment (PPE), and safety devices, including safety boots, appropriate to the job site.