Safety Officer (Administrative Specialist II - Part Time)

The City of Alameda  is seeking a qualified and motivated professional to fill one (1) part-time Safety Officer position. This is a critical role responsible for ensuring that safety remains a top priority across all City operations.

About the Position

Under direction, the Safety Officer plans, develops, coordinates, and implements occupational and environmental safety programs across multiple City departments. Provides technical expertise in regulatory compliance, hazard identification, training, and risk mitigation; performs inspections, investigations, and analyses to ensure safe work practices and compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and performs related duties as required.

This role requires both technical expertise and the ability to effectively communicate, influence, and build relationships across the organization.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will possess a combination of technical knowledge, practical field experience, and strong interpersonal skills. They will be a collaborative professional who can effectively influence safety practices across a wide range of departments and work environments citywide.

Key attributes include:

• Program builder — excited by the opportunity to build, refine, and manage a comprehensive citywide safety program
• Regulatory depth — solid working knowledge of Cal/OSHA, hazardous materials law (RCRA, CERCLA, HMBP/DTSC), and compliance program administration
• Grounded in real-world safety experience — whether in environmental health, industrial hygiene, or a related field; certifications like CSP, CIH, or CHMM are a bonus
• Independent judgment — trusted as the citywide subject matter expert, confident interpreting regulations and making risk calls with autonomy
• Cross-audience communication and field readiness — can explain technical safety issues clearly to both field crews and executive leadership, and is willing to get hands-on across varied outdoor/industrial settings

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to build and shape a citywide safety program, foster a positive safety culture, and support continuous improvement across the organization.

This is a citywide, professional-level classification responsible for administering occupational and environmental safety programs across multiple City departments. It is distinguished from department-specific safety roles by its organization-wide scope and by its primary responsibility for safety program administration, compliance, inspections, investigations, and training. Incumbents serve as a technical subject matter expert, exercising independent judgment in interpreting regulations, assessing risk, and recommending corrective actions, and may provide technical direction to staff, contractors, and consultants.

The following list of duties is intended only to describe the various types of work that may be performed and the level of technical complexity of the assignment(s) and is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties. The omission of a specific duty statement does not exclude it from the position if the work is consistent with the concept of the classification or is similar or closely related to another duty statement. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Essential Duties

1. Monitors Federal, State and local laws and regulations related to toxic or hazardous materials and hazardous wastes; arranges proper disposal of hazardous wastes; maintains files of waste disposal and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) on toxic and hazardous materials used in the normal course of business; makes appropriate distribution of SDS information.
2. Assesses employee and supervisor safety training needs; responds to workplace safety inquiries; and maintains a confidential reporting system.
3. Designs, develops, coordinates, and delivers City safety programs, including Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), Heat Illness Prevention, emergency preparedness, and facility safety inspections. 
4. Advises staff and departments on appropriate strategies/tactics for minimizing safety and health hazards and risks.
5. Performs or coordinates ergonomic evaluations and assessments and recommends corrective actions. 
6. Oversee implementation and updates of the City’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP); advises on Cal/OSHA reporting requirements; and serves as liaison with regulatory agencies.
7. Reviews legislation, perform audits, track reports, and recommend actions as it relates to citywide safety compliance.
8. Assist and provide guidance in the planning and implementation of regulatory compliance programs, e.g., Code of Federal Regulations, ANSI Standards, SARA Title III, and Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP), California Environmental Reporting System (CERS), Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC), Pesticide and Herbicide reporting, Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP), etc.
9. Maintain required records such as those required by state and federal worker protection laws.
10. Assists with compliance inspections, audits, and regulatory processes, including permits, reporting, and corrective actions.
11. Regularly assesses risk and liability and take appropriate action to minimize them.
12. Analyzes different processes and products to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards.
13. Conducts trend analysis and forecasting to identify emerging risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
14. Conducts Hazardous Material/Waste and Department of Transportation (DOT) required training as needed.
15. Procures, distributes, inspects, maintains, and tracks safety equipment, including defibrillators and personal protective equipment (PPE).
16. Conducts studies, prepares and presents reports and recommendations. Oversees work of consultants retained for special audits, studies and projects.
17. Conducts investigations of accidents and injuries and ensures required documentation (i.e., DWC-1, OSHA 5020, etc.) is completed and provided to Risk Management and Human Resources.
18. Facilitates and participates in department and citywide safety committees, as appropriate.
19. Coordinates safety training for City departments, as needed, in areas such as first aid/CPR, office ergonomics and safety, hazardous materials/situations, active shooter, earthquake preparedness or other disaster. 
20. Utilizes and maintains tracking systems for safety related work and/or City equipment.
21. Promotes employee engagement and supports the development of a strong safety culture.

Other Duties

22. Performs related work as required

Education/Experience
Any combination equivalent to education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:  Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in safety, safety engineering, environmental health and safety, industrial hygiene, or related field.  

Experience:  Four years of progressively responsible experience in occupational/industrial safety and health, safety inspection, safety promotion and/or safety training. Prior experience as an ergonomist is desirable.

Knowledge

Knowledge of regulations, principles, policies, practices and methods for developing and administering a comprehensive risk management program including emergency preparedness, safety, hazardous materials, health, safety, and claims. Ability to interpret those regulations and implement programs and procedures necessary to ensure compliance. Knowledge of applicable laws, codes and accepted safety practices relating to the workplace, e.g. Toxic Substance Control Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Act (Superfund), Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Proposition 65, Right-to-Know Rules, California Workers Compensation Laws, and California Administrative Code Title 22, Health and Safety Code, and California Code of Regulations Title 8; materials and equipment and standard construction practices and procedures; and investigation and record keeping techniques and procedures.

Abilities

Ability to effectively plan and perform assigned work in connection with environmental and worker safety compliance, hazardous waste disposal, hazardous and toxic material control and safety inspections, training and policy administration; communicate effectively orally and in writing with all levels of the organization, public and outside agencies, contractors, etc.; properly handle confidential information and material; establish and maintain a variety of databases; direct the work of consultants; interpret and apply established City policies, procedures and codes; interpret and analyze information, draw valid conclusions and project consequences of decisions and recommendations; analyze and solve problems using independent and discretionary judgment; prepare studies and reports concerning complex technical matters; establish and maintain accurate records; maintain level of knowledge required for satisfactory job performance; communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audience; establish and maintain effective working relationships with  employees and the general public.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Indoor office or station environment, and outdoor environment while performing fieldwork. Outdoor work performed across a variety of municipal worksites including but not limited to construction sites, maintenance yards, parks, facilities, roadways, and other public infrastructure.
• Work may occur near active construction zones, traffic, heavy equipment, confined spaces, or other operational hazards.
• Occasional exposure to wet or humid conditions; extreme cold or extreme heat.
• Occasional exposure to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration. 
• Travel by City vehicle within City limits to City work sites, locations, and meetings to conduct work.
• Noise level is usually moderate, ambient office sounds such as speaking, working office equipment, and software. Can be loud noises due to hazards, and/or in an emergency or field situation. 
• May be required to respond to emergency situations, incidents, or disasters during and outside normal working hours.
• Interaction with employees, contractors, regulatory agencies, and members of the public, including in high-stress or sensitive situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Operate or ability to operate objects, controls, and/or tools such as but not limited to a computer, computer keyboard, and standard office equipment. 
• Vision abilities including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
• Reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, crouch, squat, crawl, walk; twist and bend from the waist. 
• Fieldwork may involve mobility on uneven terrain, and climbing, scaling, or descending trenches, obstacles, and/or structures to identify problems or hazards. 
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, respirators, or protective clothing.
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information and communicate in person and electronically to perform inspections, and assess hazards.

Other Requirements

Possession of a valid California Driver's License and satisfactory driving record at the time of appointment is required as a condition of initial and continued employment only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than the employee’s ability to get to/from various work locations in a timely manner, is necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.

Special Requirement

Respond to after hours emergencies as required.

Certified Safety Profession (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST), Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) or other safety professional designations are desirable.

Selection Process: To be considered, candidates must submit a completed City of Alameda Job Application form online. Applicants will be screened and evaluated based on the information provided.

E-Verify: The City of Alameda utilizes the Federal government's E-Verify program and new employees must provide documentation to establish both identity and work authorization, which includes showing a valid United States Social Security card at the time of hire (photocopies not accepted). 

An Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Alameda encourages minorities, women and the disabled to apply. It is the City's policy that all aspects of employment and promotion shall be without regard to sex, marital status or disability (except where dictated by requirements of the position), race, sexual orientation, political affiliation, religious creed, color, national origin or age. Qualified disabled persons must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. No individual may pose a direct threat to the health or safety of himself/herself or other individuals in the workplace. Barring undue hardship, reasonable accommodations can be made in the application and examination process for disabled individuals or for religious reasons. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be made in advance to the Human Resources Department. Hearing Impaired TDD (510) 522-7538.