Operations Safety Advisor

The Solid Waste Division Operations Section is recruiting for an enthusiastic team player to serve as its Safety Advisor for our Operations Division. In this position you will have the opportunity to work independently and closely with a diverse, motivated, and experienced supervisory team. This incumbent will be a key contributor to the success of the Divisions safety program and overall safety record and culture for staff and employees.

The Operations Safety Advisor will collaborate with our Safety and Emergency Management Unit (SEMU) and all sections, organization levels and SWD sites to develop, implement and support SWD Safety programs, KC laws and regulations and ensure industry and regulatory compliance and comply with our union collective bargaining agreements.

About this Role:
This role focuses on ensuring operational safety by serving as the main point of contact and overseeing safety practices. It involves questioning established practices, proposing improvements, and collaborating on solutions. The role also includes acting as a liaison between the Safety and Emergency Management Unit (SEMU), leadership, and various unions to ensure clear communication on safety initiatives and policy changes. Additionally, the role entails investigating current practices, suggesting enhancements to ergonomics, tools, and processes, and working with SEMU to implement safety policies and procedures across all teams. The individual will also promote a safety culture, listen to team members, report safety-related successes and challenges, attend monthly site and safety meetings, and assist operations by identifying safety equipment needs and procuring products and services for implementation.

Key initiatives and projects will include creating and updating safety policies, organizing safety training, and collaborating with departments and contractors to ensure facilities meet safety requirements. The individual will also differentiate between WAC, OSHA laws, and best practices, communicating this information to employees and managers. Additionally, the role includes assisting in Job Safety Analysis (JSA's), reviewing incident documentation, and collaborating with supervisors to ensure sufficient information is provided to the Safety and Emergency Management Unit (SEMU). Furthermore, the role entails assisting in L&I investigations and mediations.
About the Team:
The Solid Waste Divisions (SWD) core business is to operate the solid waste transfer, disposal and recycling serviced for residents and businesses in all of King County, except for the City of Seattle and Milton. Our 400 employees have earned a reputation for being innovators and leaders within our industry, but our landscape is changing. As a result, we are in a period of change, creating our future focused on three lines of business, waste prevention, resource recovery and waste disposal. The SWD's service area has a population of about 1.5 million or approximately 70 percent of King County's population. Municipal Solid Waste and Construction refuse generates approximately 900,000 tons of debris per year.

Commitment to Equity Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Operations Safety Advisor - Project Program Manager III, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Solid Waste Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks. Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Job Duties:

What You Will Be Doing:

• Assist with and/or conduct accident or near miss incident investigations and make recommendations to reduce further risk or possible reoccurring incidents.
• Review or accompany weekly and monthly safety site inspections.
• Coordinate with employees to understand safety concerns and advise on accident and injury prevention.
• Assist in coordinating, scheduling, and tracking annual safety training, audiometric testing and other medical surveillance and safety related activities.
• Coordinate with Supervisors to implement corrective actions identified by SWD operations and SEMU.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications You Bring:

• 1-3 years of experience in safety position with increasing levels of responsibility or a bachelor's degree in occupational health, Safety, or related field.
• OSHA 500 and /or 510 Certification
• Experience or education in a broad range of safety and health programs.
• Experience and knowledge of Occupational health and safety principles, practices equipment and resources.
• Experience with Federal, State laws, codes, rules, and regulations relating to the safety and health of solid waste employees.
• Understanding and application in Hazard Survey techniques and statistical methods for analyzing accident, injury, and related data.
• The ability to use a computer and computer software applicable to the duties of the position.

Competencies You Bring:

• Action Oriented - Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Collaborates - Skilled in building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Courage - Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.
• Instills Trust - Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Strategic Mindset - Able to envision future possibilities and translate them into breakthrough strategies.

It Would be Great if You Also Bring:

• SWANA Certifications.
• Evergreen Safety Council Certification.
• Experience conducting site inspections, both internally and in collaboration with regulatory agencies, and monitoring and enforcing compliance safety and inspection results.
• Skills to work with management to implement recommendations and lessons learned for continuous improvement.

Working Conditions

Work Location: The work associated with this position will be at: Cedar Hills Landfill, 16645 228th Avenue SE, Maple Valley, WA.

Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.

Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters 117.

Application and Selection Process: We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives, and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

A complete application is required. To apply, submit a Complete Application and cover letter. A Resume is highly recommended but is optional. Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Lisa Aweeka at lisa.aweeka@kingcounty.gov
Discover More About the Solid Waste Division: Visit our website at our website at Solid Waste Division and check us out atFacebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Supplemental Information

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native Americans and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities 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. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Employment Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week