Chief Safety & Risk Officer

Ponca Tribe of Nebraska; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 68,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is seeking a Chief Operating Officer, Tribal Affairs/Revenue and Cost Management Administrator. This exempt, full-time role leads safety, risk, emergency management, and security across tribal facilities and clinics.

The position reports to executive leadership and drives regulatory compliance, policy development, and continuous improvement in a dynamic service delivery environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, Risk Management, Occupational Safety, Public Health, Public Administration, or related field.
• Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience in safety, emergency management, or risk administration.
• Familiarity with federal and Tribal emergency protocols, safety regulations, and insurance practices.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA, FEMA, HIPAA, and CMS compliance standards.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and safety/incident management systems.
• Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for the Tribe’s integrated safety, emergency management, risk, and security programs.
• Supervise personnel responsible for emergency services, facility security, and risk/safety inspections.
• Coordinate risk and safety responsibilities across all departments and sites, including health clinics, administrative offices, and community facilities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external safety, security, and emergency agencies.
• Develop and maintain emergency operations plans (EOP), continuity of operations (COOP), hazard mitigation, and incident response protocols for all Tribal facilities.
• Ensure full compliance with Tribal code, security regulations, and other applicable codes as identified by the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.
• Conduct audits and inspections to assess compliance, recommend corrective action, and track resolution.
• Oversee Tribal risk management including property, liability, auto, workers’ compensation, and cyber insurance.
• Evaluate insurance needs, coordinate coverage renewals, manage claims, and collaborate with brokers and carriers.
• Conduct investigations of accidents, incidents, or claims and ensure timely documentation and reporting.
• Maintain risk exposure data, insurance inventories, and incident histories to inform policy and renewal strategies.
• Lead organizational emergency preparedness efforts, including planning, training, drills, and after-action reviews.
• Serve as Incident Commander during Tribal emergencies or delegate authority when necessary.
• Coordinate responses to weather emergencies, facility hazards, power outages, and declared disasters.
• Support emergency communications, including alerts to Tribal leadership and staff.
• Direct physical security operations including access control, surveillance systems, key control, and patrol staffing.
• Monitor and analyze security incident reports, manage investigations, and advise leadership on risks and mitigation.
• Ensure healthcare clinic security practices align with HIPAA and Indian Health Service (IHS) guidelines.
• Collaborate with IT for cybersecurity and physical infrastructure alignment.
• Develop and conduct recurring staff de‑escalation training, safety and emergency training across all departments and locations.
• Facilitate new hire safety orientation and specialized training (e.g., hazardous materials, clinic response drills).
• Engage staff and community members in promoting a proactive safety and risk-aware culture.
• Regularly brief the CEO of Tribal Affairs and CEO or delegated leadership member of Ponca Health Services on safety and risk initiatives, events, or concerns.
• Provide strategic advice to Tribal Council and serve as Tribal liaison to federal, state, and local agencies.
• Coordinate across departments to ensure unified implementation of safety policies, emergency readiness, and insurance procedures.
• Other Duties as assigned

Skills

Leadership

Safety management

Emergency planning

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Security operations

Communication

MS Office

Incident management systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

MS Office

Incident management systems

Job description

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is seeking a Chief Operating Officer, Tribal Affairs/Revenue and Cost Management Administrator. This exempt, full-time role leads safety, risk, emergency management, and security across tribal facilities and clinics.

The position reports to executive leadership and drives regulatory compliance, policy development, and continuous improvement in a dynamic service delivery environment.