UTILITIES SAFETY SPECIALIST

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DEPARTMENT:

County Engineering

DATE POSTED:

May 23, 2025

CLOSING DATE:

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

HIRING RANGE:

$67,298 – $102,569

POSITION NUMBER:

40010601

JOB TYPE:

Full-Time, 37.5/week, Exempt

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The primary purpose of this position is to administer the Occupational Health & Safety Program for the Utilities Division to ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations. This position develops, implements, administers, and monitors safety programs to ensure a safe workplace as well as compliance with applicable regulations.

The Safety Specialist works independently, under limited supervision, reporting directly to the Assistant County Manager.

For more information about the Utilities Division at Durham County please visit: Durham County Utilities Jobs (dconc.gov)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Conduct safety audits, site inspections, risk assessments, and job hazard analysis to identify potential hazards. Prepare inspection reports and recommend corrective actions.

· Oversee accident/incident and near miss investigations, including incident analyses, reporting, and implementing corrective actions to prevent occurrence.

· Work with managers, engineers, and field staff to integrate safety into the plan and execution phases of projects.

· Inspect and observe environmental conditions and employee performance to identify hazards, detect risks and develop recommendations for safety and occupational health hazards through job specific hazard analysis.

· Provide expertise and experience with industrial safety programs including confined space entry, machinery safety, fall protection, hazardous materials, and other industrial safety program elements.

· Develop policies and plans to ensure Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations are written, revised, and adhered to including implementation of the Incident Control Plan and the Emergency Response Plan for the division.

· Schedule and train staff within the division on policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all safety procedures. This training will include classroom, hands-on, and unannounced drills.

· Assist and lead utility related safety investigations including working with Legal/Risk Management on development of appropriate responses to OSHA inquiries and investigations.

· Ensure all compliance aspects of position are known and followed; understands and complies with all Federal, State, and Local safety policies, codes, and regulations, such as OSHA, National Electrical Safety Code, and other relevant standards.

· Monitor safety legislative and regulatory changes; evaluates implications for the Division’s policies, programs, and operations and recommends changes to ensure compliance; stays abreast of industry practices and trends.

· Purchases, distributes, and maintains inventory control of Utilities safety equipment, including boots and prescription eyewear.

· Conduct random inspections of issued Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to check for wear, tear, and other defects that may affect protection and safe usage of the PPE, to replace any defective and/or damaged PPE timely, and to ensure appropriate usage by staff of PPE. Works onsite at the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant to ensure consistent compliance with safety regulations, conducts training, responds to incidents and oversees workplace hazards in real time.

· Meets with vendors, investigates, and evaluates products and equipment, provides recommendations regarding product quality, price, and suitability for use by the Division as it relates to employee safety.

· Performs related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

· Ability to take necessary steps to ensure a safe work environment for all employees in a fast-paced environment, prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

· Ability to effectively communicate and interact with all levels of the Division through verbal and written communication.

· Exceptional computer skills to create and maintain safety data, documentation, policies, and training programs. Ability to use Microsoft Office applications.

· Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local regulations as they relate to employee health, safety, and site control with the ability to develop policies and procedures based on these regulatory requirements written clearly and accurately.

· Ability to demonstrate working knowledge of confined space entry, fall protection, hazard communication, crane and rigging operations, arc-flash and the ability to conduct awareness level training for each discipline.

· Knowledge of safety practices and procedures as they apply to wastewater treatment facilities, lift stations, mechanical equipment, chemical handling, and familiarization with reading and interpreting engineering plans preferred.

· Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

· Bachelor's degree in Safety/Risk Management, Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Health, Engineering, Environmental or Public Health.

· Minimum of six (6) years of safety experience in a utility and/or heavy construction setting, holding one of the preferred certifications and two (2) years of safety experience focused on the unique hazards to water/wastewater utility work.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

· Associate Safety Professional (ASP)

· Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)

· Occupational Hygiene & Safety Technician (OHST)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

· Works in various conditions, including wet and/or humid; fumes and airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; and vibration and moving mechanical parts.

· Works in the industrial environment of a wastewater treatment plant, lift stations, sewer step systems, and water system. This position will be exposed to moving mechanical parts and involves working around toxic and hazardous chemicals used in the treatment of water and wastewater.

· Ability to stand, walk, and climb stairs regularly; use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus and smell.

· Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS (WORK ENVIRONMENT):

Unavoidable hazards refer to job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

· Industrial, manufacturing, or facility maintenance setting.

· Exposure to noise, heat, sparks, and potentially hazardous materials.

STANDARD CLAUSES:

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of Durham County.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS:

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.

Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed, and employees are properly trained.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE:

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.