Safety Specialist

COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE – RISK MANAGEMENT | SAFETY AND LOSS PREVENTION
The County of Orange, Office of Risk Management is part of the County Executive Office (CEO). The Office preserves and protects the human and capital assets of the County of Orange to allow County departments and agencies to meet their missions without unnecessary cost. It operates as an "insurance company" for the County of Orange and manages numerous programs. The Safety and Loss Prevention Program strives to ensure a safe environment for County employees and members of the public who visit County facilities and receive County services. Safety staff work to guarantee that all state and federal requirements are met or exceeded.

THE OPPORTUNITY

A hybrid work schedule may be available for this position. This may revert to a regular on-site schedule depending on business needs.

The Risk Management Office seeks an experienced Safety Specialist professional who has the drive to learn, takes initiative, and has enthusiasm for changing culture.  Safety Specialists are full-time safety and health professionals. They are responsible for guiding and supporting the County departments' establishment and implementation of worker safety programs, and for participating in County initiatives that promote community goals.  This may include supporting the development, coordination, and administration of employee occupational safety and loss prevention programs, and safety training programs as they interface with Countywide Risk Management programs.

JOB DUTIES

Performs hazard assessments of job tasks
Conducts incident investigations using root-cause analysis methods
Provides guidance to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations
Evaluates work conditions and identify risk factors
Monitors, coordinates, and assists in safety program activities
Serves as a technical resource on safety matters and compliance
Promotes the importance of safety and loss prevention through management support
Analyzes, evaluates, and monitors accident/incident losses and trends
Prepares and presents safety training and awareness classes
Participates in safety program audits
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will demonstrate an extensive background in implementing and managing safety and training programs.

Although not required, candidates who possess Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or a Certified Safety Professionals (CSP) certification(s) will be highly desirable. In addition, the ideal candidate will also have a thorough knowledge of and experience in the following core competencies:

Technical Experience | Technical Knowledge

Federal, state, and local occupational safety rules, regulations, standards, and guidelines (e.g., California Division of Occupational Safety and Health [Cal/OSHA], Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA], National Fire Protection Association [NFPA], American National Standards Institute [ANSI], National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH])
Adult learning principles and techniques for developing training materials, aids, and safety standards
Basic safety principles, practices, and procedures
Loss control methods, principles, and techniques
Office practices, procedures, and equipment, including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases
Technologies as they relate to safety programs
Investigative techniques such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
OSHA, Cal/OSHA, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Workers' compensation and general liability issues related to safety
Loss prevention practices and financial impacts of safety programs and injuries
Risk management principles and use of risk matrices
Accident prevention and investigation programs including safety inspection practices and procedures
Strategic Planning | Analytical Skills

Performing quantitative and qualitative analysis
Reading, analyzing, interpreting and applying safety rules, laws and regulations
Conducting inspections and identifying hazardous conditions; performing RCA
Developing and facilitating safety training programs
Preparing, updating, and executing safety strategies
Planning and leading the execution of procedures to ensure that projects are resourced, budgeted, scheduled, planned, and implemented in a timely manner
Working independently and managing time wisely and effectively prioritizing multiple, competing tasks; meeting Departmental and project goals and deadlines by prioritizing workload and projects
Project Management
Preparing clear and concise training curriculum, developing programs, and strategizing how to share and implement these programs with employees
Relationship Building | Interpersonal Skills

Identifying with the larger organizational team and the role required; sharing resources, responding to requests from other parts of the organization, and supporting the agency's agenda
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; working with others to find mutually agreeable solutions to problems; using persuasion, influence, and diplomacy to obtain cooperation and reach mutually agreeable objectives
Oral | Written Communication Skills

Organizing and delivering public presentations that effectively inform or persuade diverse audiences. 
Summarizing and presenting information to management or a "non-technical" audience both verbally and in written form
Writing clearly and concisely and demonstrating proofreading and editing skills, composing informative memos, e-mails, formal correspondence, reports, and other documents