Safety Specialist

Req #: 240595Department: UW FACILITIES: MAINTENANCE & CONSTRUCTIONAppointing Department Web Address: https://facilities.uw.edu/Job Location Detail: open to hybrid work schedule (combination in-office + remote)Posting Date: 10/31/2024Closing Info:

Closes On 11/21/2024Salary: $6642 - $9962 per monthShift: First ShiftNotes:

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230119a11y.pdf) As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.UW Facilities manages the University’s buildings, infrastructure and land, with more than 1,100 employees in a variety of fields. The Asset Management group includes Capital & Space Management, Real Estate, Sustainability and other teams responsible for planning and workload management. The Operations group includes Project Delivery, Maintenance & Construction, Campus Energy, Utilities & Operations, Building Services, Transportation Services and Safety. Supporting these groups are the Business Intelligence & Information Technology group and the Finance & Administration group. Please visit UW Facilities web page for more information: UW Facilities .Maintenance & Construction (M&C) is responsible for general maintenance, repair, and renovations of all University of Washington (UW) main campus facilities including building interiors, exteriors, and grounds, as well as logistics, moving, and disposal of surplus equipment and furniture.We have an outstanding opportunity for a Safety Specialist. Under the general direction of the Executive Director, Maintenance & Construction (M&C), this position is responsible for assisting departmental managers, supervisors, and leads to incorporate safety analysis, development of work plans, hazard assessments, and safety training into the daily planning and scheduling of work to ensure regulatory compliance and continuous uninterrupted work.Using knowledge of health and safety regulations, skilled trades work, and departmental work management processes; perform audits with M&C employees to ensure they are following safe work practices that align with University and departmental policies, procedures, and training. This position supports all levels of M&C employees to promote safe work practices and reduce the number of employee injuries, near-misses, and lost and restricted work time.Work with the UW Facilities Employee Safety Director and M&C Supervisors to assure hazard assessments establish accurate safety training requirements for M&C employees. For safety training on subjects only required by M&C employees, work with UWF Safety staff to develop effective safety training courses.Primary Duties and Responsibilities 25% - Regularly meet with shop supervisors and leads to review: Labor and Industries (L&I) regulations, UW Facilities safety practices and policies, and industry best safety practices. Attend monthly shop safety meetings on a regular basis to provide safety updates and information that all employees can benefit from. Review Online Accident Report root cause improvement findings and recommendations, including near misses, with the shops and provide information on how to avoid repeat incidents. Identifies and analyzes accident/injury illness trends and makes recommendations to the M&C leadership on safety improvements.20% - Complete regular audits/walkthroughs of M&C worksites to ensure supervisors are reinforcing that safety procedures and training are being followed by all M&C employees. Provide positive feedback where employees are following the correct safety procedures and training. Provide real-time coaching and recommendations on improving employee safety if procedures and training are not being followed.10% - Perform root cause improvement investigations on significant safety incidents as identified by UWF Safety. Work with UW Facilities Employee Safety Director and M&C Leadership to make recommendations to create or update safety practices and/or policies or to provide new or additional safety training.10% - Collaborate with UW Facilities Employee Safety and EH&S to create presentations and training materials for M&C employee safety training courses. Provide training presentations on course material.10% Work with supervisors and leads to review, update, and create Hazard Review Checklists (HRC).10% - Identify applicable health and safety compliance requirements; conduct audits and review compliance activities to evaluate safety program effectiveness; identify areas for improvement and work with the M&C leadership team to implement new or update existing M&C policies and processes. Programs needing such assessment include, Electrical Safety, Hazard Communication (GHS), Refrigerant Compliance, Fall Protection, etc.10% - Collaborate with UW Facilities Employee Safety Director to revise and improve programs and procedures to assure they align with the organizations safety practices.5% Includes, but is not limited to the following job duties:Review accident/injury illness trends; work with M&C leadership and UW Facilities Employee Safety Director to identify intervention strategies and necessary policy and program improvements.Communicate health and safety regulatory requirements, University policies, guidelines, industry best practices recommendations and relative risk to all levels of management and employees.Attend professional development courses, conferences, regulatory agency update sessions, and pursue any other informational sessions as necessary to remain current with regulatory and University requirements.Keep informed and up-to-date on all applicable health and safety regulations.

Review proposed rulemaking for Labor & Industries, Environmental Protection Agency, and other regulators.Develop and deliver M&C specific training.Perform other duties as assigned.Core Competencies Demonstrate personal integrity and trustworthiness

Manage stressful situations and changing priorities effectively

Anticipate, recognize and resolve problems

Be responsible and accountable

Use organizational skills and provide attention to details

Maintain a positive, optimistic and success-oriented attitude

Exercise professional demeanor, which includes being tactful and courteous

Exhibit a professional work ethic

Continuously promote a safe work environmentRequirements include: Bachelors’ degree with major study in Occupational Health & Safety or closely related field and six to eight years of professional experience in the practice, administration and implementation of occupational health & safety programs.

Certification as Certified Industrial Hygienist and/or Certified Safety Professional.

Demonstrated experience applying WISHA/OSHA and/or other occupational and/or construction safety regulations and requirements to the planning and coordination of maintenance, construction and/or facilities operations work.

Possess a thorough understanding and knowledge of occupational health & safety regulations. Have the ability to interpret, apply, and assess compliance for numerous, complex, and technical regulations for a wide variety of work environments including but not limited to research laboratories, animal quarters, health care facilities, and trades work activities. This requires judgment, innovation, and advanced technical expertise in applying these regulations to a University setting.

Demonstrated knowledge of maintenance and construction practices and techniques.

Demonstrated effective verbal and written communications skills and use of computer technology to access and manage information.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and cooperate with others to resolve issues and problems and to provide excellent customer service.Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.Desired: Experience in reviewing and managing maintenance and construction safety practices.

Experience in developing, implementing and managing a comprehensive safety program in a maintenance and/or construction organization.

Experience in the use of a computerized maintenance management system. AIM is the current CMMS used by Facilities Services.

Hands on experience developing, delivering, and evaluating regulatory required health and safety training.

Work experience as a field safety professional or industrial hygienist in areas such as Fall Protection, Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space Entry, Scaffolding, Lead Worker, Asbestos Awareness, Respirators, and Ladder Safety.Conditions of Employment: Valid driver's license recognized by the State of Washington.

Must be able to work in a smoke-free environment.

Regular and predictable attendance.

Must be able to be fitted for and wear a respirator on the job. Must participate in medical screening/monitoring (such as TB screening and proof of measles inoculation) required for work assignments in locations, including but not limited to, non-human primate areas, the Animal Research & Care Facility, and the University of Washington Medical Center.

Approved footwear must be provided at the employee's expense and worn on the job.

Professional travel may be required.

Ability to travel locally to alternate work sites as needed.

While most work performed by this position is within normal business hours, work may be required after normal business hours including weekends. Position requires flexibility to deal with emergency situations, meetings, or other scheduled work that may fall outside normal work hours.

Must be able to regularly navigate construction sites. Work may require access to confined spaces and heights using approved safety measures.

Ability to lift and move heavy material up to fifty pounds may occasionally be required.Application Process:The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.