Health & Safety Specialist

Salary range is $45k to $134k, with a midpoint of $88k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction of the Employee Health and Safety Manager, administers and provides support to various health and safety programs and functions to ensure that it is effective in practice an in alignment with Safety Management System (SMS) principles, including safety inspections, PPE, first aid kits, ergonomics, accident/incident reporting, and employee safety committee; assists in the development, implementation, and management of programs and standard operating procedures to reduce the frequency, severity, and cost of accidents and occupational injuries and illnesses; analyzes new and existing jobs, tasks, processes, or systems to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards; coordinates assigned activities with other programs, departments, and outside agencies; works with Senior Health and Safety Specialists as directed; and provides administrative and technical support to the Employee Health and Safety (EHS) Group.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Provides support to health and safety programs and functions for all Agency employees; coordinates with various workgroups on hazard mitigations, safety processes/procedures, training needs, and employee health and safety concerns; provides recommendations and assistance to managers and employees on all aspects of employee health and safety.
• Conducts or assists with various facility safety inspections (including offices, operations and maintenance facilities, and warehouses) and conducts safety spot checks to identify hazards and appropriate mitigations, with the goal of ensuring worker safety and regulatory compliance.
• Administers the agency PPE program, including provisioning and distribution to all employees.
• Administers the first aid kit provisioning contract across all agency offices and facilities.
• Administers the office ergonomic program, including program development and management, and conducting office ergonomic assessments/consultations for on-site employees and remote workers.
• Administers the employee accident/incident reporting and investigation process.
• Addresses and elevates employee health and safety concerns that are reported the EHS Group and serves as a liaison between the EHS Group and the Employee Safety Committee.
• Works effectively with Senior Health and Safety Specialists to ensure effective program management; works collaboratively with other EHS Group staff; assists on the development, implementation, and management of the Agency Accident Prevention Program and related programs and standard operating procedures.
• Provides support to the Employee Health and Safety Manager and Senior Health and Safety Specialists on matters as directed; participates on a variety of committees as assigned; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Health, or closely related field; Four years of experience in health and safety program coordination including safety reviews, assessment, and training functions in a medium to large organization; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid state driver's license. Position is responsible for transporting equipment for inspections/assessments.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a safety program area.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Methods and techniques used in the performance of safety duties and responsibilities.
• Principles and practices of industrial hygiene and occupational health and safety programs.
• Occupational health and safety standards, including construction safety standards and rail system safety requirements.
• Mandated safety program rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Methods and techniques of developing and conducting safety program training sessions.
• Recent developments, current literature, and information related to safety rules and regulations.
• Principles of team leadership including training principles and practices.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other division staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
• Leading project teams with a focus on optimizing process efficiencies to ensure project deliverables.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Applying principles and practices of health and safety.
• Understanding technical and/or industry concepts of safety management.
• Performing a variety of occupational health and safety duties.
• Developing and conducting safety training programs.
• Public speaking and in developing and delivering presentations and presenting ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
• Monitoring safety program performance and recommend adjustments.
• Identifying safety training needs.
• Evaluating operational area safety requirements.
• Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication.
• Working cooperatively with other divisions, Agency officials, and outside agencies.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• Position is required to conduct inspections/assessments; may be subject to bending, climbing, crawling, eye/hand coordination, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, sitting, standing, talking, seeing, walking, carrying up to 50 pounds, and lifting up to 25 pounds.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.