Safety Specialist (90.24) - American States Water Company

Golden State Water Company is one of the largest investor-owned water utilities in the United States.  We deliver quality, reliable water to more than 1 million people in over 80 communities throughout California.  Golden State Water has been in business for more than 90 years because we put customers first.

POSITION DEFINITION:
The Specialist oversees the development and implementation of safety and health programs within Golden State Water Company (GSWC). As a professional within the Environmental Quality Department, the incumbent provides technical knowledge and expertise in the operation and support of the health and safety programs to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and federal and state guidelines.

ACCOUNTABILITY:
As a skilled employee and responsible professional, the incumbent must work independently, exercise initiative and judgment in the performance of a broad range of support responsibilities in an environment of routinely sensitive and confidential issues. Therefore, the employee must have strong organizational and interpersonal skills to deal effectively with all levels of the Company’s management staff, visitors, and vendors.

The Health and Safety Specialist is accountable for analyzing work environments and designing programs to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury. These programs may include designing safe workspaces, inspecting machines, and/or testing air quality. These programs are aimed at increasing worker productivity by reducing absenteeism and equipment downtime — resulting in saving money for the company by lowering insurance premiums and workers’ compensation. The Specialist looks for physical, chemical, radiological, and biological hazards, in addition to working to make equipment more ergonomic — designed to promote proper body positioning, increase worker comfort, and decrease fatigue. If an injury or illness occurs, the Specialist investigates, studies its causes, and recommends remedial action. The incumbent is accountable for staying abreast of applicable changes to safety regulations through appropriate workshops, conferences, meetings, and reference materials.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
• Works as part of the Environmental, Health, Safety and Emergency Response team to provide operational solutions and ensure compliance
• Monitors federal, state and local health and safety regulations and legislation that may impact the company. This includes regulations promulgated by Fed/OSHA, Cal/OSHA, EPA, DTSC, and DOT
• Interprets and recommends actions to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations
• Conducts periodic surveys and inspections of all facilities and equipment within GSWC to comply with code requirements, identify safety hazards and prevent accidents.
• Conducts safety training for management, supervisors, and field operations. Training sessions show how to recognize hazards, for example, or explain regulations, policies, practices, and compliance procedures. If a new program or practice is required, the Specialist can propose it to management and monitor results if it is implemented.
• Leads or participates in conducting accident/incident investigations
• Uncovers patterns in injury data that show how injuries are caused by a specific type of system failure, human error, or weakness in procedures.
• Develops methods to predict hazards from historical data and other information sources by using methods and own knowledge and experience to evaluate current equipment, products, facilities, or processes and those planned for use in the future
• Evaluates the probability and severity of accidents and identifies where controls need to be implemented to reduce or eliminate risk. Analyzes and identifies unsafe practices
• Develops health and safety programs to prevent or mitigate potential hazardous conditions in the workplace and promote a culture of safety
• As necessary, develops written health and safety programs, guidelines, factsheets and other resources for use by employees
• Supports field operations within all departments companywide, including Operations, Asset Management and Environmental Quality
• May assist or take the lead in the development of “Life Safety” recommendations for Emergency Preparedness & Response Plan, and coordinates implementation
• Evaluates the design of office, and other equipment to maximize worker comfort, safety, and productivity
• Conducts training and assessments of ergonomics to prevent and reduce repetitive motion injuries
• Reviews engineering construction drawings and provides safety management recommendations
• Advises on mandated safety training courses for employees, qualifies training vendors, reviews training modules, and monitors training to determine compliance
• Communicates and interacts with internal customers and external vendors in response to inquiries regarding department and any other correspondence
• Performs regular safety/health surveys and inspections of all facilities and informs the company’s management of areas not in compliance with State and Federal laws or corporate policies
• Communicates with management on critical safety data in support of safe work practices for employees; advises management on the cost and effectiveness of safety and health programs
• Compiles and organizes information relating to complex reports and special projects; variety of sources; researches confidential files to obtain information necessary for the respective reports
• Performs other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Required Experience:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Management and Technology - Environmental Safety and Health, Environmental Sustainability Health and Safety or a related field, with five years’ experience as a safety professional with demonstrated increasing responsibilities performing highly complex work desired Or 12 years relevant
experience in lieu of safety degree, with demonstrated increasing responsibilities performing highly complex work desired • Membership in appropriate professional organization (e.g., American Society of Safety Engineers) highly desirable
• Certified Safety Professional designation highly desirable
• Must have excellent interpersonal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to protect confidential information and maintain positive working relationships with diverse employee groups and external customers
• Proficient with computerized office equipment, including demonstrated knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, relational databases, statistical packages, and graphics packages to assemble, manipulate and/or format information and data for reports
• Knowledge, skill, and experience in composing, editing, and preparing correspondence addressing complex issues
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills

Qualities of a Successful Specialist in this Position
• Trustworthy; strong personal integrity
• Demonstrates strong levels of accountability and ownership
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Solid presentation skills
• Collaborative/Team oriented
• Exhibits professionalism with internal and external contacts
• Organized with strong attention to detail and time management skills
• High degree of initiative; self-starter

May include but not limited to standing, climbing, walking, lifting, bending, pulling and/or pushing, grasping, reaching, stooping and crouching, sitting, typing, walking, reading, writing, color determination, speaking and listening for extended periods of time.

BENEFITS

Our Company supports our employees with rich benefit programs and resources to help them thrive today and prepare for tomorrow.  Benefit options include medical, dental, and vision plans with the Company currently paying 85% of the monthly premium for employees and their eligible dependents.  We also offer paid vacation and sick time and twelve Company paid holidays per year.  To help our employees plan for the future, we offer both a 401(k) retirement plan as well as a Defined Contribution Profit Sharing retirement plan.  Additional benefits include life, AD&D, and LTD insurance as well as health savings account and flexible spending plans.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION

The compensation range provided is in compliance with state specific laws.  Multiple factors are used to determine the actual starting rate of pay for all of our positions, including specific skills, years of experience, education, certification(s), and other job related factors.

The responsibilities of this position will involve access to information that may be considered confidential, private and sensitive. Therefore, the individual filling this position will be required to both allow and pass a background check.

NOTE: Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with special needs to perform the essential functions.