Safety Program Coordinator
City of Meridian
Safety Program Coordinator
The Safety Program Coordinator position is responsible for the employee safety program and procedures for the Public Works Department. This responsibility includes leadership of the department’s safety programs, development and implementation of its policies, procedures, and meeting training requirements. Ensure that the Public Works Department complies with all current federal, state, and local safety regulations.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Development and administration of safety policies and procedures, identifying best practices and benchmarking safety performance, reviewing, auditing, and properly documenting safety violations, and providing safety training to all Public Works’ employees;
Evaluate the Department’s processes, procedures, facilities, and equipment to identify unsafe or hazardous working conditions that need improvement and take appropriate action to resolve;
Develop and deliver safety training curriculum – basic safety, and advanced safety (specialty) training (i.e., confined space, forklift, working in roadways, and trench training/certification)
Coordinate and conduct all safety training in the PW Department focusing on accident protection and prevention; document training curriculum, presentations, and delivery activities;
Develop, distribute, and coordinate educational materials to aid in developing and practicing safe work habits;
Inspect PW facilities and recommend corrections or additional precautions to ensure compliance to established policies and regulations;
Maintain Department SDS program including organization, inventorying, and updating of the SDS manuals;
Research and recommend safety equipment used at Water, Wastewater, and in the field;
Maintain an adequate inventory of safety supplies and protective equipment in inventory warehouse;
Conduct follow-up accident investigations and ensure proper documentation;
Maintain appropriate department safety and injury records and complete associated reporting;
Assist with the preparation and execution of emergency drills and exercises;
Contribute to the evaluation of drills and exercises and provide recommendations for improvement;
Assess the Safety Program’s compliance and effectiveness, report trends and irregularities to department management;
Complete regulatory and best practice research on requirements, standards, practices, procedures, equipment, compliance devices, or methods;
Review, revise, and maintain the Health and Safety plan/manual;
Provide leadership and direction to the Public Works Safety Committee; conduct regularly scheduled safety committee meetings;
Support PW engineering projects to ensure engineering controls are incorporated to minimize safety and occupational hazards;
Provide technical review on projects and engineering designs with respect to Safety compliance
Engage with departmental personnel to encourage safe work behaviors, and provide corrective actions for any identified hazards;
Perform other duties as assigned or needed;
Demonstrate an excellent work ethic, initiative, and work skills essential to successful performance;
Keep supervisor fully and accurately informed concerning safety issues or problems;
Meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines;
Demonstrate cooperative behavior with supervisors and colleagues at all times;
Participate on cross-functional teams, including the City of Meridian’s Safety Committee.
Job Specifications:
Requires a bachelor''s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business management, risk/safety management, and 2-5 years of progressive experience in risk or employee safety management, or any equivalent combination of education, experience, or training that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position;
Specific Public Works safety experience is preferred (water, wastewater, utility inspections).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Experienced in developing and implementing training plans, including coordinating, scheduling, delivering, and evaluating training effectiveness;
Advanced knowledge of national, state, and local safety regulations;
Must possess excellent presentation and communication skills;
Knowledge of operations and construction work and related safety procedures is necessary;
Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively with others;
Demonstrated ability to handle customer concerns or complaints skillfully and respectfully;
Experienced in budgeting, making and managing financial choices;
Effective and efficient problem-solving and decision-making skills;
Ability to perform root cause analysis and document safety processes;
Demonstrated proficiency in computer literacy including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook);
Must be able to read, write, and speak English;
Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.
Certifications / Licenses:
Valid Idaho Driver’s License is required.
Work Environment & Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work in an office environment while sitting at a desk for long periods of time;
This position requires occasional fieldwork; the employee is exposed to outdoor weather and industrial type noise conditions;
Frequently works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions;
Working environments include indoor, outdoor, weather exposure, shop environments, multiple buildings;
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs;
Standing and walking for extended periods of time;
Bending at the waist, crawling, climbing, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and working at heights;
Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally;
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate power tools and equipment;
Requires clarity of speech and hearing, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;
Good vision and ability to identify all colors;
Good balance and coordination on ladders and lifts;
Occasionally works in high precarious places and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and vibration;
The employee may be exposed to biohazards including sewage;
Requires driving a motor vehicle;
Occasionally is exposed to risk of electrical shock
May work on a variety of ladders;
May work around or in the area of high voltage;
May occasionally work in cramped or restrictive work chambers;
May work around and with equipment having moving parts;
Exposure to dust, dirt, oil/grease, and gases;
May work around and in areas with high noise levels;
May work in environment with flying/falling objects, and trenches with uneven terrain.
Travel Requirements:
Drives a City motor vehicle to other City sites and agency locations;
Local travel is frequently required;
Some regional and national travel is required.