DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Work involves design and implementation of health and safety programs to meet established standards and operating procedures in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations including OSHA, PESH and DOT recommended standards. Duties include development of safety policies and procedures to meet recognized standards for employee and environmental safety, to prevent accidents, and to improve safety. Incumbent will prepare and conduct employee training programs, assist in establishing safety standards, coordinate and/or perform safety inspections, etc. Work is performed under the supervision of the Senior Deputy County Attorney for Risk and Compliance, with allowance for independence in planning and implementation of safety plans and training. Supervision may be exercised over support employees. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

• Drafts, implements and conducts safety policies and programs applicable to departmental functions including equipment and facilities used;
• Chairs County Safety Committee to promote safety,  develop safety training programs, presentations and materials, to determine appropriate training resources based on specific safety concerns or hazards, and to insure full compliance with New York State and Putnam County requirements;
• Meets with department heads and municipal officials with regard to departmental safety policies and procedures and training;
• Recommends, drafts, modifies, updates and implements departmental safety policies and procedures to meet OSHA, PESH and DOT standards;
• Recommends disciplinary action for violations of safety policies and procedures;
• Coordinates and/or conducts work area assessments, surveys and program evaluations to determine the presence of hazardous conditions, e.g. noise exposure, chemical exposure, air quality issues, light levels, confined space, ventilation, etc.;
• Evaluates county buildings and equipment for insurance and risk control purposes;
• Identifies conditions that pose potential problems for the County and municipalities, and recommends corrective actions;
• Performs work place inspections and works with supervisory personnel to insure ongoing compliance with health and safety programs and regulations;
• Investigates and documents work-related accidents, including interviewing employees involved, to provide root cause analysis and trend analysis;
• Chairs the Accident Review Committee;
• Works with Senior Deputy County Attorney for Risk and Compliance regarding workers’ compensation program to determine areas for increased training, with emphasis on accident prevention;
• Provides statistical and fiscal data on workers’ compensation injuries;
• Assists with specifications for safety equipment purchases, bids, submittal evaluation and makes recommendations regarding purchase of appropriate safety equipment;
• Maintains current knowledge of all applicable OSHA, PESH and DOT standards and administrative practices and stays current with developments in the field of health and safety;
• Attends conferences and/or training seminars, as directed;
• Maintains complete and accurate records as required;
• Prepares reports, charts and graphs, as needed;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of federal, state and departmental laws, rules and regulations regarding employee and occupational health and safety; good knowledge of OSHA, including Workplace Right To Know, PESH and DOT standards; good knowledge of the principals and techniques of safety training; ability to develop and implement effective and informative training  programs; ability to research and maintain knowledge of current literature, recent developments and other sources of information relating to workplace safety; initiative and resourcefulness in problem-solving; ability to express ideas clearly and effectively both orally and in writing to groups and individuals; ability to  establish and maintain effective working relationships; good powers of observation; good listening skills; ability to be firm but courteous; ability to maintain confidentiality; reliability; integrity; tact and courtesy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either

1. Bachelor's degree or higher in occupational health or safety, environmental science, industrial science, biological science, engineering or related fields and two (2) years of work experience relevant to workplace safety and loss control, workplace safety training, claims settlements and/or adjustment, or risk management; or
2. Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of work experience relevant to workplace safety and loss control, workplace safety training, claims settlements and/or adjustment, or risk management; or
3. Associate's degree in occupational health or safety, environmental science, industrial science, biological science, engineering or related fields and four (4) years of work experience relevant to workplace safety and loss control, workplace safety training, claims settlements and/or adjustment, or risk management; or
4. An equivalent combination of education and experience as indicated in a), b) and c) above.

SUBSTITUTION NOTE: Post-graduate level education in applicable fields may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.

PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

3/13; 5/13

Competitive Class