Safety & Environmental Health Specialist

Job Description:

Safety & Environmental Health Specialist

Description

Grade 19 - Starting Hourly Rate: $29.86. Rate of pay depends on qualifications.

Job Description

JOBSUMMARY
The Safety & Environmental Health Specialist is responsible for developing knowledge of safety and health aspects as they relate to SAWS through standards and program review. Provides interface between division or department management and SAWS organizations or external entities. Participates on project teams, leads investigations, and provides safety and health support to accomplishing SAWS safety and health objectives. Supports SAWS safety and environmental health policies by participating in associated program activities.

ESSENTIALFUNCTIONS

• Reviews proposed and existing standards and procedures, performs research to determine if present policies, practices, and protocols are in compliance and assesses the impact to SAWS; participates inwrittenprogramplanning, authoring, andrevision.
• RepresentsSAWS’safetyandenvironmentalhealthinterestsbyparticipatinginexternalmeetingsand conferences,providing supporttopeerand communitygroups,and byinteracting withexternalentities, includingregulatoryagencies.Usessafetyandhealth knowledgetoprovidetechnicalsupporttoSAWS departments. Performs researchtoidentify procedureandprotocol needs,draftsprocedures, andgains agreement leadingtoimplementationandtraining.
• Developsandmaintainsthesafetyandenvironmentalhealthdatabase,whichprovidesinformationand inputtopartnershipswithstakeholders. Plansand coordinatesfieldsafetyandhealthactivitieswith stakeholders.
• Conductssafetyandenvironmentalhealth-relatedassessments,participatesinpost-auditmonitoringto createactionplanning,or determiningtheplan’sstatusthroughevaluationsincludingresearch,field testing andanalysis, and documents findings for inclusion into subsequent reports and recommendations.
• Evaluates contractor safety andenvironmental health qualifications includingdue diligence records review, pre-qualification assessments, evaluation of Requests for Proposal’s, providing recommendations;participatesinpre-bidandpre-construction meetings,andreviews,monitors,audits, andsupportscontractorsitesafetyandenvironmentalhealthplans. Participates incontractor meetings andworkshops.
• Documentscontractor’s safetyand environmental healthperformancefor futurecontractqualification.
• Developssafetyandenvironmentalhealthperformancereportsandcommunicatesresultsaswellas developingrecommendations.
• Performs or supervisestesting, monitoring,and inspection protocols dealing with safety and environmental health,includingsupportingindustrial hygiene-relatedactivities.
• Performs research, defines, andcommunicates mandatedsafety andenvironmental health training requirementstoaffectedorganizations. Determinesresourcesrequiredtodelivertraining. Develops anddeliversselected trainingprogramstostakeholders. Coordinatescontracted,orSAWS Training Division, resourcesto ensuredeliveryofmandatedtechnical training.
• ParticipatesinSafetyandEnvironmentalHealthSteeringCommitteemeetingsandProductsStandards Committeemeetings,conductstechnicalreviewofplansandprojectsscopes,identifiesdesignsafety andenvironmentalhealthissues,aswell asresolving constructionand installation safetyand environmental healthissues.
• Evaluates HazardousMaterials andother strategiccomplianceissues,andassists with providingpersonal protectiveequipmentspecifications,developsandprovidestestingandinspectionspecificationsfor approval. PerformsfieldconfirmationofHAZMAT,HAZWOPER,HAZCOM,andemergencyresponse protocols.
• Conducts gap analyses, formats, and recommends revision of the Employee-driven Safety Program (ESP), performs program audits, interfaces with representatives from SAWS departments, manages data / reporting software systems, assesses ESP effectiveness and consistency with SAWS safety and environmental health policy. Identifies appropriate measures, reports results to internal customers for local department action plans.
• Identifies staff training and certification needs, and assesses work environment and equipment need with the team.
• Participates in safety and environmental health activities for the department such as associated investigations, administering the SAWS driving policy, prescription eyewear, protective footwear, hazard analysis, coordinates fire / evacuation drills, and trains all Emergency Coordinators.
• Participates in safety and environmental health guideline development and statistical reports, including preparation of departmental spreadsheets, calculates frequency and severity rates, on a monthly basis.
• Responsible for individual elements of the division’s Operating Expense budget.
• Applies principles of physical sciences, safety and environmental health regulations, safety and health management principles for the protection of personnel at SAWS.
• Applies basic water and wastewater system operating principles as necessarily related to safety and environmental health and acts as a resource for other professionals in the field.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

DECISIONMAKING

• The Safety & Environmental Health Specialist works under limited supervision.

MINIMUMREQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Safety, Engineering, Engineering Technology, Natural or Physical Sciences, Industrial Technology, Psychology, or related field from an institution accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
• Three years’ experience with a safety or risk management program.
• Ability to report to work on time, maintain a good attendance record, and work all designated work schedules.
• Valid Class “C” Texas Driver’s License.

Internal Applicants:
An internal applicant may also qualify with a High School Diploma and six years’ increasingly responsible experience with a safety or risk management program.

• Valid Class “C” Texas Driver’s License.
• Ability to report to work on time, maintain a good attendance record, and work all designated work schedules.

PREFERREDQUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience in participating in a safety and environmental health department and making significant improvement in safe operations, vehicle safety, reporting and compliance.
• Professional designation within the safety and environmental health field such as Executive Safety.
• Management Certification, Certified Safety Professional, Registered Environmental Manager, Certified Industrial Hygienist, Certified Utility Safety Administrator, Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist, Certified Safety & Health Official, Associate Safety Professional, or other related certifications, or the ability to obtain within 18 months of hire.
• OSHA Commendations or industry commendations.

JOBDIMENSIONS

• Contact with internal and external customers, regulatory agencies, contractors, and field consultants.
• Communicates effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software; work management, health and safety, and regulatory reporting software.

PHYSICALDEMANDSANDWORKINGCONDITIONS
Physical requirements include lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally. Subject to walking and climbing stairs, climbing ladders, and working at heights on construction projects to perform job scope. Requires visual acuity, speech, and hearing.

Workingconditions are inanoffice andfield environmentwith exposuretoinclementweather, permit- requiredconfinedspaceentryandsiteconditionstypicalofheavyconstruction. Mayberequiredtocomply with requirementsasspecifiedin applicable regulations for personal protectiveequipment,includingclearance foruseofrespiratoryprotectionand otherassociatedprotectiveequipment. Alsooperatesacompanyand/or personalvehiclewhen performingdutiesatfield locations.

May be required to work hours other than regular schedule.

San Antonio Water System values the contributions of all its employees, providing them the best in compensation and benefits. The benefits package is designed to attract and retain a workforce of qualified employees who share a responsibility in providing quality water to 1 million consumers.
From an affordable medical and dental plan to life-sustaining retirement and insurance plans, we offer benefits that reward employees for their commitment to a challenging career at SAWS. Employee benefits include the following:

• Competitive, market-based salaries
• Performance-based incentives
• Medical benefits
• Dental benefits
• Life insurance
• Prescription drug program
• Vision care plan
• Two retirement plans
• Deferred compensation plans (457 plan)
• Disability income
• Paid leave (vacation, sick, personal)
• Education assistance program
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible, tax-deferred health and dependent care spending accounts
• Wellness programs
• On-Site Fitness Facilities
• Community service opportunities

Closing Date/Time: 8/24/2025 11:59 PM Central

Salary:

$62,109.00 - $106,538.00 Annually