Manager of Occupational Safety and Health (Program Manager VIII)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • United States, Massachusetts, 10 Park Plaza, MA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager of Occupational Safety & Health will serve as the lead with responsibility for management of workforce safety within the Highway Division, reporting to the Assistant Administrator of Traffic and Safety Engineering. This role involves developing and implementing strategic plans to improve worker safety, prevent fatalities, and reduce injuries and costs. The manager will identify workplace hazards, ensure protective controls are in place through training, procedures, and safety culture initiatives. They will oversee the occupational safety and health budget, prioritize safety equipment needs, and work with senior managers on workers' compensation data to identify trends and set program priorities. A key aspect of this role is fostering buy-in to safety and creating behavioral change at all levels of the organization, requiring strong technical credibility, trust, and effective communication. The manager will also be responsible for managing enforcement actions by the MA Department of Labor Standards (DLS), which has become an OSHA “state-plan” state, involving communication with DLS, leading on-site investigations, responding to corrective actions, and ensuring statewide implementation of safety measures. The position includes conducting injury investigations, accident root cause analysis, and managing a team of 15 Industrial Safety and Health Inspectors. The manager will attend senior staff meetings, respond to technical assistance requests, and conduct technical selections of safety equipment. They will also develop safety training programs, create safety messaging through various formats, and provide high-level technical assistance on worker safety and health issues, including air quality and chemical exposures. Additionally, the role involves supporting construction staff by interpreting safety plans, attending meetings, and ensuring contractors meet safety standards for MassDOT personnel. Compliance with federal and state safety standards, including OSHA, is paramount, requiring high-level technical knowledge of various safety concerns relevant to MassDOT's operations.

Requirements

• At least six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management.
• Of the experience above, at least two (2) years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
• A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
• A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience.
• A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required experience.
• High level technical knowledge of OSHA requirements and worker protection controls (such as hazard identification, hazard mitigation, engineering controls, personal protective equipment, prevention strategies) for the full range of worker safety concerns for MassDOT including but not limited to: work zone and roadway safety, fall protection, trench safety, confined space entry, lockout/tagout, hazardous atmospheres, ergonomics, respiratory protection, chemical exposures, aerial lift safety, ladder safety, heavy equipment, power and hand tools, mowing, excess heat, excess cold, outdoor hazards (poisonous plants, ticks, animals), slips, trips, and falls, chain saw and storm clean-up, indoor air quality, respiratory protection, welding, repair garages, and working over water.
• Ability to pass a comprehensive background check including a criminal record check, Department of Revenue (DOR) check, and employment references.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the strategic plan for improving worker safety with a goal of preventing workplace fatalities and reducing injuries and injury-related costs at MassDOT Highway.
• Identify workplace hazards which may lead to fatalities or life-altering injuries and ensure that protective controls are in place for these hazards through development and implementation of safety training, safety procedures, safety accountability, safety and personal protective equipment, and safety culture.
• Oversee the occupational safety and health budget, identifying and prioritizing needed safety equipment and personal protective equipment through hazard identification, response to employee injuries, OSHA standards, requirements set forth in DLS enforcement actions, observation of MassDOT crews at work, and district safety committee meetings.
• Work with senior managers in workers comp to gather and review injury and illness statistics and identify frequent injury types and injury trends. Work with district senior management to review injuries occurring in their district. Through these efforts set priorities for the workplace safety and health program and targeted worker injury prevention efforts, which may include safety accountability initiatives, training, procedures, equipment, policies, or operational changes.
• Work with staff at all levels from senior management to front-line crews to foster improved buy-in to safety and create safety behavior change.
• Responsible for managing enforcement actions against MassDOT by the MA Department of Labor Standards (DLS).
• Conduct injury investigations and accident root cause analysis determinations for employee injuries.
• Manage and support a team of 15 Industrial Safety and Health Inspectors working in the districts.
• Work with district senior management across districts and make them aware of DLS enforcement cases, serious injuries, and repeat injuries in other districts, and provide them with strategies for safety improvements and injury reduction.
• Attend central level senior staff meetings for district senior level staff and central administration and operations to keep them apprised of worker safety issues, and to provide recommendations.
• Respond to requests for technical assistance on worker safety matters by district senior management.
• Attend district safety committee meetings.
• Conduct technical selection of safety equipment and personal protective equipment, reviewing technical data and conducting research as needed.
• Work with the Chief’s office to develop the plan for the safety training grant, develop new training programs, and deliver trainings.
• Write, develop, and oversee distribution of safety messaging through videos, safety bulletins, blast emails and other formats.
• Provide high level technical assistance to all MassDOT districts, divisions, and groups on worker safety and health issues or related technical issues such as air quality and chemical exposures.
• Provide support to senior level Construction staff and other divisions by interpreting safety plans and technical reports submitted by contractors and consultants, such as chemical exposure management plans and safety plans, and attending meetings with consultants and contractors to provide technical support to Construction and other divisions.
• Work with MassDOT Highway senior Construction staff to help ensure that contractors are providing safety equipment and meeting safety standards for MassDOT personnel entering contractor-controlled construction sites.
• Responsible for compliance with federal and state safety standards and regulations including OSHA and other applicable standards.

Benefits

• Outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• Work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

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