Health and Safety Manager

Office of the County Engineer; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Wellness program

Professional development opportunities

457 deferred compensation

Retirement pension (TCDRS)

Transportation assistance

Disability and life insurance

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

Harris County is seeking a Health and Safety Manager to lead construction safety for the department. You will implement safety policy, manage programs, and oversee inspectors to ensure OSHA and County standards are met.

The role requires strong leadership, incident investigation skills, and experience with heavy civil safety programs. Hybrid work and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety/health or related field.
• Progressive safety management experience in construction or public works preferred.
• Certifications: CSP/CHST and OSHA 30; OSHA 510/500 within required timelines.

Responsibilities

• Oversee implementation of Harris County Worksite Safety Policy within the department.
• Maintain knowledge of OSHA standards, Texas safety regs, and County requirements.
• Develop and enforce department safety programs, procedures, and inspection protocols.
• Supervise inspectors, conduct quality reviews, and provide coaching.
• Conduct field audits and exercise stop-work authority for imminent danger.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Incident investigations

Safety program management

Contractor oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree in occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene, safety management, construction management or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Position Description

The Health and Safety Manager serve as the senior construction safety leader for (Department), responsible for implementation, oversight, and enforcement of the Harris County Worksite Safety Policy adopted by Commissioners Court on November 13, 2025. The HSM develops, manages, and enforces safety programs, training protocols, and contractor oversight practices to ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, Texas state law, and Harris County requirements.

This position directly supervises [Department] Safety Compliance Inspectors, conducts field inspections, investigates incidents, and exercises stop-work authority for imminent danger conditions in accordance with County policy. The HSM works collaboratively with project managers, engineers, contractors, and executive leadership to prevent injuries, reduce construction risk, and maintain a proactive safety culture across the department's construction and maintenance operations.

Job Duties

Regulatory Compliance & Policy Implementation (25%)

• Oversee implementation of Harris County Worksite Safety Policy within (Department)
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of OSHA construction standards, Texas state safety regulations, and County requirements
• Develop and maintain department safety programs, procedures, inspection protocols, and documentation standards
• Ensure consistent application of safety regulations and enforcement practices across all Department projects
• Coordinate with Harris County Risk Management and DEEO on workers' compensation claims and compliance issues

Supervision & Team Development (20%)

• Directly supervise Department Safety Compliance Inspectors, including work assignment, performance evaluation, and professional development
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of inspection reports and investigation findings
• Develop and deliver technical training on emerging hazards, regulatory changes, and Provide coaching and performance feedback to develop inspector capabilities

Field Oversight & Hazard Mitigation (20%)

• Conduct construction site audits for safety hazards requiring intervention
• Exercise stop-work authority for imminent danger conditions in accordance with Harris County Worksite Safety Policy
• Ensure all workers, visitors, and County staff complete required OSHA and safety training prior to site access
• Verify contractor compliance with site-specific safety plans and County standards

Incident Investigation & Analysis (15%)

• Oversee incident investigations involving injuries, near-misses, or property damage
• Perform root cause analysis and develop corrective action recommendations
• Interface with workers' compensation claims process and support return-to-work strategies
• Analyze incident trends to identify systemic risks and recommend program improvements

Contractor Safety Management (15%)

• Evaluate contractor safety performance and coordinate with project managers on corrective actions
• Enforce County safety training, certification, and documentation requirements
• Monitor contractor compliance with specialized safety plans (confined space, excavation, fall protection, etc.)

Program Administration & Reporting (5%)

• Maintain databases and documentation of inspections, incidents, training, and compliance activities
• Provide regular safety performance reports to executive leadership
• Participate in inter-departmental safety coordination meetings to maintain consistency with County standards
• Support emergency response and disaster recovery operations as needed

Some positions may require employees to work before, during, or after an emergency or disaster, at the department's discretion.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call [phone] or email [e-mail].

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree in occupational safety and health, Industrial Hygiene, Safety Management, Construction Management, Engineering, and related fields from an accredited institution.

OR

• Directly related professional experience may be substituted for up to two (2) years of education requirement.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in construction safety management
• At least two (2) years in a supervisory, program management, or lead safety role
• Demonstrated experience managing safety programs for heavy civil construction (roadways, bridges, drainage infrastructure, or similar public works projects)
• Experience conducting incident investigations and root cause analysis
• Experience developing safety policies, procedures, and training programs

Certifications (must possess at time of hire or obtain within specified timeframe)

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) OR Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) - must obtain within 12 months of hire if not currently held. If hired with CHST, must commit to obtaining CSP within 24 months.
• OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety - must possess at hire
• OSHA 510 (Standards for Construction) OR OSHA 500 (Trainer Course) - must obtain within 18 months of hire if not currently held

Other Duties

This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Strong computer skills, utilizing internet-based databases and Microsoft software such as Outlook, Word. Excel. and Teams. Self-starter with exceptional attention to detail, organizational, time management and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision, relative autonomy, and general review. Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to learn newly implemented software with proficiency and adapt procedure changes with ease.
• Ability to operate and/or utilize a variety of standard business and office machines and equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of individuals. Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information at all times.
• Previous management or supervisor experience

Emergency Response Obligations

• This position is designated as essential personnel and may be required to work before, during, and after emergency events
• Must be available for after-hours emergency response for serious injuries, fatalities, or major incidents
• Participates in departmental emergency operations planning and disaster recovery safety protocols
• May be assigned to support multi-departmental emergency responses

NOTE

Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

• Experience with public sector construction and procurement processes
• Experience managing safety programs across multiple project sites or jurisdictions
• Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or Associate Safety Professional (ASP)
• Emergency management or disaster response experience
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

General Information

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is based in an office environment, where the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, scanners, and filing cabinets is routine.
• Occasional visits to construction office trailers or project meeting sites may be required to support Policy-related administrative tasks or coordination with County safety staff.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

• This role is predominantly sedentary, involving mainly sitting with occasional standing, walking, and lifting or moving objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
• It also requires performing standardized tasks with little creativity, a predictable pace with minimal stress, and moderate focus and cognitive effort, including some memorization and frequent reliance on reference materials.
• Must be able to perform extended periods of data entry, documentation review, and administrative processing related to safety reporting requirements.

POSITION TYPE AND TYPICAL HOURS OF WORK

• This is a full-time position with the typical work hours of Monday - Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, operating on a hybrid schedule.
• Occasional weekends, holidays, and overtime may be required based on the specific needs and demands of the department.
• May require additional hours to support urgent safety documentation needs, incident reporting timelines, or Policy-related administrative deadlines.

Featured Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• Wellness.
• Professional development opportunity.
• 457 deferred compensation plans.
• Retirement pension (TCDRS).
• Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).
• Disability and life insurance.
• Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.