What are the responsibilities and job description for the Safety Specialist position at City of Virginia Beach?
The City of Virginia Beach, Department of Public Utilities, is seeking an individual to provide safety trainings and jobsite safety assessments. This individual will serve as the internal safety point of contact (POC) to address internal safety concerns, complete job safety analyses, develop safety plans, and conduct general safety awareness trainings.
Special Requirements for Public Utilities, Operations & Maintenance: Must be available to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime when required to meet operational needs as we are a 24/7/365 department. Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City’s operational status. This position may require that incumbents wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, steel toed shoes, safety glasses, gloves, or other designated safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk.
Duties include but are not limited to:
Act as the Departmental Safety Representative and serve as the departmental safety point of contact (POC).
Provide support to Occupational Health & Safety programs.
Promotes short- and long-term safety program initiatives.
Coordinate at a programmatic level with OSHA, VDOT, and Occupational Safety.
Interpret Federal, State, municipal, and departmental safety regulations and communicate updates to departmental management.
Provide oversight of confined space entries and, at times, serve as competent person.
Coordinate the department’s CDL training and safety program.
Maintain complex records and prepare difficult reports to meet time sensitive schedules in accordance with City standards.
Perform a variety of jobsite and workplace safety inspections and hazard assessments.
Assist in work related accident investigations, including close call incidents.
Enforce Departmental and Citywide safety policies.
Respond, analyze and resolve safety concerns or escalate to City’s Central Occupational Safety Office.
Confront safety violations and take immediate action to rectify the violation.
Coach and counsel employees in proper safety techniques.
Provide viable solutions to identified hazards.
Address safety concerns in a courteous, professional, and timely manner.
Work independently within standard procedures and adapt when confronted with unusual circumstances.
Lead the Departmental Safety Committee and champion initiatives to Division Managers and Director.
Prepare reports and presentations to management on Safety concerns and violations
Provide general awareness safety/hazardous work/OSHA training courses and coordinate with Occupational Safety & Health.
Assess safety training needs and schedule courses appropriately.
Formulate and effectively deliver safety related presentations.
Maintain safety department-wide records and coordinate with the City’s Central Occupational Safety Office for recordkeeping and policy enforcement.
Perform annual review of Site Evacuation and Emergency Action Plans and complete companion exercise drill.
Provide routine inspection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), to ensure equipment is in compliance with manufacturers guidelines.
Conduct AED, First Aid Kit, Stop the Bleed inspection and maintenance coordination.
In addition to the listed minimum requirements, the ideal candidate for this position will have experience in areas listed in the PREFERENCES section of this ad.
The City offers a generous benefits package such as health, dental and life insurance, retirement, and savings plans. Other key benefits include:
- Maternity/paternity and parental leave (after 1 year of service)
- Leave donation program
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Professional Development
