Safety Manager

Location – Seattle, WA

Job Type – Civil Service Exempt, Regular, Full-time

Job Number – IC #51-23

Department – The Seattle Public Library

Opening Date – 06/28/2023

Closing Date – 7/12/2023 5:00 PM Pacific

Position Description

Invitation to Compete #51-23: Safety Manager, Human Resources – Central Library

Regular, full-time position (80 hours per pay period)

$97,467.84 – $113,461.92 annually

This recruitment is for a benefited position that is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (not eligible for overtime). This recruitment is open to the public and to The Seattle Public Library’s employees. Please read the How to Apply section of this bulletin for more information. Candidates are asked to submit their application materials in NEOGOV by 5:00PM on July 12, 2023.

Overview

The Seattle Public Library is Seattle’s center of information and knowledge and one of the most popular and valued services in the city. Library staff members are highly regarded by the public for their knowledge, quality of service and caring. Staff members are committed to the Library’s organizational values of respect, partnership, engagement, diversity, transparency and recognition. In particular, they demonstrate respect, engage in partnerships, and are transparent in their communications and intentions. A strategic priority of the Library is to foster an internal culture of innovation which focuses on creativity, engagement, learning and staff development. 

The Library also supports the City of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative to end institutionalized racism by eliminating barriers to access, providing the staff and public with opportunities for growth, and developing equitable access to the programs and services we offer. If you share those values and meet the qualifications, the Library invites you to apply for this position.

The Safety Manager reports to the Director of Human Resources and is tasked providing leadership to the Library’s safety program and with the development and administration of comprehensive policies and programs to ensure the safety of library staff, the public, and Library assets. This position is also the Library’s designated Safety Officer, chairs the Library’s Safety Committee and represents the Library at the Citywide Safety Unit. 

This position will have a regular work schedule; the selected candidate may be required to be on-call 24 hours per day for response to emergencies. Work is generally performed in an office environment, but the selected candidate must have the ability to travel throughout the City of Seattle in response to emergency calls as branch locations. The selected candidate will be required to wear protective equipment, follow safety procedures and exercise caution during inspections.  Job Responsibilities

The following duties are examples of the work to be performed in this role, but is not intended to be a complete list of the tasks and responsibilities of this position: 
 

  • Acts as the Library’s designated Safety Officer. Develops and implements safety, health, and accident prevention methods, policies, procedures and programs. Establishes goals, prepares reports, and evaluates the effectiveness of the accident prevention program; and advises management on safety issues. Assesses needs, makes recommendations, sets standards for and implements policies, procedures, new programs and services and operations.  
  • Develops and maintains all necessary technical and procedural manuals and standard operating policies and procedures for the Library’s Safety Program. Consults with and advises managers and employees on accident prevention, safety policy and conformance to legal requirements.
  • Monitors and ensures compliance with all Library, local, state and federal safety requirements and maintains all training, certification and compliance documents. Makes technical decisions on industrial hygiene and safety policies in accordance with local, state and federal regulation.
  • Develops, trains and monitors system-wide safety and industrial hygiene policies and procedures. Coordinates with the Learning and Development Manager to ensure staff have completed all required safety trainings and supports Human Resources work in monitoring industrial insurance claims. Partners with all Library divisions to supply safety content for monthly staff meetings, ensuring that Safety is embedded in Library culture.
  • Leads the Library’s Safety Committee in monthly meetings, reviewing accident reports, the accident prevention program and related duties and responsibilities. As part of this work, the Safety Manager will lead Committee reviews of:
    • Safety requests, recommendations and violations made by the staff or public
    • Safety inspection reports and Injury reports for staff and patrons
    • Tracks progress of action items for issues identified as described above.
  • Supports the return-to-work modified duty program. Partners with Human Resources on return-to-work issues and meet with employees returning to work after an injury
  • Conducts ergonomics assessments
  • Responds to indoor air quality concerns and reports of odors.
  • Manages hazardous materials and the hazard communication program, including emergent needs and issues.  
  • Visits Library facilities to conduct safety audits on personnel, equipment, and materials.
  • Serve as lead to City and County on health and safety issues related to health concerns and outbreaks of a high nature. Consults with and represents the Library at the Citywide Safety Unit on work safety issues.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

  • Three years of experience in a safety or health related field and a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene, Safety, Toxicology, Public Administration, Environmental Health, Education or a related field. A combination of education, training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class will be considered. 
  • Work experience which demonstrates knowledge of standard principles and practices of industrial hygiene, occupational health and safety management, including:
    1. Experience with Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and WHMIS implementation.
    2. Knowledge of Washington State Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and regulations.
  • Excellent written, interpersonal and problem solving communication skills, including the ability to persuade, motivate and mediate, to write effectively (studies, reports, policies and procedures, correspondence, etc.), to make effective use of leadership and group dynamics, and work effectively with diverse groups.
  • Work experience using word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, and database management applications, particularly in Microsoft Office platforms.
  • Work experience implementing lockout/tag out, confined space entry, blood borne pathogens, fall protection, for cause testing, and forklift and driver training.
  • Work experience with accident investigation program management.
  • Work experience developing and providing safety instruction for staff and the public.
  • Ability to travel between Library branches and facilities.

Desired Qualifications

  • Broad experience in workplace safety and health supporting a variety of jobs and demonstrating success in leading a workplace safety culture.
  • Prior work experience in a public sector and/or unionized work environment, is preferred. 
  • Experience in online Safety Data Sheet management programs.

Additional Information

How to Apply

Candidates who meet the qualifications are asked to submit the following items in NEOGOV by 5:00 p.m. on July 12, 2023 to be considered:

  1. Online application
  2. A cover letter that describes how your experience and skills align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications. Please let us know why you are interested in this position.
  3. Current resume that summarizes relevant education, professional experience, training and skills.

Applications that do not include a cover letter, resume, and complete online application will not be considered.

Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. Initial screening will be based on a review of application materials. The employment history detailed in your application materials MUST validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process. The most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in a series of one or more interviews.
  

Benefits and Salary Information

The full salary range for this position is $97,467.84 – $113,461.92 annually.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and covered family-members/most employees-plans

Additional Information

If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at The Seattle Public Library, please send an email to job.applications@spl.org. The Library promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us.

Please keep in mind that job offers are contingent on a review of criminal history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process.

To Apply:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/jobs/4101556/safety-manager