Public Works Safety Coordinator
Do you have a proven record of accomplishment setting the standard for a safe workplace? Are you able to develop or improve occupational health and safety programs and implement with a tenacious focus? Do you want to work with a fun and collaborative team who will appreciate you for your contributions?
If you answered "yes" to these questions; Benton County Public Works wants YOU to join our team!
THE COUNTY
Our County is perfectly placed in the Willamette Valley, 90 miles south of Portland and 40 miles north of Eugene, Benton County has easy access to urban areas with ample opportunities for cultural activities. Combined with outdoor recreation galore in the Cascade Range 80 miles to the east and the Coastal Range and Pacific Ocean 50 miles west, the county's 90,000 residents like to say they "have it all." Whether going out for a day of fishing, hiking trails in our natural areas, planning a family outing to the Corvallis Knights baseball game or shopping at locally-owned businesses in downtown Corvallis -- Benton County has something for everyone.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Safety Program Coordinator administers the occupational health and safety programs for the Public Works department and other work units as assigned: assists in maintaining departmental compliance with the safety regulations of regulatory agencies (i.e. OR-OSHA, DOT, ); ensures safety training, practices, guidelines are embedded into the department to increase safety awareness and reduce risks associated with work practices; and is responsible for conducting and/or arranging training, inspections, assessments and investigations. The person in this position serves as consultant in the area of occupational health and safety and provides guidance in the management of health and safety problems.
Essential Duties
Investigations, Inspections, and Prevention
- Provide advice and direction to managers and employees to identify potential worker and environmental hazards including equipment design, processes, hazardous materials use, storage and compliance.
- Conduct and/or coach employees participating in site inspections to identify exposure and potential accident and health hazards; recommend changes and preventative measures as appropriate.
- Support safety inspections of employee work teams, equipment, and facilities; develops reports with findings of noncompliance and procedures/timelines for achieving compliance.
- Test or direct the testing of air quality and noise level to verify compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Conduct on-site random inspections and inform managers of rules and guidelines governing health and safety issues; prepare reports and recommendations on findings.
- Work with Management to investigate injuries or accidents to determine cause and recommend preventive actions and administer injury reporting requirements.
- Inspect and evaluate work sites to verify compliance with Federal, State, local laws, rules and procedures.
- Perform ergonomic evaluations of a complex and sensitive nature (i.e. medical issues, ADA-related, worker's compensation claim related, work performance issues, etc.).
- Provide input to management when non-compliance is determined and recommend course of action.
Training
- Assesses safety training needs of the department; develops, conducts and/or coordinates safety related training programs for employees; makes recommendations to amend policies/procedures as needed.
- Ensures that employee safety training and health monitoring requirements are met to ensure compliance with departmental policies, and state and federal laws.
- Design and implement safety training programs to prevent, correct, or control unsafe environmental conditions.
- Coordinates department emergency/disaster drills (including evacuations) with department staff, outside agencies, and County Emergency Management; monitors and evaluates outcomes; makes effective recommendations to amend policies/procedures as needed.
- Train employee's to regular test department's safety equipment; maintain safety training files for departmental employees.
Program Administration
- Review and update the department's safety program and procedures.
- Develop and implement safety program communication and outreach plan.
- Consult with administrators, managers, and supervisors to facilitate improved safety and health program performance.
- Advise and assist management in developing and maintaining health and safety programs to comply with State, local, and Federal rules.
- Evaluate and assess safety program effectiveness.
- Analyze illness and injury data and work operations to develop preventative safety procedures and solve safety issues.
- Prepare reports including observations, analysis of contaminants and recommendation for control and correction of hazards.
- Participate on the Executive Safety Committee; serves as an advisor with other departments and agencies on safety related matters.
Other duties as assigned.
Total Compensation
Annual salary: $51,984 - $64,977 annually; Depending on qualifications and experience.
Benefits: Benton County offers a choice of a premium paid Consumer Driven Health Plan with health savings or HRA VEBA account (County contribution) or a PPO plan with an optional flexible spending account; dental; vision; group life; LTD; fully-paid employer and employee contribution to Oregon PERS retirement plan; 1.5% contribution to deferred compensation; paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave; and a great work-life balance!
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in occupational safety and health, industrial/occupational hygiene or related field.
- 1 year of professional experience that includes responsibility for developing and coordinating occupational health/safety programs in a public works, construction, heavy equipment or similar setting.
Directly related experience may be substituted in lieu of educational requirements on a year for year basis.
Special Requirements
- Must possess, or obtain within 30 days of hire, first aid, CPR and AED certifications.
- Must possess, or obtain within 6 months of hire, the appropriate level of hazardous material certification.
- Must possess, or obtain within 6 months of hire, Temporary Traffic Control Training through Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation
- Understanding of federal, state and safety requirements, including OSHA
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities at the same time while meeting deadlines
- Interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish effective professional relationships with employees and project managers
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This position requires driving and may require use of a personal vehicle.
Position typically require reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. LIGHT - Exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands are in excess of those of Sedentary work. Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
Benton County is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to work force diversity, fair employment practices and non-discrimination, including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income.
If you wish to identify yourself as an individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and will be requesting accommodation, please contact the Benton County Human Resources Department by calling (541)766-6081 or email recruiting@co.benton.or.us