Safety Officer III

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•San Antonio, TX

22h•Onsite

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. Psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below. The Safety Officer III is responsible for the development, implementation, promotion, and monitoring of the Safety or Security management program for the State Hospitals and State Supported Living Centers. Performs highly complex (senior level) safety and health program work. Will supervise the work of others. Manages an ongoing facility-wide process to collect and evaluate information about hazards and safety practices that are used to identify safety/risk management issues and determine corrective action. Work involves developing, coordinating, and evaluating safety, emergencies, and health programs. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Will be responsible for ensuring that the facility remains in compliance with applicable Joint Commission (JC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS – to include ICF-IID), Life Safety Code (LSC), State Fire Marshall and City Fire Marshall regulations. Will ensure facility employees and individuals are prepared to respond to any type of emergency by following Emergency Response Procedures outlined for the facility. Monitor workplace activities to ensure that workers comply with required policies and government safety regulations. Will complete random monthly/quarterly inspections of each building to determine if there are any safety hazards and determine compliance with applicable standards. Make immediate corrections to any safety hazards or submit work orders for any repairs needed and follow up to ensure work has been completed timely. Randomly conduct fire, weather, and emergency drills and work varied shifts to conduct drills, as necessary, and take action as required for any issues that are revealed during the drills and determine how prepared staff and Individuals a are for actual emergency events. Coordinate inspections of all first responder equipment on campus including the AED's, Emergency bags, and Eye Wash Stations used in medical emergencies to ensure all equipment is fully operational. Conduct investigations as requested/required. Track the completion of all recommendations and follow up to determine if the goal of the recommendation was met. Conduct required or requested investigations applicable to Safety/Security and Risk/Emergency Management. Completes applicable plans, policies, and evaluations for the Environment of Care Manual, Emergency Management Manual, Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and All Hazards Emergency Plan to ensure all aspects of safety and compliance are included in each of the plans and conduct exercises and training for plans to ensure all employees and individuals are prepared to implement all procedures. Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Essential Job Functions (EJFs): Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. Coordinates and evaluates comprehensive safety, emergency, and health programs to administer Statewide Continuity of Operations Planning program, in cooperation with other state and federal agencies. Conducts surveys, audits, and scheduled and unscheduled inspections to ensure a safe environment and compliance with safety standards to ensure expansive continuity planning, testing, and exercising across the state system. Track the completion of all recommendations and follow up to determine if the goal of the recommendation was met. Conducts, prepares, coordinates, and participates in safety committees, councils, and trainings and provides analysis of hazards and develops risk assessments with the ability to identify risk exposures and make mitigation recommendations. Consults with and advises staff concerning the effectiveness of the safety program and reviews/provides assistance with risk management programs and identifies changes/improvements needed. Develops and monitors employee safety accountability procedures and a comprehensive safety and health program plan to maintain and review records of property or casualty. Develops, implements, and monitors safety and health programs and procedures, accident investigations, data analyses, and recurrence prevention efforts to ensure Continuity of Operations Planning program. Supervises the work of others. Investigates or directs the investigations of accidents and makes appropriate recommendations for protective equipment, maintains a log of accidents and injuries, prepares accident reports, and prepares safety information to promote employee safety. Directs and ensures adequate investigation, reporting, and analysis of accidents, fires and Life Safety Code violations and submits reports of these events to facility leadership and outside monitoring agencies, as appropriate. Inspects work activities and areas to identify hazards and recommends appropriate corrective action. Observes work in progress, ensuring that proper safety equipment is worn, and procedures are followed. Reviews and interprets safety rules, regulations, and standards, including State Operating Instructions, American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Joint Commission and CMS Emergency Management and Life Safety Code standards, and Texas Administrative Codes applicable to State Hospital, Outpatient Clinic and State Supported Living Center safety and environment on a monthly and quarterly basis. Reviews prevent workplace injuries, improve compliance with laws and regulations, reduce program costs, engage workers, enhance goals, increase productivity, and enhance overall business operations. Serves as liaison between local, state, and federal agencies for Risk, Safety, and Emergency Management on an as needed basis, when drills are conducted, or an emergency arises. Duties include working with City, County, and State Officials at least annually to coordinate the facility’s role and to have these entities review and approve facility Emergency Management Plans and Annexes. This also includes working with the officials to establish an emergency management system embodying all aspects of pre-disaster preparedness and post-disaster response for the facility. Assists with reviewing and Inspecting construction, remodeling or renovations, plans prior to and during construction to ensure the project(s) will comply with safety standards. Works with contractor(s) to evaluate potential risks to project success, note corrective action needed, and assign responsibility for those risks to said party best situated to address them. Conducts, plans, and evaluates drills for fire, weather, and emergency situations and recommends appropriate corrective action for Emergency Response Plan covering extraordinary events that could impact services or facility daily operations. The initial phase of emergency response consists of three main components: The Initial Assessment, Mitigation, and Notification. The main objective of the initial response drills is to initiate steps to allow the Incident Management / Major Incident to notify the Incident Commander of the situation and execute immediate response steps to contain or mitigate current or future damage or potential risks identified. Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Requirements

48-months experience performing Safety, Life Safety, Emergency Management or Code Compliance duties in the healthcare or commercial environment; to include Risk Assessments, Development of Risk Mitigation Strategies and course corrections for Code Compliance violations.
24-months experience assessing, maintaining, planning and organizing Incident Command System procedures.
12-months experience assessing, inspecting and enforcing applicable Joint Commission Standards and (CMS) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service Standards.
Must have or earn: NFPA CLSS-HC Certified Life Safety Specialist for Health Care Facility Managers within 1-year of employment.
Must have or Complete: FEMA ISC 0100.c, ICS 0200.c, ICS 0700.b, ICS 0800.d Independent Study Courses within 90-days of employment.
Knowledge of safety and health rules, regulations, and standards.
Extensive knowledge of Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) standards, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Life Safety Code (LSC), State and City Fire Marshall Office regulations with experience in interpreting these standards and regulations.
Knowledge of proper operation of tools and equipment to ensure appropriate use.
Knowledge of construction sites and complexity of each aspect of the site to ensure safety is prioritized.
Knowledge of potentially hazardous materials or practices.
Skilled in writing reports and policies for health and safety.
Skilled in conducting data analysis and reporting statistics.
Skilled in organizing and diligent with a high degree of attention to detail.
Skilled in the art of communication, with the ability to present and explain health and safety topics and techniques for accident prevention both orally and in writing.
Skilled at gathering, organizing, analyzing data and completing comprehensive reports.
Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software.
Ability to develop, coordinate, and evaluate safety and health programs; to communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others.
Ability to convey clear, concise information during emergencies or high-stress situations involving agency level response, or greater.
Ability to Investigate and evaluate complex safety problems and issues.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people at all levels of the facility; analyze situations accurately and make timely and effective recommendations.
Must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required.
Must bring I-9 documentation on the first day of work.

Nice To Haves

OSHA Certification in Construction Industry or General Industry courses preferred.
Associate’s degree or Higher is preferred.

Responsibilities

Development, implementation, promotion, and monitoring of the Safety or Security management program for the State Hospitals and State Supported Living Centers.
Supervise the work of others.
Manage an ongoing facility-wide process to collect and evaluate information about hazards and safety practices to identify safety/risk management issues and determine corrective action.
Develop, coordinate, and evaluate safety, emergencies, and health programs.
Ensure the facility remains in compliance with applicable Joint Commission (JC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS – to include ICF-IID), Life Safety Code (LSC), State Fire Marshall and City Fire Marshall regulations.
Ensure facility employees and individuals are prepared to respond to any type of emergency by following Emergency Response Procedures.
Monitor workplace activities to ensure that workers comply with required policies and government safety regulations.
Complete random monthly/quarterly inspections of each building to determine safety hazards and compliance with applicable standards.
Make immediate corrections to any safety hazards or submit work orders for repairs and follow up to ensure completion.
Conduct random fire, weather, and emergency drills and work varied shifts to conduct drills, as necessary, and take action for any issues revealed during drills.
Coordinate inspections of all first responder equipment on campus including AED's, Emergency bags, and Eye Wash Stations.
Conduct investigations as requested/required.
Track the completion of all recommendations and follow up to determine if the goal was met.
Conduct required or requested investigations applicable to Safety/Security and Risk/Emergency Management.
Complete applicable plans, policies, and evaluations for the Environment of Care Manual, Emergency Management Manual, Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and All Hazards Emergency Plan.
Conduct exercises and training for plans to ensure all employees and individuals are prepared to implement all procedures.
Actively participate and/or serve in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
Coordinate and evaluate comprehensive safety, emergency, and health programs to administer Statewide Continuity of Operations Planning program.
Conduct surveys, audits, and scheduled and unscheduled inspections to ensure a safe environment and compliance with safety standards.
Participate in safety committees, councils, and trainings.
Provide analysis of hazards and develop risk assessments with the ability to identify risk exposures and make mitigation recommendations.
Consult with and advise staff concerning the effectiveness of the safety program and review/provide assistance with risk management programs.
Develop and monitor employee safety accountability procedures and a comprehensive safety and health program plan.
Develop, implement, and monitor safety and health programs and procedures, accident investigations, data analyses, and recurrence prevention efforts.
Investigate or direct the investigations of accidents and make appropriate recommendations for protective equipment.
Maintain a log of accidents and injuries, prepare accident reports, and prepare safety information to promote employee safety.
Direct and ensure adequate investigation, reporting, and analysis of accidents, fires and Life Safety Code violations and submit reports.
Inspect work activities and areas to identify hazards and recommend appropriate corrective action.
Observe work in progress, ensuring that proper safety equipment is worn, and procedures are followed.
Review and interpret safety rules, regulations, and standards, including State Operating Instructions, ADA, Joint Commission and CMS Emergency Management and Life Safety Code standards, and Texas Administrative Codes.
Serve as liaison between local, state, and federal agencies for Risk, Safety, and Emergency Management.
Coordinate with City, County, and State Officials to approve facility Emergency Management Plans and Annexes.
Assist with reviewing and inspecting construction, remodeling or renovations, plans prior to and during construction to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Work with contractor(s) to evaluate potential risks to project success, note corrective action needed, and assign responsibility for those risks.
Conduct, plan, and evaluate drills for fire, weather, and emergency situations and recommend appropriate corrective action for Emergency Response Plan.