Safety & Risk Specialist

NEW Cooperative Inc.; Fort Dodge (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

NEW Cooperative, Inc. is seeking a Safety Specialist to lead on-site safety programs across district locations. You will inspect facilities, identify hazards, and drive safety education and training to build a culture of safety and accountability.

The role requires 3–5 years in agribusiness operations, strong leadership, and proficiency with Microsoft Office. You will oversee safety investigations and collaborate with managers to implement corrective actions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in safety and health and agribusiness experience preferred.
• 3–5 years of operational experience in agribusiness.
• Awareness of OSHA standards and safety policies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to teach and conduct training.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Learn site safety inspections process and conduct on-site inspections.
• Must be licensed and insurable to drive; proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and evaluate district locations for safety hazards.
• Provide safety insights to employees and management to reduce unsafe conditions.
• Coordinate safety training and education programs for NEW Cooperative locations.
• Document safety meetings and training attendance and report findings.
• Maintain a safety-oriented culture and ensure accountability and professionalism.

Skills

Safety leadership

Safety training

Communication skills

OSHA awareness

MS Office

Site inspections

Education

Bachelor’s degree in safety and health or equivalent experience

Job description

At NEW Cooperative, we're committed to supporting agriculture, strengthening our communities, and investing in our people. As a farmer-owned cooperative, we provide meaningful career opportunities across operations, agronomy, grain, feed, energy, transportation, administration, technology, and corporate services.

Whether you're just beginning your career or bringing years of experience, you'll find a team that values safety, integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a difference every day.

Explore the position below to see how you can become part of the NEW Cooperative team.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Include but are not limited to the following:

• Inspect, evaluate, document and report safety hazards to managers.
• Provide safety insight and perspective to employees and management to reduce the likelihood of an unsafe condition and/or action.
• Show that safety is a value in NEW Cooperative’s workplaces by building a safety-oriented culture.

Safety Education

• Provide employees with a thorough understanding of why safety is important, how to work safely and why hazards require correction.
• Facilitate employee safety meetings and presentations.
• Monitor the safety compliance at assigned locations.
• Facilitate incident reviews and investigations
• Coordinate & facilitate training/education programs for NEW Cooperative.

Documentation

• Document site specific safety violations and work with manager for corrective action.
• Document safety meetings and training attendance.

Basic Employment Expectations:

Safety

• Inspect and evaluate all district locations for safety hazards
• Provide safety insight and perspective to employees and management.
• Support the building and growth of a safety-oriented culture and mindset.

Communication

• Effectively communicates hazard identification by educating employees on a safe working environment.
• Develop a relationship with location managers to work together on communication of safety concerns.
• Respond to questions from company personnel via phone, email, and/or text. May include consultation.

Accountability & Professionalism

• Abides by policies set forth in the employee handbook.
• Responsible for providing expectations to assigned locations
• Cooperates with peers to share additional duties.
• Promotes NEW Cooperative through positive, friendly, and professional interactions.
• Is punctual, follows directives, and works in an efficient and timely manner; accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of the work.
• Understands that satisfactory attendance is essential to the efficient operation of the work environment.

Customer Service

• Understands the risk management customer is all employees of NEW Cooperative and the communities they serve.
• Through effective communication continually focused on, problem solving, and managing expectations.

Personal/Professional Development

• Establishes personal performance goals and works toward these goals.
• Continually upgrades and demonstrates knowledge of the job.
• Personal continuing education by attending industry approved programs.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in safety and health or equivalent experience. Agribusiness experience preferred.
• At least 3-5 years of operational experience in an Agribuiness.
• Awareness of safety policies and applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Understands the mechanics of safety equipment, such as fall protection, air monitors, and lock out tag out.
• Ability to teach and conduct training.
• Possesses problem solving and critical thinking capabilities.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Learn site safety inspections process.
• Conduct on site safety inspections at district locations
• Must be licensed and insurable to drive. Proficient in Microsoft platforms, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

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 sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the 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.

Position will frequently work near moving mechanical parts, work in high, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock.

Position will frequently work in outdoor weather conditions.

Disclaimer: This job description indicates the general nature and minimum level of work expected. It is not designed to cover every activity, duty, or responsibility required of the employee. The employee may be asked to perform other duties related to the successful performance of the job.

NEW Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

As part of our hiring background and investigation, we may obtain consumer reports to prepare an investigative consumer report. The investigative consumer report may consist of contacting all listed prior employers to verify your employment history. It may also include, but not be limited to, credit information reports, criminal history report and driving history records. Under the provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 USC at 1681-1681u) as amended, before we can seek such reports, we must have your written permission to obtain the information. You have the right, upon written request, to a complete and accurate disclosure of the nature and scope of the investigation. You are entitled to a copy of your Consumer Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.Authorization and Release To Obtain InformationUnder the provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC, Section 1681 et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act and all applicable federal, state, and local laws, I hereby authorize and permit NEW Cooperative, Inc. to obtain a consumer report and/or an investigative consumer report which may include the following:1. My employment records;2. Records concerning any driving, criminal history, credit history, civil record, worker’s compensation (post-offer only) and drug testing;3. (For truck drivers only) In accordance with the Department of Transportation Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Section 382.413, information concerning alcohol and controlled substances for the past 2 years;4. Verification of my academic and/or professional credentials; and information and/or copies of documents from any military service records.I understand that an “investigative consumer report” may include information as to my character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living which may be obtained by interviews with individuals with whom I am acquainted or who may have knowledge concerning any such items of information.I agree that a copy of this authorization has the same effect as an original.I understand and acknowledge that under provision of the Fair Credit Reporting Act I may request a copy of any consumer report from the consumer-reporting agency that compiled the report, after I have provided proper identification.I hereby authorize NEW Cooperative, Inc. to obtain and prepare an investigation consumer report as set forth above, as part of its investigation of my employment application. This authorization shall remain in effect over the course of my employment. Reports may be ordered periodically during the course of my employment. * Select...