Occupational Health and Safety Specialist - Austin Resource Recovery

About This Position

Job Description:

Purpose:

Under direct supervision, administer, and implement the occupational safety program.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• •Administers basic safety programs based on specialization including conducting safety meetings; conducting field inspections and accident investigations; assisting with safety training; inspecting safety equipment; hazardous materials record-keeping; assisting with development of emergency response plans; participating in emergency responses; and coordinating safety events such as drills, basic exams, or new employee orientation.
• •Implements safety programs by inspecting or reviewing areas, equipment, work processes, and work activities for hazardous conditions.
• •Provides assistance in establishing standards and procedures to ensure compliance with required government occupational safety regulations, internal City or Department Safety policies, or operational needs related to specific job conditions.
• •Delivers technical safety and safety awareness training programs to department employees.
• •Reviews departmental occupational safety plans and investigates work-related accidents according to designated procedures.
• •Compiles data and information for the analysis of accident or injury trends and helps prepare recommendations for new or modified occupational safety programs to reduce or prevent accidents.
• •Participates in writing City-wide or department safety policies and procedures.
• •Monitors compliance with Federal, State, and Local occupational safety regulations.
• •Maintains communication with internal customers and other agencies to support the safety function.
• •Participates on teams with safety, technical, management, and other stakeholders.
• •Researches occupational safety information to assure the best available methods and equipment are adopted to minimize the hazards in the work place.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• •Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances.
• •Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• •Knowledge of safety and risk management principles, policies, and procedures.
• •Skill in oral and written communication.
• •Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritization.
• •Skill in using computers and related software.
• •Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• •Skill in planning and organizing.
• •Skill in investigative analysis.
• •Skill in identifying safety and risk hazards.
• •Ability to present oral presentations and training.
• •Ability to handle hostility, conflict, and uncertain situations.
• •Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priority.
• •Ability to develop and maintain current knowledge in occupational health and safety programs.
• •Ability to develop and facilitate training sessions.
• •Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• •Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
• •Experience in a technical or other appropriate occupation related field may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• •Valid Texas Driver License.
• •Licensing for specific disciplines may be required.
• •Appropriate certifications as specified for the assignment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• •Experience evaluating workplace hazards and mitigation techniques and recommending process improvements and efficiencies to support the reduction in safety incidents.
• •Experience with injury/vehicle incident prevention and investigations. Skill in oral and written communication; skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizations; skill in using computers and related software; skill in planning and organizing; skill in identifying safety and risk hazards.
• •Possession of a valid Texas Driver License; CDL Class B preferred

• •Knowledge of Federal, State and Local laws and ordinances; Knowledge of City practices, policies and procedures; Knowledge of safety and risk management principles, policies, and procedure;
• •Experience evaluating workplace hazards and mitigation techniques and recommending process improvements and efficiencies to support the reduction in safety incidents.

Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel

• •Ability to handle hostility, conflict and uncertain situations;
• •Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priority;
• •Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.





Compensation Range:

The annual hiring range for this position is $30.19-$37.44



Notes to Candidate:

Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) is a department of the City of Austin with over 530 employees. We provide essential services that protect people and our planet. We collect recycling, composting, trash, large brush, bulk items, household hazardous waste and dead animals. We also sweep the streets, offer Austin and Travis County residents a service to recycle and safely dispose of household hazardous waste and provide community outreach and education. ARR is driving the global transformation of traditional waste management to sustainable resource recovery. Learn more at AustinRecycles.com .

Position Overview:

This position will assist in implementing the Department's safety program.

Preferred candidates will have experience in the administration of basic safety programs, conducting field inspections and incident investigations, assisting with safety training, inspecting vehicles and safety equipment, participating in emergency response and coordinating and assisting with safety events. They will exhibit strong teamwork-building skills and will be comfortable working with management as well as front-line staff. They will have strong communication (both written and oral) skills and the ability to develop and create solutions in a complex operational, financial, and compliance driven environment.

The Occupational Health and Safety Specialist position will focus on inspecting, investigating and reporting on work-related incidents and injuries. Further, they will identify trends and help prepare recommendations for new or modified safety programs to reduce or prevent collisions and injuries.

This position will provide assistance in establishing standards and procedures to ensure compliance with required government occupational safety regulations, internal City of Department Safety policies, or operational needs related to specific job conditions. This position will be required to write investigative summaries using Microsoft Office products. Bi-lingual in Spanish is a plus.

Location:

3810 Todd Lane Austin, TX 78744

Days/Hours:

Monday through Thursday -or- Tuesday through Friday; 5:30 am – 4:30 pm (10-hour shift) with one designated day off to be determined upon hire.

Employees must be able to work after-hours, holidays, weekends, and special events as business needs require.

Application: Everyone who submits an application as provided in the Municipal Civil Service Rules and meets the Minimum Qualifications for a Competitive Position shall be considered a Candidate for that Position. Employees in Good Standing who are Candidates within the Department or division that the Position resides in and who meet the Minimum and Preferred Qualifications (if any) of the Position will be included in the initial interview.

A detailed and complete employment application is required to help us better evaluate your