Safety Programs Coordinator

Job Summary

Performs responsible, professional, independent work planning, coordinating, implementing, and monitoring Safety programs and activities in the county. The incumbent collaborates with departments to minimize injuries and prevent losses. Tasks include planning and implementation for safety programs, safety training and tracking, and assistance with employee safety initiatives and efforts. Incumbent works collaboratively with the Occupational Health and Safety Manager to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for staff and the public.

Job Description

Researches, coordinates, and implements OSHA safety programming under the county’s Workplace Health and Safety Policy (AWAIR (A Workplace Accident Injury Reduction). 
Provides technical advice and direction to county departments regarding safety issues and activities; provides research and programming to departments to ensure organizational compliance with state and federal safety laws and regulations. 
Encourages a positive safety culture by promoting safe behaviors and practices among employees.
Regularly inspects the workplace to identify potential safety hazards and exposure, to implement mitigation strategies to safeguard staff and the public, and to monitor and enforce workplace safety. 
 Organizes safety campaigns and assists in development of training materials and resources for county staff to ensure safe work practices  and compliance with OSHA and other state and federal requirements. 
Coordinates and tracks mandatory safety trainings and testing Including respiratory fit testing, bloodborne pathogen, hearing conservation, and Right to Know.   
Administers the County’s safety learning management system.  Enrolls designated employees in mandatory safety classes and ensures compliance. 
 Coordinates the county’s AED program.
Coordinates FMCRA and clearinghouse checks for all employees that are in a safety sensitive position. Is the DER (Designated Employer Representative) for the program. 
 Coordinates the county’s worker’s compensation program along with the Occupational Health and Safety Manager. Responsible for completing first reports of injuries and OSHA 300 log. 
 Collaborates with Facilities, Emergency Management, and County Leadership to coordinate safety plans, develop critical incident guidelines, and prepare for the county's response to threats and medical emergencies in county facilities and on county properties. 
Coordinates and implements evacuation route planning, emergency maps, and safety drills for staff and customers, in conjunction with Facilities and Emergency Management. 
Coordinates and administers OSHA, MNOSHA, policy, regulations, contracts, and best practices to protect and safeguard people and property. 
Conducts periodic safety inspections of county buildings, work areas, machinery and equipment to identify exposures to county personnel and property; helps to design engineering and administrative controls to eliminate hazards in the workplace. 
Evaluates and investigates various complaints, accidents, and injuries; determines plan of action to resolve issues. 
Acts as liaison and confers with staff, insurance providers, Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT) representatives, and the County Attorney's Office to interpret and clarify safety issues.
Leads county safety committees; provides technical support and considers safety recommendations made by the committees. 
Conducts accident and incident investigations per OSHA guidelines
Research, reviews, and interprets federal, state, and local laws and regulations to ensure county compliance; provides technical, administrative, and general information to others as required and/or requested. 
Completes and maintains statistics, studies, metrics, and reports, submitting them as required and as needed for program compliance. 
Develops new or revises existing safety programs for compliance and best practice purposes. 
Organizes and manages special projects and program activities related to broader Employee Relations/Office of Management and Budget programs and functions. 
Works the hours and/or shifts assigned and begins and ends work on time. Must be flexible in work hours to accommodate nontraditional workforce contact and support,
 Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Requires equivalency of a Bachelor's Degree and two years of progressively responsible experience coordinating and administering OSHA, MNOSHA, policy, regulations, contracts, and best practices to protect and safeguard people and property in an organization(experience may substitute for education). Further consideration will be given to those with other safety designations and OSHA certification. The incumbent shall provide a valid driver's license and a reliable means of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities.

Supervisory Controls
The employee is under general guidance and direction from the Occupational Health and Safety Manager. With considerable allowance for independent judgment, work is performed according to established procedures and supervisor consultation for difficult or unusual problems as they occur. Work is reviewed for accuracy and quality through observation, examination of records and reports generated, and meetings.

Core Competencies and Abilities
Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.
Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.
Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.
Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.
Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.
Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.
Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.
Knowledge – Knowledge of Employee Relations information systems.
 Knowledge of Employee Relations rules, regulations, and procedures as they relate to processing Employee Relations transactions, and maintaining records.
 Knowledge of OSHA and safety regulations.
 Knowledge of county programs and policies, labor agreements, and operations of public entities.
 
Abilities –Ability to review complex information and prepare reports from such information.
 Ability to analyze and make recommendations.
 Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county officials, employees, and the public.
 Ability to make independent decisions concerning choice of procedures to follow; ability to work without close supervision.
 Ability to make difficult computations accurately in a timely manner.
 Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
 Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.
 Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.
 Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

Work Environment and Physical Demands
Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, typically in an office setting. Work external to the office to include field work and driving will be required in investigating incidents, hazard assessment,  and implementation of safety programs, as well as other essential functions. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing multiple and varied needs/demands of services. Incumbent may need to respond to emergencies, including unknown or emerging infectious diseases, safety, and health threats. Evening and weekend hours may be required for accomplishing this work.

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job. Additional physical/mental requirements may not be listed but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions. In the event of an emergency, physical requirements will increase and be more demanding in all areas listed.