Occupational Safety and Health Specialist

Position Summary

The position is assigned to the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services. This position provides both technical and administrative Support on occupational safety issues and programs. Experience includes but is not limited to indoor air quality, HVAC, medical surveillance, respiratory protection, mold investigation, and remediation infectious disease and blood borne pathogens exposure control, ergonomics, chemical safety, and hazardous materials. Responsibilities include conducting employee trainings, investigating safety issues, and maintaining compliance with all applicable standards and regulations. The candidate shall possess the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve success in establishing and maintaining a successful safety and health program and a safety culture in the workplace.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Ensure the implementation and compliance of the Accident and Illness Prevention Program Manual for the Department of Human Services.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable City, Stale, and Federal laws, regulations, and standards.
• Perform personal and environmental monitoring/sampling for occupational exposures.
• Conduct on-site safety assessments/inspections and job hazard analysis as needed.
• Prepare written reports for inspections, assessments, evaluations, and sampling/monitoring completed.
• Ensure implementation of corrective actions based on findings from investigations, inspections, evaluations or assessments completed.
• Responsible for visiting various work sites on a regular basis to identify issues and determine corrective measures needed.
• Review and approve new chemicals used in the workplace and assist in the maintenance of the chemical inventory,
• Develop and conduct safety and health-related training for the workforce.
• Assist in the development and implementation of specific safety and health-related programs such as: personal protective equipment, hazard communication/right-to-know blood borne pathogens, and ergonomics.
• Aid in emergency response incidents.
• Duties may require light physical effort and exposure to hazardous materials or agents.
• Ability to wear PPE for certain job responsibilities, such as: Level C.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle to perform necessary’ functions.
• Perform other related duties
  
  

Skills Required

• Proficiency in computer applications and office equipment, i.e. MS Office, copier, fax machine, etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective public speaking and presentation skill.
• Effective training skills.
• Knowledgeable of safety and health principles, theories, and practices.
• Ability to conduct sampling and monitoring (direct reading and short- and long-term exposure sampling) to quantify occupational agents.
• Ability to interpret results and drive conclusions.
• Understand engineering design principles in relation to occupational and environmental health and safety.
• Understand methods of planning and implementing safety education programs.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position as required.
  
  

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree is required in Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Health and Safety, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in the industrial hygiene or occupational safety and health field.
• Optional certifications (preferred): CHST, OSHT, ASP/CSP, or CIH.
• Prior public/government sector experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in working successfully with project management personnel and bargaining unit personnel in a professional manner.
• Must possess a valid driver's license throughout employment tenure.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Ability to physically work in an environment which requires maneuvering in an office, i.e., reaching file, cabinets, under desks, etc.
• Ability to operate office equipment, fax, copier, etc.
• Ability to perform personal and environmental monitoring/sampling for occupational exposures.
• Ability to conduct sampling and monitoring direct reading and short- and long-term exposure sampling to quantity occupational agents.
• Ability to exert light physical effort and exposure to hazardous materials or agents.
• Ability to wear PPE for certain job responsibilities, such as: Level C.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Able to travel via public transportation and/or foot.
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employment

PMHCC is committed to equal opportunity. It is our policy to support equal employment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual preferences, age, national origin, disability, behavioral health status, military status. or any other characteristic protected by law.

Americans With Disabilities Act

Employees as well as applicants who are currently, or become disabled must be able to perform the functions of the job with either reasonable accommodation or unaided. PMHCC will examine reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis in accordance to the law.