Health and Safety Coordinator

Kern Energy CA; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Kern Energy is seeking a Health and Safety Coordinator to prevent injuries and exposures across refinery operations, maintenance, projects, and contractor work. You will maintain an active field presence, engage with crews on job sites, identify hazards, and provide practical guidance on safe work practices and company standards.

The role partners with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and contractors, reports to the Health and Safety Manager, and reflects Kern Energy’s values of Teamwork,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree preferred in safety or related field.
• 5+ years of related experience in gas/oil industrial environments.
• Certifications in safety supervision and construction safety are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible field support during operations, maintenance, construction, and turnarounds, identifying hazards and elevating unsafe conditions.
• Review safety analyses, permits, and field execution for critical work; enforce controls and stop work when needed.
• Conduct inspections, safety observations, and audits with corrective actions tracked to closure.
• Support contractor safety onboarding, orientation, and on-site performance feedback.
• Participate in incident investigations, gathering facts and documenting lessons learned.
• Coordinate safety meetings, orientations, and trainings; maintain documentation for retention.
• Maintain written safety programs and procedures, including respiratory protection and PPE.
• Coordinate respirator fit testing and records; assist with industrial hygiene monitoring.
• Assist with emergency drills, inspections, and notifications as directed.
• Maintain records and report safety trends to the Health and Safety Manager.

Skills

Field presence

Hazard identification

Incident investigation

Safety coaching

Regulatory knowledge

Communication

Prioritization under pressure

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety or related field

Safety Trained Supervisor certification

Construction Health & Safety Technician (preferred)

Job description

Kern Energy is hiring a Health and Safety Coordinator who will help prevent injuries and exposures through refinery operations, maintenance, projects, and contractor work. This role maintains an active field presence, engages with crews at job sites, helps identify hazards, and provides practical guidance on safe work practices and company. The Health and Safety Coordinator partners with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and contractors and reports to the Health and Safety Manager. The role reflects Kern Energy’s values of Teamwork, Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Connection.

Job Function

• Provide visible field support during routine operations, maintenance, construction, shutdowns, and turnarounds. Identify hazards, discuss practical controls with work groups, and elevate serious concerns promptly.
• Review job safety analyses, permits, and field execution for critical work, including energy isolation, confined space entry, hot work, work at heights, line breaking, lifting, and excavation. Verify that controls are in place and use stop work authority when conditions are unsafe.
• Conduct inspections, safety observations, and program audits. Document findings, assign or coordinate follow up and confirm corrective actions are effective.
• Support contractor safety through onboarding, orientation, field observations, and follow up with contractor supervision on site requirements and performance.
• Participate in incidents, near misses, and injury investigations. Gather facts, help identify contributing causes, document lessons learned, and track actions to closure.
• Coordinate and deliver safety meetings, orientations, refresher training, and field coaching. Compile appropriate documentation and provide it to the Employee Development Department for retention.
• Help maintain written safety programs and procedures, including respiratory protection, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and other assigned programs.
• Coordinate respirator fit testing, equipment issuance, and records. Assist with industrial hygiene exposure monitoring and follow up on results with qualified staff. Execute other special projects as directed.
• Coordinate inspection and service records for fire extinguishers and assigned emergency equipment. Work with Maintenance and emergency response personnel on identified deficiencies.
• Support emergency drills, response readiness, and coordination with local responders. Assist with agency inspections, document requests, and required notifications as directed.
• Maintain incident, inspection, training, and action tracking records. Work with Health and Safety Advisor to review safety trends and prepare clear status reports for the Health and Safety Manager.
• Checks how safety controls work in practice, supports training and investigations, and follows corrective actions through closure.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of refinery or heavy industrial hazards and applicable Cal/OSHA, federal OSHA, and NFPA requirements.
• Ability to read and apply technical procedures, regulations, and inspection requirements.
• Experience supporting electrical safety, fire safety, lockout and tagout, respiratory protection, and other refinery safety programs.
• Ability to inspect work areas and equipment, recognize hazards, document findings, and follow corrective actions through closure.
• Strong written and verbal communication, presentation, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships, coach personnel, and manage several priorities independently and with a team.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development in the field of health and safety field.

Health And Safety Requirements

Respiratory Protection Program Compliance: This position may be required to adhere to and actively participate in our Respiratory Protection Program. This includes wearing respiratory protection equipment defined in Kern’s Facial Hair Policy and Respiratory Protection Program Manual, attending training sessions, and following established safety protocols. The ability to comply with respiratory protection guidelines is an essential aspect of this role, contributing to a safe and healthy work environment.

Education/ Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety or a related field preferred.
• At least five (5) years of related experience or training in a Gas/Oil industrial setting.
• Safety Trained Supervisor and/or Safety Trained Supervisor Construction certification.
• Occupational Health & Safety Technician and/or Construction Health & Safety Technician is preferred.