Safety Officer

Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) is seeking a qualified and motivated Safety Officer to help ensure safety remains a top priority across all utility operations. This is a critical, hands-on role that combines technical expertise, field engagement, and relationship-building to strengthen AMP’s safety culture and support reliable, compliant electric service for the community of Alameda.

About Alameda Municipal Power(AMP)

Founded in 1887, AMP is the oldest municipal electric utility west of the Mississippi River and a community-owned utility governed by an independent Public Utilities Board. AMP provides 100% clean energy, maintains rates significantly lower than neighboring utilities, and has earned the American Public Power Association’s highest RP3 Diamond designation for excellence in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement.

AMP’s mission is to increase value to Alameda by providing safe, reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible electricity.

About the Position

Under direction from the General Manager, the Safety Officer plans and performs work related to environmental and worker safety compliance, hazardous and toxic material management, regulatory compliance, training, and policy administration. The role works closely with all AMP divisions and collaborates with other City departments and external agencies to support safe and compliant operations.

This position requires both technical knowledge and the ability to communicate effectively, influence practices, and build trust across the organization, from line crews and field staff to supervisors and leadership.

Key Responsibilities

The Safety Officer performs a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:

•  Monitor federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to safety, hazardous materials, and waste.

•  Develop, implement, and maintain safety and compliance programs, including the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP).

•  Conduct safety training and ensure compliance with required programs (including hearing conservation, respiratory protection, PPE, first aid/CPR, and specialized electrical safety).

•  Perform inspections, audits, and risk assessments across AMP operations.

•  Investigate accidents and incidents; support root-cause analysis and corrective actions.

•  Manage hazardous materials, waste disposal, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and related regulatory reporting.

•  Advise staff and supervisors on practical strategies to minimize safety and health hazards.

•  Coordinate with City departments (including Fire and Police) on safety protocols and emergency response, including training on electrical system safety.

•  Support compliance with applicable standards and requirements (e.g., Cal/OSHA, NFPA 70E, General Orders 95/128/165, CERS, HMBP, and related regulations).

•  Maintain required records and foster employee involvement in continuous safety improvement.

Why This Opportunity is Unique

•  Work directly with line crews, engineers, and operational staff in a collaborative, values-driven environment.

•  Influence safety practices across a full-service, community-owned electric utility that is modernizing infrastructure and advancing electrification.

•  Contribute to a high-performing public power agency with a strong safety foundation and a clear path for career growth (including progression toward Compliance and Safety Superintendent-level responsibilities).

•  Enjoy a four-day, 36-hour work week (typically Monday–Thursday) along with a comprehensive benefits package.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will bring a combination of technical knowledge, practical field experience, and strong interpersonal skills. They will be able to translate regulatory requirements into practical, field-ready solutions while fostering a positive safety culture.

Preferred background includes experience in safety and environmental compliance within utilities, construction, or similar operational environments; knowledge of Cal/OSHA and related industry standards; and the ability to balance safety requirements with operational needs.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact protecting employees, supporting reliable electric service, and advancing safety excellence at one of California’s oldest and most respected community-owned utilities.

• Four-day, 36-hour work week (typically Monday through Thursday)
• CalPERS Retirement: Classic Members: 2% at 55 formula,  8.868% contribution; New Members 2% @ 62 formula, 8.25% contribution.
• Medical: The City contracts with CalPERS to provide comprehensive health coverage to employees. Multiple HMO and PPO plans available, with a generous City contribution towards medical premiums.
• Dental: Comprehensive dental coverage provided to employees and their eligible dependents.
• Vacation: Starting with 75 hours annually and increasing with years of service.
• Management Incentive Leave: 27 hours of management leave per fiscal year. 
• Holidays: 11 City Holidays
• Floating Holidays: 4 days
• Sick Leave: 90 hours annually; unused sick leave is converted to service credit at retirement.
• Deferred Compensation: Up to 1% 457(b) matching City contribution after 1 year of continuous service.

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. Assess employee and supervisor needs for safety training in areas of awareness and job safety. 
3. Design, develop, coordinate, and deliver and/or assist in safety programs such as but not limited to AMP’s Physical Security Plan, Share 911, AMP’s Strom Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), etc.
4. Advise staff on appropriate strategies/tactics for minimizing safety and health hazards and risks.
5. Write and develop Injury & Illness Prevention Programs plan (IIPP)Advise on Cal/OSHA serious injury reporting requirements, and serve as the AMP subject matter expert in matters concerning environmental, health, and safety.
6. Review legislation, perform audits, track reports, and recommend actions.
7. Assist and provide guidance in the planning and implementation of regulatory compliance programs, e.g., Code of Federal Regulations, NFPA 70E, ANSI Standards, SARA Title III, G.O. 95, 128, and 165, 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.
8. Maintain required records such as those required by state and federal worker protection laws.
9. Assist in compliance inspection and audits. Assist and support the process with regulatory agencies in permit applications, administrative orders, required reporting, and regulatory compliance issues.
10. Regularly assess risk and liability and take appropriate action to minimize them.
11. Analyze different processes and products to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards.
12. Conduct trend analysis and forecasting.
13. Conduct Hazardous Material/Waste and Department of Transportation (DOT) required training .
14. Administer the hearing conservation, respiratory protection, eye, hand, and foot protection, and safety apparel programs.
15. Provide as needed training to the Alameda Police Department and the Alameda Fire Department on electrical system safety protocols and procedures when supporting AMP operations for emergency calls.
16. Conducts studies, prepares and presents reports and recommendations. Oversees work of consultants retained for special audits, studies and projects.
17. Participate in the investigation of accidents and injuries and in the preparation of reports and evidence for AMP. Ensure the City’s Risk Manager and Human Resources receive all required documentation including OSHA 5020 and DWC-1.
18. Coordinate electrical and office safety training in areas such as first aid/CPR and hazardous materials/situations terminology and communication.
19. Monitor job site activities and participate in planning processes.
20. Foster AMP employee involvement and work towards maintaining the safety culture at AMP.

Other Duties

       21. Performs related work as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Indoor office or station environment, and outdoor environment while performing fieldwork. Outdoor work may be performed in close proximity to electrical high voltage line and equipment, open trenches and heights associated with construction.
• 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 interact with upset staff and/or private and public representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate objects, controls, and/or tools such as but not limited to a computer, computer keyboard, and standard office equipment. 
• Specific 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 occasionally operate construction and/or electrical equipment when performing duties such as investigations, trainings, safety related barricades, manhole rescue, etc.
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information and communicate in person and by telephone.

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 environmental science, industrial hygiene, industrial engineer, safety          engineer, physical science or related field.  A master’s degree in any of the above areas is desirable.

Experience:  Four years of progressively responsible environmental or safety compliance with construction, maintenance and operations work activities; toxic/hazardous           materials and situation experience; electrical power utility and/or telecom, public sector, and worker safety compliance experience is desired.

Knowledge

Knowledge of applicable laws, codes and accepted safety practices relating to electrical and/or telecommunications work, 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; General Orders 95, 128, and 165, Proposition 65, Right-to-Know Rules, NFPA 70E, California Workers Compensation Laws, and California Administrative Code title 22, Health and Safety Code, and California Code of Regulations Title 8; all aspects of underground and overhead transmission, distribution, and substations; aspects of underground and overhead telecommunication systems; 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.

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.

Safety certifications and/or designations such as Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, or Certified Utility Safety Specialist (CUSP) through the Utility Safety & Operations Leadership Network (USOLN) are desirable.