Westlands Water District

Fresno, CA

Safety Officer

Bargaining Unit: Non-Represented
Salary Code: 25
Fair Labor Standards Act Designation: Exempt
Effective Date: March 1, 2024

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under general direction of the Director of Operations and Maintenance, plans, coordinates, implements, develops, and enforces the District’s accident prevention and safety program, and ensures safety policies comply with local, state, and federal laws. Performs a wide range of safety-related duties including safety inspections of District facilities, offices, maintenance, and construction sites; safety training; accident/incident investigations, which could result in disciplinary action; and develops and reviews safety policies, procedures, and trainings.

The Safety Officer is a single confidential position classification; confidential means that the employee in this classification is privy to decisions of District management affecting employer-employee relations. Incumbents must demonstrate a high degree of confidentiality, independence, and the ability to analyze a wide variety of technical and complex safety issues.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

The information below is meant to serve as examples of the job duties and responsibilities for this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several types of duties performed.

  1. Oversee, implement, and recommend revisions to safety-related policies and procedures such as the District’s Illness/Injury Prevention Plan (IIPP), Covid-19 Prevention Plan (CPP), Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVPP), and Safety Handbook policies as needed, in coordination with the Supervisor of Human Resources & Administration, and other management staff as appropriate.
  2. Conduct field investigations which may include interviewing employees, supervisors, and other witnesses regarding occupational accidents, incidents, injuries, and property loss or damage; and may conduct field investigations related to employee discipline.
  3. Analyze reports of occupational accidents, incidents, injuries, and other types of loss or damage to District personnel or property to detect trends and recommend improvements.
  4. Research and evaluate laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to safety programs to ensure District compliance.
  5. Serve as a liaison with outside agencies and organizations concerned with safety standards, compliance, and workers’ compensation.
  6. Serve as Chairperson of the Safety Committee; coordinate and conduct monthly Safety Committee meetings; prepare reports, meeting agenda, minutes annotation, and update staff on current safety measures and/or concerns.
  7. Conduct District employee safety orientations and trainings, coordinate safety training with vendors, and manage the District’s Safety Matrix.
  8. Works with department supervisors and managers on safety issues and employee requests for assistance on safety and risk/accident prevention concerns.
  9. Specify and requisition safety materials, tools, and equipment.
  10. Identify and implement communication with employees to ensure safety information is effectively and consistently conveyed to employees.
  11. Coordinates with the Human Resources Department and department supervisors to maintain training schedules, attendance, and tailgate safety meeting records.
  12. Oversees hazardous material program including permits, disposal, annual reporting requirements, and MSDS/SDS records.
  13. Performs other duties as assigned.

CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

Any combination of equivalent education and experience that has led to the acquisition of the knowledge required by the position. A typical way of acquiring the knowledge would be:

A bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety/Risk Management, Industrial Hygiene, Industrial Technology, Engineering, Human Resources, or related field, and three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in the administration of safety management, risk management, human resources, employee and job safety programs, or any combination thereof. Public agency/governmental experience is desirable.

Note: Experience related to public safety, emergency response, maintenance/construction of a public water system, workers compensation, or related field may be considered in lieu of education.

Knowledge of:

  • Federal, state, and local regulations regarding occupational health and safety.
  • Equipment, tools, and materials used in workplace and construction safety programs.
  • Technical report preparation.
  • Workplace and Construction safety program compliance and implementation.
  • Principles and practices of risk management administration and organization.
  • Standard office practices and procedures, including data processing applications, filing systems, and records management.
  • Leadership and motivational techniques.
  • Techniques of developing and conducting training programs.
  • Principles and practices of conducting workplace investigations.

Skills/Abilities to:

  • Interpret and apply Federal, State, and Local Laws and Regulations including District and departmental policies and procedures.
  • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Conduct effective safety training.
  • Manage confidential information appropriately.
  • Exercise judgment with general policy guidelines.
  • Function in difficult and challenging situations.
  • Research, analyze, and make recommendations on complex issues.
  • Effectively and independently manage multiple work assignments, set priorities, and meet established deadlines.
  • Demonstrate and maintain a high degree of initiative, maturity, integrity, accountability, and good judgment.
  • Develop and maintain effective interpersonal relationships at all organizational levels.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Standard office environment; regularly travel to different sites and locations; sit, stand, walk, kneel, stoop, and twist; access confined spaces; climb stationary ladders; exposure to outdoors, all weather conditions.

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS

  • Possess a valid California Class C Driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to the District’s automobile insurance provider.
  • Certification with the American Society of Safety Professionals or National Association of Safety Professionals as a Certified Safety Professional, Construction Health and Safety Technician, or the ability to complete the certification within 12 months of hire is desirable.