Safety Specialist (Electric)

NATIONAL GAS & OIL CO•Newark, OH

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Safety Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and administering comprehensive safety, health, training, and regulatory compliance programs for cooperative operations and facilities. This position promotes a proactive culture of safety excellence through employee engagement, field presence, regulatory compliance, incident prevention, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Safety Specialist works closely with operations leadership, employees, contractors, and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and industry safety standards while supporting safe, reliable, and efficient utility operations. This position provides technical safety guidance, conducts training and audits, investigates incidents, recommends corrective actions, and supports emergency response activities for the cooperative.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible safety experience, preferably in an electric utility.
Experience in conducting incident investigations/root cause analysis and developing and delivering training programs.
Thorough knowledge of OSHA 1910.269, NFPA 70E, Arc flash mitigation, switching/tagging procedures, line clearance/tree trimming safety, substation and overhead and underground distribution safety and contractor safety oversight for electric construction.
Proficiency in Microsoft office applications.
Must possess a valid Ohio Driver’s License and be insurable under the Cooperative’s Liability Policy to operate company-owned vehicles.
Strong and confident communicator.
Effectively presents training presentations and safety expectations to all levels of personnel through practical, real-life examples, incident reviews, and field-based training.
Is a good listener and actively engages in conversations to clearly understand others’ messages and intent.
Is easy to approach and talk to and spends the extra effort to put others at ease.
Displays high standards of ethical conduct and professionalism.
Effectively solves problems and has a realistic vision of the result.
Is a self-starter and requires minimal supervision.
Utilizes various resources to stay educated about safety and regulatory areas in the utility industry.
Remains calm under pressure.
Knows personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and limits and is open to criticism.

Nice To Haves

CUSP (Certified Utility Safety Professional) desired.
First Aid/CPR/AED instructor preferred.
Completion of OSHA 30-Hour and OSHA 500 and 510 Course preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop, coordinate, and conduct onboarding, recurring safety meetings, and other training programs to ensure employees maintain compliance with industry safety standards, Cooperative policies, and regulatory requirements.
Plan, coordinate, and facilitate safety committee meetings and related initiatives.
Conduct field audits, crew inspections, contractor safety evaluations, and facility inspections to identify unsafe conditions, ensure compliance with Cooperative safety standards and regulatory requirements, and reduce risk of accidents and financial loss.
Evaluate and improve safety policies, programs, procedures, and culture through performance analysis, corrective actions, employee engagement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Serve as a point person for RESAP activities and assist in development and implementation of Safety Improvement Plans.
Assist with the Cooperative’s Emergency Action and Crisis/Disaster Recovery Plans and participate in emergency response and restoration activities during outages, storms, disaster recovery efforts, and other system emergencies, including work outside normal business hours.
Investigate accidents, vehicle incidents, and near-miss events; maintain management awareness of serious occurrences; and track, analyze, and report safety performance metrics and corrective actions.
Maintain effective working relationships with safety associations, consultants, vendors, outside organizations, and other utility safety professionals to support compliance, training, and continuous improvement.
Stay updated on EPA, OSHA, DOT, and other applicable regulatory requirements and ensure Cooperative procedures, operations, and records remain compliant with environmental, hazardous materials, and workplace safety standards.
Work with division managers to plan, coordinate and execute public safety, awareness and education programs.
Maintain required safety records, training documentation, regulatory reports, and compliance files in accordance with applicable retention requirements.
Monitor and oversee the FR Clothing Program. Work with vendors to ensure adequate FR clothing inventory and employee support.
Has the authority and responsibility to identify unsafe work practices and conditions and recommend or initiate corrective actions, including stopping work when imminent danger or unsafe conditions exist.
Perform other related work in addition to other duties as may be assigned.