Safety Specialist

Job Description

Summary

The Safety Specialist will support the maintenance and continuous development of the Chugach Safety Program. This position carries out the prime responsibilities for the general safety and health functions including evaluating the work environment for safety hazards, recommending control measures and safe work practices, developing and delivering training, and assessing compliance with regulatory requirements.

Essential Functions

- Actively partner with management in the development, implementation, and assessment of company safety programs.

- Maintain, communicate, and continuously improve company safety programs, policies and safe work practices.

- Assist supervision and employees in complying with safety programs and associated safe work practices.

- Conduct job hazard assessments and risk assessments to establish appropriate safety controls to manage workplace hazards.

- Document and track proactive safety controls and corrective actions to ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory and Chugach safety requirements.

- Maintain and source safety training materials to satisfy identified company training needs.

- Assist with the assignment and tracking of corrective actions from sources to include incidents, audits, hazard reports, and inspections.

- Evaluate workplace environments, work processes, equipment, and work practices to verify compliance with company, State, and Federal safety requirements and regulations.

- Identify and interpret regulatory requirements impacting Chugach operations and coordinate plans to assure compliance and reduction of risk.

- Provide safety support to high-risk work (HRW) activities and ensure appropriate risk reduction control measures are identified and implemented.

- Support the company avalanche program to include scy training, forecasting, mitigation, multiple agency coordination and managing avalanche contractors.

- Support crews during outage call outs to include field risk assessments.

- Deliver safety orientations and assist in the development of materials.

- Assist with the maintenance of the Company’s hearing conservation program, respiratory protection program, and the management of workplace stressors. Oversee maintenance and calibration of company workplace monitoring equipment.

- Facilitate hazard assessments/job safety analysis.

- Assist in the review of contractor health and safety plans.

- Assist in the proper section of safety supplies and interact with vendors.

- Monitor changes to State and Federal safety and health regulations and keep department managers informed of requirements.

- Audit department’s safety and health records for compliance with State and Federal safety and health regulations and statutes.

- Support electrical safety demonstrations and classes in schools, community organizations, and other entities.

- Assist in preparing materials for safety meetings.

- Assist in incident investigation and in the identification of immediate/root causes and corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

- Assist with Chugach’s Safety Award Program.

- Other duties as assigned.

Relationships

Internal

- Manager, Safety: Report to, confer with, receive direction, guidance and decisions from.

- VP/Division Leadership: Confer with, give and receive information.

- Chugach Employees: provide training, exchange information, and assistance.

External

- Community and emergency response organizations, schools and the general public.

- State and Federal Regulatory Agencies: Meet with, aid and exchange information.

- Other organizations and safety associations: Participate in meetings and seminars; exchange information.

Competencies

- Current knowledge of Federal and State OSHA general industry safety regulations with experience in development and implementation of core safety programs.

- Familiar with the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), National Electrical Code (NEC), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and other safety consensus standards.

- Proficient in identifying training needs, developing training materials, and conducting training sessions.

- Experience conducting safety audits, inspections, and field observations.

- Working knowledge of word processing and database management systems.

- Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.

- Must be able to perform both routine and non-routine tasks in a fast-paced office environment.

- Must be able to interact effectively with the public, management, and other employees. Must have strong interpersonal skills.

- Must have the ability to exercise good judgement in a variety of situations.

- Must have ability to identify sensitive or confidential information and abide by confidentiality requirements.

- Must have the ability to communicate clearly, orally and in writing.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

Work is performed in both office environment and field conditions, where exposure to cold and wet weather and rough terrain can be expected. Exposure to hazardous noise environments and chemicals is possible. Frequent travel to various work sites and remote locations by light aircraft and helicopter is required.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, engineering, science or related discipline, required.

Experience

Three (3) years safety experience, required. Experience working in a utility or union environment preferred.

Substitution

Additional professional experience in similarly complex role or related field may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.

Training, Licensure, Certifications

Must possess a valid Alaska driver’s license and meet insurance requirements. OHST, ASP, GSP, or CSP certification, preferred.

Physical Requirements

Ability to: lift 25 pounds from ground level to an elevation of three feet; climb stairways and fixed/portable ladders; wear a respirator and other required personal protective equipment.

Ability to: sit for prolonged periods (frequently); stand for prolonged periods (frequently); walk on all surfaces and over all terrain (frequently); stoop (occasionally); crawl (rarely).

Company Description

Chugach Electric Association is a member-owned cooperative, headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Anchorage itself sits at the base of the Chugach Mountains. Chugach is pleased to provide reliable, affordable power to more than 92,000 members from Anchorage to the northern Kenai Peninsula, and from Whittier on Prince William Sound to Tyonek on the west side of Cook Inlet. We service over 113,000 locations with 3,782 miles of transmission and distribution lines. We have many services that make it easy to power homes and businesses with Chugach.

A little more about us: Chugach has been around for a long time, recently celebrating 75 years! We are a stable company, in a stable industry. And while we may have stability, we are modern, sustainable and forward-thinking to ensure that we provide reliable services for generations to come. We also pride ourselves on the longevity of our employees. We have several 20, 30 and 40 + year tenured employees who continue foster an inclusive, innovative corporate environment. Find your spark!

Chugach's corporate vision:

Responsibly developing energy to build a clean, sustainable future for Alaska.

Chugach's corporate mission:

We provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity through superior service and sustainable practices, powering the lives of our members.

Chugach's corporate values:

Guided by our values of safety, accountability, and sustainability, we are committed to serving our members, the community, and the Chugach team.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is a policy of Chugach Electric Association, Inc., to recruit, hire, train, promote, and compensate persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, physical or mental disability, veteran's status, age, or any other classification protected by applicable, federal, state, or local law.

Chugach is also an affirmative action employer.

Chugach Electric does not sponsor employment visas. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application and throughout employment. Employees must be able to provide documentation to Chugach Electric to show their identity and authorization to work.

Benefits

HEALTH BENEFITS

Premium & Deductible are paid for by Chugach Electric. The plan includes coverage of:

- Medical, RX, Dental & Vision

- Health Savings Account (HSA)

- Telemedicine

FINANCIAL SECURITY

- 401K Plan

- Defined Benefit (Pension)

- Retirement Investment services

- Basic Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Chugach Electric

- Supplemental Life Insurance

- Short Term Disability

- Long Term Disability

- Flex Spending Account (Health, Limited Use, Dependent Care)

WORK, LIFE & HEALTH

- 20 days vacation for first year of employment

- 9 Paid Holidays + 3 Float Holidays

- Employee Assistance Program

- MetLife Will Preparation