City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Occupational Health & Safety Officer

Under nominal direction, manages and oversees the planning, design, evaluation, and development of a citywide occupational health and safety program to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for City of Austin employees. 

1. Designs and recommends an effective Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) system that establishes authority and accountability for safety citywide and at the department level.
2. Leads process of developing and recommending citywide Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) policy and standards or changes to existing standards and the enforcement of them.
3. Consults and provides leadership to department safety personnel in the implementation of safety programs, analysis, problem solving, and corrective action plans.
4. Monitors Federal and State Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations applicable to the City and recommends and implements programs to ensure the City is in compliance with all applicable regulations.
5. Evaluates City Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) statistics and defines target goals for performance and monitors for achievement of goals; recommends strategic short and long-term prevention and cost-control objectives designed to meet established goals.
6. Develops and implements processes, methods, and tools designed to measure, evaluate, and monitor departmental safety performance and provides formal input or reports and makes recommendations to management regarding exposure incidents to address unintentional exposures to employees or vendors.
7. Oversees the design, preparation, analysis, and distribution of safety data and statistical reports concerning accidents, trends, and solutions to work related problems to all City departments and executive management.
8. Develops and oversees contracts with consultants for services provided to the City.
9. Identifies and coordinates opportunities to share common resources citywide, such as training, equipment, consultants, and other resources.
10. Implements a sound Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) document and record management system in compliance with applicable City policies and procedures as well as governmental regulations and applicable standards.
11. Oversees review and approval process for departmental Accident Prevention Plans.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

• Knowledge in the fields of safety compliance and auditing.
• Knowledge of governmental regulations and applicable standards such as EPA, OSHA.
• Knowledge of National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) that affect employee and environmental health and safety.
• Knowledge of technical expertise in analyzing numerical and claims data and industry performance measures such as Loss Time Injury Rates, Frequency Rates, and OSHA 200 Recordable Rates.
• Knowledge of OH&S systems and industry best practices.
• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees and the public.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to train others. Skill in effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to compose and present reports to all levels of management.

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Occupational Safety, Safety Engineering, Occupational or Environmental Health, Industrial Engineering, or a safety-related field,
• plus five (5) years of progressively responsible experience administering a safety program.
• Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Valid Texas Driver's license