SAFETY AND EMERGENCY MANAGER

North-Marin-Water-District; Novato (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS retirement

Medical insurance coverage

Dental and vision

Educational reimbursement

Housing assistance

Job summary

North Marin Water District is seeking a Safety & Emergency Manager to lead safety, emergency preparedness, and regulatory compliance across the district. You will develop and administer safety initiatives, coordinate emergency response planning, and serve as the district’s representative in safety collaborations.

Ideal candidate will have water industry experience and strong communication, problem-solving, and training program capabilities.

Qualifications

• 5 years’ experience in the water, wastewater or utilities industries.
• OSHA, FEMA, NIMS training in safety/emergency management.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; seven years experience may substitute.
• DMV Class C license and DWOCP certifications are required/desired.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee safety and emergency management services.
• Research and develop recommendations on emergency management and safety issues.
• Represent the District to outside agencies and organizations.
• Develop, update and implement district-wide safety programs and training.
• Coordinate ERP, EAP, LHMP updates and hazard mitigation planning.

Skills

Emergency management

Safety program management

Regulatory compliance

Public speaking

Stakeholder collaboration

Incident command

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

High school diploma with OSHA/FEMA/NIMS training

Job description

THE POSITION

North Marin Water District (NMWD) is excited to introduce its new Safety & Emergency Manager role. Under general direction from the Director of Operations, this position will provide leadership and oversight of the District’s safety, emergency preparedness, and regulatory compliance programs. Responsibilities include developing and administering occupational and industrial safety initiatives, coordinating emergency response planning, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and serving as the District’s representative in local and regional safety and emergency management collaborations. This is a single staffed position and has no direct reports.

ABOUT US

NMWD is an independent special district formed under Division 12 of the California Water Code (County Water Districts) and provides potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to more than 65,000 customers in Marin County and a portion of southern Sonoma County. The District was formed in 1948 and has a five-member Board of Directors, elected by Division for 4-year terms. These water and wastewater services are provided through four separate enterprises: Novato Water, Novato Recycled Water, the West Marin Water systems, and the Oceana Marin wastewater system. NMWD and the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) represent the two primary water providers in Marin County, with MMWD as the larger agency serving approximately three times the number of customers.

Organization

NMWD has 58 Full-Time employees organized into five departments consisting of Administrative Services, Utilities, Engineering, Operations and Water Resources. In addition to the General Manager, there are three other staff members appointed by the Board of Directors: The Director of Administrative Services/Auditor-Controller, who heads the Administrative Services Department, the Assistant GM/Director of Engineering that heads the Engineering Department and the Executive Assistant/District Secretary. The Departments work very collaboratively to ensure that all NMWD assets are functional, efficient, and maintained or replaced per industry standards and that all NMWD administration and operations comply with local, state and federal requirements.

In 2025, NMWD staff, with the support of the Board of Directors, developed an updated five-year Strategic Plan for 2025–2030. The planning process included a customer survey, an all-staff survey, and one-on-one interviews with selected staff members, senior staff, and members of the Board of Directors.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

North Marin Water District is seeking a highly skilled and motivated professional to lead and support the District's safety, emergency preparedness, and resiliency efforts. The ideal candidate will have the ability to develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive plans, protocols, training programs, and response procedures to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from a wide range of emergencies and disasters.

We are looking for an experienced water industry professional with strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, as well as demonstrated critical thinking and creative problem-solving abilities. The successful candidate will possess expertise in the development, implementation, and administration of occupational and industrial safety programs, with a thorough understanding of applicable state and federal safety regulations. This individual will also serve as the District's representative in local and regional safety, emergency management, and mutual aid programs, fostering collaboration with key stakeholders and partner agencies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Plans, organizes, administers, and oversees a wide range of safety and emergency management services in compliance with District policy.
• Researches, analyzes and develops recommendations on emergency management and safety-related issues.
• Monitors and analyzes laws and pending legislation which impact District operations.
• Stays current of new trends and innovations in the field of safety and emergency management, and continually monitors the District's compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.
• Performs policy analysis on a wide range of programs, District procedures, and services.
• Receives, researches and prepares responses to correspondence, maintains records and database of employee safety and emergency response training.
• Determines employee safety and emergency response training needs.
• Delivers presentations to various groups, inside and outside the agency.
• Represents the District to outside agencies and organizations.
• Participates in outside community and professional groups and committees.
• Represents the District in safety and emergency response inspections.
• Develops, updates, and implements legally compliant district-wide safety programs and training.
• Coordinates all safety related testing and medical examinations.
• Conducts periodic inspections of facilities and operations to identify safety hazards.
• Investigates accidents and injuries, prepares and submits required reports.
• Recommends corrective actions to potentially hazardous work methods to comply with safety regulations and prevent injuries.
• Manages regularly scheduled safety meetings.
• Acts as the lead of the District Safety Committee.
• Coordinates with the Director of Operations, and Treatment and Distribution Supervisor, to update and administer the District’s Chlorine System Risk Management Plan at Stafford Lake Water Treatment Plant.
• Manages emergency response and recovery efforts in response to all types of emergencies; Coordinates with emergency responders and outside agencies in the event of an emergency.
• Develops policies to be followed in an emergency or natural disaster.
• Conducts emergency response assessments to evaluate disaster preparedness and make recommendations to improve efficiency and readiness.
• Develops and implements a multi-year Training and Exercise Plan that incorporates the District’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP) and Stafford Dam Emergency Action Plan (EAP) elements.
• Identifies threats, risks, hazards, and vulnerabilities to District facilities and infrastructure in coordination with the Engineering, Utilities, Operations departments.
• Coordinates with Director of Operations to update, administer and implement the District’s ERP.
• Coordinates with District departments and leads periodic updates to the District’s Annex in the Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP).
• Reviews, updates, and submits Hazardous Materials Business Plans (HMBPs) for all District facilities that store hazardous materials through the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS).
• OTHER DUTIES
  • Assists in implementing safety and emergency response work documentation through Asset Management work orders.
  • May assist District management with safety-related issues such as physical security, ergonomics, and worker’s compensation investigations.

QUALIFICATIONS

(The following minimum qualifications are necessary for entry into the class)

Education/Experience

Sufficient education and experience in safety and emergency management to perform the duties of the Safety and Emergency Manager.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a high school diploma, or equivalent, supplemented with relevant specialized training in safety management (OSHA courses) and/or emergency management (FEMA, NIMS, SEMS courses) and five (5) years’ experience in the water, wastewater or utilities industries.

Desired Qualifications

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in industrial engineering, safety engineering, occupational health, business administration or related field; or full-time professional work experience in workplace safety which includes seven (7) years’ experience in water, wastewater or utilities.

Knowledge/Skill/Ability (The ideal candidate will have the knowledge of and ability to)

Knowledge of:

• The roles and responsibilities of emergency management including mitigation & prevention, preparedness, response and recovery phases;
• Cal/OSHA and Fed/OSHA regulations and requirements; current safety practices, construction safety orders, mandates and relevant trends related to injury and illness prevention;
• Incident command systems and incident management;
• The fundamentals of employee training;
• Conditions that lead to major emergencies;
• Principles and practices of program management;
• Incident investigation practices; cybersecurity threats.

Ability to:

• Evaluate and update policies and procedures;
• Interpret laws and regulations related to safety and emergency management;
• Provide current and compliant safety training to employees on a variety of topics;
• Evaluate specific jobs to identify specific job hazards;
• Exercise initiative, good judgment, tact, and discretion, as well as excellent interpersonal skills;
• Maintain a variety of sophisticated spreadsheets and accurate records;
• Problem solve and communicate effectively; manage and complete a variety of tasks and assignments concurrently;
• Analyze, evaluate and assess program effectiveness;
• Work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Apply a high degree of independent judgment;
• Read and interpret complex and often conflicting plans, specifications, laws, regulations, rules and policies;
• Prepare clear/concise written reports, memoranda, procedures and correspondence;
• Speak clearly, concisely, and give public presentations;
• Effectively train others in front of an audience;
• Establish and maintain productive work relationships with a variety of people contacted in the course of work.

License/Certificate

Possession of a valid DMV Class C California driver’s license.

Possession of a California Drinking Water Operator Certification Program (DWOCP) Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate or possession of a DWOCP Grade T2 Water Treatment Operator Certificate.

Possession of a DWOCP Water Treatment Operator T3 or higher, or possession of a DWOCP Water Distribution Operator D3 or higher is desired but not required.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires the following working conditions and physical requirements

Mobility: Ability to work in an office setting with prolonged periods of sitting, standing, twisting, bending, and reaching. Fieldwork includes walking on various surfaces, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, turning, lifting, climbing, twisting, and reaching.

Manual Dexterity: Frequent use of both hands for simple and power grasping, fine manipulation, and coordinated movements. Tasks may involve operating office and field equipment, specialized instruments, and tools, requiring repetitive arm/hand movements and coordination of multiple limbs.

Physical Activities: Ability to use arms above the shoulder, walk on level and slippery surfaces, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch. Works outdoors in all weather conditions, climbing ladders, working in confined spaces.

Computer Use: Proficiency in retrieving data using a computer keyboard.

Vision: Near and far vision for visual checks of facilities, reading plans, reports, and using a computer.

Sensory Abilities: Use of smell and hearing to detect odors and mechanical equipment conditions.

Hazard Exposure: Potential exposure to electrical and mechanical hazards, hazardous chemicals, and contaminants. Work around moving equipment.

Driving: Ability to drive a vehicle, including a four-wheel drive on dirt roads in varying weather and road conditions.

Work hours: Include various evening meetings including regularly scheduled Board meetings; overtime, weekends, evenings, and holidays as required to accommodate the District’s needs.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Annual salary is $129,012 – 157,056. Actual starting salary will depend on qualifications and experience.

NMWD offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including:

• CalPERS retirement 2.5% at 55 formula. (If new to CalPERS on or after January 1, 2013 or not from an agency with reciprocity with CalPERS, the formula is 2% at 62 by pension reform law.)
• The District pays up to 85% of monthly medical insurance premiums and covers 100% of dental and vision insurance premiums. Coverage is provided for employees and their eligible family members.
• Deferred compensation (457(b)) matches up to 1% of the annual salary.
• Work schedule is a standard 40-hour per week schedule and in addition may include various evening meetings; overtime, weekends, evenings, and holidays as required to accommodate the District’s needs.
• District paid life insurance.
• Educational reimbursement and employee assisted housing program available after completing probationary period.

For more information on benefits see: https://nmwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-NMWD-Benefit-Summary-FINAL-1.pdf

For more information about North Marin Water District please visit nmwd.com