Onsite Refinery Health & Safety Lead

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 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,