Safety & Training Specialist

Under general supervision, incumbents assist in the program administration of the Countywide Safety Program, and will have functional responsibility for safety activities within County departments. This class is characterized by a high degree of independence in the application of program responsibilities and requires a thorough knowledge of applicable laws, procedures, and regulations affecting safety operations.
 
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The incumbent of this single position class possesses technical expertise in a variety of industrial safety areas and exercises considerable latitude and judgment in planning and coordinating a comprehensive, countywide safety program. The incumbent coordinates safety activities with department safety representatives and represents the County in inspections and meetings with federal and state regulatory agencies.

• Assists in developing and evaluating safety goals, and standards; assists and advises management in promoting an overall safety awareness and an effective participation in an occupational injury prevention program by all organizations.
• Inspects offices, work sites, buildings, grounds, equipment, vehicles, and tools for compliance with safety standards, ordinances, laws, and practices; recommends necessary corrective actions; gives instruction and advice to supervisors and employees on accident prevention and the elimination of unsafe working conditions; makes follow-up inspections to ensure compliance.
• Investigates and analyzes accidents, determines their causes and the means of preventing their recurrence; discusses such problems and their solution with supervisors and employees.
• Develop safety education programs; assists in the preparation of or develops preventive injury and accident instructional training materials; provides on-site or classroom type training and instruction on a wide range of safety-related matters such as first aid, equipment operation, safe driving and other subjects.
• Prepares reports to appropriate levels of management; collects and analyzes statistics and prepares and distributes reports on trend information and cost identifications; prepares articles for department publications.
• Collects data and prepares programs for monthly safety meetings; advises departments of the impact of the Occupational Safety and Health Act; disseminates information on safety principles, regulations, standards and methods; distributes information material such as safety posters, case studies, and publications.
• Organizes and coordinates appropriate recognition programs for identifying outstanding safety performance by departments, units, or individuals.
• May perform the following supervisory duties, interviews and makes selections; evaluates employee performance; mentors; recommends training and career development opportunities; takes disciplinary actions; hears and resolves grievances; recognizes employees.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:
 
Principles and techniques involved in organizing and conducting a well-rounded safety program; the Safety Orders of the Division of Industrial Safety of the State Department of Industrial Relations, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and other State and federal laws relating to safety and occupational health standards; principles and techniques of accident prevention; types of occupations found in the public service and the kinds of equipment, operations, and hazards involved; statistical methods as applied to safety administration; safety education and training methods and techniques; instructional methods, training aids and materials necessary for developing, coordinating and implementing safety education and training programs; communication skills and techniques required for gathering, evaluating and transmitting information; effective interviewing; and preparation and presentation of oral or written inspection or investigative reports and research projects relating to safety and accident prevention programs.
 
Ability to:
 
Detect unsafe conditions and practices; gather and analyze information regarding accidents, reconstruct accidents, determine relevant issues and causes, recommend preventative measures; research, evaluate, and recommend policies and programs to comply with State laws and regulations, and effectively minimize County risk; train and motivate County staff; introduce and effectively carry on campaigns for the prevention and reduction of accidents; communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; conduct studies, analyze data, evaluate alternatives, and develop recommendations to resolve problems or issues.

Education, Training, and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
 
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in occupational health and safety, industrial engineering, environmental health and safety, industrial hygiene, or a related field.
 
Three (3) years progressively responsible professional level technical experience in safety and risk management programs.
 
Certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Associated Safety Professional (ASP), or equivalent highly desirable.   
 Possession of an appropriate California driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Salary : $84,490 - $103,854