Field Safety Specialist

MINNKOTA POWER COOPERATIVE

FIELD SAFETY SPECIALIST

Position Summary

Minnkota Power Cooperative is seeking applicants for a Field Safety Specialist at our headquarters in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The Field Safety Specialist will perform on-site visits to work areas for the purpose of providing advice on measures to minimize safety hazards or unhealthy situations.  This will be accomplished by providing consultation and expertise on matters of safety, which may include investigating and reporting incidents and injuries.  This position also coordinates and conducts training in many safety areas to include safety procedures established to comply with OSHA, DOT, WSI, etc.  In addition, will assist in the development of safety procedures, rules and programs along with assisting with departmental administrative duties.

The pay range for this position begins at $93,359 per year. Appropriate compensation will be determined based on a candidate's skills, education, and any previous relevant experience. 

First Application Review: April 7, 2025. Applications will be reviewed thereafter until the position is filled.

Essential Responsibilities

• Visits and monitors worksites and work practices
  • Regularly visits and inspects work areas to identify unsafe conditions and provide guidance to employees, checks for compliance of safety rules and work procedures
  • Monitors the use of, inspects, and recommends replacement of required personal protective equipment, as appropriate
  • Documents site visits and regularly communicate site visit findings to supervisors
  • Assists with the review of 1^st Reports of Injuries and Incident Reports for corrective actions and possible use in training
  • Assists in ensuring that first aid kits, AED’s and emergency equipment are present in work areas and properly maintained
  • Assists in insuring that the inspection/maintenance of required safety equipment is conducted
  • Ensures that equipment testing programs are followed for grounds, sticks, rubber goods, and booms
  • Ensures that required notices and warning signs are posted in work areas
  • Ensures SDSs exist for all chemicals and that containers are properly labeled
    
    
• Coordinates/Conducts safety and job training
  • Conducts/Coordinates applicable OSHA compliant training, contractor safety orientation training, and safety training on other topics as needed.
  • Conducts/Coordinates distribution voltage switching & substation training
  • Assist in the coordination of apprentice training programs
  • Assists with annual emergency switching procedure training for MPC staff and member systems as needed
  • Assist in the coordination of CPR/First Aid/AED training, and training for emergency response teams
  • Assist with conducting safety orientation for new employees
  • Assist with the coordination of LMS training on safety topics
  • Maintains records of training attendance
    
    
• Assists in the development and coordination of safety procedures, rules, and programs
  • Develops instructional material for training
  • Assists with revisions to the safety manual
  • Assists with the coordination of Protective Footwear Program and MPC Apparel Program
  • Assists with the administration of the MPC Eye Protection Program
  • Develop or revise safety rules or work procedures as required
  • Stays current on rules and regulations
  • Recommends equipment to eliminate work hazards
  • Evaluates current practices for potential improvements
  • Maintains contact with other utility safety groups for the exchange of information
  • Assists with the coordination of the safety training schedule for Grand Forks
  • Assists with the implementation of the NRECA Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP)
• Provides consultation and expertise to employees on matters of safety
  • Advises employees and supervisors on safe work practices
  • Advises employees and supervisors on the selection of appropriate PPE
  • Researches new products and processes that improve safety
    
    
• Assists in the investigation and reporting of incidents and injuries
  • Assist with the prompt investigation of serious incidents and injuries, including taking pictures and documenting incident scenes, interviewing and documenting individual accounts of incident details
  • Assists employees in the reporting of incidents and injuries
  • Complete required reports for job related incidents and injuries
  • Assists in the filing of worker’s compensation claims
  • Assist with analyzing accident causes and recommending corrective action
  • Assists supervisors in conducting incident investigations
    
    
• Support compliance with Department of Transportation requirements
  • Ensures that driver’s qualification files are complete and current
  • Monitors CDL driver’s records to ensure that they are maintained correctly
  • Coordinates training of drivers as required
  • Assists in the coordination of drug and alcohol testing and physical exam activity
  • Ensures that DOT regulations are followed in the operation of commercial vehicles
    
    
• Assists with departmental administrative duties
  • Regularly foster a positive culture with internal and external customers by promoting safety and service to all individuals.
  • Maintains safety and training files and records
  • Performs such other duties as may be required
  • Assists with facility support activities when needed
  • Assists with the coordination of pulmonary function tests (PFT’s), respirator fit tests, audiometric testing and other medical surveillance as necessary
  • Coordination of Safety Committee meetings

Organizational Competencies

• Safety Focused
• Integrity
• Teamwork
• Innovation
• Reliability

Job Competencies

• Organizing
• Planning
• Priority Setting
• Time Management
• Understanding Others

Goals and Objectives

An employee filling this role is expected to meet changing and unique goals and objectives, as established by their supervisor, related to the broader area in which the employee is assigned.

Job Qualification Standards

Education and Training

• Position requires, at a minimum, a certificate in Electrical Technology, Lineworker, or a degree in Occupational Safety, Industrial Technology, Engineering, or equivalent combination of related experience and formal education.

• OSHA 30-hour certificate(s) (or eligible for certification)
• First Aid and CPR/AED certification (or eligible for certification)
• Valid class D driver’s license required
• Commercial driver’s license preferred

Experience

• Prior safety or training experience required.
  (Ex: Safety committee participation, supervision of field operations in electrical transmission or construction)
• Prior experience working with high voltage transmission systems at an electric utility preferred. (Ex: MPC Electrical Operations Group, other power generation and/or power delivery organizations, safety/security positions in industry)
• Required knowledge includes: electrical systems/ procedures, personal protective equipment, equipment maintenance and inspection, and OSHA regulations.

Physical and Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands:  While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is primarily required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, bend and frequently utilize a keyboard/computer. Specific vision abilities include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental demands: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent will be required to problem solve, read, write and analyze data, work under schedules and deadline pressure, present information to others, work independently and use discretion and judgment for confidential or sensitive projects/issues.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is exposed to an office environment indoors, and will travel to multiple indoor and outdoor locations including work sites and industrial sites dependent on work.

Benefits 

Minnkota Power Cooperative supports employees through a strong total compensation package that includes a competitive pay and benefits package, along with career growth opportunities. The cooperative offers: 

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Pension plan
• Life insurance and AD&D
• Disability insurance
• Paid leave: Holidays and floating holidays, Vacation, Sick leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts for dependent care
• Educational assistance
• Membership in select professional organizations

Salary : $93,359