Safety Officer - Public Health Department

The Public Health Department's (PHD) Human Resources Division is seeking an enthusiastic and versatile candidate to champion our safety culture and fill the one (1)full-time vacancy for a Safety Officer, Departmental. This role will oversee the safety program and help maintain a safe and healthy work environment for all locations, County-Wide*.
*This role requires travel throughout the County, to all locations of the Public Health Department.
The Public Health Department's mission is to improve the health of our communities by preventing disease, promoting wellness and ensuring access to needed health care, and our vision is healthier communities through leadership, partnership, and science. With a staff of 500+ and a budget of approximately $83 million, Public Health serves a population of about 420,000 residents in Santa Barbara County.
The Department's range of responsibilities is vast and includes:

• Investigating disease outbreaks
• Conducting health education campaigns
• Inspecting food establishments
• Working with high-risk mothers and children
• Operating health clinics for the underserved
• Staffing medical shelters during emergency evacuations
• Caring for our four-legged friends through our Animal Services program
• To learn more, please visit: https://countyofsb.org/phd

Benefits: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. Please click here to view more information.
In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

POSITION: Under general supervision of the Human Resources Manager, coordinates a departmental safety or privacy program; conducts inspections and training; performs related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This class serves as the designated technical safety or privacy specialist in a department(s).
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

• Expertise in Safety or Privacy Regulations;
• Experience with infection prevention;
• Strong Analytical Skills;
• Effective Communication;
• Experience conducting Trainings and Providing Safety Education;
• Adaptability and Problem-Solving;
• Collaboration and Relationship Building.

Click Here to learn more about the Public Health Department and follow us on Social Media to stay up-to-date.SAFETY SPECIALIZATION

1. Inspects facilities, construction sites, equipment, work practices and safety devices for conformance with legal requirements, reports findings and recommends changes to establish safer working conditions; conducts follow-up inspections to ensure compliance;
2. Investigates, prepares and reviews reports of injury, property damage and claims involving the department;
3. Meets with employees and managers to study safety problems and develop policies and procedures which will decrease the risk of injury or loss;
4. Coordinates the record keeping of industrial injuries and safety training;
5. Reviews Federal, State and local hazardous materials handling and safety regulations and recommends policies and procedures to comply with these regulations; advises management on environmental and safety matters, laws and regulations affecting the department;
6. Conducts safety meetings on requirements of applicable Federal, State and local regulations;
7. Assists with the development of departmental safety policies and procedures regarding emergency management response planning and workplace safety;
8. Develops and provides individual counseling, on-site and classroom training to staff on safety practices and policies, accident prevention techniques and accident reporting;
9. Develops safety training materials and newsletters;
10. Serves as the departmental representative on countywide committees related to safety.

SAFETY SPECIALIZATION EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

1. Two years of experience in safety inspection, promotion or training; or,
2. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

College level course work in Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Engineering or related field is highly desirable.
Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License will be required.
Knowledge of: accident prevention and industrial safety practices; safety and occupational health laws and procedures; methods of assessing safety hazards and controls; hazardous materials storage and transfer procedures; emergency preparedness activities.
Ability to: identify health and safety hazards and determine proper courses of action to mitigate hazards; conduct accident investigations and identify unsafe conditions, equipment and practices; analyze situations accurately and adopt timely and effective recommendations; interpret safety and environmental laws and regulations; plan and present safety training programs; communicate effectively orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships.The Public Health Department (PHD) requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the PHD Employee Immunizations policy. This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations. A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and auto-scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider, or learning institution.
Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.
Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.
We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.
We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.
We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 01/02/24 4:59 pm PST. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
Farrah Medrano, Talent Acquisition Lead
Public Health Department, PHDRecruiter@sbcphd.org Employment Type: Full-time