Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

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By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Job Description:

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

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 incident investigations; conducting field audits; 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.

• Investigates work-related incidents 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.

• Research occupational safety information to assure the best available methods and equipment are adopted to minimize the hazards in the workplace.

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 problem solving.

• Skill in planning and organizing.

• Skill in investigative analysis.

• Skill in identifying safety and risk hazards.

• 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.

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 Friday; 7 am – 5:30 pm with one day off during the week to be determined upon hire.

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

Salary Range:

$28.76 – $35.59

Your detailed and complete employment application will be used to evaluate your qualifications and determine your salary if you are selected for this position.

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 qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Your application should reflect your complete employment history (to include all job duties responsibilities and employment dates) on your online application. The application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered (e.g., “see resume” or “see Linked In Profile”). The responses to the supplemental questions inquiring about experience should be reflected in your application.

When completing the City of Austin employment application: A detailed and complete job application is required and helps us to better evaluate your qualifications. In completing your job application, please be sure to provide a COMPLETE employment history regarding any and all relevant work experience that you would like us to consider. If you are applying for a driving position that requires a Commercial Driver License (CDL), please list all CDL employers on your application. This information is used to determine your salary for CDL jobs.
 
Virtual Interviews: Austin Resource Recovery may conduct virtual interviews.

Criminal Background Investigation: This position does not require a Criminal Background Investigation.

Skills Assessments: A competency assessment may be required to verify your skill set.

90-Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: This posting may be used to fill other similar positions within Austin Resource Recovery outside of the division listed above.

Nepotism Policy: The City of Austin Nepotism Policy states, “No person, regardless of job title or length of tenure with the City, shall be employed in a position in which the relative has direct or indirect supervisory authority regarding the terms and conditions of their relative’s employment.”

Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to twenty (20) pounds. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Driving Requirement:
This position requires a Current Commercial Driver License, Minimum Class B License and must obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License and/or required endorsements within 120 days of employment. City of Austin employees that promote or transfer into driving required positions cannot have more than eight City Driver Points (CDP) within a period of thirty-six (36) months and must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite.

This position must travel between various locations as part of the regular job duties and the individual may be required to drive a City vehicle. 

This position requires a Valid Texas Class C Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Job Offer is contingent on having a driving record that meets the City’s Driver Record Evaluation Standards.

References and Employment Verification: If selected you will be required to provide three professional references, with one being your current or most recent supervisor.

Resume/Cover Letter: Please upload your resume and cover letter along with your completed application. Your application should reflect your complete employment history (to include all job duties, responsibilities, and employment dates) on your online application. The application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered (e.g., “see resume” or “see Linked In Profile”)

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

Essential/Critical Employee Designation: Some positions are designated as critical or essential. Employees in these roles are required to report to work during emergencies or when operations are modified. This may include working from a designated site or an alternative work location.

This position is considered an essential position, which means it is expected that an employee comes to work during any City Closure or emergency to include bad weather and any other unexpected events or shutdowns.

Benefits: Working with the City of Austin at Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more!  Learn more about City of Austin Benefits.

This position is eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. This is a federal program designed to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans upon meeting program requirements.

Military/Veteran: Veteran candidates will be required to provide a copy of their DD214 at the time of interview.

Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: All Austin Resource Recovery locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any ARR worksite – including parking lot or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.