Safety and Risk Management Specialist

Henry County Water Authority; McDonough (GA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Henry County Water Authority is seeking a Safety and Risk Management Specialist to actively support safety and risk management programs. The role emphasizes field presence, coaching, and collaboration with employees, supervisors, and management to reduce hazards and promote a proactive safety culture.

The position involves incident investigation, emergency preparedness, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives across HCWA facilities and field operations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 2–3 years related experience.
• OSHA 30 certification and CPR/First Aid preferred; instructor certifications desirable.
• Valid Georgia driver's license.
• Willingness to obtain instructor certification after hire.

Responsibilities

• Maintains a regular, visible presence across HCWA operations and field locations.
• Conducts field observations, inspections, and safety audits to identify unsafe conditions and risks.
• Develops and enforces safety policies in compliance with laws and regulations.
• Provides practical safety guidance and coaching to employees and supervisors.
• Investigates injuries, incidents, and near misses and recommends corrective actions.
• Reviews safety data to identify trends and target risk-reduction efforts.
• Supports workers' compensation, property, and liability claims as needed.

Skills

Field observations

Hazard identification

Safety coaching

Incident investigation

Regulatory compliance

Emergency response planning

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Two to three years related experience

OSHA 30 certification

CPR/First Aid

Flagging and Defensive Driving Instructor certifications (desirable)

Job description

Summary: The Safety and Risk Management Specialist serves as a hands on technical and field resource in support of HCWA's comprehensive safety and risk management programs. This position works collaboratively with employees, supervisors, and management to identify hazards, reduce operational risk, prevent injuries and losses, strengthen regulatory compliance, and promote a proactive and positive safety culture throughout the Authority. A key focus of this position is maintaining a visible presence in the field. The Specialist regularly visits HCWA facilities, treatment plants, field operations, reservoirs, construction sites, and other work locations to observe work practices, identify potential hazards and operational risks, provide practical guidance and coaching, and partner with departments to develop solutions that improve employee safety and reduce organizational risk. The position also supports incident investigation, safety training, emergency preparedness, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. They will approach safety as a partnership—building relationships with employees and supervisors and helping create practical solutions that allow work to be performed safely and effectively.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Maintains a regular and visible presence throughout HCWA operations, including field crews, treatment facilities, reservoirs, construction and maintenance activities, and other work locations.
• Conducts scheduled and unscheduled field observations, facility inspections, jobsite assessments, and safety audits to identify unsafe conditions, work practices, emerging risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develops, implements and enforces safety policies and procedures in compliance with all applicable state, federal and local laws and regulations. Provides guidance and enforcement on the administration of a comprehensive OSHA equivalent safety program.
• Serves as a safety resource and partner to employees and supervisors by providing practical guidance, coaching, and assistance in addressing workplace hazards and safety concerns.
• Works collaboratively with supervisors and employees to identify appropriate corrective measures and follows up to ensure identified hazards and safety concerns are appropriately addressed.
• Responds to and investigates employee injuries, vehicle accidents, property damage incidents, near misses, and other safety or risk-related events. Prepares clear and objective incident investigation documentation and provides recommendations for corrective actions, additional training, procedural changes, or other preventive measures.
• Reviews incident, injury, vehicle, property, workers' compensation, and near-miss data to identify trends and opportunities for targeted risk-reduction efforts.
• Assists with workers' compensation, vehicle, property, and general liability claims as needed, including incident investigation, documentation, and coordination with employees, management, claimants, and insurance representatives.
• Supports the Accident Review Board; facilitates Accident Review Board meetings and submits Board recommendations to Division and Department Managers.
• Develops Standard Operating Procedures with regard to safety concerns with all departments at HCWA.
• Researches safety equipment, technology, PPE, training resources, and other solutions that may improve employee safety or reduce organizational risk.
• Works with departments to identify safety training needs based on operational activities, incidents, inspection findings, regulatory requirements, and emerging risks. Conducts and assists with employee safety training, toolbox talks, demonstrations, tabletop exercises, and other educational activities.
• Supports the development, review, implementation, and testing of HCWA emergency response and preparedness plans.
• Participates in emergency drills, tabletop exercises, and other preparedness activities using an all-hazards approach.
• Assists with HCWA's Risk and Resilience Assessment and Emergency Response Plan activities and related requirements applicable to public water systems.
• Conducts or assists with risk assessments of facilities, operations, equipment, and work activities and recommends practical risk-control measures.
• Participates in the development and implementation of safety incentive, recognition, and employee engagement programs.
• Promotes a positive safety culture based on employee involvement, accountability, communication, coaching, and continuous improvement.
• Builds effective working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization and serves as an approachable resource for safety and risk-related questions or concerns.
• Identifies opportunities to improve safety processes, programs, communication, technology, training, and employee engagement.
• Develops formal Safety Policies and Procedures Programs for the Authority, to include a Safety Manual, Facilities and Work Site Inspection Forms, and Educational Materials. Assists in developing and updating safety training materials, presentations, educational resources, and awareness campaigns.
• Must be able to effectively communicate, with tact and diplomacy, with the public and staff members.
• Serves in an on-call capacity and responds, as needed, to after-hours safety incidents, accidents, emergencies, and other risk-related events requiring Safety and Risk Management support.

Education and/or Experience: High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and two to three years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Valid Georgia Driver's License; OSHA 30 certified; CPR/First Aid, Flagging and Defensive Driving Instructor certifications are highly desirable; candidates without instructor certifications should be willing to obtain it after hire.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places and fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to take phone calls regarding the status of an application. You will be contacted if you are selected to be interviewed. We appreciate your interest in HCWA!

Henry County Water Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.