Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Senior

Job Description:

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Senior

Description

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with major coursework in a related field, plus two (2) years of human resources experience in the assigned area of specialization.
• Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid Texas Driver License.
• Licensing for specific disciplines may be required.
• Appropriate certifications as specified for the assignment.

Notes to Applicants
Working with Austin Water provides a number of benefits including medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

Position Overview: This position will lead the development and implementation of our departmental occupational safety program, ensuring compliance with regulations and promoting a safe work environment through training, hazard identification, and policy development. This position will also provide expertise and guidance to employees and management, and collaborate with stakeholders to minimize workplace risks.

Driving Requirement:

• This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

• Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered.
• A resume is required, but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please include contact information from previous employers.

If you are selected to interview:

• You will receive information and instructions for preparing a short presentation to be given at the time of the interview.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution and proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
• If you are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.

Secondary Employment:
All Austin Water employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that might conflict or interfere with an employee’s duty and responsibility to the Department.
Austin Water must review all secondary employment.
Employees are required to submit a Secondary Employment Application for review and approval upon being hired with Austin Water, as well as current Austin Water employees considering secondary employment.

Effective October 1, 2014, all Austin Water worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any AW worksite - including construction sites, parking lot, garage or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.
Pay Range
$30.70 - $38.37

Hours

• Monday - Friday; 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., flexible
• May work other hours to meet business needs

Job Close Date 01/02/2025 Type of Posting External Department Austin Water Utility Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 911 Linger Lane, 78725 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a utility or similarly regulated organization with high-risk environments such as construction, confined spaces, excavations, heavy equipment operations, warehouses, or plants.
• Proficiency with computers and experience using Microsoft Suite products.
• Experience leading small teams in operational tasks.
• Experience coaching field water utility personnel in safe work practices.
• Strong verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with different levels within an organization.
• Demonstrated knowledge and hands-on experience overseeing the investigation of Safety Incidents in a high-risk environment.
• Experience working with safety audits and score cards.
• Experience providing training for new Utility employees.
• Experience making and suggesting corrective actions and overseeing their implementation in the field.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Bears responsibility for the implementation of the safety program and assists in the development of the safety program by inspecting or reviewing areas, equipment, work processes, and work activities for hazardous conditions. Establishes standards and procedures to ensure compliance with required government occupational safety regulations, internal City or departmental safety policies, or operational needs related to specific job conditions. Conducts safety meetings and presents safety topics to employees; prepares and maintains training materials, presentations, and related safety program documentation. Provides, as necessary, training to managers and others on occupational safety issues. Administers, develops, and reviews departmental occupational safety plans and investigates work-related accidents according to designated procedures. Identifies trends and prepares recommendations for new or modified occupational safety programs to reduce or prevent accidents. Assists in auditing compliance with Federal, State, and Local occupational safety regulations. Develops and writes departmental safety policies and procedures. Coordinates department-wide safety drills, orientation of new employees, or other safety program events; and maintains communication with internal customers and other agencies to support the safety function. Collaborates and participates on teams with safety, technical, management, and other stakeholders. Researches occupational safety information to assure the best available methods and equipment are adopted to minimize the hazards in the work place.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of safety and risk management principles, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of basic training and learning principles.
• Skill in oral and written communications.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Skill in investigative analysis.
• Skill in identifying safety and risk hazards.
• Ability to handle hostility, conflict, and uncertain situations.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to deliver training.
• Ability to develop and maintain current knowledge in occupational health and safety programs.
• Ability to develop and facilitate training sessions.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position does not require a Criminal Background Investigation EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Senior position are: Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with major coursework in a related field, plus two (2) years of human resources experience in the assigned area of specialization. Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years. Valid Texas Driver License. Licensing for specific disciplines may be required. Appropriate certifications as specified for the assignment. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a Texas Class C Drivers License. Do you have a Texas Class C Drivers License or if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a Texas Class C Drivers License by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* Will you require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B visa) either now or in the future?

• Yes
• No

* How many years of experience do you have working in a utility or similarly regulated organization with high-risk environments such as construction, confined spaces, excavations, heavy equipment operations, warehouses, or plants.

• 0 - 2 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 6 - 8 years
• 9+ years

* How many years of experience do you have acting in a consultative role to supervisors, managers and executives, providing advice, counsel or training regarding occupational health and safety?

• None
• At least one (1) year but less than three (3) years
• At least three (3) years but less than five (5) years
• Five (5) or more years

* How many years of experience do you have working with safety audits and score cards.

• 0 - 2 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 6 - 8 years
• 9+ years

* How many years of experience do you have making and suggesting corrective actions and overseeing employee implementation in the field.

• 0 - 2 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 6 - 8 years
• 9+ years

* Which of the following best describes your proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, specifically with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook?

• No experience
• Basic: create/edit simple documents, spreadsheets, emails, & simple presentations
• Intermediate: create/edit a variety of documents & spreadsheets; reformat document features such as color, font style and size of text, change page size/width, & filter/sort data fields create a variety of presentations, & reformat individual slides
• Advanced: create/edit complex documents, spreadsheets, presentations; integrate features such as tables, charts, mathematic formulas, hyperlinks, graphics; data/mail merge, import data from one document to another create/edit complex, professional-quality

* Were you referred to this opportunity by an Austin Water employee? If yes, please provide employee’s full name.
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Resume Optional Documents