Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

City of Sacramento • Sacramento, CA

15h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Environmental Health and Safety Unit in the Human Resources Department is seeking an Environmental Health & Safety Specialist to support the Recycling and Solid Waste (RSW) division of Public Works. This position will provide workplace safety consultation and hands-on support, including extensive in-person engagement with equipment operators and field staff. The role also requires delivering in-person training on Cal/OSHA workplace safety standards and programs. Strong record-keeping skills, proficiency with incident management and training systems, and clear verbal and written communication are essential for this position. The ideal candidate will have significant experience working with Cal/OSHA regulations, assessment and mitigation strategies of occupational hazards and developing regulatory compliance programs, as well as experience implementing industrial safety programs with a track record of collaborative process improvement, and good problem-solving skills. Experience with environmental regulations including hazardous waste and waste disposal is preferred, but not required. The Environmental Health and Safety Specialist recommends resolutions to problems of moderately complex issues in the environmental, health, and safety discipline, which includes developing risk assessments and regulatory compliance programs, monitoring processes; conducting related training activities; and coordinating with consultants and service providers to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This classification is populated with multiple incumbents. The Environmental Health and Safety Specialist performs the entire range of duties that are moderately complex and exercises good judgment and discretion in completing work. General supervision is provided by the Environmental Health and Safety Officer and higher-level management staff. Responsibilities may include indirect supervision of other Environmental Health and Safety Specialist positions, as well as indirect supervision of office and clerical personnel.

Requirements

• Principles and practices of public sector management and program administration.
• Federal, state, and local laws, standards, regulations, and policies pertaining to environmental health and safety.
• Methods, techniques, and practices used in workforce training.
• Statistical methods as applied to loss prevention.
• Training.
• Technical writing.
• Use of computers, computer applications, and software and other modern office equipment.
• Effective interviewing.
• Understand and implement the principles of environmental health and occupational safety.
• Identify unsafe working conditions and practices through on-site inspections.
• Conduct accident and injury investigations.
• Conduct environmental health investigations and mitigation programs.
• Research, interpret and apply technical information to prepare clear and concise management reports; apply logical supporting information to justify decisions and recommendations.
• Interpret and apply laws, standards, regulations, and policies relating to occupational health and safety as well as environmental protection.
• Analyze situations accurately and recommend or take effective action.
• Communicate clearly, verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with others.
• Work with diverse groups to achieve desired results.
• Assemble, arrange, compute, and interpret data.
• Two years of experience in program administration, employee training, regulatory compliance or evaluating an environmental health or occupational safety program.
• Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with environmental regulations including hazardous waste and waste disposal is preferred, but not required.
• Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a consultant advocating for the continuous improvement of comprehensive Environmental Health and Safety processes, procedures and programs; effectively communicate challenges, successes, and areas of concern with management when potential hazards and risks are identified.
• Serve as technical expert to advise steering committees, supervisors and management on the best methods to resolve environmental, health and safety concerns including engineering controls, administrative, and personal protective equipment.
• Evaluate and analyze trends, barriers to performance of safe work and root causes of accidents; develop action plans to control or eliminate organizational barriers and/or hazards in the workplace.
• Conducts workplace audits and inspections to identify and alleviate environmental factors and stresses affecting or potentially affecting the health and safety of employees; conducts ergonomic or other specific assessments; recommends equipment, procedures, assignments or other actions to alleviate identified problems or concerns.
• Plans, develops and conducts safety, occupational health and related training activities; attends or facilitates meetings to discuss safety concerns and practices; advises department managers and supervisors on appropriate handling of safety or health situations.
• Monitor compliance with applicable laws and regulations such as Cal/OSHA mandated health and safety programs, injury and illness prevention programs, building, fire, electrical, plumbing, and other codes; conducts routine inspections; may assist in Cal/OSHA inspections.
• Participate with Cal/OSHA reporting and follow-up inspections.
• Interpret new regulations, determine their applicability to City operations and devise strategies and procedures for compliance.
• Develops, implements, and administers city, state, and federal programs related to motor vehicle operation, including DOT drug and alcohol testing program, environmental protection, workplace safety and ergonomics.
• Oversees and administers citywide hazardous waste and storm water management programs; handles environmental health issues within the city that may be referred to the Safety Office by Sacramento County.
• Prepares management reports and correspondence related to program evaluation and performance measures; oversees the maintenance of required records and reports.
• Introduce and effectively implement campaigns for the prevention and reduction of accidents and injuries, as well as for environmental protection.
• Act in the Safety Officer role for emergency field operations and as back up to EH&S Officer in the Emergency Operations Center as required.
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level