Classification Summary
Reporting to the Human Resources Manager, the Safety Officer will provide professional knowledge and expertise in the administration and support of the Village’s Safety and Health program. The Safety Officer monitors compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local legislation and OSHA requirements and works with Management to mitigate Safety and Health risks in the workplace. Regular work hours are Monday thru Friday 8 am to 5 pm; however, this may include some nights and weekends. This position must be able to adapt to a flexible work schedule as established by supervisor. This position is a non-exempt position.

Job Title Summary
Performs a variety of complex professional consultation and administrative duties to facilitate and maintain the Village’s Safety and Health Program designed to provide a healthy and safe place of employment for all employees and along with Department Directors integrate good working safety habits into every aspect of the Village’s activities and services.
Essential Job Functions

Manage, evaluate, and oversee the Village of Ruidoso Safety and Health Program.
Assist management and employees to create and maintain an injury/accident-free work environment and support continuing hazard detection, safety training and a safety minded culture.
Monitor risk management activities including financial processes, loss control and inventory and asset management.
Assist with investigations, analyze and manage personal injury, property loss, civil rights, employee practice and contract claims against the Village; makes recommendations for resolution; negotiates settlements within assigned authority; and provides notice of loss runs and other pertinent information from the New Mexico Self-Insurers” Fund to administration.
Provide professional and technical assistance to all levels of the organization in safety and health, federal OSHA regulations, and state OSHA plans.
Develop, implement, and maintain a Village Safety Manual and coordinate with management to review and update when necessary or appropriate.
Participate in the planning, organizing, development and implementation of various safety and health policies.
Manage all recordkeeping and documentation: safety training records (personnel files and NMSIF reports, worksite analysis/inspection records, accident/incident reports, injury/illness records, workers’ compensation reports, and OSHA Log recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
Create, develop, and coordinate delivery of training programs to ensure policies are communicated to all employees and members of management.
Promote ongoing safety and health education to members for new and existing management and employees.
Participate in the orientation process for new hires in an effort to communicate the Village’s safety culture and expectations.
Chair and engage with the safety committee and attend regular monthly meetings.
Work closely with the selected safety liaison from each Department to ensure employee safety is a priority and safety messages are delivered to employees through ongoing communication.
Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of the overall Safety & Health Program to protect employees against harm and maintain safe working conditions with reports and recommendations to senior management that reflect improved opportunities to eliminate workplace accidents and injuries.

Other Responsibilities or Job Requirements

Conduct and/or coordinate on-site inspections at Village departments to audit physical conditions and safety work practices.
Compile, analyze, interpret, and report hazardous condition identification, recommendation for corrective action and department compliance.
Working closely with the HR Manager, the safety officer will be responsible for the administration of the Village’s workers compensation program: complete first report of injury and process claim with insurance carrier- NMSIF; manage all claim recordkeeping and documentation; provide workers compensation case management including coordination with insurance carrier, injured worker, healthcare providers, HR department, and supervisor; manage cost control measures and encourage return to work plans for injured workers. Analyze injury/illness/accident and workers’ compensation records to identify trends (number, department, type/nature of claim, days out of work, costs) and produce data driven reports/charts.
Notify the HR Manager immediately of any workplace accident involving a DOT or safety sensitive driver in order for HR to coordinate drug testing.
Processes and maintains list of authorized drivers for Village vehicles and monitors motor vehicle records for compliance with insurance and Village policy requirements on a monthly basis (Qorta).
Conduct monthly fire extinguishers inspections.
Work with Department Directors to develop JHA’s (Job Hazard Analysis) if needed for projects or operations without an established SOP.
Ensure monthly vehicle inspection logs are completed and submitted to the Safety Officer.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

High School diploma or GED equivalent.
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in safety engineering, safety and health or a related field is preferred.
Two (2) years of progressively responsible work experience performing the above or related duties is preferred.
Ability to speak in small to medium size groups to conduct training courses.
Ability to attend and pass safety certification courses to allow you to conduct staff training and/or safety awareness training.
Must possess a valid NM Driver’s License.

Physical Demands

Ability to maintain physical condition and stamina appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods of time, navigating rough terrain, driving, or riding in vehicles.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms.
Frequently is required to stand; walk; and use hands to finger to hand, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls.
Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.

Work Environment

Work will be performed in an office setting and in the field.
Will be required to visit multiple sites daily to evaluate safety conditions and processes in Departments.
Possess ability to adapt to inclement weather conditions and/or situations.
Ability to drive occasionally.
Work is typically performed Monday-Friday with occasional work outside of regular schedule.
Ability to perform duties and adapt to flexible work schedules as established by management.
Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts.
Occasionally exposed to wet and snowy conditions.
May be called when needed outside of normal work schedule.
Noise level could be moderate to loud in work environment.
Ability to work in stressful environment and deal effectively with stress.

Travel Requirements

Limited travel – ability to travel for activities such as classes, and workshops in and out of the service area.
Overnight travel as required.

Knowledge of: Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standards, rules, and regulations to coordinate a safety program for a municipal government organization; workers compensation laws and regulations to implement and coordinate requirements between an organization and insurance carrier, State and Federal agencies; insurance requirements, risk management and safety; departmental operations as they apply to safety and risk activities and applicable laws and regulations.

Skill In: the operation of personal computer to enter and report workers’ compensation
claims, training, and related data into information management software programs, i.e.,
MS Word, Excel, etc. and any other programs the Village deems necessary; may create
custom forms, policies, manuals, charts, and graphs. Skill in the operation of calculator,
fax machine, copy machine, telephone, and audio/visual equipment for presentations.

Ability to: recognize potential unsafe working environments and/or practices; coach employees, managers and directors on correcting unsafe situations to prevent accidents;carry out assigned projects to their completion with minimal supervision, work independently with a multitude of tasks, to learn and evaluate new equipment and systems applicable to municipal government, to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, other departments, and external entities; maintain and ensure the confidential nature of all work related records.

Closing Statements

Any position that lists a minimum qualification for education level and/or license/certification will require the applicant to provide proof of documentation if selected for hire into the position.
In the event of an emergency, employees are required to work to provide for the safety and well-being of the public, including the delivery and restoration of vital services.
This job description is subject to change as the needs of the organization and Department change or the requirements of this position change.

PI284341923

Village of Ruidoso

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