Placer County

Safety Officer (#14752)

$47.44-$59.26 Hourly / $8,222.93-$10,271.73 Monthly / $98,675.20-$123,260.80 Yearly


DEFINITION

To plan, develop, coordinate, and implement the County’s safety and injury prevention programs; to develop and implement County wellness programs, to plan, coordinate, and conduct a variety of safety and injury prevention training/employee outreach sessions; to conduct safety and hazard inspections and investigations; and to function as a positive and effective member of the team.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This single position classification is a specialized professional position responsible for the planning, implementation and coordination of County safety and injury prevention programs, provides coordination with workers’ compensation procedures, liability and claims, and develops and promotes worksite wellness programs. The Safety Analyst is distinguished from job classes in the Management Analyst series by its specialized duties in the areas of safety, risk management, and worksite wellness. It is further distinguished from the Training and Organizational Development Analyst series due to the latter’s specialized responsibilities in Countywide training and development.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives consistent direction from a Deputy County Executive Officer or his/her designee.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

  • Plan, develop and coordinate the County’s safety programs in compliance with state and federal guidelines and regulations; recommend appropriate policies and procedures related to County’s safety and injury prevention programs, workers’ compensation, liability and risk management division, and employee wellness projects.
  • Coordinate, plan, and attend meetings of County’s Safety Committee and provide technical staff assistance to members; train Safety Representatives from County departments in a variety of safety precautions, injury prevention programs, and employee wellness issues. 
  • Plan, design, develop, and implement County-wide and specialized training programs to support the County’s safety, injury prevention, and wellness programs; plan and coordinate training activities; schedule classes; participate in the development of classes, handbooks, manuals, course outlines, and other informational/educational material. 
  • Act as a primary resource to assist departments in determining appropriate safety standards for their staff and assessing potential loss control problems/issues in order to develop a continuous and comprehensive loss prevention program; recommend plans for meeting legal requirements as well as establishing and maintaining safety principles for employees and the public. 
  • Provide information to County personnel regarding changes in pertinent laws and regulations, including the Cal/OSHA program and federal and state regulations related to safety issues; act as a resource person regarding mandated state and federal safety requirements. 
  • Investigate work-related accidents, injuries, and illnesses; collect relevant data through observation, testing, and interviews; analyze potential causes; prepare responsive and required reports; recommend and implement measures to prevent their recurrences.
  • Conduct workplace audits; review work practices and make recommendations to ensure compliance with pertinent safety standards, laws, and ordinances, as well as standard and accepted safe work techniques. 
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and managers, and the community utilizing accepted principles of effective customer service. 
  • Maintain awareness of and participation in external professional environment and resources to ensure the highest level of professional standards are applied to service delivery within the County’s Executive Office/Risk Management Division. 
  • Represent the County of Placer and its Risk Management/Workers Compensation Division to OSHA, other public agencies, businesses, and the general community in a positive and productive manner.  
  • Serve as a positive and motivational team leader as well as a positive and effective member of a peer group.  
  • Perform related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: 

Experience: At least three years of progressively responsible and professional work experience in safety, loss control, and/or risk management, including two years experience in developing and implementing a comprehensive safety and loss prevention program, preferably in the state of California.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in occupational health, safety, risk management or a related field. 

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

  • Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local environmental and occupational safety regulations, including OSHA and CalOSHA, SB198. 
  • Standard and accepted principles and techniques of program management including planning, budgeting, implementation, administration, and evaluation. 
  • Standard and accepted principles, practices, and methods of safety, occupational health, and loss prevention programs. 
  • Standard and accepted principles and techniques of effective employee training. 
  • Safety hazards and appropriate preventive measures applicable to the County organization and its functions. 
  • Standard and accepted hazardous waste/materials handling and disposal techniques and methodology. 

Ability to:

  • On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of assigned job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; explain and interpret policies and programs; know laws, regulations and codes; observe performance and evaluate work methods; problem solve divisional issues. 
  • On a continuous basis, sit at desk and in meetings for long periods of time.  Intermittently twist to reach equipment-surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and communicate through written means. 
  • Stand for long periods of time conducting workplace audits and training; use of repetitive arm-hand movements to write on board or when utilizing a computer terminal to produce materials; lift moderate weight such as when arranging supplies on shelves, moving equipment and material from a supply area to a vehicle, arranging tables and chairs and setting up audio-visual equipment. 
  • Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals. 
  • Communicate clearly, tactfully, and concisely in both oral and written forms.
  • Function as a productive and positive team member. 
  • Plan and organize research and statistical work relating to various aspects of risk management. 
  • Organize and develop effective programs and training for the reduction of occupational hazards and prevention of accidents. 
  • Read, analyze, evaluate and summarize written materials and statistical data including reports, financial reports and budgets. 
  • Understand, interpret and apply complex rules and procedures in an effective manner. 
  • Analyze workplace facilities and operational practices and successfully identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Obtain information through interview process; handle multiple assignments; and deal tactfully and courteously with management and staff. 
  • Determine effective method of research, compile data and present in form most likely to enhance understanding. 
  • Prepare reports, statistical data, forms, questionnaires and surveys. 
  • Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner. 
  • Use a computer, calculator, telephone, facsimile machine, and photocopy machine in an effective manner.
  • Meet the physical requirements necessary to perform required duties in a safe and effective manner for self and others. 
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

CLASS: 14752; EST: 9/1/2003;