The District

Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.

The Position

The position will under the direction of the Director of Safety and Security, supervise staff and coordinate the District-wide occupational health and safety program. Support security and emergency preparedness efforts and functions to ensure the District is in compliance with applicable Federal, State and local safety and health laws, regulations or standards. Assist all departments to maintain and continuously improve in areas of occupational health & safety and emergency preparedness and response performance.

 Employees in this classification are subject to 24-hour emergency call-out with little or no notice.

The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to the safety of staff and property, ability to collaborate with other lines of business, supervise the work of others, plan and direct crisis management activities, interface with regulatory agencies etc. 

Safety

Coordinate, direct, and supervise the work performed by Safety & Security Specialists. 

Participate in the selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of assigned staff by developing performance requirements and personal development targets; and provides technical assistance and advice to assigned staff.

Under direction, plan, organize, and coordinate the District’s safety program to meet federal, state, and local legislation/regulations.

Coordinate and conduct periodic field inspections, indoor air quality surveys, industrial hygiene surveys, and safety compliance auditing.

Continuously assesses safety training needs based on job duties and exposures. Develop and deliver safety meeting and training course content on various safety topics, including tracking attendance for regulatory compliance.

Coordinate annual fire prevention inspections with Fire Departments.

Assist in the development, review, and updates of safety programs resulting from compliance auditing or to comply with regulatory changes by obtaining feedback from stakeholders and communicating changes to management and employees.

Evaluate job tasks and develop code of safe practices and job hazard assessments (JHAs) to support and improve health and safety plans and programs, or at the request of departments implementing new equipment or undertaking new tasks.

Support incident investigations and track work-related injuries/illnesses, and vehicle accidents for trend analysis. 

Perform administrative duties as needed for accurate file and record maintenance.

Provide ongoing technical support and information/guidance to District personnel, including communicating updates to safety and health regulations and standards. 

Interface with regulatory agencies such as Cal/OSHA, Orange County Health Care Agency, and local Fire Departments.

Coordinate the California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP) in accordance with Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, which includes annual regulatory inspections, written reporting to regulatory agencies, etc. 

Oversee the Contractor Safety Program to include review of site-specific safety submittals.

Participate and provide guidance to the General Safety Committee.

Security/Emergency Preparedness

Support the District’s security and emergency preparedness programs by assisting in the review and maintenance of the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan (HMERP), and other Emergency Action Plans (EAPs). 

Support the coordination of the District’s multi-year training and exercise plan to include tabletop, functional, or full-scale emergency preparedness exercises.

Work in coordination with the Director of Safety and Security to manage the District's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to ensure the District's readiness to respond to emergencies, as well as the maintenance of emergency supply inventories.

Coordinate the District's emergency response efforts both internally and with outside agencies.

Oversee the District’s Hazardous Materials Response Plan (Hazmat ERP).

Comply with District safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education:

Experience:

• Four (4) years of experience performing professional level work in the administration of an occupational safety program in which at least one (1) of the year is at a supervisory or lead work level required. 
• Two (2) or more years of experience in emergency preparedness and response in a public agency is required.
• Experience with CAL-OSHA regulations and emergency management principles is required.

License / Certifications:

• A valid Class ‘C’ California Driver’s License is required. 
• Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and FEMA National Incident Management System (NIMS) certificates are required.
• A certification through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) or equivalent is desirable.

IRWD Corporate Values

Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.

IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions. 

The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication

Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of office, management, and field employees. Represent the District in a professional manner when dealing with outside professionals and vendors. Must be approachable. Excellent oral and written communication skills required. Business writing skills required. 

Mathematical Ability

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide and calculate percentages, decimals and fractions. 

Technology Ability

Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). 

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability

Ability to use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions and handling confidential employee information. Ability to remain calm in crisis and emergency situations. Ability to use discretion when handling and disseminating sensitive information. 

Physical Requirements

Regularly required to sit, walk, bend, stoop, and stand. Routinely lift 25 lbs.

Environmental Adaptability

Noise level is generally equivalent to a typical office environment. Ability to work in an environment which may expose the employee to hazardous materials and environment. Occasional visits to construction sites where noise level may be higher than typical office environment.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.