Specialist - Health and Safety

Working independently and in a team environment, the Health & Safety Specialist ensures the health and safety of the organization’s employees, clients, and guests through effective health and safety best practices. Helps the organization in the prevention and reduction of accidents and injuries. Responsible for ensuring the organization is compliant with various health and safety standards (OSHA, Head Start Performance Standards, Life Safety Code, etc.) Performs routine audits and inspections of Early Head Start and Head Start classrooms and playgrounds, neighborhood service centers, general offices, and other workspaces throughout the organization’s eleven county service area.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Maintains familiarity with applicable health and safety standards as prescribed by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, the Office of Head Start, the State of Georgia, and the State of Alabama.

• Conducts routine, scheduled and ad hoc audits and inspections of all Early Head Start/Head Start classrooms/playgrounds, neighborhood service centers, and other organizational workplaces to ensure compliance with applicable health and safety standards.

• Investigates accidents, incidents, and near-misses to determine root cause and to develop preventive measures to reduce likelihood of future occurrences.

• Develops Standard Operating Procedures to assist the organization with maintaining a healthy and safe environment for all client children and employees.

• Develops and conducts training on health and safety standards related to child safety, workplace safety, and emergency preparedness.

• Provides technical assistance to leadership in the areas of health, safety, licensing, and related matters. Serves as Subject Matter Expert in these areas.

• Maintains records of inspections, investigations, incidents, and accidents.

• Works collaboratively with external partners, inspectors, auditors, and others as needed to maintain a healthy and safe environment.

• Other duties as assigned.

Role and Responsibilities

Skills Required:

Education: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

Experience: One to three years

Leadership & Supervision: Responsible for assigning, instructing, and checking the work of other employees, typically of lower classification, engaged in similar or related work, but does not directly supervise, conduct performance reviews or assist with hiring decisions.

Interpersonal Interaction: Requires both inside and outside contact with others of a non-routine nature on important matters requiring the exercise of personal influence, tactful judgment, and proper conduct to negotiate matters for the best interests of the organization. 

Confidential Information:  Involves responsibility to safeguard and control confidential data such as operating statements, financial reports, marketing information, salary information, etc. where considerable care and discretion are required to protect the organization.

Environmental & Physical Demands:  Intense and exacting mental and visual attention and accuracy of work is required.  Must plan and lay out complex work, work under time pressures, or with frequent interruptions or distracting conditions.  Requires constant alertness and concentration.