Safety Specialist

JOB STATUS: UNTIL FILLED POSTING DATE: 06/28/2024 POSTING NUMBER: M24/25.2.81.1 LOCATION: Maintenance Department POSITION TITLE: Safety Specialist
JOB DESCRIPTION:

Human Resources announces an opening for a 1.0 FTE  Safety Specialist .  This is a 260-day, scale M-1 3 position located at  Facilities & Operations .

The Safety Specialist helps implement the workplace and education safety programs of Arlington Public Schools (APS) and performs a full range of day-to-day inspections and reporting. This position will assist the division in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations in addition to APS policies and procedures, for example, Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC), Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) standards etc . In addition, this position will identify safety related concerns and overall trends with recommendations for improvement. The Safety Specialists will be responsible for providing information, guidance, advice and assistance to peers, instructional staff, instruction leaders, and their supervisor concerning safety programs and 'best practices.' The position will be responsible for developing and delivering training related to safety programs in concert with supervisor and department which ranges from appropriate equipment use to implementation of safe workplace practices/programs. The incumbent will be responsible for day - to-day data management and use a variety of digital platforms to manage work and compliance. The position will also be responsible for ensuring proper storage and arranging for removal, of hazardous chemicals/substances. This position serves on the Vehicle Accident Review Committee (VARC); supports department personnel; works on interdisciplinary teams regarding school safety matters.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK

(May not include all duties performed - These are intended as an illustration of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

Ensures compliance with safety regulations, standards and other guidelines covering life workplace and industry safety, fire safety, hazardous materials storage/disposal, specialized instruction space safety and such occupational safety and health requirements. Conducts mandated and school division inspections. Conducts internal program audits to ensure compliance. Makes presentations and recommendations to managers regarding compliance and 'best practices' that could or should be implemented at APS. Ensures fulfillment of day-to-day aspects of the APS workplace and education safety programs. Schedules and conducts routine and non-routine inspections of APS facilities, work sites, work practices and equipment to identify unsafe or hazardous conditions that could harm employees/on-site contractors, students or facility users (such as after-hours playground users). Analyzes findings, writes reports, communicates findings, including violations along with citations of applicable codes/guides, and develops timetables for required action by management. If imminent life safety hazard exists, recommends closure or stop work order to supervisor. Develops recommendations to eliminate and reduce to an acceptable/permissible level safety hazards and to correct other deficiencies. Works with appropriate personnel on implementation of recommendations. Conducts follow-up inspections to ensure deficiencies have been corrected. Investigates complaints, job-related accidents and incidents, injuries, and property damage. Identifies causes.

Writes and submits reports. Recommends corrective action to prevent similar problems in future. Helps m aintain databases, files and other records including the online SDS library. Analyzes data of various types . Writes reports. Provides input to the development or enhancement of goals and objectives for safety programs to protect employees, students and facility users. Serves on committees (including the VARC) and provides information, advice and guidance to management on routine and non-routine safety matters such as recent developments in generally-accepted standards and 'best practices' that could or should be implemented at APS in addition to updates on proposed and new regulatory requirements.

Conducts or monitors safety training classes. Evaluates effectiveness of classes and training programs or modules. Helps develop specialized training to comply with Federal, Virginia, ACG, VDOE and APS requirements and to implement and advocate for 'best practices' in workplace and school facility safety. Stays abreast of developments in safety matters affecting APS. Communicates and interacts effectively with business contacts including line managers and staff throughout APS . Listens 'actively' to ascertain key information and understand concerns, wants and needs of stakeholders vis-à-vis workplace and school facility safety; seeks to obtain agreement, gain compliance or achieve other desired results. Uses a computer and (a) modern office suite software for various applications such as, but not limited to, planning/scheduling, communicating (email), word processing, manipulating data (databases and spreadsheets), preparing charts/graphics/ presentations and researching (Internet); (b) enterprise systems/software for requisitioning, budgeting and other functions; and (c) specialty systems/software.

Drives to/from schools and other APS facilities to assess safety conditions, give training, respond to accidents/ incidents and perform other functions on a regularly recurring basis. Performs other duties as assigned to carry out the APS safety programs.

EXPERIENCE:

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, the principles, methods, techniques and practices of workplace and school safety in a wide range of safety compliance and hazard reduction/mitigation work covering construction sites, office places and schools. Knowledge of key aspects of OSHA and VOSH regulations, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, NFPA standards, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) information and recommendations, VDOE and APS safety programs, policies, procedures and practices, and other guides; knowledge of VOSH, VDOE and APS guidelines may be acquired on the job. Working knowledge of directly related fields such as, but not limited to, risk management and Workers Compensation. Knowledge of the principles, methods and techniques of adult and adolescent learning sufficient to develop safety training content and course materials, and skill in delivering safety training to adults and adolescents. Knowledge of workplace operations and hazards across a wide array of occupations (including an array of skilled trade and labor jobs) to identify safety and occupational health issues, violations and practical ways of alleviation and remediation .

Skill in written and oral communications . Interpersonal skills to interact with contacts in a businesslike, customer service-oriented manner by establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and working in harmony with others. Skill in using a computer, modern office suite software (such as MS Office), enterprise systems/software, and specialty systems/software.

QUALIFICATIONS:

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

1. A Bachelor's Degree in any field providing a strong foundation for success in the duties and responsibilities in this class specification, or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training is required .

2. This experience must include (a) conducting on-site compliance inspections of workplaces, schools or other types of institutional settings to identify and eliminate or mitigate risk of injury, death or other significant loss, and to enhance the safety of people in the setting, (b) investigating and reporting on accidents and safety related incidents in compliance with governmental regulations and the employer's procedures, (c) conducting safety training concerning a diverse array of types of hazards-risks, and (d) helping develop or revise safety program policies and procedures to comply with regulatory requirements or to enhance program effectiveness.

3. Experience that includes ( i ) performing full performance level safety specialist work for general industry and (ii) leading a full scope safety program for a public school system is highly desired.

4. Certification as a Certified Playground Inspector (by the Institute for Safety and Health Management) at the intermediate level (or higher), or an equivalent certification, is highly desired at the time of hire; this certification is required within two (2) years after hire.

5. Certification as a Associate Safety Professional, Certified Safety Professional, or an equivalent certification, is highly desired at the time of hire; this certification is required within two years after hire.

6. Certification as a Certified Fire Inspector through the Virginia Fire Marshal Academy (VFMA) as defined by NFPA 1031 or ability to obtain within two years after hire.

APPLY TO: SALARY:
Salary range of $28.94 to $52.25 per hour based upon 23/24 pay plan
DAYS: