Environmental Safety Officer

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

An Environmental Safety Officer typically performs the following duties:

• Implements, evaluates, and investigates the effectiveness of components of the accident prevention, traffic safety, and environmental health and safety compliance programs.
• Conducts site safety audits of work methods for improper procedures, checks equipment and facilities for hazardous conditions, and recommends corrective actions as required by agencies such as the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), Los Angeles County Health Services and Fire Departments, and the Los Angeles City Fire Department.
• Prepares written recommendations for the elimination of unsafe acts or hazardous conditions to comply with applicable laws.
• Explains the intent and legal implications of health and safety codes and regulations to District administrators and supervisors.
• Investigates compliance with legal mandates pertaining to safety, compliance programs, and fire prevention.
• Reviews Safety Data Sheets to determine acceptability of materials for use by the District.
• Conducts environmental compliance inspections and audits.
• Prepares Business and Contingency Plans at school sites and other District facilities as required by the Department of Toxic Substances Control, State Water Board, Certified Unified Program Agency and the Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
• Develops training material, and conducts and audits environmental health and safety training for District personnel.
• Responds to environmental health and safety complaints and emergencies at schools and District facilities.
• Liaises and coordinates with regulatory agencies such as the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), Los Angeles County Public Health Department and fire, transportation, and law enforcement agencies.
• Prepares written reports, correspondence and other documentation.
• May represent the District at meetings with governmental agencies that have jurisdiction over occupational safety, environmental health, and fire protection.
• May serve as consultant to employee safety committees, supervisors, and administrators.
• May review and analyze legislation for its effect on District programs and procedures.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities for this position. For a comprehensive list of duties performed, please refer to the class description: Environmental Safety Officer - Class Description - LAUSD

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, industrial hygiene, occupational health and safety, environmental and occupational health, or a closely related field.

Note: You MUST upload official evidence (e.g. official transcripts, official degree) of the education requirement to your on-line application.

*Candidates who have completed their degree at an institution in a country other than the United States must obtain a complete evaluation of foreign transcripts and degrees from one of the approved agencies. Please be sure to request a “Detailed” evaluation report. For more information about the approved agencies LAUSD accepts, please visit: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl635.pdf

Experience: Two years of experience performing environmental health and safety investigations, audits, and analysis. Experience in developing, implementing, or coordinating programs of accident prevention or environmental compliance, including preparing recommendations for compliance with regulations pertaining to occupational health and safety, traffic safety, fire prevention, air and water compliance or solid and hazardous waste control is preferable.

Special: A valid driver’s license to legally operate a motor vehicle in the State of California and the use of a motor vehicle.

SPECIAL NOTES:

• Requires wearing a negative pressure respirator.
• Employment is subject to medical clearance.
• Positions in this classification are subject to pertinent provisions of the General Industry Safety Orders of the California Code of Regulations regarding protective equipment when exposed to hazardous materials including, but not limited to, asbestos or lead.
• Employees in this class are subject to call at any hour.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

An ideal candidate for the position of Environmental Safety Officer will have solid professional experience in the environmental health and safety field performing audits, investigations, and analysis, as well as strong technical knowledge with the ability to identify and evaluate hazardous conditions and unsafe acts, and utilize proper judgement to take appropriate actions. Additionally, the ideal candidate will be someone who has experience building ongoing relationships with staff and displays a willingness to go above and beyond to provide service to the client.

Furthermore, the ideal candidate will possess the ability to follow-through and complete assignments, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities and workloads, especially in urgent situations. Finally, the ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, in order to clearly explain technical concepts and procedures to technical and non-technical personnel alike.