Safety & Training Specialist

Position Summary:

The Safety and Training Specialist provides safety training and work environment/process safety assessments at Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority.  Assists with the development and implementation of safety processes and procedures to help ensure the safety of all DART employees and compliance with regulatory agency rules and regulations.  Acts as an employee resource for safety questions.

Essential Functions of this Position:

• Administers DART’s OSHA programs, including but not limited to: Hazard Communication, Respiratory Protection, Hearing Conservation, Energized Equipment Lock-out, Tag-out, Vision Protection and Powered Industrial Trucks and facilitates the required staff training on these programs.
• Oversees Iowa DNR and Polk County required environmental protection program.
• Conducts inspections/audits of the work environment, activities, and processes to detect existing or potential accidents and hazards (including fire, health, chemical, biological and physical); co-operatively assists departments in identifying solutions to safety, health, and environmental concerns; recommends and ensures corrective action is implemented.
• Maintains all aspects of the Safety Management System including, but not limited to, regular updates and communication of Hazards and associated corrective actions.
• Facilitates training as needed related to strategic priorities including, but not limited to, Safety, Service and Schedule. Training classes may include Transit Ambassador, Smith System, supervisor training, and other classroom/on-the-job training.  Participate in associated Operations and Training audits.
• Provides new bus operators with training on emergency situations they may encounter.
• Provides all new staff with safety orientation tours and training.
• Ensures annual on-board evaluations of bus operators and behind-the-wheel trainers are conducted and makes necessary corrective recommendations to the Training Manager.
• Has primary responsibility for DART’s workers’ compensation program and is the main point of contact for workers’ compensation administration tasks and duties, including communications with DART’s workers' compensation insurance company and broker. Monitors trends in workplace injuries and helps develop mitigation strategies to reduce future injuries. Communicates staffing numbers and injury trends with affected departmental managers and executive leadership as necessary.

Non-essential Functions of this Position:

• Performs a variety of support duties which may include; maintenance of department records, selecting and compiling data, preparing reports, data entry, sorting and filing.
• Compiles data and prepares monthly reports for distribution and analysis. Makes recommendations based on the analysis of data.
• Monitors surveillance and communication systems; review videos and submit findings as needed.
• Performs property damage and personal injury insurance administration duties as a back-up to the Safety and Risk Manager.
• Manages DART’s light duty program by collaborating with the affected employee’s department to identify suitable work arrangements based on restrictions given by the treating physician or facilitate other light duty opportunities as needed.
• May act in the capacity of an Operations Supervisor during weather events or other large-scale incidents as needed by the organization.

Education and Experience:

• Associate’s degree in a safety related field or a High School Degree, or equivalent, with three years of related experience
• Two years related safety and training experience required
• Related experience in a transit agency preferred
• Commercial Driver’s License with Passenger Endorsement preferred

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Federal, State and local laws and regulations related to Safety, Health, CDL and Public Transit
• Safety Management Systems or related programs, including Iowa OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program
• DART processes and procedures related to Safety, Health, and Operations
• Risk Management principles and processes
• Generally accepted safety procedures and programs
• DOT Drug and Alcohol testing requirements

Skill, Ability to:

• Obtain CDL and required endorsements within six weeks
• Maintain CDL-related licensing and medical certifications
• Complete OSHA 30-Hour General Industry training within 1-year of hire
• Complete the Transit Safety Institute’s Transit Safety and Security Program Certificate program within 3-years of hire
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, peers and the general public
• Gather, comprehend and analyze technical data
• Intermediate skill required for Microsoft Suite (including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)
• Learn and administer applicable software systems, surveillance and communication systems

DART Competencies

• Act as a Champion for Change
• Developing Plans
• Displays Creativity
• Establishing Relationships
• Managing Risk
• Working with Diverse Populations

Supervisor Responsibility:

This position has no supervisory responsibility.

Physical Demands:

On a normal workday, this position requires:

• Prolonged periods of sitting and reaching
• Extensive use of hands, fingers and arms in operations requiring constant handling of paper documents, computing and entering data using a keyboard and ten key calculator
• Exerting up to 50 lbs. occasionally or negligible weights frequently
• Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less to read and enter numerical data
• The ability to hear normal verbal conversation with or without corrective devices to communicate with co-workers and customers

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment while sitting at a desk or computer terminal and on the road in staff vehicle, or in bus or van. However, while performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions.
• The employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, occasionally is exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals.
• This is a safety-sensitive position and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing as a condition of employment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office, or moderately loud when in the field.
• Must be able to work varying schedules to meet the needs of the transit system (i.e. nights and weekends on occasion)

Disclaimer:

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the position. While this list is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, DART reserves the right to revise the functions and duties of the position, or to require that additional or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, staff shortages, workload changes, rush jobs, or technological developments).