The City of Lodi is looking to fill a newly created Health and Safety Specialist position. This role presents an exciting opportunity to develop a program that promotes employee well-being in addition to supporting regulatory safety compliance across City departments. The ideal candidate will leverage their industry knowledge in workplace safety and wellness and should be able to influence and collaborate flexibly across the organization. This person will be able to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization and be a strategic thinker, that proactively seeks opportunities to build and improve long-term, sustainable programs. 

Job descriptions are intended to present a broad and general range of duties which includes, purpose, responsibilities, and scope of work. Job descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Under general direction plan, organize, coordinate, and implement comprehensive safety, wellness and loss control/prevention programs and activities for the City; implement program goals and objectives; evaluate safety training requirements; inspect facilities and equipment for compliance with mandated safety regulations; perform a variety of complex professional and technical level tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility; perform related work as assigned.

May exercise direct supervision over professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

Plan, organize, oversee, coordinate, and implement City-wide loss control/prevention and safety programs to promote healthy and safe work practices and prevent City losses;

Perform highly complex, comprehensive and detailed research, statistical and other analytical work for a City department; collaborate with management and co-workers in providing consultation services in areas of expertise;

Coordinate, plan, and facilitate health and fitness activities and programs for employees; plan and implement classes, speakers, seminars, health assessments and other programs that promote healthy lifestyles; provide leadership in assessing, developing, and establishing measurable objectives and program content consistent with employee wellness interests and needs;

Manage service contracts with vendors; act as City point of contact for vendors related to contracts managed;

Participate in the preparation and review of division budget;

Develop goals, objectives, policies and procedures; investigate, interpret, analyze and prepare recommendations in relation to proposals for new programs, and/or services; analyze, interpret and explain City policies and procedures, pertinent laws, regulations and ordnances; confer with employees, management and other staff to explain procedures and policies;

Research and stay abreast of changes to laws, regulations and ordinances; propose changes to policies and procedures in relation to current or proposed amendments; and ensure compliance of City functions with pertinent laws, regulations and ordinances;

Perform accident and claims investigations; identify risk and unsafe behaviors and develop and implement procedures to minimize; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action to resolve complaints; 

Answer questions and provide information on health and safety programs to City staff and outside agencies; 

Perform other duties related to the operation of the department and the City including additional duties that enable the department and City to meet the diverse needs of its community.

Safety regulations and practices involved in municipal operations and safety laws regarding the public sector, including all pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations; principles, practices and techniques of establishing, maintaining, and modifying a comprehensive safety program;

Methods and techniques used to conduct research and statistical analysis; techniques used in accident and claims investigations;

Principles and practices of budget monitoring;

Principles and practices of customer service;

Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation;

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment;

Thorough knowledge specific to the area of assignment is required.

Perform comprehensive research, statistical and other analytical work for the Risk Management Division; collaborate with management and co-workers in providing consultation services in areas of expertise;

Plan, initiate and complete work assignments with a minimum of direction; analyze administrative problems, evaluating alternatives, and make creative recommendations; assume control of a project and make sound recommendations; properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and policies; prepare and write complete and accurate reports;

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, prepare and present oral and written reports;

Identify risk and unsafe behaviors and develop and implement procedures to minimize;

Ability to integrate wellness/safety program initiatives into culture and organizational mission;

Work with and control sensitive, confidential information;

Use and operate a personal computer, software and peripheral equipment;

Identify and respond to management, staff and City Council issues and concerns; and

Establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work.

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge’s and abilities would be qualifying. A typical combination is:

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business or public administration or a related field.

Three years of increasingly responsible experience in program management involving the administration of occupational health and safety programs which include evaluation, development and monitoring of loss prevention activities, and/or the inspection of equipment and facilities for compliance with Federal and State OSHA requirements and conducting safety related field investigations.

Possession of an appropriate, valid Driver’s License from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Possession of professional safety certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals is highly desirable.

Work is generally performed in an office setting with occasional site inspections.

Position duties may require maintaining physical conditions necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of time; traveling to and from sites; attending meetings (including late evenings); talk or hear, in person and by telephone; and using personal computers, cell phones and/or hand held electronic devices.

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Positions in this classification occasionally lift and carry reports and records that typically weigh less than 20 pounds.

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

 May be required to work on evenings, weekends and holidays, on occasion.

*FLSA Status: EXEMPT

Interested applicants must submit an online application at www.lodi.gov. No paper applications will be accepted. For technical difficulties with your online application, please call the Neogov helpline at 855-524-5627.

Telephone: 209-333-6704. Persons with hearing impairment, please call the California Relay Service 7-1-1.

Selection Process: Only the best qualified applicants will be invited to continue in the recruitment process.

EVALUATION OF QUALIFICATIONS: Application materials and resumes will be screened to determine if applicants are considered to be among the most qualified as outlined on the job announcement. Only applicants who are among the most qualified will be invited to participate in the testing process. Resumes may not be substituted for a completed application.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - The City of Lodi is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of fair employment practices regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex or sexual orientation, marital status, age, mental or physical disability or perceived disability, medical condition, pregnancy, political affiliation or belief, or other unlawful discrimination.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT - In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the City of Lodi provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations must contact the Human Resources Division upon application submittal to confirm the request.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION - City of Lodi is authorized and required by the state of California to access Local, State, and/or Federal criminal history as part of the testing process. This process can be completed by initial fingerprinting and/or a full Background investigation pursuant to Penal Code §11105(b)(10), §11105.3, §13300(b)(10); Education Code §10911.5; Public Resources Code §5164) and in compliance with the City of Lodi's Fingerprinting Policy and Procedure. As a future employee or volunteer, you are required to be fingerprinted and processed through the Department of Justice and cleared before you can start. All information obtained will be kept in strict confidentiality.

HIRING PROCEDURE - Applicants must possess the minimum qualifications by the final filing date. Eligible lists are established upon successful completion of the selection process. The candidates must be successful in each part of the testing. To fill each vacancy the hiring department will request names to be certified from the eligible list and will make a selection from this certification list.

CONDITIONAL JOB OFFERS - Conditional job offers are subject to successful completion of a medical drug screen and/or physical. Candidates should not quit or give notice to their current employer until final notification has been awarded by the Human Resources Division.

MEDICAL-DRUG SCREENING – All positions may be subject to a physical or drug screen issued by a qualified medical physician assigned by the Human Resources Division. Under the requirements of the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the City of Lodi has been designated as a drug-free workplace.

APPOINTMENT - At the time of appointment all candidates will be required to execute an oath of allegiance and complete Form I-9 - Employment Eligibility Verification in compliance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act. United States citizenship is not required. All new appointees are required to successfully complete a probationary period of twelve months.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

SALARY - The starting salary is the first rate shown on the job announcement. Advancement to the higher steps of the salary range is based upon merit in accordance with the Salary Ordinance and Rules for Personnel Administration. Eligibility for the first merit increase is effective after 12 months and for additional merit increases after one year intervals until the employee has reached the maximum step.

HOLIDAY, VACATION, SICK, AND ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE - Holiday - An average of 13 paid holidays per year. Vacation - 2 weeks paid vacation annually, increasing with length of service depending upon the appropriate labor agreement. Sick Leave - 10 days per year depending upon the appropriate labor agreement. Administrative Leave - Management/Mid-Management positions receive 80 hours per calendar year, and specified professional/technical positions receive 40 hours per fiscal year (Pro-Rated).

HEALTH INSURANCE - Medical, Dental and Vision plans are available for employee and dependents. A portion of the premiums may be the employee's responsibility.

LIFE INSURANCE AND LONG TERM DISABILITY - The City pays the full premium for employee and dependent life insurance, and offers a long-term disability plan that provides up to approximately 2/3 of an employee's salary.

RETIREMENT AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION - The City of Lodi is a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System (P.E.R.S.). Lodi is not a member of the Social Security System except for the required medical contribution. Employees may participate in a 457 Deferred Compensation program.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - Employees may participate in a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This bulletin does not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions or job duties contained in this bulletin may include modifications pending labor agreements and/or council approval.